144MHz CW MARCONI CONTEST 7th /8th NOVEMBER 2020

The number of entries this year was 62 (38 in section 6S, two in section O, 18 in section SF and four check logs). These included four entries from non-UK&CD stations in HA, OZ and UA. This was 26 (69%) up on 2019 - very likely due to entrants with time on their hands due to lockdown but most welcome nevertheless! One UK station which had entered /P in section 6O had its entry reclassified as a check log as a result of COVID-19 related restrictions. In addition to the check logs submitted directly to the RSGB, an additional 317 were received via IARU R1 for checking purposes. 437 different callsigns from 26 DXCC entities (9A, DL, E7, F, G, GI, GM, GU, GW, HA, I, LA, LZ, OE, OK, OM, ON, OZ, PA, UA, UA2, S5, SM, SP, UX, YO, & YU) in 119 big squares appear in entrants' logs. The best DX worked was 1133km, between GM4YXI in IO87 square and DH8BQA in JO73. This was one of three contacts at over 1000km - interestingly all made by GM stations.

Congratulations to the section leaders as follows:

Section O - Paul Pasquet G4RRA

Section SF - Andy Cook G4PIQ

Section 6S -John Quarmby G3XDY

Leading non-UK&CD entrant - Lagoz Panczel HA3GO.

A special mention is also made for Gabor Harmath M6YUG who earned the Leading Foundation Licensee certificate in section SF in his first CW contest.

The majority of comments on conditions varied from 'average' through 'fair' and 'poor' to 'dire', with multi-pathing sometimes making copy difficult. However a few brief tropo openings were reported, and there was some DX to be had although signals were weak.  There were a few reports of QSB but only one of a noisy band. Activity from the UK was reported as being low. But on the upside, two entrants reported that this was their first attempt at a CW contest. Let us hope that this year's high level of entries is repeated in a COVID-19 free 2021!

Quin Collier G3WRR

g3wrr@rsgbcc.org