From Manly Warringah Radio Society, original post here:
Manly Warringah Radio Society invites you to celebrate International Talk Like A Pirate Day, Amateur Radio and Flagpoles by participating in our yearly Flagpole Contest.
This is a fun and as you can see not too serious contest that will promote Amateur Radio and portable operations. So dust off your rig, get your antenna in the air and try out some new modes with friends.
When is it?
The contest runs on the Saturday closest to International Talk Like a Pirate Day, from 0000 to 2359 UTC. The 2015 contest will therefore be on Saturday 19th September.
Why Flagpoles?
Geoff (VK2MIA, now VK2AVR) procured a Flagpole for mobile operations and tweaked the interest of the wider club when he brought it up to the clubhouse one Wednesday night. Upon inspection a group buy was in planning, with Shaun (VK2XPP) taking the lead. The club procured almost 2 dozen flagpoles (From here). Once Shaun picked up the shipment the club members get right to business, with some great results.
So with all these flagpoles ready for field operations the idea for this contest was born and the point structure was decided upon around the club fireplace with more than a few laughs.
Contest Aims
The winner of the competition will be the person who collects the most points during the day of the competition. The goal of the event is to exercise your ability to operate using a portable antenna across multiple modes and perhaps to get you out of your normal operating comfort zone.
Non-flagpole stations are welcome to participate, but will have to work a little harder to get points. Note: The adjudicators have previously decreed that any “pole” carrying a flag is logically a “flagpole”. Get creative!
Contest Rules
1. For the extra points, a flagpole must make up part of the antenna or antenna support.
2. The contest runs on the Saturday closest to International Talk Like a Pirate Day, from 0000 to 2359 UTC.
3. The President / Vice-Presidents of MWRS will be adjudicators.
4. This is a fun event, keep it fun and positive.
5. This event is open to all Amateur Frequencies and Modes.
6. A contact will be the exchange of Callsign, Signal Report and a quick report of your flagpole setup!
7. Log’s are to be submitted using the Competition spreadsheet. (See below)
Points
Make a contact using a non-flagpole antenna = 1 Point
Make a contact using a flagpole antenna = 2 Points
Make a flagpole to flagpole contact = 5 Points
Make a contact with D-Star = 10 Points (Maximum of 100 Points)
Make a contact with a F call = 5 Points
Email photo of your flagpole setup to contest@mwrs.org.au = 20 Points
Send a SSTV Image of your flagpole setup to MWRS on HF 14.314159 MHz = 50 Points
Flag being flown from your flagpole = 10 Points (Photo evidence req’d)
Pirate or funny flag being flown from your flagpole = 20 – 100 Points as judged by President
Pirate costume (Photo evidence req’d) = 20 – 100 Points as judged by President
Calling Frequencies
3670 kHz on 80 meters.
7045 kHz on 40 metres.
14.025 MHz on 20m (CW)
14.314159 MHz on 20 metres (SSB/SSTV frequency – 14 ‘Pi’ MHz as Pirates love Pie)
2 metre repeater 146.875 MHz FM output, 146.275 MHz input
Logs
MWRS_Logsheet – Open Office Format
MWRS_Logsheet – Excel Format
Submit your logs to contest@mwrs.org.au along with other supporting evidence
(eg photos of your flagpole station)