VHF NFD 7th – 8th July 2012 

Judging by the soapbox remarks offered by entrants, two things stand out this year. The weather was bad in comparison with 2011 and likewise propagation/activity. On the other hand, just a little happiness visited at least some folk, some of the time. For most, it did not.

The Adjudicators welcome you to the new-style, interactive results table. Just click on the relevant icon to download Certificates, which your team may be eligible to receive, and interrogate equipment and antennas, plus soapboxes - as uploaded by entrants.

RULES. The rules have remained unchanged since 2010.

INSPECTIONS. As is customary, several on-site inspections were made during and preceding the contest period. Nothing untoward was found relating to the stations inspected, but supporting evidence was gathered concerning reports from several stations of broad band noise being emitted by a portable entrant. After investigation, a percentage penalty was imposed by the Contest Committee. A station was also found to be using an auto CQ-er with callsign un-matched with that being used by the operators. After another investigation, a percentage penalty was again imposed by the Contest Committee.

PORTABLE NUMBERS

Registrations. 228 stations registered – up from 184 in 2010 and a healthy indicator of numbers intending to make a serious entry to the contest. Indeed , “B” stations were planned to be on-air by three groups and they delivered too: Trowbridge & DARC 'B' on 144 MHz, Shefford & DARS 'B' on 50 MHz and Goole R&ES on 144 MHz.

Entries. Unfortunately, as the key week-end approached, quite a number of long-historical competitors advised the CC that their usual contest site had become inaccessible through persistent foul weather or unexpected depletion of personnel. Out-turn entries tumbled as a consequence. Of those who made it, several were able to sustain operations for just a few hours before wash-out, or prudent retreat. In consequence, several stations forwarded a check log in place of what would ordinarily have been a competitive entry.

 

Overall station entries numbered 167 – in comparison with 202 in 2011. Breakdowns are as follows (with 2011 numbers in brackets):

Band distribution: 50 MHz:  40 (49), 70 MHz: 31 (38), 144 MHz: 45 (58), 432 MHz: 37 (40), 1296 MHz: 14, (17).

Numbers of Groups entering – by section: Total 54 (69)   Open: 16 (19), Restricted: 20 (25), Low Power: 10 (13), Mix & Match: 8 (12).

It is idle to speculate, so readers are left to provide their own answers to the question: If the weather had been better , what impact would that have had on activity and entries? We can but hope that we will not suffer the same in 2013.

FIXED SWEEPERS NUMBERS

Fortunately, the numbers of Fixed Sweepers held up well, seeing little change from those in 2011, when participation showed a massive increase (around three times that of the year before).

23 logs were submitted for the FS Open section (24 in 2011). Band distribution: 50 MHz: 6, 70 MHz: 6, 144 MHz: 6, 432 MHz: 3, 1296 MHz: 2.

85 logs were submitted for the FS Restricted section (86 in 2011). Band distribution: 50 MHz: 15, 70 MHz: 8, 144 MHz: 33, 432 MHz: 22, 1296  MHz: 7.

PORTABLE RESULTS.

Open section. Again, Wexford VHF Group appears at the head of the overall Open section table, with a normalised total of 5911 points (5114 last year). Readers are reminded that only UK-based entrants are eligible for Awards and all band-scores are normalised against the highest scoring UK- located station. Thus, Wexford's normalised scores on 50 MHz, 70 MHz and 432 MHz are each greater than 1000.  

In Open position 2 , and UK 1st place, lies Windmill CG, with 3672 points - rising from 2nd UK place last year. They receive the Surrey Trophy and our congratulations. In Open position 3 and UK 2nd UK place lies Pembrokeshire CG, with 3195 points. This year's UK 3rd place goes Camb-Hams with 3104 points. Last year's UK winner, Colchester RA, is somewhat down the table this year due to local problems. It is expected, with encouragement and confidence, that they will return in strength in 2013. The highest placed Scottish group is again Cockenzie & Port Seton ARC with 2772 points. They retain the Tartan Trophy. PE1RLF, the second overseas entry, returns for another dose of VHFNFD and is placed 11th with 734 points.

