[IRCA] UltraLight Awards + Definitions

["John H. Bryant" <bjohnorcas@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

At 06:36 PM 12/30/2007 +0000, you wrote:
>2) Which DX accomplishments would you like to see rewarded?  (Number  of
>states heard, number of TA or
>      TP contacts, number of countries heard, etc)
>
>3) What kind of rewards should we offer?  (paper certificates or  actual
>Ultralight radios)

AWARDS and RECORDS

I'd think that we might want to run awards much like I experienced in 
NASWA.... Things like Heard Five Countries, Heard Ten Countries, 
Heard Five States, Heard Ten, Heard 15, Heard 5 TAs, Heard 10 TPs, 
etc..... and that these be available whenever the DXer qualifies for them.

Personally, I'd also like to see some running records for reception 
by a Ultralighter.... Longest Distance Domestic 50 KW Reception, 
Longest Distance TP and Longest TA Reception, Longest 5000 Watt 
Domestic Reception, Longest 1000 Watt Reception... These wouldn't be 
Awards, but would be running records kept on a website like the GY 
records on Bill Hale's site.

DEFINITIONS

The group (whatever that group is) sure needs to define what is and 
what is not an UltraLight receiver.... or maybe set up a committee to 
do so, since some judgement is likely required... I was by RShack 
today and saw a dandy Eton/Grundig shirt pocket set for $49.00 (the 
Grundig mini-300PE). Had shortwave, too and a digital dial. I 
wouldn't want to buy it, if it weren't going to be considered to be 
an UltraLight. If things start getting organized, whether within IRCA 
or without, I'd strongly suggest that some basic definitions of "what 
an UltraLight is" be established.  I'd suggest that, after some 
discussion on the IRCA group,  a committee of maybe Gary DeBock, 
Steve Ratzlaff and Nick Hall-Patch develop such a definition and then 
act as a Committee to decide which models meet that description.... 
there will always be some question.... We really do need a Committee 
of GrayBeards to apply judgement to the situation, because I don't 
think that we can create a definition that is totally self-cleaning 
and always easy to apply as new models arrive.

Kevin's suggestions of an UltraLight definition are a good place to 
start discussion....

"Speaking of size, weight and cost, it seems that an "Ultralight" is
something that:
  1.  weighs less than 10 ounces w/o batteries
  2.  is less than 20 cubic inches
  3.  costs less than $100"

Personally, I think that 10 rather than 20 cubic inches is more 
likely a good rule.... and I'm not too sure about the weight 10 
ounces is pretty heavy.... AND I think that they should be weighed 
without batteries installed. The $100 price tag has a nice sound to 
it, but if the price is artificially high (as in imported directly 
from the Far East) maybe the $100 rule (or whatever) needs to be 
applied with judgement.... the committee again.

Personally, I'd add "Designed for consumer rather than hobbyist or 
professional use" (that might rule out most portables with SW bands 
on them, for instance) and I'd limit the antenna to a "ferrite bar or 
similar" ruling out whips.  If I were a god for a day, I might even 
specify the maximum size ferrite bar that could be used in a 
recognized UltraLight, just like the hams define the strength of transmitter.

The only reason to define things is if we are going to share loggings 
specially "UltraLight Loggings" or if we were to have contests or 
awards. Otherwise, anyone can use any radio they wish and submit 
loggings to IRCA, NRC or whatever.... However, if we are gonna have 
specially identified "UltraLight Loggings," much less awards, then 
definitions are a very necessary thing.

We also need to define just what "barefoot" means, if we limit this 
activity to "barefoot," at least initially  "Barefoot" clearly means 
that the receiver is unmodified electrically, but does that also rule 
out magnetically coupling of large antennas to these radios (I think "yes").

Does "barefoot" rule out non-electronic physical modifications???  I 
hope not, but maybe it ought to, at least initially. I hate those 
little analog dials, but I'm becoming intrigued at the idea of 
opening up the case, mounting the receiver on a small board and 
experimenting with various "improvements" in the dial.  Was it one of 
Gary's  efforts to hot glue a lid on the dial wheel to make a 
bigger/better wheel?  I'd love to play with marrying the 59 to some 
really sophisticated gear-driven dials from the 30s and 40s, via a 
long flexible plastic tube.  IN ANY CASE, deciding just what 
"barefoot" means is pretty important, too.

I think that it is pretty important to remember that these 
definitions can be modified over time, if there is a small committee 
of Greybeard DXers to appeal to.



John B.
Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
Rcvrs: WiNRADiO 313e, Eton e1, NRD-535(kiwa-mods)
Antennas: 700' NE/SW mini-Bev, Wellbrook Phased Array (pre-production version)

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