RSGB CONTEST COMMITTEE NEWSLETTER

ISSUE 5

DATE: MAY 2013

 

RSGB CONTESTS FOR MAY / JUNE 2013 (by Quin G3WRR & John G3XDY)

 

Saturday – Sunday	4th – 5th May 2013	May 432MHz – 248 GHz Contest	1400 –1400 UTC
Saturday	4th May 2013	432MHz Trophy Contest	1400 –2200 UTC
Saturday	4th May 2013	10GHz Trophy Contest	1400 –2200 UTC
Monday	6th May 2013	80m Club Championship Contest (SSB)	1900 – 2030 UTC
Tuesday	7th May 2013	144MHz UK Activity Contest	1900 – 2130 UTC
Sunday	12th May 2013	70MHz CW Contest	0900 – 1200 UTC
Tuesday	14th May 2013	432MHz UK Activity Contest	1900 – 2130 UTC
Wednesday	15th May 2013	80m Club Championship Contest (data)	1900 – 2030 UTC
Saturday – Sunday	18th – 19th May 2013	May 144MHz Contest	1400 –1400 UTC
Sunday	19th May 2013	1st 144MHZ Backpackers Contest	1100 – 1500 UTC
Tuesday	21st May 2013	1.3GHz Activity Contest	1900 – 2130 UTC
Thursday	23rd May 2013	80m Club Championship Contest (CW)	1900 – 2030 UTC
Sunday	26th May 2013	70MHz Cumulative Contest #3	1400 – 1600 UTC
Tuesday	28th May 2013	50MHz UK Activity Contest	1900 – 2130 UTC
Tuesday	28th May 2013	SHF UK Activity Contest	1900 – 2130 UTC
Saturday – Sunday	1st – 2nd June 2013	National Field Day (CW - 1.8, 3.5, 7, 14, 21 & 28MHz)	1500 – 1500 UTC
Monday	3rd June 2013	80m Club Championship Contest (data)	1900 – 2030 UTC
Tuesday	4th June 2013	144MHz UK Activity Contest	1900 – 2130 UTC
Sunday	9th June 2013	Second 144MHz Backpackers	0900 – 1300 UTC
Tuesday	11th June 2013	432MHz UK Activity Contest	1900 – 2130 UTC
Wednesday	12th June 2013	80m Club Championship Contest (CW)	1900 – 2030 UTC
Saturday - Sunday	15th – 16th June 2013	50MHz Trophy Contest	1400 – 1400 UTC
Tuesday	18th June 2013	1.3GHz Activity Contest	1900 – 2130 UTC
Thursday	20th June 2013	80m Club Championship Contest (SSB)	1900 – 2030 UTC
Sunday	23rd June 2013	50MHz CW Contest	0900 – 1200 UTC
Sunday	23rd June 2013	70MHz Cumulative Contest #4	1400 – 1600 UTC
Tuesday	25th June 2013	50MHz UK Activity Contest	1900 – 2130 UTC
Tuesday	25th June 2013	SHF UK Activity Contest	1900 – 2130 UTC

Further details including rules are available here (HF) and here (VHF).

 

It should be noted that the times in UTC shown for the UK Activity and 80m Club Championship Contests are an hour earlier than for those earlier in the year. This is because of the change of UK clocks from UTC to BST on 31 March, and allows a constant UK clock time to be maintained for the entire series.

 

 

OTHER UK CONTESTS IN MAY (by John G3XDY)

The UK Microwave Group has a 5.7/10/24GHz Contest on Sunday 26^th May, from 0600 – 1800 UTC.
Rules are at: UK Microwave Group Contest Rules

 

OTHER EUROPEAN VHF/UHF CONTESTS IN MAY (by John G3XDY)

Details of French events    (English translation can be obtained by clicking on the “Translate” box in the Google toolbar)

Details of German events  (English translation can be obtained by clicking on the “Translate” box in the Google toolbar)

The NAC Contests in Scandinavia

Czech Activity Contest  

 

RECENT RESULTS (by Quin G3WRR & John G3XDY)

The following results have been published or updated since the previous Newsletter:

50MHz UKAC
144MHz UKAC  
432MHz UKAC
1.3GHz UKAC
SHF UKAC
Overall UKAC
432MHz AFS

70MHz cumulatives

March 144/432MHz

AFS Superleague 2012/13

80m CC data

80m CC CW

80m CC SSB

80m CC overall

 

432MHZ AFS FEEDBACK (by John G3XDY)

Thank you for your feedback on the duration of this event, both the 432MHz and 50MHz AFS events will return to 4 hours duration as from this October’s 50MHz AFS.

 

IARU REGION 1 MEETING CONTEST FEEDBACK (by John G3XDY)

Thank you for the comments received, feedback of contest related matters from the Vienna meeting will be included in a future newsletter.

