Hi Bob,

I have thought about HQs in the Commonwealth Contest quite a bit and obviously it has been discussed among HFCC too.

What have I come up with? (These are my opinions, not necessarily those of the committee, but I share them with the group for what they are worth).

1. It was inappropriate that Australia, New Zealand and Canada could have more HQ stations than the UK when the contest is intended to be focused on the UK. HQs raise the profile of the country and the UK should be loud and proud in this contest. It’s our gig.
2. The UK HQs are not intended as a sop to UK stations but rather as a magnet to other Commonwealth countries; we want them to point their beams and time their operating to benefit the UK. It’s interesting how many non-UK stations express gratitude for the UK HQs in their soapboxes.
3. Working local HQs is a necessary evil if you want to win, whether you are in the UK, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, but it’s not necessary if you just want to work the DX.
4. HQs should ideally be loud and should be able to be worked by the DX.
5. Eight HQs is an appropriate number for the UK – more would be too many. Ideally there should be one in each prefix area of the UK & CD but it is very hard to find anyone in GU or GJ who will activate an HQ as the resident radio amateur population is small. I would prefer us to get an SSES with the year number (so GB85CC for next year) but HFCC have a fondness for GB5CC. Incidentally, G6XX predates the contest by some years as it was first used by the RSGB in December 1923.
6. Churn is good. We ask for volunteers to run HQ stations each year. Running an HQ is fun as there are more QSOs to be had and being a bonus station does attract commonwealth callers and doesn’t need to be a purely altruistic activity. Perhaps we need an HQ trophy?

Looking at this year’s results and my log (GB5CC):

UK 236 active of which 3% were HQs (8)
VE 100 active of which 7% were HQs (7)
VK 29 active of which 24% were HQs (7)
ZL 13 active of which 30% were HQs (4)
Others 19 active but no more HQs

The number of VK and ZL participants is more of a concern that the number of UK HQs. Let’s hope more will take part as conditions improve.

Any other thoughts?

73 G4FAL (M3W)
Nick Totterdell