[UK-CONTEST] RSGB CC Contests and RSGB Membership

Thu Feb 12 18:42:05 EST 2009

Hi Peter (with my Contests Committee hat on)

Speaking for HF only --- VHF are different

Originally all domestic entrants for RSGB contests were required to be 
members.  This requirement was relaxed  yonks ago for the AFS Contests as an 
opportunity to introduce newcomers to contesting largely, as I recall, 
because the competing MCC Magazine Club Contest, ( a 1.8MHz CW-only event 
organised by Short Wave Magazine and now defunct) placed no restrictions 
upon operators other than that they were members of the club concerned.

The rules for the 80mCCs, however, are in line with traditional RSGB 
requirements, in that individual operators need to be RSGB memebrs, and the 
clubs they represent need to be affiliated.

This has already been identified as a matter which needs to be addressed and 
it will be looked at in detail at our next meeting.

Vy 73

Steve

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Peter Hobbs" <peter at tilgate.co.uk>
To: "UK Contest reflector" <uk-contest at contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2009 11:09 PM
Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] RSGB CC Contests and RSGB Membership

Steve

All of that is absolutely fine and no-one could (should) disagree.  My only
point is that there is an apparent anomaly between the AFS rules and those
for the (very similar) CCs.  I suspect the answer lies in the mists of time,
but the anomaly remains.  Is it accidental, or by design?  I'd personally be
quite happy for all AFS entrants to also be members of RSGB, but it does
need tidying.

73
Peter G3LET

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve Knowles" <g3ufy at blueyonder.co.uk>
To: <keith at g0gfq.com>; "UK Contest Reflector" <uk-contest at contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2009 10:55 PM
Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] RSGB CC Contests and RSGB Membership

Many (well, some [ I hope] ) will know me as a member of the Contests
Committee.  However, this posting is outside the framework of the Committee
and represents only my personal opinion!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

No-one is being turned away from contesting!  Anyone can take part in RSGB
contests, even if they're not an RSGB member.  If they keep their own score
they can see how they are doing with respect to the others.  They just don't
get listed in the results table or qualify for awards.  And even if their
efforts in the 80mCC series don't count for their club they can still take
part and have a good time!

We have one school of people saying "Why should we be RSGB members when we
are members of an affiliated society?" and another saying "We are RSGB
members, why should we have to affiliate our club?"  It seems that everybody
wants everything but no-one is prepared to pay!

Well, unfortunately nothing is free!  Certificates cost money to print and
deliver - around £2 each at present - and we get through many hundreds each
year.  Trophies cost even more in terms of maintenance, engraving, insurance
etc.  All this has to be paid for out of the subscriptions of MEMBERS!
Committee volunteers give massively of their time and money - few ever claim
all the expenses to which they are entitled (and if they did they would be
paid by MEMBERS) - but they do it for the benefit of the RSGB and its
MEMBERS.

Outside the narrow world of contesting the RSGB works continually to protect
our hobby against the predatory inroads of commercial radio, to preserve and
even expand our frequency allocations, to improve our licencing conditions,
to establish standards for emc etc. etc.  All this is paid for out of
MEMBERS' subscriptions, yet EVERYONE benefits.

I hesitate to use the term 'freeloader' but, even without taking into
account the concessional rates, if anyone can show me anybody who can prove
he has less than 80p disposable income per week (one third of a pint of
beer, one sixth of a packet of cigarettes or less than the cheapest cost of
one journey on a London bus), but who can afford a rig and somewhere to hang
an aerial, then I'LL pay his sub for a year!

When I went to join my local radio club as a 16-yr-old, still at school, the
first thing given to me (after the welcoming handshake) was an application
form for RSGB membership, and rightly so.  No less now than then, we need a
strong National Society and we should all be doing everything we can to
support RSGB.  That includes ensuring that everyone who is interested in
contesting is fully involved in everything the Society can offer ... but as
a MEMBER!

73

Steve   G3UFY

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Keith Martin G0GFQ" <keith at g0gfq.com>
To: <uk-contest at contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2009 8:42 PM
Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] RSGB CC Contests and RSGB Membership

I must say that I totally agree with Peter, I feel the time has come to look
at these 2 contests in a similar light being as the club aspect is at it's
core. To expect every individual for a CLUB orientated contest to require
RSGB membership just to participate is out dated and short-sighted, when the
group itself is already affiliated in my opinion.

The AFS and the 80m CC contests are the ideal medium to generate interest
and act as an introduction to contesting for our newer licensee members. It
seems a bit of a double standard to me that we as course providers are
encouraged by the RSGB to bring new people into every aspect of this hobby.
Yet we're told to turn them away from exploring the joys of contesting
within the CLUB embodiment until you're a RSGB member!!

If any contest was the ideal vehicle as an introduction it must be the 80m
CC, as it now spreads itself over 7 months and has 3 different aspects/modes
of the hobby covered. If anything the CC should be the one to implement the
rule 1(b) as it provides the most sustained opportunity for new operators to
cut their teeth in contests!

Not everyone can afford £44 a year despite what has been said on here
previously, remember you need new blood in any sport or hobby for it's
continuation!

When you are first interested in amateur radio you'll join up with your
local club for the info required and then probably courses. Become a serious
about your contesting if not already you'll probably join and support your
National Society which means hobby remains...job done!

Time for a rule amendment I feel...

73

Keith "GØGFQ"

-----Original Message-----
From: uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Peter Hobbs
Sent: 11 February 2009 20:48
To: UK Contest reflector
Subject: [UK-CONTEST] Fw: RSGB CC Contests and RSGB Membership

(Sorry, went to Justin and not the reflector)

I don't think anyone is arguing that the rules aren't clear as written. It
 just looks as though something has slipped through the cracks here -
there's
 no apparently good reason why AFS rule 1(b) (which clearly states that RSGB
 membership by individual club members is not required) should not apply to
 the CCs.  After all, the aims of both events are very similar.

73, Peter G3LET

>> Roger et al,
>> The requirement to be an RSGB and affiliated society member is nothing
>> new.  I suggest that it might be a good idea to read the rules of
>> contests that one is intending to enter!
>>
>> Justin, G4TSH

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