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Information on Disqualification of Keith Sharples G7LPW
WORLD
RECORD DISQUALIFIED FOR PEDESTRIAN MOBILE AND HUMAN POWERED
MOBILE LONG DISTANCE HF
COMMUNICATIONS
| World Record Pedestrian Communication Attempt Fails On 14 December 2007, the HFpack Hall of Fame, international world records for human-to-human direct communications, disqualified radio operators David Starkie G4AKC and Keith Sharples G7LPW, in their attempt to achieve the longest distance high frequency direct communications between pedestrians or bicyclists. HFpack's international panel of experts in high frequency pedestrian communications has extensively reviewed the claimed world record attempt by G4AKC, and rejected it. They concluded that the false information, erroneous documentation, misleading statements, and confusing representations by Starkie and Sharples has led to a cloud of uncertainty as to exact location and possibly dubious communication methods used in the attempt. Notoriety was received by Mr. Starkie in the press due to his [false] claims of a "world record" long distance pedestrian or bicycle communication from UK to New Zealand. However, the existing world record distance set in 2001 between pedestrian radio operators in Greece and New Zealand still stands at 17,467 kilometers (10,853 miles). There really is a high degree of technical difficulty in communicating directly between pedestrian humans on opposite sides of the planet, without landlines or satellites. Over the years, with many attempts to surpass the 18,000 kilometer mark, all have failed. Perhaps we will see someone succeed during the new solar cycle. Enthusiasts who try for long distance human-to-human communication world records often need to deal with the logistics of international travel, carrying specialized radio equipment, and adherence to rigorous methods to be qualified as bonafide pedestrian direct communications. Only when the solar and geomagnetic "weather" conditions are exactly right, can they send radio waves bouncing between earth's ionosphere and the ground, to talk all the way around the planet. High frequency transmitters, using shortwave radio, are combined with backpack mounted antennas and battery packs to form what are known as "pedestrian mobiles" worn by radio expeditioners. Ham radio enthusiasts seek to communicate with each other across oceans and continents, exchanging messages and friendly greetings. These same systems are also useful for dependable emergency and relief communications when other commercial infrastructure systems are disabled due to disasters. G7LPW is disqualified in attempt at world record pedestrian mobile bike mobile, due to the applicants' submissions of false information, erroneous documentation, misleading statements, and confusing representations by David Starkie G4AKC and Keith Sharples G7LPW. |
Guidelines for Qualification in HFpack Hall of Fame
Submissions to HFpack Hall of Fame shall include:
1. Callsigns and names of operators.
2. UTC Date [DDMMMYYYY] Time [hh:mm].
3. Frequency and Mode [SSB] [CW] [DATA].
4. Signal reports exchange (any standard format)
5. Geographic coordinates to the nearest minute.
6. Great circle distance in kilometers.
7. Category of entry.
8. Brief description of equipment used.
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Guidelines for All Categories
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1. Communications shall be between licensed amateurs authorized to operate within their jurisdiction.
2. All claims must be substantiated through one of the following means:
A. by verified email posts with signal reports to HFpack group by both participants.
B. by clear JPG image upload of QSL Card(s) to the HFpack file archive. QSL must be marked "Pedestrian Mobile" or "/PM" or equivalent.
3. Total weight of all equipment used for communication shall be less than 15 kilograms (33 pounds), inclusive of receiver, transmitter, complete antenna system, all wires, cables, I/O devices, microphones, earphones, speakers, keys, antenna mounts, batteries, and power supply.
4. All communications shall take place on amateur radio authorized bands on frequencies within the spectrum of 1.8 to 54 MegaHertz, using a transmitter power output level not to exceed 50 Watts Peak Envelope Power.
5. During the communication, operator shall not intentionally utilize fixed metallic objects as either reflectors, directors, or counterpoises for antenna systems or radio waves. Natural geological formations and features of terrain may be intentionally utilized by the radio operator.
6. All distances are to be measured using great circle terrestrial surface short path distance calculations derived from geographic coordinates rounded to the nearest minute. No terrestrial distance exceeding antipodes shall be recognized.
7. During the time of actual exchange of signal reports, the operator shall not have the relay assistance of other radio operators over the air, other communication systems, telephone, internet, relays, repeaters, receivers or remote systems.
8. A communication exchange which spans two power categories is classified in the higher power category.
9. All communications exchanges shall be between Pedestrian Mobile or Human Powered Mobile stations. A communication exchange which spans Pedestrian Mobile and Human Powered Mobile categories shall be classified in a Human Powered Mobile category.
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Category 1 = Pedestrian Mobile 50 Watts
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1. The singular radio operator shall carry and support the full weight of all equipment used for communication.
