[UK-CONTEST] Power Limitations(ONLY WITHIN CONTEST SECTIONS)

[Rob Harrison]

Hi Bob,

This is not about ERP levels for normal everyday communication. ONLY WITHIN 
CONTEST SECTIONS. The thread has got a bit off- topic.

I'm mainly coming at this from a VHF/UHF standpoint, where ERP can vary 
greatly between stations in the same section.

You seem to be missing my point. All those things are beyond the control of 
the contest committee, and I have no problem with any of those points. Why 
would seperate ERP sections, stop some one improving there station ?

Just because some stations will be improved by these factors:-  where people 
choose, and can afford, to live (1 & 2) , what they can achive with 
antennas, (planning & expense) , rigs (expense), operator skill can be 
improved by hard work. All variables outside the scope of contest rules. 
That doesn't mean some things within the scope of the rules should be left 
as they are, where there is an obvious imbalance.

I'm not asking for "awards for ever competitor" just balance WITHIN CONTEST 
SECTIONS with regard to ERP.

Hopefully you'll see my point.

73 Bob G8HGN




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob Henderson" <bob.5b4agn at gmail.com>
To: <uk-contest at contesting.com>
Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2012 12:34 PM
Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] Power Limitations


> Bob
>
> You could deal with the ERP issue by simply mandating use of an
> omni-directional antenna.  Of course, you would need to level the playing
> field in other areas.  Perhaps by mandating:
>
> 1.  All stations to be at sea level. (It's so unfair that some have a
> height advantage, especially at VHF and above.)
> 2.  Inclination to the horizon.  (Those blighters enjoying a clear 
> take-off
> really bug those who don't.)
> 3.  Use of a standard receiver perhaps a coherer.
>
> Once these have been implemented to the applause of the masses you might
> move on to:
>
> 4. Levelling the playing field with regard to operator skill.
>
> Finally when a position has been reached in which neither investment nor
> skill provide advantage, I would recommend the concept of winning be
> abandoned altogether, with trophies becoming available to participants and
> non participants alike.  Perhaps this could be funded with the money the
> RSGB gets back from the ex-GM.
>
> Welcome to contesting in the 21st century!
>
> Bob, 5B4AGN
>
> On 28 January 2012 11:43, Rob Harrison 
> <robharrison at g8hgn.freeserve.co.uk>wrote:
>
>> Hi Ray,
>>
>> I find this argument re accuracy of ERP frankly poor. I've put this idea
>> forward for consideration for VHF/UHF contests, but it would apply to HF
>> also. I get the same old weak arguments against, when frankly the 
>> arguments
>> for power only are weak too, as they don't take into account antennas of
>> any
>> sort, which is bizarre.
>>
>> Everyone seems to be hung up with the Nth degree of ERP accuracy, surely 
>> we
>> can agree on generic gain for certain antennas, we know the power out,
>> feeder loss, it's relatively simple to work out a figure for any given
>> station to within fairly accurate limits. Not taking antenna gain into
>> account at all is utterly wrong.
>>
>> It seems there is a reluctance to even try it, are vested interests at 
>> play
>> here?
>>
>> 73
>>
>> Bob G8HGN
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Ray Hills" <g3hrh at btinternet.com>
>> To: <uk-contest at contesting.com>
>> Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2012 11:21 AM
>> Subject: [UK-CONTEST] Power Limitations
>>
>>
>> >I don't think using ERP to set the limit will work because few, if any,
>> > actually have the ability to determine it accurately.  They would have 
>> > to
>> > rely on the antenna manufacturers' claims, not all of which are 
>> > reliable
>> -
>> > or even credible.  Power into the antenna is OK because many (most?) 
>> > have
>> > a
>> > Bird, especially if it has the peak power modification.  I find it very
>> > reassuring to have a Bird permanently in circuit, as part of the 
>> > antenna
>> > patch panel set-up, to make sure that all is both healthy and within 
>> > the
>> > power limit for any particular contest.
>> >
>> > Ray  G3HRH
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
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