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

[Steve White]

Chris...

So what's the problem with bagging a run frequency? I imagine that most 
people would, if they could. As you acknowledge, there's nothing in the 
rules against it, so it must be legal. And I also agree with other posts 
that if you can't find a frequency on which to run CW, you need to think 
about better filtering. OK, the band is busy during Club Champs, but its not 
like 40m is in CQWW! Despite the 100W power limit, most people are well 
above the QRN level, so I run with the IPO button 'in' and with some RF 
attenuation. Those moves might calm things down a bit in the RX, so maybe 
that's something to try.

I agree completely with others that the situation on SSB is more crowded, so 
you just have to get on the band a bit earlier if you want to bag a run 
frequency. In SSB AFS I have known frequency warming commence by 11:00, 
three hours before the contest starts! Now that's what I call extreme, but 
if someone is prepared to put in the effort and as a result it gives him the 
competitive edge, why not?

I put it to you that the idea of a cooling-off period before an event won't 
work, because some will still think of ways to occupy a frequency - i.e. 
make it seem in use - before the event, they just won't give their callsigns 
before kick-off.

I agree with Roger, G3LDI, about list working not being within the spirit of 
the event. Perhaps SDR recordings of the whole of the contest segment could 
be used to catch people out who do this, if someone complains to the contest 
committee.

Regards,

Steve, G3ZVW

> Message: 1
> Date: Sat, 11 Apr 2009 08:42:39 +0100
> 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>
> Message-ID: <000001c9ba79$178b3ce0$46a1b6a0$@co.uk>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> 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
>
>