[UK-CONTEST] RSGB Contests 2012

[Paul O'Kane]

On 14/12/2011 11:12, Chairman, RSGB Contest Committee wrote:

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


Please introduce a clear disincentive for non-island
stations to work one another - say 1 point instead
of 3.  In turn, have an incentive for island stations
to work non-island stations - say 5 points rather
than 3.

The likely benefits - island stations will be in
much greater demand, and will have a reduced "penalty"
for working non-island stations.

Many IOTA entrants consider the IOTA exchange to be
too long (for island stations), with its three exchange
elements - 59(9), serial and IOTA Reference.

The only way it can be made shorter is by dropping one
or more elements.

I have two suggestions.  The first is to remove 59(9),
or at least make it optional.  The second is to omit
the IOTA Reference on second and subsequent QSOs with
individual stations (unless they ask for it).  That's
because the Reference is known and pre-filled by the
software.  Many times I've had QSOs with non-island
stations, usually the Russians, and where I've called
them, only to find they don't wait for the Reference.
And why should they - it's a contest, after all?

Would anyone wait for 59(9) if it had to be sent after
the serial?  :-)

73,
Paul EI5DI