[UK-CONTEST] RSGB Contests 2012

[Chairman, RSGB Contest Committee]

The 2012 contest calendars are here:
    www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/hfreadcal.pl?year=2012
    www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/readcal.pl?year=2012

Some notes on changes:

80m Club Championship and Sprints.  Their success has attracted 
participants at every level.  We think it is worth distinguishing clubs 
that operate in a traditional way, with members from the local area, 
from clubs which are regional or  more contest-oriented.  In 2012, there 
will be two categories of club, and two sets of awards, reflecting this 
distinction.  This change does not apply to the UK Activity Contests.  
The Club Championship will start in February, already mentioned.  The 
Sprints will be restored to two events per month (by popular demand), 
with each one lasting an hour.

The SHF sections for the UK Activity Contests have been simplified, 
which should conform more appropriately with equipment that entrants are 
using.

A 6m CW contest has been introduced in June, which should appeal to 
those with an HF bias as well as VHF aficionados.  This completes the 
VHF CW contests available -  6m, 4m and 2m.  A certificate for best 
performance in all three together will be awarded.

Previously reported on this reflector:

The HF and VHF General Rules will be combined into a single version.  
Neither set of rules has been properly updated for many years, so there 
will be some amendments and clarifications.

The rules for all three Field Day contests will be updated, and some 
changes made in various sections.

A prize draw will be added to the Commonwealth Contest, in celebration 
of its 75th anniversary..

The rules for the IOTA contest will have some modifications, but these 
will be evolutionary, not revolutionary.

73,

Ed Taylor, GW3SQX
Chairman, RSGB Contest Committee