[UK-CONTEST] Insurance
Mike Parker
g4iuf at supanet.com
Thu Sep 18 09:44:42 EDT 2008
I won't say i smelt a rat, but something prompted me to stay with ARIS, who
have always been good and efficient - viz: when i had a lightning strike a
couple of years ago. I tend to be a bit cynical when firms suddenly change
recommendations, when the previous have been good to deal with. Mike G4IUF
----- Original Message -----
From: <uk-contest-request at contesting.com>
To: <uk-contest at contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:15 AM
Subject: UK-Contest Digest, Vol 69, Issue 32
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> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Entry levels in VHF Contests (Roger Dixon)
> 2. Re: [VHFTEST] Entry levels in VHF Contests (G3RIR)
> 3. Re: Precipitation Static (dave at g4buo.com)
> 4. Re: Nothing New Under the Sun (Chris G3SVL)
> 5. RSGB Insurance - check yours (David Ferrington, M0XDF)
> 6. Re: RSGB Insurance - check yours (Callum M0MCX)
> 7. Re: Entry levels in VHF Contests (Ray James)
> 8. RSGB Insurance - check yours (Chris Smith)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2008 06:52:52 +0100
> From: "Roger Dixon" <lists at irdixon.plus.com>
> Subject: [UK-CONTEST] Entry levels in VHF Contests
> To: "'UK Contest Reflector'" <uk-contest at contesting.com>,
> <vhf-contests at blacksheep.org>
> Message-ID: <000e01c91952$ca20ce10$0201a8c0 at rogdownstairs>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Gentlemen
> I have watched the debate about falling activity in VHF contests with
> interest. As most of you know, I have acted as the focus for all VHF
> entries for the last two and a half years. While it could be argued that
> the total numbers of entries received does not not necessarily reflect the
> activity levels in specific events, the number of entries has shown a very
> healthy rise over the last two years.
>
> The numbers below show the percentage rise in the monthly entries received
> taking 2006 as the baseline:
>
> Month 2006 2007 2008
> January 0 +41% +47%
> February 0 +43% +86%
> March 0 +33% +63%
> April 0 +55% +99%
> May 0 +27% +86%
> June 0 +15% +28%
> July 0 +27% +70%
> August 0 +5% +32%
> September 0 +38%
> October 0 +16%
> November 0 +30%
> December 0 +65%
>
> In pure number terms:
> Entries January to August 2006 1244
> Entries January to August 2007 1589
> Entries January to August 2008 2000
>
> While I'm sure this will encourage the statisticians amongst you to debate
> this, I'm sure that you will all agree that there is a very encouraging
> trend in these figures.
>
> Roger - G4BVY
> RSGB Contests Committee
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2008 07:05:19 +0100
> From: "G3RIR" <g3rir at yahoo.com>
> Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] [VHFTEST] Entry levels in VHF Contests
> To: <vhf-contests at blacksheep.org>, "'UK Contest Reflector'"
> <uk-contest at contesting.com>
> Message-ID: <2399A6BDCBC74DB6AFD8A2D37264E921 at G3RIRDELL>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Roger,
>
>
>
> That does indeed seem very encouraging.
>
>
>
> Are you able, easily, to remove the UKAC figures and show what the trend
> is
> without them?
>
>
>
> 73
>
>
>
> Neil, G3RIR
>
>
>
> _____
>
> From: owner-vhf-contests at blacksheep.org
> [mailto:owner-vhf-contests at blacksheep.org] On Behalf Of Roger Dixon
> Sent: 18 September 2008 06:53
> To: 'UK Contest Reflector'; vhf-contests at blacksheep.org
> Subject: [VHFTEST] Entry levels in VHF Contests
>
>
>
> Gentlemen
>
> I have watched the debate about falling activity in VHF contests with
> interest. As most of you know, I have acted as the focus for all VHF
> entries for the last two and a half years. While it could be argued that
> the total numbers of entries received does not not necessarily reflect the
> activity levels in specific events, the number of entries has shown a very
> healthy rise over the last two years.
>
>
>
> The numbers below show the percentage rise in the monthly entries received
> taking 2006 as the baseline:
>
>
>
> Month 2006 2007 2008
>
> January 0 +41% +47%
>
> February 0 +43% +86%
>
> March 0 +33% +63%
>
> April 0 +55% +99%
>
> May 0 +27% +86%
>
> June 0 +15% +28%
>
> July 0 +27% +70%
>
> August 0 +5% +32%
>
> September 0 +38%
>
> October 0 +16%
>
> November 0 +30%
>
> December 0 +65%
>
>
>
> In pure number terms:
>
> Entries January to August 2006 1244
>
> Entries January to August 2007 1589
>
> Entries January to August 2008 2000
>
>
>
> While I'm sure this will encourage the statisticians amongst you to debate
> this, I'm sure that you will all agree that there is a very encouraging
> trend in these figures.
