[UK-CONTEST] Commonwealth Contest Ramblings

[Kevin Martin]

Hi Chris and All

The Commonwealth Contest as stated before is probably Avril's, 2E0KOP, 
my XYL, favourite CW Event of the year. Having started to learn CW to 
'keep me company' she has progressed in two years to a proficiency that 
amazes me. For her the attraction of Commonwealth Contest is a little  
bit of History,  a little Education, and a lot of Courtesy and Good 
Manners. The words DX are of little interest for the moment, but she is 
always pleased to work a new country on the key. Avril was introduce to 
the Commonwealth Contest by her CW Mentor Ken, G0ORH.

The Commonwealth Contest like all activities should be subject to 
constant review. Many of the Ideas put forward have a lot of Merit. As 
Ian's writes
> 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.
this, perhaps has the most Merit. How ever did the powers to be fail to 
publicise it along with the Commonwealth Games eludes me.

The ability to use the cluster is a separate consideration, I some times 
wonder if it is a curse or a blessing. I personally use it very little, 
and get very annoyed when I find someone interesting to work, only to be 
drowned out by some ignorant buffoon who has suddenly found it on the 
cluster and doesn't bother to listen before transmitting. However if its 
use is to be allowed then a separate entry category would have to be 
introduced

Being able to work other G stations outside your call area for 1 point 
per band/QSO with perhaps a five band multiplier or bonus also has 
merit. The inter G working should not be allowed to dominate hence the 
low points value.

A few ramblings perhaps but possibly food for thought, by the way my CW 
is vy vy slow mainly due to my fascination with RTTY and other Data 
Modes. I look forward to working you all on RTTY, and be sure to listen 
out for 2E0KOP on the key.

73
Kevin G6FOP

> Message: 5
> Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2006 20:51:00 +0000
> From: G3SJJ <g3sjj at btinternet.com>
> Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] Commonwealth Contest
> Cc: UK-Contest at contesting.com
> Message-ID: <44172CB4.1000209 at btinternet.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
> Kevin, I think the consensus of opinion is that in its present form CC 
> is almost dead, but there have been some really positive suggestions 
> around which given the re-launch that Ian GM3SEK suggested could help it 
> survive. That is why why I am sticking with the discussion. Nigel TXF 
> commented about using the DX Cluster and I really do think this would be 
> a useful modification. Also an Assisted section would include multi-op 
> which could be used by Clubs as a training ground. One radio on Run, one 
> on S&P. It wouldn't require any modification of the rules other than an 
> asterick in the listing. No requirement for software change, so a simple 
> but effective addition. I proposed a bonus for UK countries, in fact 
> taking the existing call area 3x bonuses, this would give UK stations 5 
> bands x 7 countries x 3 = 105 plus GB5CC gives antenna-challenged UK 
> stations a potential 110 UK QSOs and would help to redress the imbalance 
> in the current rules.
>
> I do happen to think there is a lot going for this if we could shake-off 
> the old millstone.
>
> Chris G3SJJ