Restricted section.  In 1st place lies South Birmingham RS with 3427 points. They seize the Martlesham Trophy from Trowbridge & DARC, who drop down to 3rd this year – an interesting swap-around from their respective positions in 2011. In 2nd place lies Lothians RS, who retain their 2011 place, with 3110 points. They are also the highest placed Scottish station and keep the Cockenzie Quaich for another year.

Low Power section. Regaining 1st place, is Warrington CG with 3000 points - leading the band tables on their 3 chosen bands : 144 MHz, 432 MHz and 1.3 GHz.  In another swap-around, Lagan Valley ARS take up 2nd position this year with 2357 points and hand over the Arthur Watts Trophy to Warrington CG. In 3rd position lies Bolton Wireless Club with 1871 points. The highest placed Scottish station MM0BQI/P is in 5th place and retains the Scottish Trophy for another year.

Mix & Match section. In 1st place lies Rochdale & DARS with 1964 points. They receive the G5BY Trophy. 2nd place goes to Greenisland EARS again, with 1950 points. From the tables, it can be seen that there was a close-run competition for the top of this section. 3rd place is taken by Shefford & DARS, with 1654 points. Last year's winner, Telford & DARS, was unable to make an appearance this time around, after many years vying for the top. We also look forward to their return in 2013.

Certificates. In addition to the Awards mentioned above, Certificates are awarded to all registered portable stations in the winner or runner-up position in all sections and bands and to the leading stations in each UK country. Additionally, Wexford VHFG is awarded a Certificate for the leading overseas Group entry.

FIXED SWEEPERS RESULTS

Certificates are awarded for each band as follows: Band Leader plus, if appropriate, Gold, Silver and Bronze awards for contacting 90%, 75% and 50%, respectively of Registered VHF NFD stations. A  list of all stations which had registered by the closing date was published on the RSGB Contest Committee website for this purpose.

There were no gold awards this year. 2011 saw the first and only such award, which then went to G3MEH. Now you know who will be the 2013 target, Roger.

50 MHz: FSO Band Leader and Silver Award: G4ELJ.

 FSO Bronze Award: G4SHF, G0LGS.

 FSR Band Leader and Bronze Award: G3RRS.

 FSR Bronze Award: G1WAC, G0BBB.

70 MHz: FSO Band Leader and Silver Award: GW8ASD.

 FSO Silver Award: G3NPI.

 FSR Band Leader and Bronze Award: G8CUL.

 FSR Bronze Award: G4VPD, G3RRS, G4RYV, G8LZE.

144 MHz: FSO Band Leader and Bronze Award: G0BBB.

 FSO Bronze Award: GM4JR, G4BRK.

 FSR Band Leader and Silver Award: M0WAF.

 FSR Bronze Award: G0TPH, M0BTZ, G4SHF, M0PNN, G3PIA, G4CTU.

  FSR Bronze Award: G0LGS, G1WAC, G4HUN, GW8ASD, M0NST.

432 MHz:  FSO Band Leader:  GM4JR.

 

 FSR Band Leader and Bronze Award: G4NBS.

 

1296 MHz: FSO Band Leader and Bronze Award: G8EOP.

 FSO Bronze Award: G4BRK.

 FSR Band Leader:  G4NBS.

 FSR Bronze Award: G4KCT.

CHECK LOGS. There were a lot this year. Together with computer-generated virtual logs,  these provided helpful assistance to the adjudicators when cross-checking the logs of entrants. Check Logs are gratefully acknowledged from the following, several of whom forwarded logs for a number of bands:

G0UUU/P. YL3AGV, G3TXF, G8HGN, G3WRR, M0SAT, M0PCB, G3UFY, M0CEF, G3VQO, GW3VQO/P, RA2FF, GW4RWR, G0HGH, GX0OOO/P, G3ZMF, G4YSS, MW0ATI, M0TTG/P, M0GKG/P, G1MZD/P, G4HSU, RN2FG, G4GTH, G8MIA, M0ZEY, G0FBB/P, G4ADV/P, M0ZEY.

BAND REPORTS.

Note that in the following, a convention is adopted so that G, for example, means all English prefixes: G, M and 2E. GM means all Scottish prefixes: GM, MM and 2M. DL means all German prefixes and so on. The UK numbers do not include those of Portable or Fixed Sweeper entrants, but only those they worked (ie non-entrants and checklogs).  