2. Radio operator shall be able to move about freely carrying all equipment and antenna system throughout the entire communication.
3. The output power of the transmitters on bothsides of the communication is limited to 50 Watts PEP on SSB or DATA, and 25 Watts CW.
4. A wire attached to the radio equipment with a maximum total length of 20 meters in a single direction and a maximum cross section of 1 centimeter may be touching, dragging, or laying on the surface upon which the operator is walking or standing; however, this counterpoise wire shall not be mechanically attached to any fixed object or in any way elevated above the surface of the earth by fixed objects, or impede the free forward linear movement of the radio operator.
5. The antenna system used for communication shall have a maximum height of 10 meters above the surface level upon which the operator is walking or standing, and the entire weight of the antenna shall be carried by the operator during the communications.
6. During communications, radio operator shall be located on either A, B, or C:
A. natural earth, soil, rock, path, or trail.
B. non-elevated: concrete, vehicular road, sidewalk, wooden walkway, or similar normal walking surface.
C. the deck of a ship or boat, wharf, dock, on or above a body of water only if all other qualifications of the category are met, and the height of the antenna above the surface upon which the operator is walking or standing does not exceed 3 meters, and if a counterpoise is used the length of it shall not exceed 3 meters.
7. A pedestrian mobile also includes an operator roller skates, ice skates, roller blades, snow skis, riding horseback or pack animal.
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Category 2 = Pedestrian Mobile 5 Watts (QRP)
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1. All of the qualifications of Category 1 shall be met.
2. The output power of the transmitters on both sides of the communication is limited to 10 Watts PEP on SSB or DATA, and 5 Watts CW.
3. No other communication between the same station may be made at a higher power level within 30 minutes prior to the claimed communication.
4. No weight limit for Category 2 equipment.
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Category 3 = Human Powered Mobile 50 Watts
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1. A Human Powered Mobile is considered to be any wheeled vehicle, craft, device, cart, wagon, bicycle, tricycle, scooter, or carrier which is powered for movement solely by human energy.
2. A Human Powered Mobile shall also include:
A. A non-motorized hang glider, paraglider, or aircraft which is placed aloft solely by human energy.
B. A non-motorized, non-sail boat not exceeding a length of 10 meters which is powered for movement solely by human energy.
3. During communications, Human Powered Mobile shall be located on either A, B, C, or D:
A. natural earth, soil, rock, path, or trail.
B. any concrete, vehicular road, sidewalk, wooden walkway, track, or similar normal vehicular or walking surface.
C. under or upon the surface of a body of water.
D. the travel surface of any vehicular or pedestrian bridge, wharf, or dock.
4. During communications, Human Powered Mobile shall not be located on any of the following:
A. another vehicle or craft of any kind.
B. a building or manmade structure other than a bridge.
5. The output power of the transmitters on both sides of the communication is limited to 50 Watts PEP on SSB or DATA, and 25 Watts CW.
6. The antenna or counterpoise in any direction extending outward from the Human Powered Mobile shall not exceed 10 meters in length, however, if the Human Powered Mobile is located upon a bridge, wharf or dock, the antenna or counterpoise shall not exceed 3 meters in length.
7. During communication, the Human Powered Mobile shall not be tethered or mechanically attached to any fixed object, craft, or vehicle.
8. Submission shall include description of mobile.
9. A communication between a Human Powered Mobile and a Pedestrian Mobile shall be included in the Human Powered Mobile Category.
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Category 4 = Human Powered Mobile 5 Watts (QRP)
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1. All of the requirements of Category 3 shall be met.
2. The output power of the transmitters on both sides of the communication is limited to 10 Watts PEP on SSB or DATA, and 5 Watts CW.
3. No other communication between the same station may be made at a higher power level within 30 minutes prior to the claimed communication.
4. No weight limit for Category 4 equipment.
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Differently-Abled Notes For All Categories
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1. A Differently-Abled operator is exempt from requirements of specific movement, and may utilize any type of wheelchair, including a motorized wheelchair, other assisted devices, or the assistance of another person for carrying equipment.
2. A Differently-Abled operator may enter any appropriate category, within transmitter power and antenna conditions.
3. A Differently-Abled operator utilizing a wheelchair or other assistance for movement may enter the Pedestrian Mobile category, however, a motor vehicle capable of supporting more than one person may not be utilized.
4. All other conditions apply equally to Differently-Abled operators in all categories, and it is not necessary to disclose that the operator is Differently-Abled.
5. Weight limitations apply only to the actual transmitter, receiver, and antenna system used for communication by the Differently-Abled operator.
6. The spirit of the guidelines for the appropriate category should be followed.
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