CW National Field Day 2021

The rules for this contest were unmodified  from 2019 ( 2020 was cancelled). The QRP Renewable energy section and QRP sections were  more popular  . There were 42 entries from portable stations with 4 groups entering the QRP sections, 8 entering  the QRP Renewable Energy  section, 22 groups entering the Low Power Unassisted section and 8 groups entering the Low Power Assisted section. This is similar to the numbers in 2019.The Fixed Station section attracted 97 entries. This is an increase on the Fixed entry level for 2019, maybe reflecting less stations joining portable groups, due to Covid. Restrictions in Scotland  and Wales  and  other parts still affected  the participation I am sure.This year very few German stations were active due to Covid, so overall scores and activity was much  reduced. A surprise of mixed blessings ocurred with the appearance of stations in  the 'TC' contest. It was not always possible  to elicit initial responses from the 'TC' contest stations, causing frustration in some cases. It was good to find a number of  fixed German stations joining in, and many Russians in  their portable  contest, and some Canadian and USA fixed stations. VR2BLEE provided a welcome multiplier from  the Bruce Lee memorial station.

The  band  conditions were generally reported as poor on the higher bands, reflecting the state of  the sunspot cycle, and 10m was only briefly open  for some southern stations .The multiplier count was again most important in the final scores, not just QSO points. The weather was kind  to most  but rather wet in  the far south west.

The equipment in use was again mainly the Elecraft K3 series . The preferred antennas in the QRP and Low Power Unassisted sections were the usual 270  foot  doublets and dipoles, but one leading station used a vertical to maximise contacts with  the Russians on the lower  bands.The Low Power Assisted section generally favoured beams for the HF bands and dipoles for the LF bands, and doublets .

The winner in the QRP section was again Horsham ARC M5O/P, operated by G3LET, who receives the Reading QRP Shield. He used a vertical antenna, which went well except on 15 and 10m.The runner-up was the Loxlot club , M0RYB/P, operated by G0TZZ and M0RYB with a doublet; the leading  non UK and third place was OM3WZ/P using an FT817.

The winner in the QRP Renewable Energy section was G6XX/P, operated by G4FAL, using a wire antenna up a tree;.The runner-up was M3E/P operated by G4CWH, using an K3S and trap dipole; . DJ0MY/P  was in overall third place with a KX3 and tapped vertical antenna.

The winner in Low Power Unassisted Portable section was  G4FNL/P, the  Sussex Downs CG, operated  by G4FNL and G4BVH with a K3, who receive the NFD Shield. Last  time winner G2NF/P , the Radio Ga Ga group , are the runners up . In third place was  the Aberdeen club GM3A/P, operated  by GM4ZUK, GM4AFF and MMJ0Mwho found the going from GM tougher this year, The winner of the  Leading Single Operator award, the G3MVZ Memorial Cup, was G4SGX/P, The DeMontfort University ARS ' B' . .The leading non UK station was  DL0KF/P operated  by DL5XJ DG3EK and DL4LBK.

The UK&CD winner in the Low Power Assisted Portable section was G3PYE/P ,the Camb-Hams , operated  by G3ZAY M0BLF M0VFC  and M0WUT , using a Hex beam and  dipoles, who receive the Bristol Trophy.  The runner-up was  MW5A/P operated by G3WVG, using high dipoles,and FTDX101, for the 3 As West Group,  The Itchen Valley club   G5Z/P were third, operated  by G3OTK G8XEV G3XSD G4DKH  and G3HRH. The leading non UK station was S58MU/P operated  by S58MU S50X and S57PKT

In the Fixed Station section, the winner was  M0BEW with LZ5R   in the runner-up slot , followed by OE/HB9RB.

Logs and Adjudication;

Logs were of a good standard, with only a few time and serial number issues. Eliciting some contacts with the TC stations were initially dfficult,  and adjudication of the exchanges  with the TC stations caused  some concern. Indeed feedback from one group was received about exchanges with those TC stations.Some leeway was  however allowed , after consideration,and it is hoped that the date clash and at least  the inter contest exchange issues  will be resolved by next year .

Congratulations to all the winners and congratulations ,and many thanks, to all those groups who were able to get a station on the air.Thanks to all who sent in photos, it makes it more interesting!

73

Mike G3VYI