50 MHz. 372 individual callsigns were worked (648 in 2011, 819 in 2010). For all, nothing was worked, nor was to be heard, beyond near-Europe. This year, the magician's hat was devoid of surprising content. Nations and stations worked are as follows: 9A: 6,  9H: 1, DL: 5, EA 2 (26 last year), EI 11, F: 1 (11 last year) , G: 288 (346 last year)  GD: 7, GI: 2, GM: 15, GU: 2, GW: 22 (down a third)  ON: 6 OZ : 1, PA: 8, S2: 5,

The greatest number of QSOs, 146 (239 last year), was netted by Wexford VHFG (IO62) in Open section. The greatest number of QSOs by a UK station – 117 went to Windmill CG again (JO01), also in Open section.

EI9E/P Wexford VHFG described the conditions as miserable with hardly any Sporadic E and poor Tropospheric propagation. Several other entrants would have been delighted to find conditions that good!  G2AS/P Sheffield ARC was one of those, finding going hard, but enjoyable and vowing to be back next year.  G3VER/P Verulam ARC grumbled that the weather was diabolically wet, and radio conditions not much better. However as they said: “At least the equipment worked OK”. Sweeper  G4ELJ was pleased to find signals from Scotland and RoI were audible for most of the contest. Another Sweeper, G4SHF noted that the contest was great fun, as usual, but lacked a number of Registered portables. He pointed out that several portables appeared to be calling CQ very infrequently. [Ending a contact with “QRZ?” maybe?]. G6ZTT/P Mid Cheshire ARS had difficulty getting equipment to site because of the weather, but enjoyed the duration of the contest in the dry. They suffered strong noise from south to west which wiped out some weak stations. Finally, their large generator failed permanently at 19:40 UTC and ended their VHF NFD. Clearly out to win friends, GM3HAM/P Lothians RS remarked that they had to eat their our fish suppers in the glorious Saturday evening sunshine. GM3TAL/P Loch Fyne Kippers noted midges at s9+. GW2OP/P Pembrokeshire CG, out in the south-west corner of Wales, found the weather to be  relatively kind. They thought they had not allocated enough time for testing and vowed to organise their workload differently next year. Jim MM0BQI/P, the one-man with 3 bands portable station, could not access his original site due to flooding, so had to settle for a roadside location near the head of the valley. He found lots of noise on the bands but not many QSOs.  MM0CPS/P Cockenzie & Port Seton ARC found Friday poor for setting up antennas, but Saturday & Sunday were fantastic – with no wind and brilliant sunshine. However, their generator fuel pump failed and prompted a search of most of Dumfries & Galloway to get a replacement – with no success. Undaunted, a raid on the farmers workshop revealed a fuel pump, but this required much adaptation  to get working. Sadly, this resulted in stations on site running on much-reduced power for several hours. Nevertheless, this was a triumph for teamwork and ingenuity. They will be back next year, so they must have enjoyed it........

Band Leaders: Open: EI9E/P Wexford VHFG (IO62) - again, Open 1st UK: Windmill CG (JO01),  Restricted: G2LO/P South Birmingham RS (IO92) , Low Power: GI4GTY/P Lagan Valley ARS (again) (IO74), FSO: G4ELJ (IO91), FSR: G3RRS (IO91).

ODX achievements: Open: G6ZTT/P Mid-Cheshire ARS (IO83) with IT9TYR (JM78, Messina, Sicily) at 2161 km, Restricted: G2BQY/P Trowbridge & DARC (IO81) with IK8FOT (JN 70, Naples, Italy) at 1754 km, Low Power: GI4GTY/P Lagan Valley ARS (IO74) with G0FBB/P (JO01) at 587 km. FSO: G3TCT (IO81) with PA6TT (Eindhoven, south Netherlands) at 546 km. FSR:  M0XBF (JO01) with EI9E/P (IO62) at 517 km.

70 MHz. 161 individual callsigns were worked (198 in 2011). There was not a lot to be found outside the UK and RoI - except ON and PA, in quite significant numbers, plus singletons in OZ and SP. Nations and stations worked are as follows: EI: 2, G 117 (166 in 2011), GD: 1, GI: 2, GM: 7, GU: 1, GW: 8, ON: 6, OZ: 1, PA: 13, SP: 1:

The greatest number of QSOs, 86, proved to be a tie in Open Section between Wexford VHFG (IO62) and Camb-Hams (JO02).  Last year's QSO leader achieved 130.

