[UK-CONTEST] CC April CW Contest operation prior to the start

[Ian Pritchard]

Chris ..

An interesting posting.  A change of rules though, could be fun. I quite fancy the idea of a chaotic "le Mans style start."  

I don't understand your remark about "S+P proving unsuccessful".  I would have thought that with a band full of stations "running" there would have been great S+P potential.

If I get home early enough, I generally like to get on the band about 30 mins before the contest starts. On the other hand I sometimes get on with just minutes to spare. An early start makes for a more relaxed beginning  but it seems to make little difference to my score.

As for there being "no space". I suppose that depends on the width of your CW filter.  It sounds as though the "sprint" events later in the year will be more your cup of tea.

73 Ian G3WVG 





--- On Sat, 11/4/09, Chris Partington <chrypart at blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:

> From: Chris Partington <chrypart at blueyonder.co.uk>
> Subject: [UK-CONTEST] CC April CW Contest operation prior to the start
> To: uk-contest at contesting.com
> Date: Saturday, 11 April, 2009, 8:42 AM
> I did not enjoy the April CW leg of this contest and gave up
> at 1930, unable
> to find a clear frequency to start a run and S & P was
> proving unsuccessful
> also.
> 
>  
> 
> I thought long and hard about making this post as I do not
> want to upset
> fellow amateurs.
> 
>  
> 
> My view is that the principle of "hogging" a
> frequency prior to the start of
> any contest is not within the spirit of the event,
> certainly not for 30
> minutes!
> 
>  
> 
> I switched on at 1830 and was unable to find a clear
> frequency due to
> stations obtaining signal reports, in many cases not even
> QSOs. This trend
> is increasing due to the lack of space which is unavailable
> during the
> contest period.
> 
>  
> 
> As a /P operator I normally obtain a couple of reports
> after setting up my
> equipment, fixed stations, in general, do not need to check
> their set up,
> certainly not for over half an hour, in my view.
> 
>  
> 
> I would like to ask the Contest Committee to consider a
> "cooling off" period
> 15 minutes prior to the start of the event, where no QSOs
> are allowed by
> Contest Stations, to prevent stations from claiming a
> frequency. This will
> cause some problems at the start but would make it a more
> even playing
> field.
> 
>  
> 
> There is no firm evidence but in previous sections, due to
> the high serial
> numbers received after 1 or 2 minutes,  it is clear that
> some stations maybe
> pre- warning others of their frequency either by using
> other methods of
> communication or being QRV for a considerable period of
> time prior to the
> contest, in a way, generating interest prior to the start.
> 
>  
> 
> As I said earlier, I do not wish to make accusations and
> upset anyone, but I
> think a change is needed.
> 
>  
> 
> 73's,
> 
>  
> 
> Chris G0CLP/P
> 
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