[UK-CONTEST] Entering Contests

[Ray Hills]

I enter the 144AC, 80MCC and 80Sprint contests for two reasons.  Firstly to 
support De Montfort University ARS. Secondly so that people know that I am 
still around and not yet SK !!  I have no expectation of winning any of them 
although, incredibly, I did get a second place in  the QRP section of one of 
the Sprints last Autumn.  The rest of you must have dozed off that evening.

I totally agree with Steve ZVW about the benefit of points per km for 
stations in the SW. When down there I do have an advantage over him that I 
am in IO70 which is pretty rare.  As it has worked out I haven't been there 
for a 144AC this year so far but I expect to get a big boost to my score 
when I do.

There is one other point that I don't think has been mentioned so far.  For 
stations (like me) near the South Coast and away from the South East, there 
are only half as many squares available in practice because there is little 
or no contest activity from GJ, GU and F on the other side of the channel. 
In contrast stations in the Midlands have active squares all round them for 
the full 360 degrees compared with my 180 degrees.  Not complaining or 
seeking any change to the rules but just mentioning another factor in the 
equation.

Ray G3HRH