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

[Andy GD0TEP]

Hi to the group again...

<snip>
... which means some tactical decisions would be needed as to which band to
be on at a given time - that's an essential part of SOAB and M/S HF
contesting which is lacking in (most) VHF contests - which on its own would
pose an interesting challenge. Putting on separate sessions for 6m and 4m,
as has been the case in VHF NFD for the past few years, removes this element
of tactics in favour of flogging each band to death.

---reply---

An interesting idea. But, I still can't see the benefits in it.
If you've a few members in your contest group, then both bands will be as
you say, flogged to death at the same time, so difference.
If you're looking at the single op, then it would be interesting to hear
your thoughts on scoring, somehow making a move from a decent run on 6m to
what 'might' be an open band on 4m. Of course, moving to 4m will reduce your
tally on 6m, and possibly affect your single op IARU score. But that might
not bother some single op contesters. But it would concern me to the extent
of remaining on 6m.

Just for the moment, assume that 6m was open with SpE for the full 24 hours.
IMHO, you'd still be working new ones at the end of play on the Sunday. And
if there's no SpE, then MS is the game, yet not everyone will stick with it
and try to complete. Then there's tropo, that would give you some near
stations to work, and yet more points, although I find 4m gives better
results when resorting to that form of propagation.. 
I don't think I've ever flogged 6m to death before, 4m yes (thank god for
DVKs), but not 6m..

My concern these days is with the 'bread & butter' stations, and that is
meant with no disrespect to anyone, but without the guys out there with the
25w and a dipole sitting at home listening to a contest station working
stuff he can't hear, what maintains his (or hers) interest?

If it's felt that there's a need to change things, then let's do it for the
right reasons.

Someone mentioned the question on what is worked over night.. for
information, we've always stopped around 2400 and started up around 0500
again. It's my opinion that this hasn't hurt our score over the years, but
stopping for a curry at tea time on Saturday and getting into Dr Who on TV
at the same time did! :-)

73 Andy
http://www.gd0tep.com