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

[Roger Dixon]

Hi John,
But what about the existing 4m contest on the first weekend of July - at the
peak of the E-s season ?!
Roger - G4BVY 

-----Original Message-----
From: uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of John Wilson
Sent: 15 April 2009 09:27
To: UK-Contest
Subject: [UK-CONTEST] 4m/6m contest in Es season

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

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