This email is a call for the expression of interest in operating or assisting with the operation of the VK HQ stations in the Commonwealth Contest (BERU) on 13/14 March 2021.

The Contest History:  The 84th Commonwealth Contest will held in March 2021. This is a friendly CW contest for all British Commonwealth call areas. 
In 2020, Australia has fielded two teams of 5 operators where the Australia One team won the team section for the 4th year in a row, with the Canadian Loonies in second place. The following WIA HQ stations were activated; VK3WIA, VK4WIA, VK5WIA and VK6WIA.
This year we are attempting to activate as many VKxWIA HQ stations as possible. The RSGB HF Contest Committee has approved multi-operator HQ stations under the multi-operator scenario detailed below.   

Each HQ station counts as an additional call area, which means every QSO with one is worth a bonus of 20 points, plus 5 points for the QSO, so HQ stations are highly valuable and hunted by all the contestants!

They are also unique in that entrants may contact any HQ station, including any in their own call area – i.e. VK2 entrants can contact VK2WIA for points, VK3 entrants can contact VK3WIA for points, etc.  No other contacts between entrants in the same call area (I.e. between VK2GR and VK2BJ) are permitted.   

In order to make the best possible score it is important for each member of the Australian squad to work as many ‘bonus stations’ as possible.  Each Australian state counts as a separate call area on each band, and the first three contacts we make with each Australian state other than our own on each band each earns us a vital twenty bonus points, so please join in and work us!

HQ stations, many of them representing national radio societies, identify themselves by sending ‘HQ’ after each serial number they send.More history and previous contest results can be found here:https://berucontest.wordpress.com/

Conditions of VK HQ station operation:1.To operate a WIA call sign, it is a requirement that  the operator is a WIA member.
2.Operate within the ACMA conditions for your licence level.3. Electronic logging to produce an ADIF log. eg. N1MM+4. Submit the final log to the state HQ station coordinator.5. State coordinators to submit the final ADIF log to the WIA and the Cabrillo log to the RSGB within 5 days of the contest.
Multi-operator Scenario: Given the global COVID-19 situation and the need for social distancing, with potential lockdowns at short notice; the RSGB has approved multi-operator HQ station operation with a roster from the home stations within each call area. At the end of each operating period, the serial number would need to be passed to the next operator on the roster.After the contest, the logs could be merged to produce the final log for submission. The intent of the above is to simulate a club type multi-operator situation with social distancing and have only one transmitter operating within each rostered period.  

Contest Rules: https://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2021/rberu.shtml

If you are a CW operator willing to assist, please contact me by email or by telephone if you need further details.
Regards,
Allan Mason, VK2GR

This sounds like an excellent idea. The RSGB HFCC have approved Allans proposal.

Allan says “This year, I have been tasked with sourcing VK HQ station operators for the Australian HQ stations.

For the 2021 contest, Australia plans to field two teams and 4 to 5 HQ stations depending on the availability of CW operators.

In recent years, one or more VK HQ stations have been operated from a club station with several operators under the multi-operator rule.

Scenario: Given the global COVID-19 situation and the need for social distancing and with potential lockdowns at short notice; I thought that multi-operator HQ stations could be run with a roster from the home stations within each call area. At the end of each operating period, the serial number would need to be passed to the next operator on the roster.After the contest, the logs could be merged to produce the final log for submission. The intent of the above is to simulate a club type multi-operator situation with social distancing and have only one transmitter operating within each rostered period.

I would appreciate consideration that the above scenario would be acceptable within the rules for HQ stations. If the above is agreeable to the contest committee, then it would be good for the committee to communicate this option, so that other Commonwealth call areas can use the idea in their planning for the 2021 Commonwealth Contest.”

Regards,
Allan Mason, VK2GR
Mobile: +61 401 324 058

As more information becomes available I will post it here. I can also post comments. Bob G3PJT