50MHz CW CONTEST - 28/6/20

After a disappointing level of entries in 2019, the number of entries this year was 52 (thirteen in section AO, 32 in section AR and five in section AL, plus two check logs). Three of these were from non-UK&CD countries (DL, I and YU). This was over three times the number of entries in 2019, and the drastic (and most welcome) increase was probably a consequence of the presence of a healthy amount of  sporadic E (with over 85% of the entrants making at least one Es contact) and the changed environment due to COVID-19 lockdown. Although tropo conditions were reported as very poor, sporadic E was there to be had throughout the whole contest period, with a surge between 0930 and 1000 UTC and a larger one between 1130 and 1200, particularly in the last quarter hour.  Interestingly, from the UK&CD point of view the sporadic E destinations had a wide geographical spread, from Finland through the Balkans and Italy to the Iberian peninsula. 157 valid calls appear in the logs, from 25 DXCC entities (all European) and 66 big squares. The best DX was between MM0GPZ /P and YU6MM in KM04 square at 2136 km. The only reported down sides were wind and rain at two stations, plus one station experiencing heavy QSB.

Congratulations to G3TXF, YU6MM (leading UK entrant G4PDS) and G4HGI who were leading stations in sections AO, AR and AL respectively.

73, Quin Collier G3WRR

g3wrr@rsgbcc.org