[UK-CONTEST] CC

[G3SJJ]

Ian I think your suggestions are excellent but need to go further. Like 
others, I really don't think this contest is a goer in its current 
format. I would suggest 3 important modifications as a minimum :

1 Re-brand. As in your 2nd point, it is not about Empire and ex-Gs so we 
need to get rid of the B--U claptrap. The carefully written press 
release you mention should make it clear that it is about the modern 
Commonwealth. Entrants should be encouraged to use CQ CC, not CQ B--U. 
In fact it would be helpful if people began now by refering to it as 
Commonwealth Contest and not B--U. This could also re-inforced in the 
2006 event report.

2 - Introduce an Assisted category. This would bring an immediate 
increase in the number of Qs available to those wishing to use the DX 
Cluster and would assist in getting around the bands and make the whole 
thing more enjoyable. Multi-op and networked systems would also come 
under this heading, as already in the 21/28MHz Contests.

3 - Let UK stations have points/bonus for first QSO with UK countries. 
That would immediately add 35 QSOs plus 5 for GB5CC. This would help the 
antenna-challenged UK guys.

On this basis I might even stay around for the 12 hours next time!

Chris G3SJJ (Not taking the pith this time)


Ian White GM3SEK wrote:

>This contest has a unique 'edge', that it's an opportunity for 
>Commonwealth stations to work some quite rare DX in a relaxed atmosphere 
>and without the usual EU/W/JA competition.
>
>A lot could be done with better publicity about that - to use the DXing 
>opportunities to lure more stations on, which then floats the boat for 
>the more serious competitors.
>
>1. Gerry's piece was brilliant! If next year it appeared in Tim's March 
>column (with a mention by Don as well), that would wake up a lot of the 
>newer Gs. They have more to gain than anyone else... and there's also a 
>lot more of them.
>
>2. Some months ahead of that, a carefully written press release to the 
>DX correspondents of the major Commonwealth magazines. Not just "Please 
>remind your readers about BERU" but writing the whole thing out and 
>taking care to make the key points: it isn't about the Empire and ex-Gs 
>any more; and everybody can work some rare stuff with much less 
>competition.
>
>3. Now about that rare DX we just promised everybody...
>Well, that has to be a case of "Build the interest, and they will come."
>  
>