[UK-CONTEST] RSGB Contest Committee

[Chairman, RSGB Contest Committee]

Hello UK contesters,

Here is a report on decisions from the RSGB Contest Committee, mainly resulting from its Spring meeting this year.

73,

Ed Taylor, GW3SQX
Chairman, RSGB Contest Committee 
chairman at rsgbcc.org 


RSGB CONTESTS -- LEAFLET

As a Committee, we recognise that we are no longer in the situation where the world will flock to our doors as soon as we announce a contest.  We are now in a competitive market, where we need to advertise the events that we offer, both at home and abroad.  The Committee has put together a leaflet to promote RSGB contests, which will be distributed at international events such as those in Dayton and Friedrichshafen, as well as domestic rallies and so on.


21/28MHz CONTEST

The Committee has debated the future of this contest.  This event was devised in the days when the number of international contests was lower, and we could rely on UK stations providing sufficient interest for overseas stations on 10m and 15m.  This is no longer the case, and the number of UK entries has been static for more than a decade.  Despite several changes, it is clear that this contest is no longer an attractive proposition for overseas stations, and this situation is unlikely to change even if conditions on the two bands improve.

The Committee therefore decided to discontinue the contest, so the 2010 21/28MHz contest will be the last.  Trophies will be re-allocated to other contests.


1.8 MHz CW CONTESTS

Both these contests are popular, with support from the UK and overseas.  It was thought that more overseas participation could result if non-UK to non-UK QSOs were allowed to count for points, keeping the UK bonus element.  The February 2011 contest will therefore adopt rules along these lines -- more details later this year.


AUGUST 2m CONTESTS

The 2m Low Power contest and 4th 2m Backpackers contest take place this year on different days during August.  From next year, they will be held on the same date.  In 2011, this will be Sunday 7th August, with the 2m Low Power running 0800-1400 UTC, and the 4th Backpackers, 1000-1400 UTC.  The 70cm Low Power contest will take place on the day before: 6th August 2011.


AFS SUPER-LEAGUE

There are currently four Affiliated Society contests sponsored by the RSGB: on 2m in December, on 80m CW and 80m SSB, in January, and on 70cm in February.  These contests will remain as they are for the moment.

As an additional challenge to clubs, the Committee is proposing to create a "Super League" from these four contests, with a running total produced from a normalisation of club scores in each event over the winter.  This will not require any change of rules in these events.  At the end of the 70cm contest, a club will emerge as winner, being the one which has produced the best performance from its teams over the four AFS contests.  The teams for each event need not be the same, in fact, it is unlikely they will be.  The rules for the 2010/2011 Super-League will be published later this year.  The Committee will use the experience from this first series to suggest any changes in subsequent series.


CONTEST RULES

The Contest Committee is reviewing the way in which rules for various contests have developed (HF and VHF), with a view to making rules simpler and easier to understand.  Most rules have developed over time, with changes frequently being made to cover situations that have arisen over the years.  There is a feeling that some contest rules can now be simplified, and it is probably the case that General Rules, which were intended to set out a framework underlying most contests, can also be merged into specific RSGB contest rules, as they are with the RSGB IOTA Contest.  Any suggestions on this topic are welcome - please submit your views to the Committee Chairman.


ROPOCO CONTESTS

Although these contests have a loyal and consistent following, they are not really attracting new entrants (who might one day replace those who can no longer participate).  The success of evening 80m club events has prompted the Committee to change the April CW RoPoCo to an SSB evening contest, on the same date as usual.  Rules will be similar to the CW event, and will be published later this year.  Please encourage club members and others to try this novel event in April 2011.


RSGB IOTA CONTEST

This contest attracts more support every year, and the Committee is always looking for ways to increase participation even further.  We would like more "non-contesters" in the UK to take part, so that they can see whether or not they might like to try contesting more regularly.  This year, we will offer a "Participation Certificate" to any UK station who has never previously taken part in the IOTA Contest.  All single-operator entrants will be invited to apply, if they meet the (not too difficult) criteria:  at least 100 QSOs and 20 multipliers worked during the contest.  We are particularly interested in getting more of the UKAC and 80m CC entrants to try this contest -- please encourage any you know.  A page on the Contest Committee web site will contain helpful hints for newcomers to the contest.


HF CHAMPIONSHIP

The Committee is reviewing the contests that form part of this award.  This includes both the contests that contribute, and the weighting attached to each.  Contesters with views on the question are invited to submit their opinions to the Committee Chairman.


TROPHY PRESENTATIONS

At present, there are two possibilities for presentations:  at the RSGB AGM in the Spring, and at the RSGB Convention in October.  Whichever is chosen, there will be recipients who might wait for around a year to get their trophies.  The Committee is considering several possibilities - for example, splitting both HF and VHF trophy presentations between the AGM and the Convention, so that there are two presentations per year for both HF and VHF.  Views from potential recipients are sought - please contact the Committee Chairman.


REAL-TIME SCORING

The Committee is investigating the possibilities, and is considering starting a pilot next year to see how real-time scoring could work.  Contesters with ideas as to which contests might be suitable for this trial, and any related aspects, are invited to contact the Committee Chairman with their views.


 
Ed Taylor, GW3SQX
Chairman, RSGB Contest Committee
chairman at rsgbcc.org