A New World for the Spartan Sprints
The ARS Sojourner
We have arrived. There are now a number of you who operate stations weighing less than one pound. Our reaction? Wonderful! We eagerly look forward to the fiendishly clever radios that lie ahead.
In the past, most of you have approached this Spartan Sprints in an easy going fashion, not paying too much attention to the rules. That was fine with us, because in general, we don't want ARS to be a rules-oriented organization.
But now we need to be fair to the ARS members who are developing amazingly lightweight radios. It is time for us to review the rules, to make sure that the language is clear, and that the rules work logically for stations of all types, including the ones that weigh the same as a hummingbird.
So, we have polished the rules. Our definition of "station weight" is unchanged, but we have introduced a new concept for rounding off (which we used in reporting the February results). Here is the new language. Let us have your comments.
"Station Weight" is defined as the combined weight of all transmitters, receivers, keys, keyers and batteries used during the Sprint. We use decimal pounds, rather than pounds and ounces. You may report your weight to the nearest 10th of a pound, or, at your option, the nearest 100th of a pound. For stations weighing less than one pound, we recommend the nearest 100th of a pound.
Russ Carpenter, AA7QU
Contest Manager