[UK-CONTEST] Domineering VHF Contest Stations.......

[Paul_group]

Ray James wrote:

> 2008
> 1 G5LK     465
> 2 GM4ZUK   265
> 3 G0VHF    344
> 
> Further back into the 80's as GM4CXM/P or GM3WCS/P, we were regularly knocking up 700 - 900 contacts with a far smaller amateur population than we enjoy today. 


Back in the very late 70's and early 80's even our very small 
technically inept contest group was making those kind of scores from 
YN38 with 30W and a 6 element quad. I remember thinking we were in the 
big time when we also had 30W on 70cm!


> 
> We don't need handicaps, elite sections or FM only contests, just more UK inclusive rules within our contests to try and inspire more UK licensees to make an appearance, enjoy the events and return for more.
> 

I look at it this way, to me VHF contesting isn't really about rate its 
about station setup and exploiting propagation. There has to be enough 
traffic to make it worth while though.

For a 144MHz event, well I don't bother with contests where I know I'm 
going to be sat on a flat band calling into the back of the east coast 
stations beams while they work streams of DL's on their pre arranged pre 
"owned" frequencies, its both futile and frustrating so I'd rather do 
something else.

If I compare that to a 70MHz contest, that's a very different story. On 
70MHz inter UK tropo is far more important in the final score than the 
small number of mainland Eu stations that are available. On that band 
wins from IO74 and IO73 are achieved beating the "dominant east coast 
stns" (yep its a good feeling)

The difference is fairly obvious, IMO twiddling the rules to encourage 
inter UK qso's would be in ever ones interest.


I have no interest in promoting sections for people with verticals, no 
interest in ego boosting sections - that's all nonsense. we need to 
encourage people to set up sensible efficient stations so they 
experience just what can be achieved on VHF/UHF if there is to be any 
hope of re vitalising the bands.

Failing that it's going to be just Icom's and G5RV's for the future of 
the hobby.

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