Return-Path: Received: (qmail 29744 invoked from network); 23 Jun 2000 21:55:53 -0000 Received: from unknown (HELO post.thorcom.com) (212.172.148.70) by excalibur.plus.net with SMTP; 23 Jun 2000 21:55:53 -0000 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Received: from majordom by post.thorcom.com with local (Exim 3.02 #1) id 135bJF-0001ZY-00 for rsgb_lf_group-outgoing@blacksheep.org; Fri, 23 Jun 2000 22:48:21 +0100 Received: from mail2.wwisp.com ([207.98.230.22] ident=root) by post.thorcom.com with esmtp (Exim 3.02 #1) id 135bJD-0001ZT-00 for rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org; Fri, 23 Jun 2000 22:48:19 +0100 X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal Received: from les (adsl-209.wwisp.net [207.98.240.109]) by mail2.wwisp.com (8.9.0/8.9.0) with SMTP id QAA04477; Fri, 23 Jun 2000 16:48:15 -0500 (CDT) X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2800.1106 From: les@highnoonfilm.com Message-ID: <3.0.3.32.20000623165020.007e79d0@highnoonfilm.com> X-Sender: les@highnoonfilm.com X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Pro Version 3.0.3 (32) Date: Fri, 23 Jun 2000 16:50:20 -0500 To: lowfer@qth.net Subject: LF: LFCC Award Proposal Cc: rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed Precedence: bulk Reply-To: rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org X-Listname: rsgb_lf_group Sender: PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH A LOW FREQUENCY CENTURY CLUB AWARD (LFCC) By Les Rayburn, KT4OZ June 23, 2000 Objective: To outline a set of suggested guidelines for the establishment of an award targeted at the users of the Low Frequency (Below 500Khz) spectrum. This award would encourage more activity on LF, and spur users to pursue multiple endorsements. Governing Body: Ideally, an LF organization like the Longwave Club of America. Failing that alternate bodies might include AMRAD, RGSB, or ARRL. Award: Certificate, with endorsement stickers. Program Brief: This award would be open to amateur radio operators, lowfers, longwave listeners, and maritime operators. Operators would be required to submit QSL cards, or other verification proof to the governing body to be checked for completeness and accuracy. The decision of the governing body would be final and not available for review. Certificates would be numbered beginning with LFCC #1 (* See Note Below) Certificates to be awarded according to the guidelines below: 0-100Khz (VLF Endorsement): Award would be granted to those operators who could verify reception of stations in 25 Maidenhead grid squares. Endorsements for each additional 25 stations. 73Khz (Amateur VLF Endorsement): Award would be granted to those operators who could verify two way contacts with or reception of stations in 10 Maidenhead grid squares. Endorsements for each additional 10 grid squares. Amateurs who operate in the 73Khz range would be required to provide proof of either reception of their station, other stations, or two way contacts to qualify. No contacts with non amateur stations can count towards this endorsement. LF Listeners would receive the Amateur VLF DX Endorsement. 136Khz (Amateur LF Endorsement): Award would be granted to those operators who could verify two way contacts with or reception of stations in 25 Maidenhead grid squares. Endorsements for each additional 25 grid squares. Amateurs who operate in the 136Khz range would be required to provide proof of either reception of their station, other stations, or two way contacts to qualify. No contacts with non amateur stations can count towards this endorsement. LF Listeners would receive the Amateur LF DX Endorsement. 160-190Khz (Lowfer Endorsement): Award would be granted to those operators who can verify reception of their LF beacon in at least 10 Maidenhead grid squares. Endorsements for each additional 5 grid squares. LF Listeners (including beacon operators) could also receive the Lowfer DX Endorsement for reception of lowfer beacons in at least 5 grid squares. Endorsements for each additional 5 grid squares. 100Khz-500Khz (LF Endorsement): Award would be granted to those operators who could verify reception of stations in at least 100 Maidenhead grid squares. Endorsements for each additional 50 grid squares. This stations could include any combination of NDB, TWIB, Maritime stations, broadcasting, etc. Basic Rules: Verification could be in the form of a QSL card, verification letter, or other supporting documentation. The governing body would appoint a chairman to inspect and return these verifications. Any operator submitting false or suspect documentation will have those cards marked by the Chairman and their application of LFCC returned. There is no appeal. Operators must resubmit application without those documents judged to be false or suspect. Basic costs would be covered in the application fee (Suggestion $10-$20). Contacts and receptions must have occurred on or before 1980 (I doubt that reliable frequency listings exist much before this date.) Comments: Many LF operators would already qualify for this award. In the case of veteran NDB dx'ers they might even qualify for several endorsement stickers! But for many of us, it would represent a goal that was realistic and achievable...but difficult enough to encourage effort. There are many out there who object to "paper-chasing" of any kind on the low frequencies, and this is understandable. However, if we hope to see amateur allocations grow and foster in this band, activity is what we need. Also many of us Lowfers do not have even a single serious LF listener within the normal range of our stations, growth is important in these areas too. I would further suggest that honorary LFCC's be granted to recognize those pioneers of the band who are no longer living or inactive. For example, Ken Cornell, or Vince Pinto. Comments are welcome.