[UK-CONTEST] G3TXF : A BERU dabbler...

[Nigel G3TXF]

As there is still no Multi-Op section in BERU, G3TXF can only submit a CHECKLOG, as he had the DX-Cluster packet running in the shack all weekend.

This year 99 Band Call Areas (BCAs) were worked. 

The claimed Multi-Op/Assisted "score" would be 3,665 points from 178 QSOs.

The Commonwealth Call Areas worked across various bands (but mostly 80m, 40m and 20m) were 5B4, 7Q7, 8P, 9H, 9J2, 9M2, 9M6, 9V1, C6, C9, J3, J8, V3, V4, V5, VE1,VE2, VE3, VE4, VE5, VE6, VE7, VE9, VK2, VK3, VK4, VK6, VK7, VO1, VP8-f, VP9,VQ9, VU2, ZB2, ZC4, ZF2, ZL1, ZL2, ZL4 and ZL6. 

Not bad for relatively thinly supported 24-hour contest.

Yes, G3TXF also forgot that BERU now starts at 1000z (!) and operated from 1200z sporadically through to 0100z and from 0600z to the end at 1000z.

Only four stations worked in Africa 9J2BO, 7Q7BP, V51AS and C91VB. I suspect that the C9 may have barely ever heard of the Commonwealth and has certainly never heard of BERU! 

9M2CNC and 9V1YC had excellent signals on 80m and 40m. Great to work VP8NO on two bands. These are the sorts of callsign we like to see in BERU! Thanks also to this year's "BERU travellers" : 9H3JT and J88DR.

As has been mentioned by others, having the "Restricted" section in BERU being a 12-hour entry seems slightly daft when the whole contest is just 24-hours. One simple modification to the Sections would be to allow Multi-op (or Packet Assisted) participants to submit a scored log under a combined "HQ station and Multi-op" section. 

A more radical modification to the BERU Sections could possibly be (a) Single Op : 100w/simple antenna - as per the G3LZQ Trophy (b) Single Op : but high-power with beams etc and (c) a third catch-all Section for Multi-Op, Packet-Assisteds and HQ Stations (irrespective of power/antennas).

That way there might be a few more scored BERU logs submitted from those who like to actively dabble in BERU but who are not devoted enough to BERU to turn off the DX-Cluster, and make a serious Single-Op (no packet) entry.

How's about a li'l rethink on the Sections in time for the 70th BERU next year?

73 - Nigel G3TXF