[UK-CONTEST] The UK Activity Contests

[Ray James]

________________________________
 From: Rob Harrison <robharrison at g8hgn.freeserve.co.uk>
To: UK Contesting <uk-contest at contesting.com> 
Sent: Thursday, 29 December 2011, 13:18
Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] The UK Activity Contests
 
Hi,

Hi Bob,

There's no doubt that activity has increased this year in the UKAC series. 
However it appears that the majority of that activity is centred around one 
or two specific areas, and has not seen that upsurge in other areas, rather 
a small downturn. This is in part to one specific club fielding lots of 
stations. The other being increased GM activity, which is very welcome.

From what I have observed, BWC appear to have inspired a gradual increase in participation from more clubs.
Harwell, Camb-Hams and Spalding to name a few that have been adding new participants and covering new bands.
I have found activity and contest section winners to be well spread around the UK rather than the previous domination.
The south east has produced section winning months as has the south west, north west, GM and GI. That is very healthy for UK contesting. 
Results have often been nail-bitingly close rather than runaway meaning the skill factor to do well needs to be very focused during each event.

A lot of this is due to the change to the the rules and M5. Whereas the 
advantage was perceived to be in JO01 it's now moved to IO83, so the reality 
is we've only moved the perceived advantage to somewhere else, not solved 
the problem of fair participation wherever you may be in the UK. 

I think we now have the fairest UK compromise Bob.
There are too many variables to make it equal for everyone. Location being the most obvious.

I'll concede that the lack of GM participation has been solved to some extent, 
which Ray is obviously pleased about. 

Yes, but equally its great to see more appear from the north east of England, GI, and GW.
More could be done to increase south west participation so some CC communication to club secretaries in Devon, Cornwall and CI would possibly help?
My suggestion of a couple of years ago still stands that the RSGB maintain a database of points of contact in every UK affiliated and non-affiliated radio club and post a monthly club specific bulletin which could include RSGB matters but definitely HF and VHF "club" orientated contest information the secretary could read out/distribute. Getting the message across on a regular basis about the club directed contests available and encouraging participation and probably getting more members to boot.  

But now JO01 is in the position GM was in previously, hardly anyone beams this way.

That may be stretching it a bit Bob!
If it is a bit quieter then it'll be because instead of beaming south east for the majority of a UKAC like before, savvy operators now look throughout the compass for contacts/multipliers.
Being on the back or side of folks beams will understandably be unfamiliar territory but a least it's not for the majority of a contest like GM/GI/GW/North and South West G suffered for years.

So unfortunately I can't totally concur with Ray & Eddie, but would still 
like to wish CC a very happy 2012.

Bob G8HGN

73 Ray GM4CXM




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ray James" <gm4cxm at yahoo.co.uk>
To: "UK Contesting" <uk-contest at contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 29, 2011 1:15 AM
Subject: [UK-CONTEST] The UK Activity Contests


> Hi all,
>
> Here we are approaching the end of year and the final UKAC under the new 
> rules and M5 multiplier of 2011 has taken place.
> I would like to thank Ed GW3SQX and his contest committee for taking on 
> board what myself and others interested in fostering total UK 
> participation in VHF, UHF and Microwave UKAC contesting had suggested.
> Not only did he listen but took action and the results speak for 
> themselves with the ever increasing numbers participating from 6m through 
> to 10 GHz and equally as important, from a wide UK geographical spread.
> It has been a great year for UKAC participation and appreciation must also 
> be expressed to Richard G4WFR, Ian G0FCT, Roger G4BVY and Bob G0KYS for 
> all their prompt adjudicating and tabulation of results.
> Thank you.
>
> And a very Happy New Year (when it comes) to everyone on this reflector.
>
>
> 73 Ray GM4CXM
> _______________________________________________
> UK-Contest mailing list
> UK-Contest at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/uk-contest 

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