[UK-CONTEST] R33 Stations

[Dave Lawley]

Following on a little from the discussion about contesting + support, I 
think it would be a shame if newcomers got the impression that the only 
reason to operate a contest is in the hope of getting a certificate. 
Yes, I enter a number of contests with the aim of winning, and have done 
from time to time, but I operate many contests just for the fun of it, 
and to practice my skills.

A perfect example is this weekend's Russian Radiosport Team 
Championship, which is an 8-hour contest on 40, 20, 15 and 10. It's on 
right now (Saturday morning) and finishes at 4pm. You can log using your 
favourite program, SD WT N1MM or whatever, set up for the IARU contest. 
The main aim is to work the 21 two-man teams using R33 callsigns. They 
are all located in the same geographical area just south of Moscow, with 
half a kilometre separation between each station. This event is a 'dress 
rehearsal' for the next WRTC in 2010. More info here
http://wrtc.radio-sport.net/rrtc08_pre.htm

My point is, I'm "radioed out" at the moment after GB7HQ and have lots 
of other things to do this weekend but I'll be dabbling in this contest 
where anyone can work anyone, though the team stations are the main 
goal. So long as you email your log no more than four hours after the 
contest, it will be input to the checking process with results (for the 
2-man Russian teams) announced the following morning.

I'm not going to win anything for entering this contest, but it's fun 
and the more stations that take part, the more fun the R33 guys will 
have. Lee, G0MTN has written this event up in the latest CDXC Digest, 
for those of you who are members, and one interesting feature is that 
the teams also have to assemble the triband beam and raise the 10m tower 
before the event, field-day style.

I've just worked 50 stations in 22 minutes on CW including two R33 
stations, and broke off to send this email. You can contest to have fun, 
and hone your skills. And if a certificate drops through the door from 
time to time, that's a bonus.

Dave G4BUO