70MHz FM ACTIVITY CONTEST - 21/12/17 & WHOLE YEAR RESULTS

Looking first at the results of the December event, the number of logs received reversed the trend of the last two months - entries were significantly down, at 12 (2 FL and 10 FR). The number of valid callsigns appearing in the logs was also down, at 32.

Only four comments were received from entrants, two of which related to the weather -unsurprisingly these were both from portable stations. The two comments on conditions told very different stories - one entrant thought they were flat, the other that they were good. But there was more agreement on activity -it was found to be quiet, with some of the regulars missing (hence the reduced number of entrants).

Moving on to the whole year results, the number of entries varied widely from month to month, between nine and 21 (an average of 16), with no clear pattern. This was significantly lower than for the 2m & 70cm FMACs - on average 38% of the former and 56% of the latter. This may be due to the lower availability of FM gear for 4m compared with that for the other bands. Similarly, there were wide variations in the number of callsigns appearing in the logs - between 82 and 28 - with an average of 48. Only 4 DXCC entities - G, GW, GM and PA - appear in the logs, with a maximum of three in any one session.

Thanks to all the entrants, and congratulations to certificate winners as follows:

Section FR

First place - G8HQW/P

Second place - GW8ASD

Leading Intermediate Licensee - 2E0HOV

Leading non UK&CD entrant - PE1EWR

Section FL

First place - M0RKX/P

Second place - M6HMK/P

Leading Foundation Licensee - M6HMK/P

Leading Intermediate Licensee - 2E1SKY

The FMACs on 4m will continue in 2018 - let's hope that numbers are up and that they constitute a path into contesting from newcomers.

Quin Collier G3WRR

g3wrr@rsgbcc.org