Radio Society of Great Britain VHF Contests Committee
Each Group intending to compete must send two copies of a completed site registration form (available in the callbook or from G8GSQ) to : VHF Contests Committee, PO Box 2399, Reading, RG7 4FB, to arrive no later than 10th June 1998. Each group may only register one site although changes can be made provided G8GSQ is informed before the contest ; tel.: (0118) 982 0848, evenings / weekends; e-mail : g8gsq@blacksheep.org.
Up to four separate stations may operate simultaneously on the 70, 144, 432, and 1296 MHz bands. 70 MHz will be CW only from 1400-2200GMT, and phone only from 0600-1400GMT, with close down between 2200GMT and 0600GMT. Each station may be worked once on phone and once on CW on 70 MHz. Single band entries for any band are acceptable.
Any RSGB member or group of members operating from the British Isles (excluding the Irish Republic) may enter. Also, affiliated RSGB societies may enter (operators MUST be members of the Affiliated Society (AFS), but not necessarily members of RSGB themselves). In this case, a declaration signed by an officer of the AFS that the operators are members of the society is required with the entry. RSGB members are allowed to operate in AFS groups whether or not they are actually members of that AFS group.
All equipment including antennas, must be installed on site not more than 24hrs before the contest. Only portable accommodation can be used to house the stations. Power for all equipment must be derived from an on site generator or battery, battery, wind or solar power.
a. On each band report, serial number and locator must be exchanged.
b. Additionally, on 70MHz only, QTH information must be exchanged (Special rule S2). It must be given in a different form in the CW and phone sections.
(i) The height of the antenna’s driven element must not exceed 10 metres above ground level.
(ii) Only one antenna per band may be used (i.e. no stacked, bayed or colinear arrays or switching between two or more antennas). A slot fed Yagi or Quad antenna is permitted. Dish or Backfire antennas must not exceed 2m diameter.
(i) The power output of any band must not exceed 25W PEP at the transmitter.
(ii) The height of any antennapart of the antenna’s driven element must not exceed 10 metres above ground level.
(iii) Only one antenna per band may be used (i.e. no stacked, bayed or colinear arrays or switching between two or more antennas). A slot fed Yagi or Quad antenna is permitted. Dish or Backfire antennas must not exceed 2m diameter.
(i) A group can elect to place different bands into either restricted, low-power or open sections. e.g. 4m in restricted, 2m and 70cm in open, and 23cm in low power. This decision must be made at registration time and the details shown on the registration form.
(ii) Individual band entry will be tabulated in the appropriate main section, and a normalised score for the band produced on this basis.
(iii) The sum of the normalised scores will appear in a separate Mix & Match section table.
All stations are subject to inspection by members of the VHF Contests Committee or nominated representatives. Should the inspector be unable to locate the site due to inadequate or incorrect information, the entry may be disallowed. In the event of a last minute site change it is the responsibility of the group to make suitable arrangements for the inspector to find the site. The inspector must be given immediate access to all parts of the site with the right to stay as long as desired, and the ability to return at any time during the contest.
(a) All entries must be postmarked no later than 31st July 1998
(b) Entries must be addressed to: VHF Contests Committee, PO Box 2399, Reading, RG7 4FB.
(c) Please enclose a 427 cover sheet for each band, including separate ones for the 70 MHz SSB & CW sections.
The Surrey, Martlesham, and Authur Watts Trophies will be awarded to the overall winners of the Open, Restricted and Low Power sections respectively. The Tartan Trophy will be awarded to the leading resident Scottish entry in the Open section, and the Scottish Trophy to the leading Scottish entry in the Low power section. Certificates will be awarded to the winners and runners-up on all bands in each section, and to the leading stations in each country.