[UK-CONTEST] Objectives of NFD?

[Dave Sergeant]

I have dug out the rules of the 1947 NFD, which was the first post war 
event. (the first NFD took place in 1933, but the RadCom (Bulletin) CDs 
only go from 1939). The rules state:

"The primary object of NFD is to prepare ourselves and our stations for 
any conditions of emergency that might arise - the offering of a trophy 
being regarded only as an incentive for competition."

In those days there was an A station on 160m and 80m with a 10W limit 
and a B station on 40m and 20m with a 25W limit, both with a 45ft limit 
on antenna height. And tents were compulsory.

I have uploaded the rules (400kb pdf) to 
http://www.btinternet.com/~dsergeant/nfd47.pdf

73 Dave G3YMC

On 3 Jun 2011 at 8:29, Ian White GM3SEK wrote:

> GM3YEH wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >> >>  From the 2011 RSGB Yearbook - "Field days were
> >> >> originally intended to test the ability of amateur
> >> >> radio groups to operate under emergency conditions,
> >> >> using temporary stations and portable power sources,
> >> >> as might be necessary after a natural disaster."
> >> >>
> >> >> Has anything changed?  If so, what are the present
> >> >> objectives of NFD?
> >>
> >
> >An old mentor of mine, Dave GM2BUD (SK), told me on a number
> >of occasions that NFD being a test of the ability to operate under
> >emergency conditions was a myth imported from the USA.  He maintained
> >that this was not an original aim of our RSGB NFD when it started. 
> >I've never seen hard evidence to confirm or deny this - but I would be
> >rather surprised if it turned out that Dave was mistaken on this point.
> > Anyone out there with a good NFD historical library to consult?
> >
> 


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