[UK-CONTEST] 4m/6m contest in Es season

[John Wilson]

Hello All,

I've just posted this to the VHF reflector but as there may be 50 MHz 
operators who do not subscribe, I think it would be good to air it here 
also.

As we are just waking up to the start of the sporadic Es season, I would 
like to throw in some thoughts about 4m and 6m contests.

With the increase of countries with 4m access I think consideration 
should be given to the provision of a 4m contest within the peak of the 
Es season.  This year, 4m contests are on  5th April, 16th Aug and 13th 
Sep none of which are likely to get much Es propagation.  Furthermore I 
think the Aug and Sept contests are too close together and the Sept 
contest is also too close to the 2m Trophy at the beginning of 
September.  My suggestion would therefore be to move the Sept contest 
into the Sporadic E season.

I would like to go further with this idea and suggest that the 4m 
contest be held at the same time as the 6m Trophy contest.  The reasons 
for this are as follows;

1. This would encourage the use of 4m across Europe.  Eventually many 6m 
groups would take 4m equipment on the contest.
2. Cross band contacts, with half points, could be allowed to those 
countries where 4m is not currently permitted.  This would encourage the 
building of equipment in those countries for a known event where there 
would be guaranteed activity.
3. The 6m Trophy contest, although a popular and well supported contest 
(by VHF standards), is not so busy that  groups could not put a bit of 
resource into the 4m section.
4. The concept of multiband contests where similar propagation 
conditions apply is a common concept with the IARU Region 1 coordinated 
VHF/UHF/Microwave contests and this idea fits within this concept.
5. It may be difficult finding a suitable free date for a 4m only 
contest during the Es season.

Clearly it would be good to coordinate this via Region 1 IARU however 
this may take time and there should be no good reason why RSGB should 
not start the ball rolling with this idea.

Any thoughts?  73

John G3UUT