Hi friends, I am saddened by all these restrictions that prevent some of us from participating in contests such as the Stew Perry Topband Distance Challenge. I fully understand and appreciate the desire to return to the spirit of the W1BB era, when true ham spirit, friendship, and camaraderie were at the heart of the 160-meter community. However, for someone like me, who has spent several years building a remote station located 29 km from home, these restrictions effectively mean that I am no longer able to participate. I am on 160 meters every single night, usually for at least six hours. I call CQ over and over again, often without a single reply. On a typical night, I manage just one to three QSOs, usually with the same familiar friends. And then, just a couple of times a year, the band finally comes alive with DX activity, and I am not allowed to take part! I have absolutely no interest in scores, rankings, or winning contests. My greatest pleasure is simply knowing that my signal is being heard far away, hearing distant stations myself, and having the opportunity to complete a DX QSO. In my opinion, FT8 has already devastated traditional CW activity on this wonderful band. We should therefore welcome every opportunity to make DX contacts and encourage activity on 160 meters, rather than introducing more and more restrictions that discourage dedicated operators from getting on the air. I believe that the true spirit of Topband has always been about friendship, experimentation, perseverance, and the joy of making difficult contacts — not about excluding those who have invested years of effort in building their stations. 73 and good DX, Karel, OK1CF
____________________________________________________________ > Od: "mstangelo--- via Topband" > Komu: [email protected] > Datum: 15. 10. 2026 1:40 > Předmět: Re: Topband: Stew Perry rules > I am not a contester but Stew Perry is one that I participate in when I have time. I am concerned about the concept of a remote station on these contests. What is the maximum distance to the remote and do the transmitter and receiver have to be co-located? I'm located five miles form the ocean and the noise level is much lower from there but that is not my QTH. Mike N2MS > On 10/14/2026 3:03 PM EDT Ron Spencer <[email protected]> wrote: > > > Mike fair questions. > > Re remote, I don't think there are any constraints. BUT, you must use the > grid square where its located. > > Re SDRs, pretty sure the rule is it must be within 60 miles of the station > you are using (1 grid square). I'd guess that eliminates any benefit of using > several SDRs for receive. But you do have time to ask Tree these questions > directly. Or perhaps he'll also reply.....and correct whatever mistakes I've > made. I have NO roll in the Stew Perry Contest other than as a participant. > > Hope to hear you on. > > Ron > N4XD > > Sent using Zoho Mail (https://www.zoho.com/mail/ <https://www.zoho.com/mail/>) > > > > From: <[email protected]> > To: "Ron Spencer"<[email protected]> > Date: Wed, 14 Oct 2026 14:29:48 -0400 > Subject: Re: Topband: Stew Perry rules > > > What is the definition of your remote radio. What if I have multiple remote > > sdr's around the world? > > > > Mike N2MS > > _________________ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband <http://www.contesting.com/_topband> - Topband Reflector _________________ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
