Vridslösemagle  April 2004

 

To the Nordic VUSHF contesters.

 

Hello friends

 

Almost through the first year and a half of the common NAC Microwave/50 MHz Tuesday we have all gained some experience.

 

First of all: The microwave contest has gained in popularity, even in Denmark. That is indeed positive!

 

On the other hand: 50 MHz activity has definitely gone down - in Denmark at least. Some participants are complaining! And it is not only due to the decreasing sunspot numbers! Rather due to the competition from the microwaves! Not positive at all!

Not to mention those who want to participate fully in both contests!

 

In the Danish VHF committee we came up with an idea to solve this problem last year. And we nearly made it!

 

On a meeting between the Nordic VHF Managers in Vienna earlier this year we discussed the NACs again and decided to try to open the discussion again. The aim is to have opinions from the active contesters in order to make a decision during the open VHF Managers meeting in Åland, in June.

 

The idea/proposal is:

 

Basically we keep the NACs where they are – except the 50 MHz contest.

Where to place it then? - I will get back to that in a while.

 

First: Lets look at another problem arising: 70 MHz!

It is allowed in more and more countries and among those: Denmark, the Faeroes and Greenland. More will follow! Your country as well, perhaps?

Amateurs in OZ have already voiced the idea to have a 70 MHz “NAC”.

(It can hardly be a NAC with only one country, but anyway!!!!)

 

Then we do have yet another NAC: The 28/29 MHz activity contest.

A Norwegian invention copied by the Danes in 1996 and the Finns in 2003 and the Swedes in 2004.

The 28 MHz “NAC” is now running on the first Thursday every month.

We can expect increased interest for this activity contest once “everybody” is allowed on the HF bands (without the CW certificate).

The 10 m NAC deserves more publicity/activity! (And common rules!)

 

The three bands 28, 50 and 70 MHz have a lot in common due to the relative small frequency difference while they also show differences in propagation.

 

It could be an idea to consider a common contest weekday for the  “low band NACs”. (Even though 28/29 MHz is not a VHF band!)

 

On Tuesdays we have a succession in frequency: 144, followed by 432, followed by 1296, followed by Microwaves = 2,3 GHz and up (+ 50 MHz).

 

The same principle could be applied on the Thursdays:

28 MHz on the first Thursday every month,

50 MHz on the second Thursday every month,

70 MHz on the third Thursday every month.

The fourth Thursday is then in store for future  “NAC extensions”.

 

Necessary actions:

All Nordic countries are to relocate the 50 MHz activity contest to the second Thursday every month. (And we have to tell the UK, Italy and Poland about it too!)

 

Denmark will possibly start a new 70 MHz activity contest on the third Thursday every month. The rest of you will eventually follow - in due time.

 

When?

If we decided upon it in June, ib Åland it could be implemented in 2005.

 

Alternatively:

a) We could move the Microwave NAC to the second Thursday.

    (Would be more just (?) but spoil the frequency-succession idea!)

b) We could leave things as they are right now.
    (The changes will come anyway – though later - according to history!)

 

What is your reaction to the idea?

 

Vy 73 de OZ7IS, Ivan.  VHF manager, EDR.                                is@ihk.dk