>
>
>
> Roger - G4BVY
>
> RSGB Contests Committee
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com
> Version: 8.0.169 / Virus Database: 270.6.21/1671 - Release Date:
> 17/09/2008
> 09:33
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2008 09:36:28 +0100 (BST)
> From: dave at g4buo.com
> Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] Precipitation Static
> To: uk-contest at contesting.com
> Message-ID: <63609.62.189.169.182.1221726988.squirrel at jaftech.co.uk>
> Content-Type: text/plain;charset=iso-8859-1
>
> That's been my experience Mike
>
> If you want to be free from rain static, use quads instead of yagis.
> Probably more applicable to HF, whereas the original query was at VHF.
>
> Dave G4BUO
>
>> G'day,
>>
>> I've read that if you have a stacked array then the top antenna seems to
>> suffer most from precipitation static.
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Mike VP8NO
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Chris Tran GM3WOJ" <zl1ct1 at gm7v.com>
>> To: "'UK Contest Reflector'" <uk-contest at contesting.com>
>> Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 6:23 PM
>> Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] Precipitation Static
>>
>>
>> | Hi John/Pete et al
>> |
>> | I have limited experience of precipitation static with VHF antennas,
>> but
>> it
>> | has been a problem in the past here with HF yagis.
>> |
>> | My 20m yagi with a hairpin match i.e. the driven element split and each
>> half
>> | insulated, but with the outer end of the hairpin earthed via the boom,
>> was
>> | much worse for rain static than my 20m yagi with the gamma match (in
>> the
>> | same static rain-storm) - the gamma-matched yagi seemed hardly affected
>> by
>> | the rain.
>> |
>> | 73
>> | Chris
>> | A5258 (GM3WOJ)
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> UK-Contest mailing list
>> UK-Contest at contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/uk-contest
>>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2008 09:29:52 +0000
> From: Chris G3SVL <Chris at G3SVL.com>
> Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] Nothing New Under the Sun
> To: <uk-contest at contesting.com>
> Message-ID: <E1KgFq2-000Hf1-00 at smarthost4.mail.uk.easynet.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
>
> At 17:04 17/09/2008, Peter Hobbs wrote:
>>..... and the (then) universal use of crystal controlled equipment
>>would make skeds essential
>
> That takes me back to my early days of crystal controlled tx in VHF
> contests. I'm sure there are many who can remember ending the CQ call
> with 'tuning high to low'. And getting that coveted tx crystal that
> sat at the band edge to catch the tuners. And then some 'super stns'
> would announce they could tune 'both ends in'!
>
> And before Peter, G3RXP says it - yes I know I still owe you 10/- for
> that band-edge 4m crystal!
>
> 73 Chris G3SVL aka A3783
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2008 12:43:12 +0100
> From: "David Ferrington, M0XDF" <M0XDF at Alphadene.co.uk>
> Subject: [UK-CONTEST] RSGB Insurance - check yours
> To: g4bra at yahoogroups.com, RSGBtutors at yahoogroups.com,
> fistscw at yahoogroups.com, uk-contest at contesting.com, ?Crafters?
> <Elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Message-ID: <17D522EB-1E5E-41D7-8D40-E0B2E62A02A1 at Alphadene.co.uk>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=WINDOWS-1252; format=flowed;
> delsp=yes
>
> Please forgive the cross posting, especially if you aren?t a G or an M.
> I have just found out that the company that provided the RSGB Radio
> Insurance Plan
> Catlin Insurance Company (UK) Ltd.
> (as advertised in RadCom last year I believe) went out of business
> sometime ago - I don't know when.
>
> I discovered this by chance and have seen no notification of this in
> RadCom - something I would have expected since it was RadCom that
> recommend it.
>
> My policy is due soon and since I've increased my kit (added a K3 to
> start with :-), I'm going to go back to the previous provider -
> "Amateur Radio Insurance services" supplied by Stuart Alexander Ltd.
> (0207 3351647).
> I have no association with them other than being a previously happy
> customer.
>
> I only went to the RSGB plan because it was recommended by the RSGB
> and was slightly cheaper (very slightly), lesson learnt!
>
> Again, apologies for the bandwidth.
