The adjudicator for this contest needs to have certain standard phrases pre-loaded into the word processor, the most important of which is, ‘Fraser Robertson, G4BJM, repeated his success in {insert contest and year, to head the table once again.’ Ropoco 2 completed a clean sweep of winning entries and perfect logs for Fraser in 2001, and he therefore receives both the G3XTJ memorial trophy for this event, and the G5MY trophy for the highest aggregate score from both events. This makes depressing reading for other entrants, who must hope that the HFCC offers Fraser a generous severance package, on order that they have a chance to win! Don Field, G3XTT, takes second place on this occasion. Many congratulations to both Fraser and Don.

This time, several dissenting views regarding a time change were received, although most still seem to want an alternative time slot. Of course, the views of non-entrants cannot readily be ascertained, and these may be a germane to the popularity of the contest. Nevertheless nearly everyone once again reported how much they enjoyed the event.

Now for the statistics! The number of perfect logs was down somewhat at four. The number of entrants remained virtually constant, as did the number of paper-based logs at seven. These seven logs were retyped for entry into the database of over 2200 lines of QSO information, used for the automatic cross checking, and compilation of errors. The mean error rate was about 5.3%, and the median approximately 4.5%, which considering the complexity of the exchange seems credible. Some readers may recall the old chestnut from WWII. In the North African campaign, the following message was sent to base using radio telephony: ‘The general is going to advance, please send him reinforcements.’ However, on arrival it read: ‘The general is going to dance, please lend him three and fourpence.’ Perhaps Ropoco entrants could have used CW to better effect!

Clive Whelan, GW3NJW.

Checklog received from G3XNG.

* indicates a Perfect Log