Winter QRP race 2009 – draft proposals
At this year's VHF meeting in Holice, an interesting proposal for a winter QRP race was made. Because I have participated in the Christmas Race from Liščí hora in the Krkonoše mountains several times, where I ran on cross-country skis with the device in my backpack, he set up a station in the snow and wrote in a diary with frail hands, so i know, what does it entail.
I proposed the terms as a sort of compromise between Iron Man (rather a Yeti) and lard. Unfortunately, we've softened a bit over the years, so I can't drive everyone out into the cold and snow at once, that would be the death of radio amateurs especially massive.
– Deadline: First Sunday in February, 1. stage 09.00 – 11.00 UTC 432 MHz, 2. stage 11.00 – 13.00 UTC 144 MHz. Each stage will be evaluated separately.
There is a Winter BBT Contest in DL at that time, I accidentally got tangled up in it once on Saturday at Klínovec na 1296 MHz and I could not write to the log. For the first time in my life, I had to call by numbers on this band :=))) Unfortunately, the band 1296 MHz does not follow, it's on saturday, and I don't want to drag the race on 2 days. There will definitely be plenty to do in OK1, from OK2 it will be longer shots again. Interference should be minimal, there is a risk of sputtering only in the case of grasshoppers.
I would be interested in your opinion on the evaluation of both stages together by a simple sum of points. I don't think so, that at this time it is 432 MHz is much more technically and operationally complex, than 144 MHz, so that connections have to be scored differently. Most devices can do both bands.
– The only category, Multi and Single together
I don't think so, that there will be so many of us, so that we have to create more categories. Plus, during 2 hours, at most 4 there is practically no need to change hours, especially if the operator consumes antifreeze. The disadvantage is then a somewhat more adventurous descent on cross-country skis from the selected hill.
I do not consider help in building the antenna as help in the race.
– Power max 10W
necessary for connection to the packet radio network are not considered - Multiple stations may transmit from one station, needed for operation (TCVR, rotator, bug, PC …) from chemical sources, they can only be recharged for the duration of the race from solar cells or mechanical sources powered by human power.
Just what you take up the hill, there you have it. It is a wireless connection, so what do the wires have to do somewhere in the socket. If you want to warm up by spinning the cat, you have the option.
- QTH arbitrary, there may be an electric current at the dimension
Few hills are found, where there is no longer a barrack or BTS of any of the operators. You can easily broadcast from a warm hotel room - but be careful, power the device only from chemical sources, this is still true! I rely on your sense of fair play. You can also stick the neck of the broom out the window only on Friday.
necessary for connection to the packet radio network are not considered - Multiple stations may transmit from one station
To, for the race to be a bit of a field after all. Otherwise, stations would still win 10 tons of aluminum on a forest of masts, fed with the appropriate HP herd. I have no objection to such stations about sub-regionals, it takes a lot of work and even more money to build it all, but this is supposed to be a slightly different race. It is very difficult to build and anchor anything larger in the snow, to, what in summer is an hour's work requires a whole day in winter and in a blizzard one feels like Sysiphos - probatum est.
I am asking for opinions and comments on the proposed propositions. My email is ok1dom@seznam.cz also Discussion on the OK2KKW website might be the place to be. And not to forget, I count on it, that I will evaluate the race. But if someone wants to evaluate it and commits to doing it for a longer period of time, I will gladly leave the honor to him.
Mirek OK1DOM
