[UK-CONTEST] HF CW Field Day (Chairman, RSGB Contest Committee)

[Alan Ibbetson]

Ed,

As a member one of those groups that Bob Henderson refers to who has 
"spent the last month preparing to be competitive in the Restricted 
section", I am very much hopping mad and spitting feathers at this 
sudden reversal.

We've organised a pair of switched transmit bandpass filters (designed 
as it happens by Bob), built a dual-band LF dipole and diplexer, and we 
were just on the verge of building a relay driven dual-rig aerial 
switch. Then there's the hours of planning, computer modelling, and 
driving across two counties to meet face to face to thrash out a plan to 
make the best of the pre-11th April rules.

Then, seven weeks before the contest, the committee acts on a number of 
comments it has received but not discussed with the rest of the 
community! As the sitcom has it: "I just do not believe it".

I'd like my money back please, for the stuff I've specially built, for 
the fuel I've wasted going to planning meetings for now-redundant rules, 
and for the mental anguish I've suffered today.

To whom do I send the bill, please? To you, Ed?

Alan G3XAQ



> You will be aware that the rules for HF CW Field Day have recently been
> changed.  The Contest Committee has received a number of comments, some
> expressing legitimate concerns.  These were discussed at a recent
> Contest Committee meeting, and it has been agreed to make a few more
> modifications.  The main effect will be to reduce the technological and
> logistical requirements for groups wishing to enter the Restricted
> sections, while maintaining their challenge and potential for
> innovation.  This also maintains the clear distinction with the Open
> Section.
>
> Here is a summary of recent changes:
>
> 1.    The definition of "Site" now excludes reference to property
> limits.  Entrants must still move equipment on to the site no sooner
> than 24 hours ahead of the start, but this no longer includes welfare
> and accommodation items.
>
> 2.    In the Restricted and Low Power sections:
>
> (a)   all vertical antennas contribute to both the antenna length and
> antenna support allowances -- this corrects an anomaly;
>
> (b)   antennas may not be higher than 15m, which is within the
> capabilities of virtually any group;
>
> (c)   a muting requirement applies to receivers used -- this brings
> operation close to "big knob-little knob" mode, and can be implemented
> with minimum external circuitry.
>
> The updated rules can be found at www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2012/rnfd.shtml
>
> The FAQ and diagram pages have been updated and made clearer.
>
> For any clarification, please email nfd.notify at rsgbcc.org
>
> 73,
>
> Ed Taylor, GW3SQX
> Chairman, RSGB Contest Committee
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2012 17:09:32 +0300
> From: Bob Henderson<bob.5b4agn at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] HF CW Field Day
> To: "Chairman, RSGB Contest Committee"<g3sqx at edtaylor.org>
> Cc: UK-Contest at contesting.com
> Message-ID:
> 	<CALBVtwErBWKpTTbzxaNAguymp79w-zO+6OwFbm5sJAicnNN76w at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> Wow!  What a slap in the face for the intrepid souls who have risen to the
> technical challenges presented by the recently published updated FD rules.
>
> Had I spent the last month preparing to be competitive in the Restricted
> section, I would be hopping mad and spitting featers at this sudden
> reversal.
>
> As it is, I am thoroughly bemused.
>
> Bob, G3ZEM, 5B4AGN
>
> On 12 April 2012 15:58, Chairman, RSGB Contest Committee<g3sqx at edtaylor.org
>> wrote:
>
>>
>> You will be aware that the rules for HF CW Field Day have recently been
>> changed.  The Contest Committee has received a number of comments, some
>> expressing legitimate concerns.  These were discussed at a recent
>> Contest Committee meeting, and it has been agreed to make a few more
>> modifications.  The main effect will be to reduce the technological and
>> logistical requirements for groups wishing to enter the Restricted
>> sections, while maintaining their challenge and potential for
>> innovation.  This also maintains the clear distinction with the Open
>> Section.
>>
>> Here is a summary of recent changes:
>>
>> 1.    The definition of "Site" now excludes reference to property
>> limits.  Entrants must still move equipment on to the site no sooner
>> than 24 hours ahead of the start, but this no longer includes welfare
>> and accommodation items.
>>
>> 2.    In the Restricted and Low Power sections:
>>
>> (a)   all vertical antennas contribute to both the antenna length and
>> antenna support allowances -- this corrects an anomaly;
>>
>> (b)   antennas may not be higher than 15m, which is within the
>> capabilities of virtually any group;
>>
>> (c)   a muting requirement applies to receivers used -- this brings
>> operation close to "big knob-little knob" mode, and can be implemented
>> with minimum external circuitry.
>>
>> The updated rules can be found at www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2012/rnfd.shtml
>>
>> The FAQ and diagram pages have been updated and made clearer.
>>
>> For any clarification, please email nfd.notify at rsgbcc.org
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> Ed Taylor, GW3SQX
>> Chairman, RSGB Contest Committee
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> UK-Contest mailing list
>> UK-Contest at contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/uk-contest
>>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> UK-Contest mailing list
> UK-Contest at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/uk-contest
>
>
> End of UK-Contest Digest, Vol 112, Issue 17
> *******************************************
>

-- 

Alan Ibbetson
alan at g3xaq.net