DATE: 21st August 2018
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FT8 in VHF Contests (Andy G4PIQ - vhfcc.chair@rsgbcc.org)
Recently, we have seen some FT8 QSOs being claimed within contest logs. At present it is difficult to complete a full contest exchange using FT8, although we understand an EU contest compatible version is under development.
We ran the first MGM specific contest in April this year with a set of rules structured to support all MGM modes with varying and limited exchanges. The initial reaction to this contest was positive and we look forward to more activity in the second event in December.
However, we are concerned about the ability of FT8 to completely change the look and feel of contesting and rapidly drive down activity on SSB / CW while not necessarily adding to the number of stations active. We are also concerned about the impact of contests using FT8 - a major contest taking place on one or more of the common FT8 frequencies would lead to huge levels of QRM.
So - without trying to be 'Luddite' in our approach - at this time we feel we should keep FT8 and similar fast MGM modes inside a separate more experimental contest framework. However, we propose increasing the number of these MGM contests during 2019.
The need for clarity on contestant's use of MGM is sufficiently pressing that we will issue clarification of the rules before the September 2m contest.
Consequently, from 1st September onwards, the allowed modes for RSGB VHF contests except for the dedicated MGM events, will be SSB, CW, FM, AM, JT6M, ISCAT and FSK441. We will keep this list under regular review.
GDPR & Forwarding Contest Logs (Ian G0FCT - csc.chair@rsgbcc.org)
GDPR includes additional controls on the sharing of information (e.g. forwarding logs by the RSGB Contesting Committees (RSGBCC) to external organisations such as DARC and IARU R1). Until further notice, logs submitted to the RSGBCC for the following coordinated contests:
HF CW NFD (2-3 June)
HF SSB NFD (1-2 September)
50MHz Trophy (16-17 June)
144MHz Trophy (1-2 September)
Oct 432MHz-248GHz (6-7 October)
144MHz CW Marconi (3-4 November)
will not be forwarded as an entry to the relevant coordinated contest. The RSGBCC rules for these contests now include the URL for the DARC/IARU log submission robot to enable entrants to submit their logs direct to DARC (for HF contests) or to the IARU R1 (for VHF and Up contests).
RSGB Contest Trophies (by Jacqui G6XSY - g6xsy@rsgbcc.org)
Early August saw the change in contest trophy management take place. RSGB HQ no longer manages the day to day care and storage of the trophies, as the offices in HQ did not have room for the number of trophies that the RSGB owns. The trophies are now stored in a secure commercial storage facility and are looked after by the RSGB Trophies Manager with help from a couple of other RSGB volunteers, all of whom serve on the RSGB Contesting Committees. The RSGB Trophy Award Policy has been updated to reflect these changes, so if you are in line to win a trophy please read the policy as there are changes that may affect you.
Jacqui G6XSY, RSGB Trophies Manager
Minutes of Contesting Committees Meetings
The
minutes of RSGB Contesting Committees meetings are available here.
RSGB Contests in 2018
The full 2018 RSGB contest calendars and rules for all RSGB contests are available here (HF) and here (VHF)
Other
HF Contests in 2018
For
more data on a wide
range HF contests,
the SM3CER
and WA7BNM
websites are very useful sources of information.
Another useful source of HF contest information is on the website of HB9DHG which can be reached by going to http://www.hb9dhg.ch, and selecting "Contest Calendar".
That's all for this edition of the Newsletter
73,
Ian Pawson G0FCT
Chair, RSGB Contest Support Committee
(csc.chair@rsgbcc.org)