[UK-CONTEST] Contesting + support

[Richard Newstead]

Rob

The RSGB 21/28 has (or used to) a section for 100W with single element  
antennas (height restriction too). The old RSGB 7MHz DX contest also used  
to have a section like that. While I did enter some of these, I saw no  
real indication that they were a huge success with newcomers.

The UK Microwave Group awards a certificate for first-time entrants to any  
of their contests but again I can't see any evidence that it increases  
numbers participating.

While licence numbers are at all-time highs in the UK, activity is far  
less than in the late 1970s and early 1980s both in longer contests and, I  
suspect, more generally. Just look at the pathetic 2m totals in VHF NFD  
these days - QSO numbers around half of what people used to get. The only  
contests that seem in rude good health here are the short weekday club  
contests which (on HF at least) have quite a level playing field. It cant  
just be the level playing field that makes then attractive though as they  
are also popular on 2m, where no such restrictions apply.

Most other things one might think of have already been tried ...except  
free beer.

73

Richard
G3CWI
http://www.sotabeams.co.uk