[UK-CONTEST] 80m Club Championship

[Chairman, RSGB Contest Committee]

Some contesters have mentioned that the division of the 80m CC entrants 
into two categories does not fit their expectations.  In particular, two 
in East Anglia and one in Scotland say that the "35km radius" rule is 
not appropriate for the "local" category.

The decision was made because we have had representations from many 
clubs who draw their membership from a relatively limited area.  They 
considered themselves disadvantaged when trying to compete with 
geographically-dispersed individual participants who associate 
themselves with successful clubs, sometimes much further away.

It should be emphasised that nobody is excluded from the competition -- 
on the contrary, there will be an additional trophy and extra 
certificates for those who do well in the different categories.  
Stations outside the UK will no longer be allowed to represent a UK 
club, which is generally seen as logical, but they will instead receive 
their own sets of certificates.

We ask Affiliated Societies to work under the new rules until the end of 
the series, and them let us have any comments that they wish.  We are 
aware that the the consultation process is in need of improvement, and 
will be working with the RSGB's Interim Board to find ways of improving 
this in time for the Summer.  In particular, most entrants to the 80m 
CCs are not subscribers to this reflector, and we would like to find a 
better way (at least) of asking their opinion and putting specific 
points to them for discussion and decision.

73,

Ed Taylor, GW3SQX
Chairman, RSGB Contest Committee