Saturday 5 October 2019

Thoughts on the Brendan Prizes

With preparations here well under way to have a go at a 144MHz transatlantic QSO next summer, attention has turned recently to ensuring the rules are adhered to.

Overall, the Brendan Prizes rules are perfectly sensible and not overbearing.  But I was surprised at the difference in level of proof required, depending on whether or not a QSO is arranged.  If a 'random' QSO is made, then the level of proof, rather oddly, falls to less than that required for an organised campaign.   That doesn't seem, to me, to have any basis in reason.

The other area where one might benefit substantially more than receiving a silver plate or glass vase is, surprisingly, winning a defamation claim. 

Why? 

Well, imagine the kind of comments that will appear on social media and elsewhere from the disgruntled, disbelieving and disaffected under the procefure for making the QSO public:

'The Panel will make the claim public by providing details to the Amateur Radio press on both sides of the Atlantic, and invite relevant comments.  Any representation concerning the contact will be carefully considered before their decision is made.' [my emphasis]






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