FIRST HST CHALLENGE MONTICHIARI THE 12 MARCH

 

 

 

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and I.T.C. Italian Telegraphy Club

  

 

HST (High Speed ​​Telegraphy)


1. History

HST has a long history of existence and dating since the very beginning of invention of Morse code. In the early stages of its use it was not part of any competition but the needs to transmit or receive messages with Morse code quicker and more accurate existing from the very first moment. The first serious use of Morse code as competitive activity dating from the mid-20th century, mainly as competition among army personnel from Eastern Europe. At that time, the competition was more famous as QRQ ( QRQ – abbreviation from Q-code = transmit faster ) contest. As part of the International Amateur Radio Union HST has its first appearance in 1983 with the first European Championship held in Moscow, Russia. Two more European championship followed, one in 1989 in Hannover, Germany and third one in 1991 in Neerpelt, Belgium. Officially, the first World Championship took place in 1995 in Siofok, Hungary. Until 2003, HST world championship were organized every odd year. Starting from 2004, HST world championship continued every odd year, while IARU Region 1 HST championship was officially introduced every even year. Since then, 12 IARU World HST championship and 8 IARU Region 1 HST took place.

 

2. Short introduce

HST at its basic is competition where competitors is trying to transmit and receive the signs of Morse code with the speed as higher as possible during the certain period of time, usually 1 minute. During the official HST championships, competitors took part at 4 official test:

A.    Receiving of Morse code signs

Competitors are receiving texts comprised of:

-          26 Latin letters with the following format ZGAIB QNEST xxxxx xxxxx

Each text last one minute. A maximum of 5 errors are allowed at each test. The lowest speed is 50 marks/min. Competitor is allowed to choose up to 10 speed for receive. Three text can be submitted for check. The best one will be taken for competitor entry.

-          10 figures ( 0-9 ) with the following format 46390 64352 xxxxx xxxxx

Each text last one minute. A maximum of 5 errors are allowed at each test. The lowest speed is 50 marks/min. Competitor is allowed to choose up to 10 speed for receive. Three text can be submitted for check. The best one will be taken for competitor entry.

-          26 Latin letters + 10 figures ( 0-9 ) + 5 punctuation  signs ( . , ? / = ) with the following format A1?=E 79./E xxxxx xxxxx

Each text last one minute. A maximum of 5 errors are allowed at each test. The lowest speed is 50 marks/min. Competitor is allowed to choose up to 10 speed for receive. Three text can be submitted for check. The best one will be taken for competitor entry.

 

B.     Transmitting of Morse code signs

Competitors are transmitting texts comprised of:

-          26 Latin letters with the following format ZGAIB QNEST xxxxx xxxxx

Each text last one minute. A maximum of 3 errors are allowed at each test. Competitor is trying to transmit each text with the highest speed possible with the lowest number of errors.

-          10 figures ( 0-9 ) with the following format 46390 64352 xxxxx xxxxx

Each text last one minute. A maximum of 3 errors are allowed at each test. Competitor is trying to transmit each text with the highest speed possible with the lowest number of errors.

-          26 Latin letters + 10 figures ( 0-9 ) + 5 punctuation  signs ( . , ? / = ) with the following format A1?=E 79./E xxxxx xxxxx

Each text last one minute. A maximum of 3 errors are allowed at each test. Competitor is trying to transmit each text with the highest speed possible with the lowest number of errors.

 

C.         C.   RUFZ

       -   Competitors receive 50 real amateur radio call signs. Two attempts are allowed. Competitor choose the initial speed of the first call sign. If received 100% correctly, the next sign will be transmitted        -   with higher speed. If received with error, the next sign will be transmitted with lower speed. As higher the speed as more points gain.

 

D.    Morse runner

 

This test is a simulation of real pile-up situation. Each test last 10 minutes. Two attempts are allowed. Pile-up is consisted of 4 calls at each moment. Competitor choose the speed of operation. As more contact made as higher the score is.   

 

 

3. Practice

To achieve at least a minimum level of experience and self-confidence a daily practice is required. For serious results improvement and good results at international stage, a serious and hard work is mandatory. One of the best competitors from Italy, Claudio Tata IK0XCB confirms the substantial benefits from HST practice during his amateur radio activity. We will named few of them: better receiving capabilities while DX-ing and contesting, greater precision during transmission with noticeably better rhythm, much better use of the keyboard during contest ( MR is very similar to CQWW or CQWPX contest software ) etc. 

 

 

In light of the above, we are pleased to invite everyone at the:

 

"1st International HST Challenge"

 

The event will take place on March 12th 2016 at the Ham Fair in Montichiari in cooperation with:

-          ”Garda Exhibition Centre”

-          ”Brescia Contest Group”

-          ”Radio Amateur Association of Brescia”

 

The General Sponsor of this event will be ”Officina Begali”.

The competition part of the event will take place on March 12 from 10 am to 4 pm. Due to the limited time at our disposal the competition will consist of the following tests:

A)
RUFZ - according to the official rules.

The winner gets 100 points, the rest - proportionately less.

B)
Morse Runner - according to the official rules.

The winner gets 100 points, the rest - proportionately less.

The classification will be based on two tests.

 

Competitors will be divided into three age categories:

1) Up to 26 years of age

2) Over 26 up to 50 years of age

3) Over 50 years of age

There will be no distinction of sex among competitors.


The first three in each category will be awarded with a medal and there will be NO participation fee. Each country can participate with competitors at any number in each of the categories mentioned above.


Hoping for a good adhesion at the event, we have invited:


Oliver Tabakovski    Z32TO           Executive Committee Member       IARU R1
Panayot Danev         LZ1US           External Relations Committee        IARU R1
Ivan Ivanov               LZ1PJ            HSTWG chairman                          IARU R1
Vito Vetrano             IN3VST         ARI representative into HSTWG
Claudio Tata           
 IK0XCB        Gold medal winner at HST championship

 

A short demonstration of HST transmission during the event will be presented by Claudio Tata IK0XCB. We hope, we would be able to add this test to the competition part of the event in the near future.

 

The awarding ceremony will take place during the gala dinner on Saturday night (cost would be around 35 Euro). During the gala dinner, a lottery for all participants will be organized. The dinner reservation can be made not later than 12.00 AM on Saturday.

 

Those who wish to extend their stay for a night or more, can do that by making reservation in a nearby hotels. Feel free to mention that you are participants at the “HST Challenge”. The prices will be around 60-80 EUR for a double room on a bed & breakfast base.

 

Here is the list of available hotels:

 

Casa Ronchi

Via Cesare Battisti 142 MONTICHIARI (BS) area below Garda Lake

Phone+39 030 964 156 Mobile: +39 339 5786030 Euro 60 double room.


Santa Cristina

Via Bornate 15 MONTICHIARI (BS) Nearby

Phone +39 030 9981788 Mobile +39 331 8661606 single room MIN45€/MAX50€ - double 75


B&B Monticlaris Self Contained

Viale Europa 6 MONTICHIARI (BS) City Center

Mobile  +39 335 5337524 Euro 58/68 double room.

 

B&B Colle Santa Margherita

Via Felice Cavallotti, 149 MONTICHIARI (BS) Near City Center

Mobile: +39 335 8022802 Euro 60/70 double room.

 

For additional information please contact me at ik2uiq@tin.it

 

With best regards