[UK-CONTEST] FW: SSB Field Day '05

[Nick Lewis]

Whoops - didn't send it to the reflector.....

  _____  

From: Nick Lewis [mailto:nick.lewis at btinternet.com] 
Sent: 16 September 2005 10:18
To: 'jim at j1mbo.f9.co.uk'
Subject: RE: [UK-CONTEST] SSB Field Day '05

 

Hi Jim,

I'm not sure I entirely agree with you.

I fully agree that complex stations should be outside the scope of the
Restricted section, but, as Tom has pointed out, the "one antenna" provision
precludes a separate spotting station already. As does rule 2(b) limiting
the station to one (trans)receiver.

Personally, I don't have any problem with public DX cluster use, although
our club doesn't do it. But I don't think many entrants need be deterred by
the cost or complexity of setting up packet access. Even in the Restricted
section. I'd rather encourage the use of publicly available amateur packet
facilities than discourage it. I don't think the rules should necessarily
level the playing field completely, even in the Restricted section. Where do
you stop once you start down that road?

However, I think you're right when you say that that private cluster use is
barred in both sections already. Personally, I think that should apply to
any means of communicating with a related off-site spotting station, whether
it's packet radio or any other networking technology. Surely the spirit of
the contest is to set up one station on one site? Run a network of any sort
between two tents/caravans on the same site, by all means, but not further
afield. 

My two penn'orth,

Nick

> -----Original Message-----

> From: uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:uk-contest-

> bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Jim Balls

> Sent: 16 September 2005 07:54

> To: Uk-Contest at Contesting.Com

> Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] SSB Field Day '05

> 

> I'm not so sure the UK contest activity would support a separate

> section, but I do feel that the restricted section was created for entry

> level competitors or clubs that do not want to spend thousands to

> compete effectively, so running multi station, multi computers with

> wireless LAN etc is way outside the scope of the "entry level".

> 

> I feel the contest committee need to do the following.

> 

> Bring restricted back to the entry level by removing any external

> assistance, no DX cluster, no external spotting stations to communicate

> in any way.

> This would bring it back to the clubs having limited resources having a

> good chance of getting near the top.

> 

> Open section should be as is, only the use of public DX cluster access,

> no private cluster, as it has been since the rules were amened in 2004.

> 

> So when are the rules discussed, at the HF Convention?

> 

> Jim