RSGB CW NFD 2013 – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
A set of diagrams providing clarification of how the Restricted Section rules apply to some common antenna configurations is attached here.
Why have the CC not listened to the input our club made to last autumn’s NFD questionnaire?
On the contrary, the CC has listened to all the 50 inputs received which, as expected, reflected a very wide spectrum of views from a wide range of types of entrant. It was necessary to come up with a set of rules for 2013 that provided a “balanced ticket” offering a best fit between the CC’s objectives for NFD and the views of the respondents, some of whom will inevitably be disappointed with certain aspects of the 2013 rules. Entrants will need to pick the Section that provides the best fit to their preferences and enter that.
Overall, the new rules don’t look that different from last year’s despite the questionnaire. Why is that?
After the significant changes in 2012, it seemed right to take an evolutionary rather than revolutionary approach this year, carrying forward features from 2012 that were popular and abandoning or modifying those that were felt not to work well.
The consensus of the responses to the questionnaire was that was that 3 sections was the optimum number. However, there were a large number of suggestions –making good sense when taken in isolation – as to how the CC should “cut up the cake” in defining what those sections should be. But if all these suggestions had been implemented at once, so many sections would have been needed that there would have been on average rather less than one entrant per section. So the traditional Open / Restricted / Low Power Section structure has been retained, with some movement of permitted features between sections, and detailed changes around some of those permitted features (eg. rigs, antennas, internet support). The aim has been to provide a smooth progression of permitted features (and associated resource demand) from the Low Power Section which allows clubs with limited resources to put on an “entry level” station, through the Restricted Section offering in particular more flexibility to experiment with antennas, to the Open Section in which clubs with plenty of resources can put on a high capability station with few limitations.
Last year’s rules seemed unduly complex. Have you taken any steps to simplify those for 2013?
A number of respondents commented on this. It is in nobody’s interest to have rules that are more complex than they need to be - but equally the rules (and associated FAQs) need to be clear on what is permitted and what isn’t. In fact a number of the points of detail in the 2012 rules were specifically included in order to be more specific in instances where entrants had identified ambiguity in the pre-2012 rules (eg. use of traps and fan dipoles). Furthermore, paradoxically perhaps, a consequence of allowing entrants additional flexibility is the need for a more detailed statement of where the limits of that flexibility lie. So yes, the 2013 rules and FAQs have been simplified in several areas – but there are limits to what has been possible. However, an additional measure to improve overall clarity has been the inclusion for 2013 of a simplified, tabular presentation of what features are permitted in each section.
What measures have been included to encourage newcomers - particularly younger ones - to take part in NFD?
In addition to carrying forward last year’s rule change allowing CW readers to be used by non CW literate operators, two other areas have been addressed: firstly, recognition that use of computers and the internet holds a strong appeal for many younger amateurs, and secondly, the need to encourage CW operators whose speed is lower than that normally encountered in NFD. For the first, the use of internet based aids such as RBN and DX Cluster has been permitted (but only in one section so that groups who do not wish to make use of such aids are not compelled to use them in order to remain competitive). As for the second, scope for making an impact by UK rules alone is limited, as for most UK entrants over 50% of contacts are with stations outside the UK. For this reason, the suggestion that a separate QRS section should be introduced was not adopted: however, a recommendation has been included in the rules that operators wishing to use lower speeds should operate around the Band Plan recommended QRS centres of activity.
The rules for the Restricted Section seem to offer 2 choices for antennas. Why is this?
Opinions were firmly divided between groups who liked the new, more flexible, antenna rules introduced in 2012 and those who wished to retain the traditional single antenna approach. Rather than introducing a new “Restricted+” Section to cover this (for the reason given above), it was decided that a single Restricted Section would be retained. However entrants who wish enter the Restricted Section but nonetheless wish to use simple antennas (of the type permitted in the Low Power Section) will be able to do so, and entries doing this will be designated SIMPLE ANTENNA in the result listings, while entries taking full advantage of the section’s antenna rules will be designated COMPLEX ANTENNA. This will permit entrants to compare their performance with groups using antennas of similar capabilities.
Have any other changes been made to the Restricted Section antenna rules?
The underlying principle remains the same as last year. Simplified and condensed into a single sentence, the rules are saying ”You can have up to 120m of wire and a total antenna support allowance of 22m, and you can do what you like with them”. In practice, constraints have had to be applied, mainly to prevent overlap between antenna capabilities in different sections: these are set out in the rules and these FAQs. So, for instance, an entrant could choose to use two 11m masts, four 5.5m masts (which would, for example, permit use of a horizontal loop), a single mast of 22m, or any other combination up to 22m in total. And the antennas supported by the chosen arrangement of supports could be of any number within the overall antenna length allowance of 120m. In order to demonstrate how the principles are intended to operate, the associated diagrams give examples of how a number of typical antenna support configurations would contribute to the antenna support usage.
However, two significant changes have been made since 2012:
· beams are not permitted, in order to maintain a clear differentiation between the Open & Restricted Sections
· the 15m height restriction on individual antenna supports has been removed: this restriction had been included in 2012 due to concerns that smaller Restricted Section groups (who might have difficulty erecting 22m antenna supports) would be disadvantaged. Entrants with such difficulties can now without disadvantage enter the Restricted Section in the SIMPLE ANTENNA category.
