The Christmas Contests are the last ones of the year.  For 2021 the format has been changed - from 4 bands on all 4 days to one day per band; and to points per kilometre (PPK) from points per qso (PPQ). Pre-event discussion on social media about the new rules ranged from 'great' to 'dreadful' with some stations declining to take part and others greeting the event with new enthusiasm.  The key difference for most was that it was no longer necessary to have 4 antennas in the air over 4 days but merely one antenna per day - which matches the AC's which many of us are prepared for.  PPK attracted no adverse comments and is arguably more suitable for VHF contests.

So what did the change achieve ?

QSO numbers were well up - for example the lead station on 432MHz on 29 December worked 26 stations in 2020 and 69 in 2021.  On 144 MHz the picture is less clear - in both years the lead station had 66 qso's.

In 2020 there were 101 unique entrants and in 2021 126.  And entrants per band were well up

Band	2020	2021
50	35	53
70	28	42
144	82	96
432	47	70

So the objective of increasing activity - especially away from 144MHz appears to have been achieved - but I'm sure VHFCC would welcome comments about the format.

Previous events have been favoured with tropo or Es - but this year the conditions were generally reported to be poor.

Congratulations to

Conrad PA5Y who was the leading non-UK station and who also had the highest overall score

Pete 2E0NEY who wins and is necessarily the highest placed Intermediate Station.  It's especially pleasing to see an Intermediate Licensee winning a contest.

John G3SQQ who was runner up having entered the AL Section - reminding us that good results can be had with modest setups if well handled.

Gary M7EGD/P who was the leading Foundation Station.

Tommy M7OMY who was leading Young Amateur.

I have awarded many certificates in the individual band tables.  One is worthy of specific mention - the contest in 144MHz AR where the top 2 are separated by just 2 normalised points - with 2E0NEY beating G7LRQ.

Congratulations to all certificate winners.

Stephen Purser GW4SHF