 

CLUSTER AND CHAT DO’s AND DON’Ts (by John G3XDY)

The guidelines for acceptable use of the DXCluster and chatrooms such as ON4KST have been updated and expanded. They can be found here:  Cluster and Chat Do’s and Don’ts

 

CENTENARY CONTEST AWARDS IN VHF NFD (by John G3XDY)

Special Centenary commemorative certificates will be available for entrants in this year’s VHF NFD.  The rules for VHF NFD itself are unchanged. To receive a commemorative certificate the following rules apply:

Fixed stations: Submit an entry to VHF NFD in the FSO or FSR sections. QSOs can only be established by replying to a station calling CQ (i.e. Search and Pounce).  Stations may be worked once on each band.  The total score is the sum of points on each band.  To qualify for the Centenary Award a minimum of 100 points (post adjudication) must be gained, at least 50 of which must be for contacts with UK stations.

Portable stations: Submit an entry to VHF NFD (no prior registration is required unless you also wish to compete for VHF NFD Awards (Trophies etc.)).  Stations may be worked once on each band.  The total score is the sum of points on each band.  To qualify for the Centenary Award, a minimum of 100 points (post adjudication) must be gained, at least 50 of which must be for contacts with UK stations.

Each QSO will be scored as:

50 MHz           3 points
70 MHz           3 points
144 MHz         2 points
432 MHz         4 points
1296 MHz       5 points

Logs should be scored as per normal RSGB rules: the adjudicators will calculate the award score for you.

 

CENTENARY CONTEST AWARDS IN IOTA CONTEST (by Ed GW3SQX)

Special Centenary commemorative certificates will also be available to all participants in July's RSGB IOTA contest.  To qualify, make 100 QSOs along with 20 multipliers (post adjudication).  This is not too difficult for seasoned contesters, but the emphasis from the committee will be attracting newcomers and those who currently enjoy only the weekday 80m contests.

More information will be published on the Contest Committee website nearer the contest.  A page of guidance for less-experienced entrants will also explain the details of what happens in this contest, and the sort of aerial that might be suitable for achieving the award.

 

 

RATIONALE BEHIND THE 2013 HF NFD RULES (by Quin G3WRR)

 

The aim of this contribution is not to provide a statistical analysis of the responses to last autumn’s NFD questionnaire. Instead, it is intended to provide a view of how the feedback received contributed to key aspects of the 2013 rules.

 

As expected, the CC received a wide spread of opinions in the responses to the questionnaire. Almost all (there were exactly 50 in total) were from active contesters – most from recent (last 2 or 3 years) NFD entrants. Although the questionnaire was sent to 115 or so Affiliated Societies, there were only 2 or 3 responses from non NFD participants: this was perhaps to be expected.

 

Overall

 

A relevant comment made by one of the respondents was that if you don’t know where you’re aiming, you will probably end up somewhere else. Accordingly, the set of principles set out below was used in formulating the 2013 rules:

• As far as possible, changes should be evolutionary rather than revolutionary
• To provide a set of rules that will satisfy the largest proportion of entrants
• To provide a smooth progression of features as we move from simple to more complex sections
• To encourage current and previous entrants to participate
• To encourage new entrants (and particularly youngsters) to participate.

 

27% of respondents thought the 2012 rules were too complicated. The rules have been simplified where possible for 2013. However provision of increased flexibility, paradoxically perhaps, often requires more complex rules to explain where the limits of that flexibility lie.

Sections

94% of respondents thought that multiple sections were a good idea, in order to allow entrants to compete with others on a reasonably equable basis. In addition to the need to retain existing entrants, several stressed the importance of attracting new (and particularly younger) entrants.

 

It was generally felt that with the current number of entrants, too many section was a bad thing as the value of each would be reduced. 76% thought that 3 sections (as at present) was about right. The rest were fairly evenly balanced between those who thought there should be less, and those who thought there should be more, with a slight bias towards those who favoured more.

 

There were many suggestions of how to “cut the cake” between sections. These included duration (12/24 hours), assisted/unassisted, power (5 or 10W/100W/400W), single or multiple transmitters, antenna types, QRS/QRQ, need for a “Technologists” section (similar to CQWW’s Extreme section). If sections to satisfy all these aspirations has been implemented, over 140 sections would have been required. Clearly some compromise was going to be needed!

 

98% were in favour of, or neutral towards, some kind of Low Power section, with a slight balance in favour of retaining the 12 hour duration rather than allowing 24 hours. Several preferred moving from 10W to the international QRP definition of 5W.

 

58% of respondents were in favour of a “no holds barred” section limited only by licence conditions, but these were split between those who wanted it as part of a new “Open+” section and those who wanted to up-scope the existing Open section.

 

Pulling these divergent threads together, it was decided that the existing 3 section arrangement would be retained, with:

·       An Open section very similar to 2012

·       A Restricted section similar to 2012, but with some changes around antenna and rig rules

·       A fairly basic Low Power section: the existing 12 hour duration would remain, but the power limit would be reduced to 5W to align with the international definition of QRP. This last change would, as with all rules, be reviewed for 2014 in case entrants found that the power reduction made a difficult section even harder. 

 

Rigs

 

For quite a few years, use of transceivers has been universal. Accordingly the 2013 rules have been specified in terms of number of transceivers rather than counting transmitters and receivers separately, thus allowing slight rule simplification. However entrants will still be permitted to use separates if they so wish.

