[UK-CONTEST] RSGB 2nd 160m Contest

[Chairman, RSGB Contest Committee]

The RSGB Contest Committee has made some changes to the format of the 
2nd 1.8MHz contest, to increase the interest level and to improve 
participation.  These will affect UK entrants mainly in that they should 
see more activity on the band throughout the four-hour period.

The new rules are at:
http://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2011/r2nd-160m-2011.shtml

Instead of a "UK works the world" contest, this is now "Europe works the 
world".  You will be aware that overseas entrants complainthere are not 
really not enough Gs to sustain interest for the duration of the 
contest. Given that most stations in Europe are within QSO range of each 
other over much of the four hours, with North America often seen around 
midnight, we think that this change will encourage people to stay on 
until the end, rather than giving up after two or three hours.

The District code will still be sent, and UK stations will still count 
for bonuses, alongside DXCC countries.  The points per QSO have been 
reduced from 3 to 2, to emphasise the value of bonuses.  Existing 
logging programs should continue to work without modification, and any 
scoring problems will be rectified during adjudication.

Please give this new version of the contest a try, and let any other 
160m enthusiasts know, particularly those outside the UK.

73,

Ed Taylor, GW3SQX
Chairman, RSGB Contest Committee