[UK-CONTEST] New HF CW Field Day rules

[Chairman, RSGB Contest Committee]

As some of you have already noticed, we have published new rules for CW 
Field Day -- please see
http://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2012/rnfd.shtml

The rules for this contest have not changed for many years, and although 
that has had the benefit of stability, it has also not kept pace with 
modern equipment and the way that entrants now generally operate (or 
would like to operate).

The main areas of change relate to the equipment used and to antennas.  
You will know that transceivers with a second receiver have been 
permitted in Field Day as a means of seeking additional contacts.  This 
has limited the scope for those groups without an appropriate rig, so 
the rules for all sections have therefore been changed to allow two 
transceivers provided only one signal is transmitted at a time.

As far as antennas are concerned, the previous rules allowed a single 
element antenna with a maximum of 2 elevated support points and a 
maximum height of 11m.  This offered limited scope for innovation & 
experimentation, so the new rules have been designed to allow more 
possibilities without a large increase in club resources.

There are other changes, and explanations are given in a set of 
Frequently Asked Questions referred to in the main rules.  These FAQS 
will be expanded as a result of questions and comments from entrants -- 
please email nfd.logs at rsgbcc.org .

73,

Ed Taylor, GW3SQX
Chairman, RSGB Contest Committee