144MHz Trophy 2014

Generally the weather was kind to entrants this year. Reports on conditions varied from “good” to “flat” with a number of entrants commenting about deep QSB. There were a number of equipment "issues" reported which livened the weekend up for some! The numbers of entrants rose again this year showing a healthy trend over the last three years.

In total twenty one countries appeared in the logs in one hundred and fifteen locator squares which included twenty nine UK squares.  There were thirty eight contacts greater than 900kms of which two were greater than 1000kms.  Twenty nine of these were made by stations in JO01 with G8P (14) and G8T (11) managing the majority of them, but 6 were made from IO81/82. The longer distances were worked into DL, EA, F HB9, OE, OL and SM. The best contact was between G8T and S57LM during a thirty second plus meteor burst at 1162km.

For the second year European entry logs were used as part of the adjudication process. These comprised the following logs: DL(371), F(140), PA(17) and ON(8). Logging standards showed a slight improvement over 2013 with a number of leading stations losing less than 5% of their score. In total 5.4% of all QSOs were disallowed. The errors were spread across all elements of the exchange: callsigns 27%; received RS(T) 22%; received serial number 21%; locators 27%; and 3% not-in-logs.   

Congratulations go to:

•  The Parallel Lines, G8P, who won the open section for the ninth year running to retain the Mitchell-Milling Trophy.
•  Roger, G3MEH, for winning the single operator (fixed) section and as the highest scoring single operator is awarded the Thorogood Trophy for the second year running.
•  G8N, operated by John G4CZB, who won the single operator (others) section.
•  The Wiltshire Wanderers, G8NEY/P, who won the six-hour (others) section.
•  Tony, GW8ASD, who won the six-hour single operator fixed section for the second year running.

These stations together with those identified in the results tables will receive certificates.  However special mention must be made of  Kai, M6YZA, who at the age of nine made a very creditable entry.

Roger - G4BVY