I did a WWFF activation today. When testing my new setup, one of the first stations I worked was Carolyn, G6WRW who was activating Firle Beacon, G/SE-010. A nice QSO and thanks for the great report Carolyn.
This made me think. In NL we do not have many mountains (only 3), but quite a few national parks. Wouldn’t it be an interesting idea to combine WWFF and SOTA where, e.g. if a SOTA and WWFF station have worked each other they can announce this during the contact and chasers can get bonus points when working both of them?
This would most likely strengthen these two great programs and make them more interesting (challenging) as well. Never stop innovating
Very interested in your comments.
In reply to PA3Q:
SOTA activators in search of pile-ups have certainly advertised their WWFF reference as well as their SOTA reference before now, but these days it seems a SOTA reference is usually enough.
I have continued to announce my WWFF reference on activations (that happen to be also in a WFF area), however, the huge pile-ups that used to be attracted by WFF seem to have completely disappeared. I think that programme suffered badly with internal arguments and reorganisation, and it doesn’t appear to have recovered.
WWFF indeed had some problems in the past, but it seems these have been resolved. See the new website at http://www.wwff.co . WWFF is very alive and kicking.
After being spotted today I experienced a nice WWFF pile up. My first in SSB.
Combining these two programs in points could, I think increase the challenge since, e.g. if chasers want bonus points they have to actively search for the “linked” WWFF or SOTA station.
However, if that would be done I do not envy the programmer(s) who have to think about a software solution to process all this bonus.
A quick note, anybody wishing to combine G/NP-005 with Ingleborough National Nature Reserve should be aware that none of the NNR lies within the AZ of the summit.
Wouldn’t it be an interesting idea to
combine WWFF and SOTA where, e.g. if a SOTA and WWFF station have
worked each other they can announce this during the contact and
chasers can get bonus points when working both of them?
One of the things on my ToDo list is to collate a cross-reference of (UK) SOTAs to GxFF - maybe that info could be included in the SOTA database?
I would also encourage SOTA activators to submit their logs for WWFF is within a designated area.
However, beyond that, the two programs are separate, and I don’t see how (logistically) they could be linked. Certainly, I share Andy’s resistance to spending any time trying to codify this!
…exactly my thoughts. By strange coincidence I just tried to contact Andrew to ask exactly that question. I could not see any way to contact him via his website.
Combining these two programs in points could, I think increase the challenge
Plenty of schemes have some overlap with SOTAon the ground. Mostly, it’s purely coincidental, an accident of geography. If you, as an activator, fancy running your activation in a way that qualifies it for two (or more) different schemes, go ahead. After the activation just enter your logs in the appropriate places, and any interested chasers can do likewise.
In reply to M6ADB:
However, beyond that, the two programs are separate, and I don’t see how (logistically) they could be linked.
Certainly, I share Andy’s resistance to spending any time trying to codify this!
I figure SOTA is quite complicated enough as it is, and has plenty of scope for challenges within it already. It doesn’t need any formal links (or the inevitable associated baggage such links would bring) to any other schemes.
In reply to M6ADB:
One of the things on my ToDo list is to collate a cross-reference of (UK) SOTAs to GxFF -
maybe that info could be included in the SOTA database?
…or (given the database is already quite complicated enough) add notes on the SOTAwatch summit pages, perhaps?
In reply to M1EYP:
Hi Tom,
I am both a keen SOTA activator & parks activator here in Australia. The WWFF program has ‘recovered’ very well after the problems with the ‘old’ WFF program a number of years ago. WWFF has no affiliation at all with the now defunct WFF program. Quite a few VK operators (who are also SOTA ops) have recently embraced the WWFF program and have been working extremely large pile ups into Europe.
I have also participated as a park hunter here in Australia trying to get the European park activators in the log, and quite often struggle because of the big pile ups.
Best 73,
Paul,
VK5PAS
WWFF co-ordinator Australia
All things are possible. What we need to know is the probability of
this happening.
If the data can be presented to you in a suitable format, such that you don’t need to do much, then it is more likely than if it is just assumed that you will do everything…
The best solution from my viewpoint is I don’t do anything about this. A solution that I am currently implementing 100% and will continue do so for the considerable future.
Of course should you be able to arrange a Led Zeppelin reunion (the drummer is inconsequential) and arrange 2 tickets plus a VIP meet & greet then I may reconsider.
In reply to MM0FMF:
My wife and I, have done baby-sitting for Robert Plant.
My mother-in-law did house cleaning for him for a number of years.
I’ll see what I can do.
