[UK-CONTEST] 2012 UKAC = Rule Changes

[Ray James]

Hi Pete,

I can see where you're coming from but do you not think it could be simplified to what I wrote?

"Open" is very straightforward, over 100w up to 400w and no antenna restrictions.
"Restricted" and "Low Power"  no more than 100w/no more than 10w and "Only one horizontal or vertically polarised fixed or rotatable antenna may be used at any one time".

Whilst I can appreciate the need to define a station with restricted or low power capabilities, I'm not 100% sure why the need would exist to imply any "fixed directional" antenna comes into the equation. KISS.

Such an arrangement may will exist but be rare enough not to be of concern to placing in black and white in respect to contest operation/rules but be a matter of someones personal station limitations.
The majority of "typical stations" will either have a rotary stacked/bayed horizontal antenna or single antenna plus a vertical for working their pals on FM.
It would be far easier to let "power" dictate what AL/AR section the single antenna station is in and permit them to choose which single antenna (H or V) to use at any given time without putting them in the open section.

I have no qualms either way on this particular rule. I'm just suggesting what makes sense to me and simple for you and competitors.


Though not used to my knowledge in Scotland, I am aware that some English based UKAC activity on 4m, 2m and 23cm does take place on FM when vertical polarisation will be the norm.
As UKAC interest continues to increase then FM activity may well be another resource competitors do not ignore in order to pick up some extra points or multipliers.
This would be another good reason to consider dropping the "switching between two antenna" rule for AR/AL and just concentrate on what power they're running.

73 Ray GM4CXM






________________________________
 From: Pete Lindsay <psl at plcg.org>
To: Ray James <gm4cxm at yahoo.co.uk> 
Cc: Ian - G0GRI <ian.g0gri at btinternet.com>; UK Contesting <uk-contest at contesting.com> 
Sent: Saturday, 31 December 2011, 19:54
Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] 2012 UKAC = Rule Changes
 
Ray,

The problem is that some folks only have (say) a vertical and a small
fixed beam or halo and are switching between these antennas to try and
work as many stations as they can. This forced them into the Open
Section. What we are allowing now is the use of (switching between)
multiple antennas so long as *none* of them are rotatable.

HNY,

Pete, G4CLA

On 31 December 2011 19:40, Ray James <gm4cxm at yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
> Would it not be better written as:
>
> Only one horizontal or vertically polarised fixed or rotatable antenna may be used at any one time. Stacked or bayed antenna arrays may not be
> used.
>
>
> ?
>
> 73 Ray GM4CXM
>
>
>
> ________________________________
>  From: Ian - G0GRI <ian.g0gri at btinternet.com>
> To: UK Contesting <uk-contest at contesting.com>
> Sent: Saturday, 31 December 2011, 15:28
> Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] 2012 UKAC = Rule Changes
>
> Pete
>
> Thank you, I had not interpreted the rule change in the way you describe!  Crikey some people must have big lofts.
>
> If the contest committee mean this as being applicable to fixed stations then it must be clarified in the rules.
>
> HNY
> Ian
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Pete Lindsay <psl at plcg.org>
> To: Ian - G0GRI <ian.g0gri at btinternet.com>
> Cc: UK Contesting <uk-contest at contesting.com>
> Sent: Saturday, 31 December 2011, 15:13
> Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] 2012 UKAC = Rule Changes
>
> Ian,
>
> Just to clarity, multiple antennas are only allowed if they are all
> fixed in direction.  This change has been made to allow for entrants
> who do not have a rotatable antenna but do have two or more fixed
> antennas (usually mounted in the loft!)
>
>
> Pete, G4CLA.
>
> On 31 December 2011 15:08, Ian - G0GRI <ian.g0gri at btinternet.com> wrote:
>> Happy New Year to all
>>
>> I don’t think I’ve seen any discussion regarding the rule changes regarding use of more than one aerial system!
>>
>> Quote 2012 Rule Restricted Section
>> “The power output must be greater than 10W PEP (4W on 4m) and not more than 100W PEP (40W on 4m) at the output of the transmitter.
>> Only one antenna may be used at any one time. You may switch between multiple fixed direction antennas (any combination of directional and omni-directional antennas). Stacked or bayed antenna arrays may not be used. You may use a co-linear vertically polarised antenna”
>>
>> Well, neither having the inclination, the hardware, the time or the effort to erect more than one antenna for a 2.5hr (typically 4 hrs for the whole shooting match) UKAC  portable session I forsee I (and may be a few others) would be disadvantaged.  Probably like a few others I need to operate /P as the home QTH is useless NE through to NW (and besides no mast and beams for any band).  This rule changing to me has moved these short FUN contests toward a Field Day style and perhaps suiting the more well established home stations (perhaps club stations) who have access and realestate to use  their multiple aerial systems.
>>
>> So I wonder who asked for the rule change and /or why the rule change was necessary?
>>
>> Anyhow, I shall take part in only a few UKAC’s this year and sit back and see how these rules evolve.
>>
>> 73 HNY
>>
>> Ian
>> G0GRI/P
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