The VHF Distance Scoring Working Group has been considering many distance
scoring options over the last several months. This effort has been a
grass-roots, independent activity outside of the usual contest sponsor
committee structure. It was thought that ideas could be developed by the VHF
community itself for further consideration of all potential sponsors. The
working group can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VHFDistanceScoring/
The full report of the working group is now available at:
http://www.w9smc.com/SMC%20VHF/DistanceScoring2009Report.pdf ; Please feel free
to look at the entire document and provide comments.
The working group believes that current VHF rules are adequate in many
situations, but the uniformity and sameness of the current rules set may be
generating complacency and boredom. There has also been a concern expressed
over short-range contacts to strategically located nearby grids. Distance-based
methods would emphasize operator skill and technical abilities by constantly
reaching for longer contacts.
The central issue boils down to this: Why must there be such a high degree of
uniformity of contest rules in almost every VHF contest? Why can’t there be at
least one VHF contest that is expressly based on longer distances? Variety is
the spice of life.
The VHF working group recommends the following items be considered.
Constructive, well-reasoned comments would be greatly appreciated.
1. In the short-term, experimentation with distance rules should be done
either in the VHF Sprints or a new event.
2. If and when distance rules are perfected and prove to be a success in the
Sprints or other event, then the concept could be attempted in one or more
major event.
a. Simulations show that distance events may degenerate into 6 meter
contests when significant Es is present, so June and CQ VHF may not be the best
suited for distance concepts.
b. January or September would likely be better for a distance event, with
band activity being more dispersed.
c. Two simulations also showed that the August UHF is well suited for
distance efforts.
3. Regarding the distance method to be used, there was overwhelming support
among group members for a points per km system.
4. A gradual band weighting schedule should be given consideration in
multi-band distance events.
5. Reasonable types of distance limits, such as a sliding scale, should be
given further consideration, but no ban or severe limit should be imposed on
very long contacts.
6. The majority of the working group believes that some type of re-contact
rule should be given further consideration.
7. Wherever possible, distance rules should be kept simple.
8. On a near-term basis, 4 digit exchanges may be viable. Over the long-term
however, 6 digits should eventually be adopted.
9. Contest sponsors develop and announce a standard method by which distances
will be calculated.
These above recommendations are not designed to be the definite answer to all
distance-based efforts. Indeed, we developed a baseline set of distance rules
along with alternate proposals, just so that further discussion would occur. We
also developed model distance calculation standards which also contain
alternate language. It is simply hoped that a more discussion will be given to
distance concepts in one or more VHF contests.
Future efforts of the VHF Distance Working Group will likely focus on the 2010
VHF Spring Sprints, as there have been suggestions that the Spring Sprints
feature distance measures next year. Please feel free to drop by and join the
distance working group at the above link.
Kevin
W9GKA
Moderator
Distance Scoring Working Group
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