[UK-CONTEST] 4m Trophy

[Mark Haynes]

Hey guys,

I agree with Justin. 
I do not have any experience specifically to the 4m Trophy contest, however Es 
during a contest surely is a good thing for everyone. 


1. It's unpredictable, so cannot be 'fixed' (is RF / Propagation ever 
predictable?).
2. There was a comment about Es not being a true measure of operating skill. 
But it's a similar situation with a station who has large towers and big 
antennas competing with a single element dipole (the result is not going to be 
a measure of operating skill).
3. It allows more remote stations to have more of a chance.
3. More QSOs keeps contests alive and kicking. It also allows more entries from 
foreign nations.

The randomness of radio is personally what I love. Adapting to the propagation 
is one of the key strategic skills in contesting.

Long live Es, and all propagation modes in Contests!

73,
Mark M0DXR




________________________________
From: "justin at g4tsh.demon.co.uk" <justin at g4tsh.demon.co.uk>
To: uk-contest at contesting.com
Sent: Wed, 28 July, 2010 12:41:44
Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] 4m Trophy

As one of the extremely modestly equipped 4m stations (about 20w to a dipole in 
the loft)I too agree with Quin and Cris.
It might make it a bit of a lottery, but it is that prospect of a possible E's 
opening that makes it worthwhile switching the rig on and plumbing the bits of 
my 4m station together.
And I live inside the M25!

73
Justin, G4TSH



cris at gm4fam.plus.com wrote:
> 100% agree with you Quin.
> 
> I have seen various comments regarding the "lottery of Es openings",
> "maximising the use of your station for Tropo openings", etc etc.
> 
> >From this remote area under normal conditions I will be lucky to hear and
> work 3 stations; the nearest regular participant is 150 miles away in mid
> GM, next might be a portable in IO94/93 and occasionally a Welsh station
> where a good path exists between us.
> 
> While I am delighted to hand out points to these 'deserving three' who in
> their right mind would consider that an average QSO rate of less than one
> per hour is a contest?!
> 
> I can see very well that in populated areas normal propagation will put a
> lot of QSOs in the log and good luck to them; but from up here no chance!
> 
> So, the lottery of Es would indeed add some spice, would certainly give
> more remote stations a chance of success, but very probably give those in
> populated areas the edge when the dust settles.
> 
> 73 Cris
> GM4FAM
> 
> 
> > I'd like to put an alternative point of view. I have to admit up front
> > that I am
> > a very rare operator on 4m (basically VHF NFD for the club): but hopefully
> > that
> > doesn't disqualify me from expressing an opinion!
> >
> > I don't disagree that the availability of sporadic E makes it a bit of a
> > lottery: but from the point of view of very modest stations that might be
> > an
> > advantage.  Under tropo only conditions we know that we'll be way down =
> the
> > stack
> > ("I know my place" to quote from a 1960s comedy sketch).....but the
> > possibility
> > with Es that we might fortuitously be in the right place and do well adds
> > a
> > certain piquancy to the proceedings and perhaps makes it more enjoyable.
> >
> > Asbestos suit on and ready for counterblast....
> >
> > 73,
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Quin G3WRR
> >
> > PS - this is if course my personal view and not that of me with my Contest
> > Committee hat on.....
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message ----
> > From: Ken Eastty <ken.g3lvp at btinternet.com>
> > To: uk-contest at contesting.com
> > Sent: Wednesday, 28 July, 2010 11:00:27
> > Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] 4m Trophy
> >
> > Bryn seems to have summed up what most other entrants to the
> > 4m Trophy contest thin, This contest should be moved back to the August
> > date as E's make it too much of a lottery (even if it might allow those
> > of us who are not as well placed as Bryn to give him a run for his
> > money!).
> > The change of time & date this year certainly didn't do much for
> > activity & the number of stations entering.
> >
> > I would be very interested to see a map of all of the stations appearing
> > in the logs entered, the maps showing the stations that I worked this
> > year & '09 seem to show some areas where there are no (or very few)
> > stations active, in particular London within the M25 where in the past
> > there was plenty of 4m activity & the East Midlands.
> > Is there really no activity in these areas or am I just not hearing what
> > activity there is?
> >
> > 73...
> >
> > Ken
> >
> > G3LVP
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >>
> >> Do not move 4m Trophy so that it "might" align with possible Es
> >> propagation. All Es does during a contest is unbalance the "playing
> >> field" Es 
> >>can be
> >> good in one area and absolutely do nothing in the rest of the UK.
> >
> >>
> >> Stop all the griping and leave the 4m and 6m Trophies well alone.
> >>
> >
> >>
> >> Bryn Llewellyn G4DEZ
> >>
> >>
> >> ------------------------------
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> >
> 
> 
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