[UK-CONTEST] VHF FD

[Paul_group]

Andy Swiffin wrote:


> And that's another reason why I won't bother being a sweeper again (unless you change it). 
> Not being able to CQ was an absolute bane from here.   It was excruciating hearing things like
> someone in IO70 working Alan 'ZUK knowing they were also S&P.   

I think the no CQ'in rule makes sense - in so much as a well sited east 
coast fixed stn could make a bit of a mess of what is a "field" contest 
but how about this as a suggestion.. next time can sweepers call CQ but 
must QSY after each contact. Lets face it, those entering the sweeper 
catagory are probably taking part to give points away rather than 
seriously competing. A sprint type of operation would stop someone 
running and dominating the event. Certainly had I been able to call CQ 
at times it would have resulted in qso's for the portables. Once you 
hear a /P doing a S&P run you know full well that you "could" work them.

In terms of power levels, I would happily have run with 100W on 4-2-6 as 
it wouldn't have disadvantaged me at all. On 432+ it was a waste of 
time. +6db would have made a big difference when trying to attract the 
attention of the UK stn's who were beaming the wrong way.


> 
> Was it just me being a "grumpy old man" but was the standard of operating generally pretty appalling?   

I can sort of understand this, most clubs struggle to pull together 
contest teams and some seem to use VHF contests as a training ground for 
their ops, that is definitely a good idea. I worked a couple of stns on 
70cm where the op sounded about 12 years old - they were a little slow 
but the operating standard was impeccable - well done!

But, yes - some fairly poor operating. *Caveat* I never claim to be a 
good operator myself.

One way or another a good event.



Regards Paul



-- 
73 de Paul GW8IZR IO73TI
http://www.gw8izr.com