OK, beams are not permitted in the Resticted Section, Complex Antenna category - but what exactly do you mean by a beam in this context?
A good point - all real antennas provide a degree of directivity in some direction or another, but that doesn't make them beams! For the purposes of HF NFD:
· single element antennas, irrespective of configuration, do not count as beams
· multi element antennas using parastic or driven elements as part of their design are regarded as beams.
In different parts of the rules and FAQs, you use the terms “allowance” and “usage” in relation to of antenna supports and antenna lengths. Are these alternative terms for the same thing?
No. The allowance is the maximum the rules allow you to use (ie. 22m for antenna support and 120m for antenna length). The term “usage” applies to what your FD setup actually uses. So if your antenna setup consisted of 3 doublets of lengths 78m, 19m & 11m, your antenna length usage would be 108m.
Why must I make Restricted and Low Power section antennas out of wire? Why can’t I use tubing?
That statement isn’t correct. Antennas do not have to be made out of wire in the following cases:
· where a metal mast or tower is used as an active part of the antenna system (eg. in the case of a scaffolding mast base fed as a vertical)
· where a trap vertical is used.
Without the requirement to make Restricted Section antennas wire based (except in the case of the exceptions stated above), it would be possible to include a commercial HF beam in the suite of antennas. This would:
· tend to defeat the objective of encouraging innovation & experimentation
· disadvantage clubs with limited resources who choose to put on relatively simple entries
· reduce the differentiation between the Open & Restricted Sections.
We’re using scaffolding masts to hold up our antennas. Inevitably there will be some small degree of parasitic radiation from the mastage. Surely that doesn’t mean that the mastage must count towards the overall antenna length usage?
No, provided radiation from the mastage is not an intended part of the antenna system design.
I’m not quite clear how verticals would contribute to antenna support and antenna length usage – can you clarify please?
The following text and associated diagrams should make this clear:
· A trap vertical contributes to the antenna length usage, but does not itself contribute to the antenna support usage. If the vertical is mounted at ground level, there is no contribution to the antenna support usage. If it is mounted on top of a mast, the height of the mast contributes to the antenna support usage
· A stand alone mast fed as a vertical contributes to the antenna length usage, but does not contribute to the antenna support usage unless the mast is also used to support another antenna (eg. via a halyard attached to the mast).
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Once I’ve got my antenna setup in place, am I allowed to change it during the contest?
For a number of years, some groups have been reducing the length of their doublet (usually by pullable links) once activity on 160m has ceased. This approach is now specifically permitted in all Sections. However, in the Restricted Section entrants using complex antennas (as defined above), must ensure that all the antennas used during the contest have been constructed from within the overall antenna length allowance. Thus it would not be acceptable to take down a 100m long doublet and replace it with a separate 50m long doublet (as that, at 150m, would exceed the total antenna length allowance), but shortening an existing 100m doublet to 50m length would be acceptable.
Am I allowed to use traps?
Yes. Devices such as traps, loading coils, stubs and phasing lines may be used to change the electrical length of any antenna. Relay switching and mechanical links are also permitted.
Do such devices contribute to the antenna length allowance?
No: neither do feeder lengths
How do the rules for radios differ from those of 2012?
A number of changes have been made:
· Instead of talking about receivers and transmitters separately, the rules now reflect the universal use of transceivers (thus contributing to simplification of the rules). Although it is several years since separates have been used in NFD, their use continues to be permitted: entrants wishing to use them should consult the CC on permitted numbers of receivers and transmitters
· The requirement to mute receivers in excess of the permitted number for the duration of the contest was difficult to implement without major surgery - and more difficult still to police. The move to specifying a permitted number of transceivers makes this requirement unnecessary
· The use of 2 transmitters provided only 1 signal is radiated continues to be permitted in the Open and Restricted Sections but not in the Low Power Section. This allows Low Power Section entries to remain fairly simple
· The 2012 Restricted Section rule that where the “2 transmitter, 1 signal” approach is adopted, the receiver in one transceiver must be muted when the other transceiver is transmitting has been dropped. Experience from last year showed that with careful antenna system design both receivers can continue to operate without the complexity and cost of triplexers. However, in designing their stations, entrants should take necessary precautions to ensure that all receiver front ends are protected!
· The transmit power in the Low Power Section has been reduced to 5W to align with the international definition of QRP. This decision will be reviewed for 2014 in the event that the 3dB reduction in power causes difficulties.
What about the use of aids such as RBN, Skimmer, etc?
Strong views, both for and against, were expressed in this area. Interestingly, proponents of both sides stressed the self-training aspects of the hobby. In essence, the views varied between those who felt that amateur radio was a technical hobby and that we must take advantage of all technological opportunities both for their own sake and as an aid to competition, and those who felt that their use deskilled the operating aspects and reduced competition and enjoyment: a middle ground of “ the genie is out of the bottle and must be accommodated” was another common theme. The result is that:
· RBN, Skimmer, DX Cluster, etc. will all be allowed in the Open Section
· On-site Skimmer, but not RBN & DX Cluster, will be permitted in the Restricted Section
· None of these aids will be permitted in the Low Power Section.
Have the site rules been changed for 2013?
· No, the rules introduced in 2012 continue to apply. As a point of clarification, the requirement for transportation of equipment to site does not apply to catering, sleeping or sanitary facilities.