[UK-CONTEST] New HF CW Field Day rules

[dave at g4buo.com]

Perhaps Ed or Ian could explain how the Restricted section is really
restricted any more.

Granted, you can still go out with your two 11m masts but does anyone
seriously doubt that a doublet at 22m will outperform a doublet at 11m?

So, to be competitive in the Restricted section you now need a tower. Add
a 4m cross-arm and you can build a very effective 2 element driven array,
with balanced feeders down to ground level youve got gain and instant
direction reversal, on several bands. So the group that currently drives
to NFD with a few scaffold poles on the car roof rack is going to be
marginalised.

While the 22m total height is a good idea, allowing for example a
horizontal loop on three 7m masts if you want, I think it is a mistake to
remove the 11m height restriction for the so-called Restricted and QRP
sections.

And, to be competitive you are also going to have to invest in an
interlock, bandpass filters and perhaps a triplexer. This was great fun in
WRTC but I simply do not feel it is appropriate for the *Restricted*
section of NFD.

Dave G4BUO

>
> Just a postscript -- the initial ideas about antenna rules for the
> Restricted Section were suggested by GM3SEK and GM3ZBE (SK) -- thanks to
> both.
>
> 73,
>
> Ed Taylor, GW3SQX
> Chairman, RSGB Contest Committee
>