[UK-CONTEST] NFD

[G3RAU at aol.com]

In a message dated 02/06/2011 11:37:02 GMT Daylight Time, pokane at ei5di.com  
writes:

If the  use of power utilities is prohibited, it
seems incongruous, if not plain  daft, that the use
of communications utilities is  permitted.




Once again Paul hits the nail squarely on the head, and judging by the  
replies so far his view is well supported.
Let's look at the roots of NFD:- empty field, turn up, start  worldwide
communications within a few hours. No outside help, no reliance on  
external facilities,
& all done by a small group of people bringing their own  stuff. Very handy 
after a disaster, 
very hand indeed. 
So the question is how much does NFD need to retain its roots, or is it  
just another contest?
There is a credibility & PR issue here behind the scenes.   Just how much 
importance should be attached to having such a valuable national  resource 
and demonstrating it annually to the Govt and the country? 
The RSGB / OFCOM liaison team & others may have a sense for this,  so let's 
tread very carefully.  If the NFD concept is outdated then fine,  relax the 
rules, but if it's not, then retain it as a showcase of  our  capability 
and don't dilute it.   
73
Derek G3RAU