70 MHz Trophy 2014

After the excellent tropo conditions in 2013, this year was always going to be different.  However, Sporadic-E was present for virtually the entire event with the first QSO at 10:12 and the last at 15:59.  The weather was generally good across the UK although isolated thunderstorms forced a few stations off the air for short periods.  For the first time in many many years, no G stations ventured into GM.  The number of entrants for this event continues to show a steady increase with 55 this year.

 

The first Sporadic-E QSO was into OH.  In the next two hours nearly 100 QSOs were made into OH and ES.  Then from 12:30 onwards there was a more general opening into 9A, CT, EA, HA, I, IS0, OK, OZ, S5, SP, SV and YO with a further 400 QSOs taking place into these countries.  The opening built towards the end of the contest with 177 of these QSOs taking place in the final 30 minutes.  Unfortunately many entrants suffered with QRM from Eastern European broadcast stations.  The best DX was between M0NFD/P (IO95) and SV1DH at 2735kms.  Comments regarding the tropo conditions range from "good" to "poor"!  A full set of G-prefix countries were worked together with EI, ON and PA.  In total there were 268 stations active in 25 countries and 85 squares.

Logging standards were generally quite good with only 4.6% of contacts being judged as not valid.  On this occasion, callsigns and locators seemed to cause the most problems.  It should be noted that UK stations MUST send the full contest exchange including postcode to all stations.

Congratulations go to:

•  The Five Bells Group, G4SIV, for winning the Open Section and being awarded the VHF Managers Trophy;
•  Allan, GM4ZUK/P, who won the single operator (others) section and, as the highest scoring single operator entry, retains the Four Metre Cup;
•  Terry, G3MXH for winning the single operator (fixed) section;

and also to the other stations identified in results who will all receive certificates.

Roger - G4BVY