Extracted from the Chatham, Rochester, and Gillingham Observer 28^th September 1934

 

M.A.T.S. PREPARING FOR BIG CONTEST

 

For The Observer Silver Challenge Cup

 

We have pleasure in announcing that the contest for The Observer Radio Trophy, which, for reason beyond control, had to be abandoned last March, is to be held in October. The committee of the Medway Amateur Transmitters Society has decided that the time allowed for the contest in the past was too short and that it did not give the participants a-fair chance should conditions prove difficult during the .actual period of the contest." The next contest is therefore to extend over two alternate week-ends during the following hours: Saturday, October 6^th 10.30 - p.m.- till 12 midnight; Sunday, October 7^th , 6 a.m. till 12 midday, and 6 pm till 10.30 p.m.; Saturday, October 20th, 10.30 ,p.m. till 12 midnight; Sunday, October 21^st, 6 a.m. till 12 midday, and 6 p.m. till 10.30p.m. This new arrangement should afford ample opportunity to contact all parts of' the world.

The method of scoring has been much simplified, and is now as follows Competitors have been divided into two 6 categories—low power and high power. “Low power” stations will score one point for a contact anywhere in Europe and-five points outside of Europe. “High power” stations score one point for a contact anywhere in Europe and three points outside. Only one contact with any particular station will count for points during each weekend.

Competitors will have to produce a full report on the incoming signal and, to report tone, readability and strength, of their own signal, as received by the distant station. Contacts between individual members of the M.A.T.S. will not count for points.

 

The receiving contest for the Harding Trophy will run concurrently with. The transmitting and points will be scored as follows: Europe 1; Africa 2, Asia 3, N America 4, Australia 5, S America 6.

If a receiving station should log a complete contact of an M.A.T.S. member and say for example, an Australian station, his score will read as follows: 1 point for the M.A.T.8. Member’s report and 5 points for the Australian station's report: total 6 points. In addition to the above, the committee have handicapped, the high power stations by debarring them from using the 160 or 80 metre wavelength bands. Low power stations will be allowed to use the 21, 42, 80 and 160 metre bands. Stations wishing to use phone must restrict their activities to the 160 and 80 metre bands.

 

The Transmitting Stations taking' part will be

AS IN UP TO GOING TO PRESS.

 

G2CM Gillingham,

G2MI Larkfield,

G2OO Maidstone,

G20V Rainham,

G5FN Gillingham,

G5MM Hoo,

G5XB Snodland,

G6FV Teynham,

G6KT Gillingham,

G6NU Gillingham,

G6RQ Tunstall,

G6VV Chatham.

 

Further details of the stations taking part in this interesting event and some their past achievements will appear during the next few weeks. The secretary has asked us to say that any reader who is interested in Short Wave experiments is invited to write to him; for particulars of membership of  the M.A.T.S. and also of the Incorporated Radio .Society of Great Britain, to which, the M.A.T.S. is affiliated. The Secretary is:--Mr., S. A. C. Howell, Radio G5FN, 124, Trafalgar Road, Gillingham, Kent.