50 MHz CW 2012

This year sees the return of the 50MHz CW contest after a considerable gap.  The last record of this event that I can find was in June 1992.  Since then the band has changed considerably with higher power limits, many more active countries and the majority of HF rigs now including 50MHz.  The event was well supported with forty eight stations entering which included a number of "HF" stations moving up in frequency.

Tropo conditions were poor with slow deep QSB.  Sporadic E was present throughout the event but was at best - sporadic!  In total there were 207 stations in 87 locator squares recorded in the entries.  Only 17% of the contacts made were by Sporadic E.

A number of stations will notice that their scores have been reduced from their claimed totals.  Interestingly there were three main sources of errors.  Locator errors made up 37% of all errors.  A lack of familiarity with the locator system was evident as there were a number of intra G contacts claimed with distances between 1000 and 9500 kms.  RST errors accounted for 20% of the errors with the major error being stations recording 599 when "real" signal reports had been sent.  Finally "not in log" accounted for 19% of the errors.  With the poor conditions stations assumed that it was their call that was being answered, whereas the reality was different.

Congratulations go to:

G4TSW - operated by Tim, G4FJK and Alan, G0IFC for winning the Open section.

Steve, G3ZVW who won the SF section.

The other certificate winners who are identified in the results tables.

Roger - G4BVY