70MHz CW CONTEST - 10/5/2020

The number of entries in the 2020 70MHz CW Contest was 49 (17 in section AO, 21 in section AR, nine in section AL and two check logs). This was almost twice last year's number of entrants (25). A total of 78 valid callsigns appear in the logs, from nine DXCC entities, 24 big squares and 49 post codes. These figures are all well up on 2019: and although they are no doubt enhanced by lockdown, they are most welcome nonetheless. The best DX took place between MM0CEZ and G3TCU at 566km. Although this was substantially down on last year, it was no doubt due to the inability to operate portable from favourable sites.

Congratulations go to the section leaders:

• Open - Fred Handscombe G4BWP (who also wins the Bill Capstick G3JYP Memorial Award)
• Restricted - Dave Cree G3TBK
• Low Power - Richard Staples G4HGI.

Comments on conditions reported them as being from average to dire, but clustered mainly around poor or flat, with poor tropo exacerbated by a lack of aircraft. However there were twice as many reports of activity being reasonable to good as there were of it being poor. In addition to reports of deep QSB and high noise levels, there were a few reports of high wind - as one entrant put it 'typical VHF Contest wx'. But on the plus side three entrants reported this as being their first CW contest, and others apologised for their rusty CW. Let's hope the numbers hold up for 2021 in a post lockdown world!

Quin Collier G3WRR

g3wrr@rsgbcc.org