[UK-CONTEST] RSGB 21/28 MHz Contest

[David Cree]

Andy, Graham,

This contest had a revamp in 2006, when the previously separate CW and 
Phone events were combined.

Unfortunately since then we have been blighted by poor conditions, so we 
still don't know how well the new format may be supported given some 
decent propagation.

This year I thought (on CW at least) that there were more DX stations 
active than in the last few years.

When I have operated in this event from outside the UK I have found much 
more activity on CW than on SSB, but this might change given some 
sun-spots.

I suggest persevering with the current format at least until we have 
experienced a couple of years with reasonable conditions (hopefully not 
too much longer to wait!) and then re-considering whether the event is 
viable. I don't imagine we will ever get back to the heady days of the 
70s, when I recollect working 800+ one year and not making the top 
three! Personally I don't see a problem with a Contest where you have to 
seek out every QSO rather than running at high rates - but then again I 
am an avid supporter of BERU!

I don't think Andy's plan of short "moveable" events would work - I 
can't imagine many overseas stations taking the trouble to find out what 
bands when. At least having a 12 hour event gives a chance for stations 
more or less anywhere to join in for a few hours as propagation to their 
Region permits.

I believe several stations worked all Continents (except Antartica) this 
year, so it wasn't all doom and gloom. I found about 48 mults on CW - 
and know I missed a few, and the Contest certainly encouraged me to 
spend much more time searching and making more QSOs than I would 
otherwise have done on a Sunday with poor condx.

Dave G3TBK (J88DR for the event last year)