144MHz Trophy 2013

Generally the weather was kind to entrants this year but a number suffered from rain showers which generated some severe static rain at times and there was the occasional thunderstorm to keep people on their toes.  Reports on conditions varied from “reasonable” to “flat” and to “poor”.  In total nineteen countries appeared in the logs in one hundred and nine locator squares which included twenty nine UK squares.  There were twenty eight contacts greater than 900kms of which eight were greater than 1000kms.  G8P (JO01) and G8T (JO01) had their own private battle in these twenty eight DX QSOs with G8P achieving fifteen and G8T eight.  The other five were made by G3XBY/P (IO70), G2AS/P (IO93) and G5B (IO92).  The longer distances were worked into EA, HB9, OE, OK and SM.  The best contact was between G8T and OL7M at 1100km.  GM4VVX resorted to meteor scatter to work two stations at 1293 and 1416kms.

The numbers of entrants rose this year from 56 in 2012 to 66 this year. The increase was mainly in the single operator fixed section.  Despite this many entrants commented on the low level of UK activity.

Logging standards slipped this year with most of the leading stations losing between 5% and 8% of their scores.  Some of these errors can be attributed to using the entrants logs from DL, F, PA and ON as part of the adjudication process for the first time.   The errors were spread across all elements of the exchange: callsigns 21%; received RS(T) 25%; received serial number 17%; locators 28%; and 9% not-in-logs.   

Congratulations go to:

•  The Parallel Lines, G8P, who won the open section for the eighth year running to retain the Mitchell-Milling Trophy.
•  Roger, G3MEH, for winning the single operator (fixed) section and as the highest scoring single operator is awarded the Thorogood Trophy.
•  Dale, G3XBY/P, who won the single operator (others) section.
•  G9W, operated by Mark M0DXR, who won the six-hour (others) section.
•  Tony, GW8ASD, who won the six-hour single operator fixed section.

These stations together with those identified in the results tables will receive certificates.

Roger - G4BVY