> --
> If you must play, decide on three things at the start: the rules of the
> game, the stakes, and the quitting time. -Chinese Proverb
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2008 12:59:21 +0100
> From: "Callum M0MCX" <callum at mccormick.uk.com>
> Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] RSGB Insurance - check yours
> To: <uk-contest at contesting.com>
> Message-ID: <007301c91985$fc930c90$f5b925b0$@uk.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> I was damned angry with RSGB, since although I had a schedule for this
> insurance (after paying ?109) I never received the policy. I now have a
> small claim to make and have absolutely no idea what hoops I'm going to
> have
> to pull this off - if at all.
>
> I called RSGB a couple of times for comment but their hands were duly
> wiped
> clean of the mess.
>
> .. and to boot, the bl**dy advert used one of my photographs without my
> permission!
>
> (and I'm sure there's plenty of people out there uninsured like me)
>
> Regards,
>
> Callum McCormick
> http://www.m0mcx.co.uk/
> If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com
> [mailto:uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of David Ferrington,
> M0XDF
> Sent: 18 September 2008 12:43
> To: g4bra at yahoogroups.com; RSGBtutors at yahoogroups.com;
> fistscw at yahoogroups.com; uk-contest at contesting.com; ?Crafters?
> Subject: [UK-CONTEST] RSGB Insurance - check yours
>
> Please forgive the cross posting, especially if you aren?t a G or an M.
> I have just found out that the company that provided the RSGB Radio
> Insurance Plan
> Catlin Insurance Company (UK) Ltd.
> (as advertised in RadCom last year I believe) went out of business
> sometime ago - I don't know when.
>
> I discovered this by chance and have seen no notification of this in
> RadCom - something I would have expected since it was RadCom that
> recommend it.
>
> My policy is due soon and since I've increased my kit (added a K3 to
> start with :-), I'm going to go back to the previous provider -
> "Amateur Radio Insurance services" supplied by Stuart Alexander Ltd.
> (0207 3351647).
> I have no association with them other than being a previously happy
> customer.
>
> I only went to the RSGB plan because it was recommended by the RSGB
> and was slightly cheaper (very slightly), lesson learnt!
>
> Again, apologies for the bandwidth.
> --
> If you must play, decide on three things at the start: the rules of the
> game, the stakes, and the quitting time. -Chinese Proverb
>
> _______________________________________________
> UK-Contest mailing list
> UK-Contest at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/uk-contest
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 7
> Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2008 12:17:42 +0000 (GMT)
> From: Ray James <gm4cxm at yahoo.co.uk>
> Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] Entry levels in VHF Contests
> To: uk-contest at contesting.com
> Message-ID: <41282.33245.qm at web25211.mail.ukl.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
>
> On the surface is does look very encouraging indeed.
>
> An RSGB board meeting would delighted to receive these details from Don
> and believe everything is absolutely rosey in the VHF and above garden.
> However, the expression "never mind the quality, feel the width" comes to
> mind when you do not concentrate on the statistics but look at the details
> that generated them.
> Roger's statistics show a genuine overview using 2006 as a base. I believe
> the general concern is what is continuing to occur to this day from a lot
> further back in time.
> The flaw to be found behind the superb statistics can be viewed and
> understood by spending a few minutes looking at the VHFCC "Claimed Scores"
> pages/tables for 2008 and 2007 contests. What becomes immediately obvious
> considering the time duration of a contest is that some folk submitting
> details are not actually competing but simply putting a entry in to say
> they have supported the event or like to see their callsign in a result
> table even if it's only for having made 1 qso in an event last 6 or 24
> hours. The problem is, these entries still become part of Roger's
> statistics and therefore give a false indication of real activity and
> health of the competitive side of VHF/UHF and Microwave contesting.
> Many of the entries provide the honest input that they only came on to
> give some points away for an hour or so and this is to be applauded but in
> the past folk who came on to give points away did just that, they didn't
> go to the trouble of submitting an entry. In particular for only a handful
> of contacts worked in an hour or less in an event possibly lasting 24
> hours.
> I believe much of the reason for this is that the VHFCC have become a
> victim of their own success with the superb on-line entry system which is
> a pleasure to use if you've only made a small number of contacts. My 12
> contacts in last Tuesday's 1.2GHz UKAC took a minimal amount of time to
> submit and then have automatically included on the sites "claimed scores"
> page. Contest logging programs also make life easy for email submission.
> In the past when Royal Mail was the method of entry, folk giving points
> away or not seriously entering a contest would not go to the trouble
> submitting and hence wouldn't have become part of any statistics other
> than the most important one.....ACTIVITY.
> The most important and definitely "negative" statistic that can be gleaned
> from results past and present is the reduced number of both actual
> competitive contest participants and stations worked. This gives a true
> indication of the health of use within the VHF, UHF and Microwave
> spectrum, in particular ahead of Cavtat.
