VUAC Taking Votes on EME Contest Categories

For anyone that is interested in EME (Earth-Moon-Earth, or moonbounce, communications) I think you should read this and take a stance. This past Fall the VUAC changed the rules for EME contests, effectively chopping out the Assisted category.

The problem with this move is that EME is perhaps the most difficult, technically challenging mode of communication possible and requires either well-equipped stations or a little bit of planning to have a shot at making a contact at all. The smaller, lesser equipped stations have no chance of making many contacts (except with the big-gun stations like W5UN, KB8RQ). Without setting up scheduled contacts the chances of the smaller stations to compete is non-existent. Even if a schedule is set that doesn't mean that the two stations will be able to make it through, but without a schedule there would be no chance at all.

Here is a message from Army, AE5P with an offer to vote on the issue. Please read thoroughly. Note that any correspondence to be considered must be in by February 17th:

______________________________________________________
ARRL’s VUAC is considering revising the current rules for the ARRL International EME Contest, and we would like your input.

Effective with the 2009 contest, assistance is not allowed per rule 6.3 as follows:

6.3 During the contest periods, no contest entrant, in any category --single-operator or multi-operator-- may use non-EME means for the purpose of self-spotting, solicitation or coordination of QSOs or attempts to make contact; nor may any entrant use assistance or provide assistance in the form of frequency spotting or use any form of DX spotting, Packet Cluster, Ping Jockey, email, telephone, etc. Exception: liaison to coordinate band-by-band activity is explicitly permitted for the bands2.3 GHz and higher.

VUAC members have received numerous messages from many of you folks regarding this change; some in favor; some opposed. We are considering making further changes to the rules to address your concerns, and we would like to hear from the EME community on this.

Several proposals have been put forth, such as:

1. Reinstate the rules regarding assistance as they existed in 2008.


2. Establish a new class of operation called “Coordinated”. Entrants in this class would be allowed to post ONLY their call-sign and calling frequency via the internet or other methods for other entrants to see. Any station posting or viewing this information would be considered to be in the “Coordinated” class.

3. Let the current rules (non-assistance only) apply to one of the two weekends for 50-1296, and let assistance be used on the other 50-1296 weekend.

4. Run a separate EME contest for 50-1296 using assistance on the weekend reserved for 2304 and up.

5. Don’t make any further changes. Let the rules remain as they are now.

The VUAC would very much appreciate hearing from you concerning these proposals. Where do you stand on this matter? Which proposal do you prefer, and why? Feel free to modify any or all of this as you deem best.


Please respond to this survey to your VUAC representative AND to Army Curtis, AE5P (ae5p@arrl.net) . A list of VUAC members can be found at http://www.arrl.org/contests/vuac.html . Comments must be received no later than February 17, 2010 to be considered by the VUAC. If you do not have a VUAC representative, please respond to Jon Platt, W0ZQ (w0zq@aol.com ) AND to AE5P (ae5p@arrl.net ).

When you respond, please indicate what bands you have made EME contacts on, and if you have ever participated in an EME contest.
Please let us hear from you.
73,
Army - AE5P