Soapbox comments mirrored those for 50 MHz to a large extent. Perhaps the same teams operated on both bands.

G0VHF/P Colchester RA, however, commented that conditions here were as flat as those on 50 MHz. Or, in their words: ”maybe flatter than that!” EI9E/P Wexford VHFG found poor conditions and high local QRM levels.  They noted lots of MS bursts and pings, especially during Sunday afternoon, but the last couple of hours were unrewarding. G4ADV/P Newquay & DARS heard many stations but, with 20 watts, found it a little hard to get back  in some bad conditions. G2BQY/P Trowbridge & DARC thought it a shame that there was no Es, but found a good level of activity. G2LO/P South Birmingham RS expressed broadly the same view. Balanced neatly, G3VER/P Verulam ARC noted that the weather remained still diabolically wet, with no Es and poor Tropo, and fewer stations than last year.  Nevertheless, their gear worked faultlessly this year ! In a display of very responsible action, G4FOH/P North Bedfordshire Gentlemens' CG advised: “After reports of poor audio and off-frequency, which we couldn't fix on site, we decided to abandon 4 metres”. G7HAH/P Finningley ARS reported that stations worked were confined to the UK, except for (as with 6m) EI9E/P. They found that local QRM made this band a bit difficult at times, but despite this, they managed to work stations from up and down the country. Sweeper G8CUL thought that there were very few stations out portable this year.  Back-packing GX0OOO/P noted: “Low-Cloud, drizzle, hazy sunshine, wind 10 mph, temp 13-15C. Very boggy ground on way up. Tenth consecutive VHF-NFD from SOTA G.NP-008.  Pack weight 50 pounds including 30 Ah batteries. (63 pounds camp-over NFD 2011)”. [I think this displays a remarkable level of commitment and resilience].

 

Band Leaders. Open: EI9E/P Wexford VHFG (IO62), Open 1st UK: Pembrokeshire CG GW2OP/P (IO71), Restricted: Lothians RS (IO74), Low Power: Greenisland EARS (IO74). FSO: GW8ASD (IO83), FSR: G8CUL (IO91). All in all, an interesting spread of Locators,  suggesting that points per QSO favoured entrants lying at the UK extremities on this band – just as it did last year.

ODX achievements: Open: EI9E/P Wexford VHFG (IO62) with SP3RNZ (JO92, between Poznan & Lodz, Poland) at 1701 km, Restricted: GM3HAM/P Lothians RS (IO74) with ON4IQ (JO20, nr Brussels, Belgium) at 718 km. Low Power: GI4FUE/P Greenisland EARS (IO74) with G5LK/P (JO01) at 612 km. FSO: G3NPI (IO92) with MM0BQI/P (IO85) at 453 km. FSR: G4RYV(IO91) with GM4HAM/P (IO74) at 453 km.

144 MHz. 1105 individual callsigns were worked (1472 in 2011). The contact footprint was similar to last year, but extended a little further into the Baltic and north-eastern Europe,. This band continues as the main traffic-carrier and kept most stations busy for the duration, albeit at a reduced pace. Nations and stations worked are as follows: DL: 154, EA: 1, EI: 20, F:136, G: 569 (876 last year), GD: 6, GI: 7, GM: 42, GU: 2, GW: 41, HB: 7, LY: 2, OE: 1, OK: 11, ON: 40, OZ: 2, PA: 53, SP: 4, UA2 : 6, YL: 1.  

The greatest number of QSOs, 382, was worked by Verulam ARC (IO91) in Open section. Last year's QSO leader achieved 465.

