All of ARRL sponsored UHF/VHF contests have the same format, and with a few
tweaks, the same rules, scoring, and categories. There is no obvious reason to
me for these all to be the same, except I assume that over the years we have
migrated to this uniformity by implementing a contest structure that the causes
the least amount of complaints.
I propose that for one of the ARRL contests assistance be allowed in all
categories. Then we can see for ourselves if the VHF/UHF contesting world comes
to an end. I suspect that it will not. One would hope it might grow a bit.
One subtle problem of adding categories to a contest, such as single op
assisted, or unlimited in the SS parlance, is that categories can have
unintended consequences. The introduction of the limited mult-op category
appears to have reduced microwave operation by many traditional multi entrants
and with fewer good microwave signals on the band, there appears to have been
less overall microwave activity. I fear that the same is happening with the
limited rover category, although it is too soon to tell for sure, rather than
encouraging activity from rover newbies, it is siphoning activity away from
conventional rovers and giving us fewer band/grid combinations to work. There
are others as well.
I think that for at least one VHF/UHF ARRL contest we should concentrate on
devising rules that encourage activity rather than concentrating on
implementing rules that level the playing field. These rules should still be
fair, whatever ethical meaning that has in a ham radio contest context, but the
proliferation of categories to make it fair should be avoided if possible.
Internet assistance, spotting clusters as it were, would be advantageous to
this end and would be allowed. Prearranged skeds before the contest increase
activity, are allowed now, and would continue to be allowed. Allowing ops and
stations to submit more than a single log would help as well, particularly in
areas where VHF activity is low. Entering and awarding certificates on a grid
basis rather than a section basis would generate more certificates and likely
more participation. Allow a station be located anywhere in the grid to submit a
log from that grid, not just within a 500M circle. Awarding a certificate to
the highest score in each club entry would increase club competition and
overall participation. All this before we start looking at how to score the
contest.
Perhaps there are other rule changes to encourage activity in contests? -
Duffey
--
KK6MC
James Duffey
Cedar Crest NM
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