AFFILIATED SOCIETIES SSB CONTEST 2002.

Some 200 stations representing 84 teams took part in this years SSB AFS contest in January. This is an increase of approximately 10% on the previous year. Making a welcome first appearance in AFS this year were several Foundation License holders. Some confusion had led to odd callsigns being used and the rather unique ME3 prefix caused several competitors to do a ‘double take’ at the time.

Congratulations to the Lichfield ARS ‘A’ team, who had a comfortable lead of 770 points over second-placed De Montfort University ARS, and who take the Fight Refueling ARS Trophy. However the leading individual station was Andy, G4PIQ, who with 3120 points heads the third-placed Martlesham DX and Contest Group team effort and takes the RSGB Lichfield Trophy. Special mention should be made to Ron, GW3YDX, who came third in individual listing with 3020 points. Ron was most unfortunate to suffer two power cuts during the contest and he managed only three hours and seven minutes of operating. One wonders what might have been. Mention should also be made of Roger, G0AOZ, who used a full-wave doublet to boost his 100-watt signal into 17th place in the individual listing.

Most people that made comments said it was an enjoyable event and many references were made about the ’busy’ nature of the band and the lack of space. Logging accuracy was fair, though a number of the competitors lost a significant proportion of their score to errors. No doubt the high activity and fast pace of the event is a significant factor in this.

Justin Snow, G4TSH.