G1MZD/P reported that he worked all that could be heard in 1.5 hrs, before it rained again and got dark. He has no shack, hence /P.  G3CKR/P Warrington CG noted very low UK activity due  to the weather, netting 40 QSOs less than in 2011. They missed some HB9s and OL4A, finding low power insufficient to make contact. Joyfully, only one shower hit on Saturday afternoon, bringing 20 minutes of static interference. They thought that some good mainland Europe activity was revealed by the absence of some powerful stations and which would not have been audible in previous years. G3RSC/P Sutton Coldfield RS was unable to use the usual site due to wet ground, so was forced to set up on another. Their main problem was turning their beam – trying 2 rotators, but still the problem remained. G3WM/P Maidstone YMCA ARS had a pretty bad time, suffering bad weather, little activity, a dropped mast, failed relays, a broken antenna and a bent antenna. G3ZTT/P Mid-Cheshire ARS enjoyed (suffered?) a short but sweet VHFNFD through a failed main generator on Saturday evening. Their mess-tent generator was pressed into action until its fuel ran out.  G7HAH/P  Finningley ARS had no rotator for this band, so relied on the Armstrong method to rotate the pump-up mast on their van and offered apologies for the long time taken to beam-up. GM0FRC/P Falkirk & DARS battled rain and cold, but at least there was no added wind-chill. They experienced a moist and midgy to pack up – just part of joyous summer weather. Another saga of misfortune comes from M0NFD/P Northern Fells CG: Interference, Equipment failure, Poor conditions, Poor Weather, Low Activity! The great compensation came in the form of Pauline's cooked breakfast which was enjoyed by all.  M0TTG/P Tall Trees CG suffered horrendous QRN from a power company overhead line fault . They were pleased to learn that a repair was effected 30 minutes after the contest ended.

Band Leaders. Open: Windmill CG (JO01),  Restricted: North East Surrey CG (IO91), Low Power: Warrington CG (IO93), FSO: G0BBB (IO91), FSR: M0WAF (IO92).

ODX achievements. Open: G3VER/P Verulam ARC (IO91) with F4EE (JN12 nr Perpignan, French Pyrenees) at 1034 km. Restricted: G6IPU/P Bittern DXG (JO02) with OK2M (Pizen – south west of Prague, Czech Republic) at 934 km. Low Power: G3CKR/P Warrington CG (IO93) with HB9EI (JN37, Rivera, Ticino Canton, south Switzerland) at 924 km. FSO: G0BBB (IO91) with OZ1ALS (JO44, Guderup nr Danish/German border) at 812 km. FSR: M0WAF (IO92) with DL0GTH (JO50 Thuringer Wald, central Germany at 789 km.

432 MHz. 328 individual callsigns were worked (402 in 2011).  Once again, the worked footprint is very similar to that of 144 MHz, but the population is less (circa 30%) and likewise the QSO rate. Yet again, the overnight session was unrewarding. It is a pity that the march of noise cancellation techniques has not yet advanced to reduce the volume of the rain hitting the tent or caravan roof.

Nations and stations worked are as follows: DL: 43 (76 last year), EI; 10, EU: 1, F: 18, G: 194 (219 last year), GD: 1, GI: 3, GM: 5, GW: 15, HB: 2, LY: 2, OK: 5, ON: 2, OZ: 2, PA: 17, SP: 2, UA2 (RN2): 4, YL: 1.

The greatest number of QSOs, 121, was worked by Camb-Hams (JO02) in Open section, just pipping Wexford VHFG (IO62) by one.

G0FBB/P Windmill CG commented that conditions did not appear to be anything special. However, they did manage to finish the contest with an amplifier which worked better at the end than it did at the beginning - but with the penalty of consequential downtime for adjustments. G3SRC/P North East Surrey CG observed sunshine, much rain, some thunder & lightning and then a little sunshine again. They found progress was slow but steady. The QSO count was quite good, but found the log packed with low-scoring semi-locals, interspersed with some respectable DX (GM and DL). However, it could not last and after 2 hours of nothing but pink noise after midnight Saturday, the operator's eyes closed for 5 hours or so – until the silence of an unfuelled generator galvanised reaction. A new driver transceiver and a breathed-on transverter delivered all the benefits hoped-for. The absence of some big-guns also enhanced reception pleasure. G4ADV/P Newquay & DARS noted no continentals in the log and conditions lousy. They were not helped by an inability to access their regular site, Murphy visited when the computer log froze and some logging information was lost, They were pleased with those who turned their beams towards Cornwall. Sweeper GW8ASD entreated portables to call CQ more often and announce frequencies they are QSYing to. [A personal observation on the latter point: Most times I do not know whence I am qsying, after completing a contact on a frequency which was not mine. It will be not above .350 and not below .170, because only dragons live there. It will not be on .300. It will be on a spot which avoids any occupied transitorily by stations – usually calling CQ – which are very loud with me. It will be one where there is no response to the question: Is the frequency in use please?”]. And so to end this band with another tale of woe: M0NFD/P Northern fells CG found poor conditions and low activity. The weather started fine but soon got wet! They started with 2 x 21 elements and finished with 1 x 12 element antenna.

