RSGB HFCC White paper comments from G3RWF

Comments on the Commonwealth Contest (White paper Paras 2.10 and 6.9)

I am a keen participant in the Commonwealth Contest. Since 2008 I have put on a CC station from Africa 7 times (Uganda 4, Rwanda 2 and Kenya 1). I would be reluctant to see it become “World works the Commonwealth” as that would change the character of this oldest of contests.

The unique characteristic of CC is that stations with low power and simple antennas can work Commonwealth stations across the world. CW speeds are relatively modest and it is suitable for old timers and new comers. It is conducted with some courtesy. Some love it for that – others don’t. I usually enter the restricted class (100w and wire antenna) and have done so quite successfully, even at sunspot minimum . With that power and antenna I am unable to get into other worldwide contests from East Africa in any serious way – and I know because I have tried. For them I need more gain (a beam) and preferably more power. CC has a place as a “simpler” contest.

I suspect the main pressure for change to CC comes from those who want to amass many more contacts than are currently possible in CC. The CC is not for them – there are plenty of other contests where the main theme is run like a maniac and “pile ‘em high”. “Commonwealth works the world” would undoubtedly bring out the contest “big guns” who swamp the bands on a regular basis in the larger contests.

When I first entered CC (in 1969 from Kenya) there were many expatriate and local “overseas” stations to liven up the contest. Now it is very dependent on travellers to provide variety. For the present that is probably (just) sustainable.

The CC is a quite disciplined contest. It lasts only 24 hours and contestants stick quite closely to a section of the CW allocation – not all over the bands. I recommend little change – although the scoring to advantage relatively rare calls might be increased (I made a separate suggestion for that after the 2015 contest). I support the proposal that CQs should be “CQ CC” – “CQ BERU” is impossible to explain.

Outside CC there are two areas where the RSGB could consider change. The 21/28 Contest has, in my view, run its course in its present form. As sunspots diminish it will be increasingly difficult to get much out of it. That contest slot could be ideal base for an RSGB international contest – if that is the wish. Also I would draw attention to the All Africa contest which was organised last year by SARL. It clashed with CC and was advertised far too late to be successful. However the concept has merit and RSGB might consider working with SARL to develop it.
Nick Henwood G3RWF

(Also 5X1NH, 9X0NH and 5Z4LS in CC)

RSGB Rule Change Proposal White Paper 2015 G3PJT comments

G3PJT Comments in red – non Commonwealth comments removed. .

1. Overall general proposals

1.1. Establish a facility to publish HF and VHF logs to permit propagation analysis I support these ideas

1.2. Investigate the potential for verified QSOs in adjudicated contest logs to automatically become valid for the RSGB VHF/UHF Award programmes.I support this idea

1.4. Reduce the entry period for all contests (except IOTA) to 7 days except by prior arrangement with the contest adjudicator. The entry period for IOTA will remain at 21 days.

I agree with this for predominantly national contests but for international ones like IOTA and Commonwealth it should be one month as taking account that although internet is becoming global there are often occasions when reliance on postal mail is the only route to submit. In addition in Commonwealth we often have to chase up entries from active DX stations so we need a month to give us time to do this.

2.10. Commonwealth Contest – Change the format so that the World can work the Commonwealth

As a long term non-UK entrant to the Commonwealth Contest I do NOT support this proposal. Basically I believe it is misconceived. As you know the number of entrants has been steadily growing over the last 10-15 years with a bit of a plateau recently ( https://berucontest.wordpress.com/results/ ). Our approach to achieve this increasing participation has been by better marketing, communication and periodic special prizes.

This proposed change crops up from time to time. We have to work out the benefits to current and potential participants and whether this proposal is going to be a change for the better measured by more activity/entrants/fun , so

– will this lead to greater participation of UK,?

– will this lead to more VK/ZL/ VE?

– will more Commonwealth stations become more active?

– will we all go travelling to interesting Commonwealth countries?

My view is that we might be reaching a real plateau in participation in VK and ZL but will opening this up to ROW bring a new set of VKs or ZLs out of the outback? I don’t think so as I am not sure they even exist. And after all, I guess that the big VK/ZL stns are pretty busy anyway. As far as Rest of the Commonwealth are concerned they have to be encouraged to view this contest as their ‘special one’ by virtue of they being members of the Commonwealth family. As far as the average UK station is concerned then the Commonwealth Contest provides a good opportunity to work some more unusual DX stations and for some, that might only mean VK/ZL/VU. Yes that’s right, not rare in the DXers world, but if you are struggling in a poor radio situation then QSOs to be proud of. But that depends on getting more Commonwealth stations on the air for that weekend, easier said than done.

What we have been trying to create is a true DX contest where you have to turn that big knob on the front and listen a bit. As this is an RSGB sponsored contest it should favour RSGB membership, and that means not opening it up to all and sundry. Some of the new contesters favour having ‘open’ contests but when I asked them, ‘ in that case would you enter if the Commonwealth was open?’ The response was only a qualified maybe, which is hardly enough to warrant a change.

If Contest Com. wanted to try experiments to build activity why not use the 21/28 as a testbed? After all that’s an ‘open’ type of contest and could use some fresh ideas, I understand.

Finally in ‘open’ contests look at the way the big multi-ops act to dominate the bands, even in IOTA. Almost like they are having their own ‘open’ contest working each other and thus the IOTA DXpeds with lowish power can’t get a look in despite the scoring benefits. In BERU, sorry CC, that would happen for sure if it were made open. This proposal therefore should not be adopted..

6.8. BERU – To assist identifying QRP stations, remove the requirement to put QRP in the Cabrillo header and add a requirement to enter the power output used when submitting the log. I support this idea

6.9. BERU – In the rules, change all references to BERU to Commonwealth Contest and suggest entrants call CQ CC not CQ BERU. By all means have consistent labelling in the rules. We have problems with unwanted callers, the merit of using ‘CQ BERU’ is that it has a brand image, saying ‘Commonwealth Stations only please, just for now’. It will take a good few years for ‘CQ BERU’ to be replaced by ‘CQ CC’ – if ever!

BTW – my thanks to the committee for all the hard work you are putting in!
73 Bob G3PJT

Rule Change Proposals RSGB HFCC White Paper 2015

Rule Change Proposals RSGB HFCC White Paper 2015
Precis for Commonwealth Contest entrants
This document outlines suggestions and proposals for rule changes for both HF and VHF contests in 2016. Comments on these items are invited. Please send your comments to committee@rsgbcc.org no later than 7th August 2015. All comments will be reviewed by the RSGB Contest Committee (CC) during August and September and revised rules for all RSGB contests will be published as soon as possible after the review. All rule changes will take effect on 1st January 2016.

2.10. Commonwealth Contest – Change the format so that the World can work the Commonwealth.
6.8. BERU – To assist identifying QRP stations, remove the requirement to put QRP in the Cabrillo header and add a requirement to enter the power output used when submitting the log.
6.9. BERU – In the rules, change all references to BERU to Commonwealth Contest and suggest entrants call CQ CC not CQ BERU.

THESE ARE JUST PROPOSALS.