 

27% of respondents favoured permitting a “multi (usually 2) transmitter, 1 signal” regime in all sections, with a further 50% favouring it in some sections. 85% of those in favour supported full listen through, some noting that this did not necessarily require the use of triplexers. 23% were unconditionally against it. Accordingly:

·       The Open and Restricted section rules permit the use of the “2 transmitter, 1 signal” approach with full listen through allowed

·       The Low Power section rules are limited to a single transceiver.

 

Restricted section antennas

 

Responses on Restricted section antennas were probably the most varied and hardest to analyse. There was a significant split between those who liked the new rules and those who favoured a “keep it simple” approach. Complexity of the rules in this area was seen as a problem.

 

26% of respondents favoured splitting the Restricted section into two, one “Traditional Restricted” (with 1 antenna & 2 masts not exceeding 11m) and one “Advanced Restricted” (based on a version of the 2012 rules). Of the remaining 74% who favoured a single Restricted section, 57% favoured a traditional Restricted section and 43% one similar to 2012.

 

To reconcile these views in the light of the decision to retain 3 sections, the 2013 rules on Restricted section antennas are similar to those of 2012 with a few changes, the most significant being that beams are not permitted. However the use of traditional Restricted section antennas will be recognised by annotating the entrants in the results table as “Complex Antenna” or “Simple Antenna” as appropriate.

 

RBN, Skimmer and similar aids

 

At least 63% of respondents were in favour of permitting assistance (RBN, on site Skimmer, DX Cluster) in some or all sections although the percentage varied between the types. In several cases, this was on the basis of “it can’t be uninvented, so a reluctant yes”. On site Skimmer was felt to be slightly different from RBN and DX Cluster as it can be implemented without “external input”: this is tied up with the frequently expressed view that NFD should retain at least some of its roots as a “rehearsal for an emergency”. As an aside, in this context it is worth noting that 69% felt that only “radio equipment” (broadly defined) and not accommodation, catering, toilets, etc. should be covered by the 24 hour rule.

 

Accordingly the 2013 rules permit:

• Use of RBN, Skimmer and DX Cluster in the Open section
• Use of on- site Skimmer, but not RBN or DX Cluster in the Restricted section
• Use of none of these aids in the Low Power section.

 

Support for new entrants

 

Use of CW readers was favoured by 61% of respondents in all sections with a further 25% in favour of their use in one or more sections. This was largely on the grounds of bringing on non CW literate operators. This is permitted in all sections of the 2013 rules.

 

The introduction of a “QRS” section was not considered justified in view of the decision to retain three sections. The introduction of a “QRS Corral” (as used in other contests such as CW AFS) was not considered viable either as it could not be imposed on non UK entrants who usually contribute over 50% of contacts by UK entrants. However the rules do contain a suggestion that slower CW users may wish to congregate around the QRS centres of activity specified in the Band Plan. 

 

In addition, the use of computer / internet based tools in two of the three sections may be an attraction to younger operators who are accustomed to using the internet in nearly all other aspects of their lives.

 

Alignment with DARC rules and scoring

 

26% of respondents favoured alignment with the DARC rules and 74% were against or neutral. Reasons expressed for continued non-alignment were:

·       lack of flexibility (eg. single transceiver, single antenna)

·       the requirement to be more than 100m from public mains which would disadvantage the significant number of UK “back garden stations”

·       the preference for the existing scoring rules expressed by 81%.

 

Accordingly no attempt was made to align the 2013 rules with DARC. Two respondents felt that a x3 penalty should be applied to busted QSOs to focus entrants’ minds on logging accuracy.

 

 

HF NFD (AGAIN) (by Quin G3WRR)

 

Potential entrants for HF (CW) NFD in June may wish to note that a small change to the wording of the rules - specifically 4 (c) (viii) - and associated diagrams has been made, and is on the RSGB Contest Committee website . This does not reflect a change in the intent of the rules but instead ensures consistency between the rules, FAQs and accompanying diagrams. This information is also being promulgated via the UK HF Contest reflector and by e-mail to previous NFD entrants.

 

 

REGISTRATION FOR HF AND VHF NFD (by Quin G3WRR)

 

Clubs / groups intending to register for HF NFD are reminded that the cut-off date is 12 May. Registrations should be sent to nfd.notify@rsgbcc.org , or to G3WRR (QTHR). Details of information required are shown at the URL above.

 

Although the cut-off date for registration for VHF NFD is substantially later (28^th June), you may wish to note that the registration page for VHF NFD is now open.

 

 

SSB FD 2013  (by Quin G3WRR)

 

Following a query from a potential entrant, it is confirmed that the rules for SSB FD 2013 will be the same as for the 2012 event.

 

 

AND FINALLY

That’s all for this month – I’m off now to take advantage of the good weather and measure the impedance / velocity factor of the 180 feet of open wire feeder I’ve made up for NFD (giving us a better chance of being able to match the antennas than last year). Should be easy enough provided none of the cats decide to come and help this time.

As always, comments are welcome to editor@rsgbcc.org .

73 and good contesting.

 

 

QUIN COLLIER  G3WRR

Newsletter Editor on behalf of the RSGB Contest Committee