[UK-CONTEST] Train of thought leading up to ... 144MHz CW

[Tim Hugill]

So much being discussed on this site ...
21/28 Contest last weekend, which I enjoyed along with Steve & Nigel.
UKAC multipliers which will always (dis)advantage some of us some of the
time.
And VHF NFD results are out - yay - RSGB's flagship VHF event which no-one
has commented on.
 
Which leads on to ...
David YYD the other day commented that "VHF Ops do not work CW", which is
true some of the time.
But back in June, a number of well equipped HF stations ventured onto 50MHz
and entered the 6m CW contest, teaching me a thing or too in the process.
It livened up 6m and made the event more enjoyable.
 
In three weeks time (3/4 Nov), the 2m CW takes place. This is not a "Blink &
its Finished" 3hr session - this is 24hrs long if you feel inclined.
The RSGB event runs in parallel with the IARU R1 Marconi Memorial event.
Now before you all say there's no CW activity on 2m, take a look at the
Europe-wide results for 2011.
http://www.ari-bo.it/site/images/classificacontestmarconi2011.pdf
Something like 677 stations across Europe listed in the results, but very
few from the UK.
 
However there were over 100 entries in the 144UKAC event last month. Many of
those have well-equipped 2m stations, but many of which don't feel confident
at CW.
 
So would it be feasible at your local club to get the HF CW contester to
meet up with the 2m Phone contester, find a 6hr slot over the 2m CW weekend
that's mutally convenient, and put a 2m CW station on the air.  You'd be
surprised how many well-equipped continental stations you'd work.  Even down
in Devon last year, we got a good haul, with our very average club station.
 
Hopefully someone might pick up on this, and publicise it a bit more next
weekend at the Convention.
Anyway, just a thought.  Now, back to the VHF NFD results .....
 
73
Tim  G4FJK