Jim Aguirre – W7DHC ARRL Northwestern Division Representative VUAC Update Jim Aguirre – W7DHC ARRL Northwestern Division Representative

Overview Committee Purpose VUAC Objectives VUAC Membership Committee Time Frame VUAC Accomplishments to Date

Committee Purpose VHF-UHF Advisory Committee An ARRL “advisory” body Reports to Programs & Services Committee Considers VHF/UHF “contesting” issues VUAC makes recommendations, not rules

Objectives Tasked by P&SC to… VUAC adopted a fourth objective… “Seek input from VHF/UHF contesting ‘public’” “Identify important VHF/UHF contest issues” “Seek a sense of the ‘public’ on those issues” VUAC adopted a fourth objective… “To do no harm!”

Membership 16 voting members Three PNWVHFS members on VUAC 15 ARRL Division Representatives Appointed by ARRL Division Directors Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) Liaison Appointed by RAC Three PNWVHFS members on VUAC Gabor Horvath, VE7DXG – RAC Liaison Len Gwinn, WA6KLK – ARRL Pacific Division Jim Aguirre, W7DHC – ARRL Northwestern Division

Committee Term Three-year appointment Term began June 1, 2006 Term ends May 31, 2009

Contesting Issues Rule changes are difficult issues Differing personal & collective opinions Different circumstances Regional differences Competitive differences “Perception is reality…to the perceiver!” Walking in the other person’s shoes! I have learned a LOT about other perspectives!

Reaching Consensus Differing opinions will always exist Full discussion of the issues is key PNWVHFS members are “being heard” Please continue to provide your input Consensus requires compromise No “win-lose” outcomes Looking at the “overall good” Do no harm!

Level the Playing Field? Rules can’t “level the playing field” Population density disparities Geographic differences Propagation variables

Level the Recognition! No rule changes required! Some ideas for leveling recognition Split “West Coast” region into “Northwest,” “Southwest” 1st & 2nd place certificates to division leaders - all classes QST de-emphasize national; emphasize regional scores Separate regional write-ups in QST by regional writers Add new classes to attract more participation

VUAC Accomplishments EME Contest recommendations adopted Separate awards for analog, digital, and mixed-mode 50-1296 MHz entries. All 50, 222, 902 and above 2.3 GHz stations can self-spot CQs, make real-time schedules, use Internet, etc. for coordination. Single-band entrants can do the same on 144, 432, or 1296 MHz. New rules in force for 2008 EME Contest

VUAC Accomplishments Rover recommendations finalized Two new rover classes proposed Limited Rover (any four bands, 200W power limit) Unlimited Rover (anything goes!) Traditional Rover class retained “Observers” allowed…no driving or operating “Grid Circling” limited 100-contact limit with any other one rover Rule waived for Unlimited Rover APRS allowed for call sign & position only Expanded rover recognition Divisional 1st, 2nd place certificates each rover class

Where to from Here? Review 10 GHz Contest rules? Review UHF Contest rules? Review fixed station rules? Improved recognition for all classes? What do you want reviewed?

2007 Pacific Northwest VHF+ Conference VUAC Update 2007 Pacific Northwest VHF+ Conference September 28-30, 2007 Bend, Oregon