Band Leaders. Open: EI9E/P Wexford VHFG (IO62), Restricted: G6IPU/P Bittern DXG (JO02), Low Power: G3CKR/P Warrington CG (IO93), FSO: GM4JR (IO85), FSR: G4NBS (JO02).

ODX achievements: Open: EI9E/P Wexford VHFG (IO62) with PI4GN (JO33, nr Groningen, north coast of Netherlands) at 909 km. Restricted:  G8OHM South Birmingham RS with DL0GTH (JO50 Thuringer Wald, central Germany)  at 865 km. Low Power: G3CKR/P (IO93) with DR9A (JN48, nr Baden-Baden, Black Forest, Germany) at 877 km. FSO: G3MEH (IO91) with DL0GTH (JO50 Thuringer Wald, central Germany) at 805 km. FSR: GW8ASD (IO83) with DF0MU (JO32, nr Muenster, German/Dutch border) at 706 km.

1296 MHz. 80 individual callsigns were worked this year, in comparison with around 140 on each of the previous three years.  Nations and stations worked are as follows: DL: 11 (22 last year), EI: 2, F: 3, G: 52 (93 last year), GM: 2, GW: 2, PA: 12, UA2: 5, YL: 2. The worked footprint was similar to 2011 but drawn-in at the east.

The greatest number of QSOs, 40, was secured by Reigate ATS & Crawley ARC (JO01) in Open section. In 2010, the top number of QSOs netted was 81.

For many years, I have remarked that this is the most popular (sic) band for bemoaning the level of activity and conditions. In fact, numbers of entrants, QSOs and ODX has been pretty stable over several preceding years, [yes, there is a “but” coming], but this year was indeed grim from all aspects. EI9E/P Wexford VHFG reported mising a number of contacts at the beginning because of antenna phasing troubles.  They were pleased with the performance of their new solid state amplifier, but found conditions poor and a tune across the band often resulted in hearing no signals! G0FBB/P Windmill CG found that everything went wrong on this band. Their new solid state amplifiers  blew up before contest start and made 1 qso to prove the rest was working. They submitted this as a check log. G2AS/P Sheffield ARC believed that there was very little UK support and activity. They questioned why UK operators do not support their clubs in field days. They noted the absence of many regular entrants and reasonable propagation too. At least they escaped much of the weather with only a couple of showers. M0NFD/P Northern Fells CG, in the only comment on Rules offered by a portable station for any band, thought that the session should be shortened to concentrate activity – suggesting 6 hours on Sunday.

Band Leaders. Open: G5LK/P Reigate ATS & Crawley ARC (JO01). Restricted: G3OHM/P South Birmingham RS (IO92). Low Power G3CKR/P Warrington CG (IO93). FSO: G8EOP (IO93). FSR G4NBS (JO02).   

ODX achievements: Open: G3PYE/P Camb-Hams (JO02) with DL0GTH ((JO50, Thuringer Wald, central Germany) at 753 km. Restricted: G3OHM/P South Birmingham RS (IO92) with DL0GTH (JO50 Thuringer Wald, central Germany) at 877 km. Low Power: G3CKR Warrington CG (IO93) with DR9A (JN48, nr Baden-Baden, Black Forest, Germany) at 877 km. FSO: G4BRK (IO91) with PA0EZ (Hilversum, east  coast of Netherlands) at 456 km. FSR: G4NBS (JO02) with GM4CXM (IO75) at 503 km.

SIGN OFF. Congratulations to all those who have been awarded Trophies and Certificates and to all participants on behalf of Band and Overall Adjudicators: Ian G0FCT, Steve G8GSQ, Roger G4BVY, Bob G0KYS, Richard G4WFR and Commentator John G8IYS.