[UK-CONTEST] 21/28mhz RSGB Contest.

[Peter Hobbs]

Graham,

As far as I can remember, this event originated from the 21MHz CW 
contest (introduced to stimulate interest in what at the time was quite 
a new band) and the 28MHz SSB contest, which was intended to wean people 
off AM, SSB being a non-trivial mode to get going properly on 10m, when 
most transmitters were still home constructed.  These reasons have long 
since disappeared but I confess to still being a fan, although I did 
prefer when it was just 21MHz and CW.  After a long difficult period, 
first the conflict with WAG and now 3/4 years of poor conditions, it's 
hardly surprising that very few overseas stations now participate, other 
than casually.  When you think about it the incentive for them isn't 
that great, even when sunspots are up.  If this can be improved, UK 
participation will inevitably follow.  I would suggest:

1.   Keep it to 21/28MHz
2.   Let everyone work everyone for points, possibly including UK to UK. 
3.   Mults remain as they are (UK regions for overseas entrants and 
countries/call areas for UK)
4.   Consult with Paul to see if he would be prepared to support what is 
a relatively minor change to the scoring arrangements.
5.   Poll for plaque sponsors for the overseas entrants, in a similar 
way to the SP challenge, on a year by year basis.  There are several 
obvious candidate achievements for these, but RSGB could be invited to 
start the ball rolling with a couple.  The UK is already well served 
with permanent trophies.
6.   Publicity is crucial.  I have no real idea how to go about this but 
if a database of email addresses for all the national societies and/or 
their contest groups exists somewhere, the task would be rendered 
relatively manageable.

As Dave TBK says, this used to be one of the major events of the 
calendar, but there are far fewer casual band users these days and so 
some specific incentive is needed.  It is just not going to 
automatically recover with improved conditions under the present rule 
set - current operating practices dictate otherwise.

FWIW.

73, Peter G3LET

G4FNL wrote:

>So, it may be time for early retirement for the 21/28MHz contest, but it
>would be interesting to hear from anyone else who would like to make comment
>or speak out in favour of keeping it, perhaps with some rule changes.
>
>Anyone got any constructive thoughts?
>
>73  Graham G4FNL
>  
>