National System Award 2004

The second National System Award was run during October 2004. The following letter, which was featured in Q-Bit, provides a report on this Award.

The National System Award 2004

Many thanks to all involved in this, sometimes frantic, Award. It is two years since the first one and the acquaintances made then are still in my Amateur life today, plus now many new ones.

While at times it has seemed a bit of a race to achieve the required contacts, it was again an award that was able to show excellent courtesy and co-operation all round. And of course, we had those stations who went out of their way to activate a branch area when there was little in it for them, many thanks.

We had a few rules this time that initially caused some confusion, but the Award Custodian, Dick ZL2TGQ was able to clarify them, and then we participants were able to disseminate "the rules" accordingly.

Only two branch areas were not contacted this time, (Branch 49 Westland-Greymouth, and Branch 62 Reefton-Buller), out of a possible 75, during the one month duration of the award. Field Stations, (not mobile stations), added interest this year and many types of "tomato stakes" with aerials on them were activated to qualify as a field station, (in eg. Branch areas 11, 85, 8, 37, 76, 32 etc.)

The award certificate picture of Belmont National System site was excellent and very appropriate. Finally, thanks to Wellington VHF Group Branch 74 for activating the award, and to Dick ZL2TGQ the Award Custodian, it was nice to have done business everyone.

73s, David Walker ZL2DW, (Branch 13 Hastings.)

Originally published in Q-Bit, issue November 2004, and reprinted here with the express permission of the author.