> ?
> For those who cannot be bothered looking at the VHFCC "Claimed Score"
> pages for 2007/2008 then here is a taster. The first number is the maximum
> number worked by an entrant and the second number is the lowest number
> worked by an entrant.
>
> 2007
> March 144/432 ? 144 = 341/11, 432 = 157/1
> Marconi ? 233/15
> 144 UKAC 126/2, 125/1, 124/2, 131/2, 113/2, 94/1, 154/7, 172/4, 124/2,
> 108/6, 104/1.
>
> 2008
> 144 Trophy? 780/4
> March 144/432? 340/3
> 432 Trophy 198/6
> 70MHz Cumulatives 46/2, 48/1, 47/5, 35/4.
> 50MHz Trophy 449/8
> 144 low Power 96/2
> NFD 6m = 200/7, 4m = 84/15, 2m = 495/8, 70cm = 164/3, 23cm = 103/1.
>
>
> 73 Ray GM4CXM
>
> ? ? ? ? ??
>
>
>
>
>
> --- On Thu, 18/9/08, G3RIR <g3rir at yahoo.com> wrote:
> From: G3RIR <g3rir at yahoo.com>
> Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] [VHFTEST] Entry levels in VHF Contests
> To: vhf-contests at blacksheep.org, "'UK Contest Reflector'"
> <uk-contest at contesting.com>
> Date: Thursday, 18 September, 2008, 7:05 AM
>
> Roger,
>
>
>
> That does indeed seem very encouraging.
>
>
>
> Are you able, easily, to remove the UKAC figures and show what the trend
> is
> without them?
>
>
>
> 73
>
>
>
> Neil, G3RIR
>
>
>
> _____
>
> From: owner-vhf-contests at blacksheep.org
> [mailto:owner-vhf-contests at blacksheep.org] On Behalf Of Roger Dixon
> Sent: 18 September 2008 06:53
> To: 'UK Contest Reflector'; vhf-contests at blacksheep.org
> Subject: [VHFTEST] Entry levels in VHF Contests
>
>
>
> Gentlemen
>
> I have watched the debate about falling activity in VHF contests with
> interest. As most of you know, I have acted as the focus for all VHF
> entries for the last two and a half years. While it could be argued that
> the total numbers of entries received does not not necessarily reflect the
> activity levels in specific events, the number of entries has shown a very
> healthy rise over the last two years.
>
>
>
> The numbers below show the percentage rise in the monthly entries received
> taking 2006 as the baseline:
>
>
>
> Month 2006 2007 2008
>
> January 0 +41% +47%
>
> February 0 +43% +86%
>
> March 0 +33% +63%
>
> April 0 +55% +99%
>
> May 0 +27% +86%
>
> June 0 +15% +28%
>
> July 0 +27% +70%
>
> August 0 +5% +32%
>
> September 0 +38%
>
> October 0 +16%
>
> November 0 +30%
>
> December 0 +65%
>
>
>
> In pure number terms:
>
> Entries January to August 2006 1244
>
> Entries January to August 2007 1589
>
> Entries January to August 2008 2000
>
>
>
> While I'm sure this will encourage the statisticians amongst you to debate
> this, I'm sure that you will all agree that there is a very encouraging
> trend in these figures.
>
>
>
> Roger - G4BVY
>
> RSGB Contests Committee
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com
> Version: 8.0.169 / Virus Database: 270.6.21/1671 - Release Date:
> 17/09/2008
> 09:33
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> UK-Contest mailing list
> UK-Contest at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/uk-contest
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 8
> Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2008 13:15:24 +0000 (GMT)
> From: Chris Smith <mi0lll at btinternet.com>
> Subject: [UK-CONTEST] RSGB Insurance - check yours
> To: uk-contest at contesting.com
> Message-ID: <183321.36403.qm at web86502.mail.ukl.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
>
> Just when we are on the topic of insurance, did any of ye have a
> sucessfull claim for
> damage to any of your towers or antennas as a result of a?storm under your
> home owners policy.
>
> I do work with a motor claims department but have nothing to do with house
> insurance, my house insurance policy
> states that it will cover "falling television and radio receiving aerials,
> aerial fittings or masts".
> Which i will be taking that my radio masts and antennas are covered, and
> yes i am talking with my
> amateur radio hat on.
>
>
> Chris? MI0LLL
> http://www.mi0lll.com
>
> ------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> UK-Contest mailing list
> UK-Contest at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/uk-contest
>
>
> End of UK-Contest Digest, Vol 69, Issue 32
> ******************************************
>
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