[UK-CONTEST] NFD

[G3SJJ]

I find this part of the thread most interesting for several reasons. 
Whilst I might have been lucky enough to have been invited to join the 
Lichfield group again for this year's NFD (luckily for them I didn't 
operate, so they went on to win the Open section!) I delayed my own 
decision and then got caught up in domestic projects which precluded any 
involvement in NFD anyway. However probably the main reason for my 
indecision was in fact that I was really interested in doing Restricted 
section, which they were already aware of. I really do like the idea of 
the KISS approach and now with the K2/100 might be able to achieve that 
in future years. There is a site near to Nottingham East Midlands 
Airport which I think would be really good and I am gagging to try it. 
(I still support to the hilt the right of any group to use Cluster if 
they so wish, I don't wish!)

The mention again of a combined event made me pay attention. I fielded 
this idea several years ago and was severely reprimanded by my friends 
at Lichfield because they regularly entered both CW and SSB events. In 
this I have full empathy with Jonathan. Interestingly though, and sadly, 
after many years at the top of both events the decision was taken to 
only enter one, CW FD. As others have commented, I have felt for some 
time that the inevitable conclusion will be a combined event. We can't 
take things backwards but we can move forwards and I hope for the sake 
of field day experience, this will eventually happen.

Colin M0DDT mentioned this but his thoughts on how it could be realised 
were different to mine. Also as usually happens when I make suggestions 
for change, people on the Reflector became emotive and jump off in all 
kinds of directions and generally accuse me of sacrilege. Interesting to 
note that the new rules for  21/28 contest are very close to what I 
suggested at HF Convention several years ago. No, I am not being high 
and mighty. I just try and think these things through for the good of 
contesting generally, but not as so many other people do, for their own 
particular interest.

Anyway, the thoughts I had at that time were similar to what has been 
expressed recently, so no ground busting explosions. You could say 
roughly based on IOTA Contest. So, a CW Restricted section much as now 
so nothing changes there, an SSB Restricted section if thought 
worthwhile and an Open multimode section. I felt that, as we hopefully 
will see in the new 21/28 contest, there would be a migration across the 
modes and a group doing Open section would have the advantage of being 
able to demonstrate CW contesting to members who might otherwise not 
have that opportunity.

I am sorry for all these long postings, I am fully aware how pissed of 
some/most of you will be,  I just feel I have some vaguely (!) relevant 
things to say. (Promise I'll get the 40m phased array connected back up 
soon so I can go on the air rather than do this!!) (At least I don't 
have to buy a round of drinks at HFC ref IOTA claimed scores, I knew I 
was on safe ground on that one!)

Chris G3SJJ



Jonathan G0DVJ wrote:
> On Aug 18, 2006, at 8:05 pm, g4fka at aol.com wrote:
>
>   
>> Just look at the debate so far. However Dave has asked for our  
>> views  and no-one
>> else has gone for the "keep it simple" approach so I thought I'd  
>> make  a pitch
>> for it.
>>     
>
> I thought I had expressed a KISS approach too - but just to clarify  
> it I agree with Geoff.
>
> HARIG (Harwich) has only gone for the Open rather than Restricted  
> sections in recent years because of antenna selections.  If we could  
> use separate wire-only dipoles per band, we would be in restricted.   
> We will never win anyway so it matters not which section we choose -  
> we don't want the antennas any higher than restricted, we dont want  
> higher power, we don't (in response to another comment) use cluster  
> nor want to!  I also support the use of a restricted simple radio -  
> not the high-end multi receiver varieties.
>
> However I was simply responding to the consultation - Our problem  
> with NFD is finding CW ops in the group who can do it..  It has  
> nothing to do with the rules.
>
> Incidentally, if CW & SSB FD were to be combined, there would be one  
> less entry since, I currently help organise each at two different  
> clubs and I can't be in two places at once.
>
> 73,
> Jonathan G0DVJ
> --
>
>
>   
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