There were 21 entries in the 70MHz CW Contest this year, four down on 2015. Both sections were two down, Open at six and Single Fixed at 15. Perhaps this drop was due to conditions and activity. Entrants reported conditions as between good and dreadful, with a mean on the poor side of average, involving high noise levels and QSB. Entrants made contacts with EI, G, GD, GM, GU, GW, ON & PA, although overseas activity was quite limited with only six non UK&CD calls appearing in entrants' logs. Indeed activity overall was reported to be low: however only one entrant suggested a reduction to two hours, with a further two feeling that the current duration was about right.

There were reports of poor signals, involving both problems with quality (key clicks and sprogs) and bad sending. One station in particular was reported by two entrants to be sending badly enough to make his signal difficult or impossible to read (possibly due to post sending delay being set too short). This was substantiated by examination of the logs which showed that over 26% of that station's contacts involved receiving errors at the far end - way above the norm.  No penalty has been imposed on the offending station, which has been notified of the problem and advised to take appropriate action. In these circumstances the station's far end contacts in which receiving errors occurred have not been penalised.

On the plus side, no comments were received on the weather, which suggests that for once it was at least reasonable!

In the Open section G4TSW (operated by G4FJK and G4RRA) and G3TCU/P again take first and second places respectively, the former winning the Bill Capstick G3JYP Memorial Award. But it was all change in the Single Fixed section with first and second places being taken by G4ASR and G3XDY. Congratulations to all the winners, and thanks to all entrants for taking part.

Quin Collier G3WRR

g3wrr@rsgbcc.org