VHF National Field Day 4 – 5  July 2009                

This year saw a change from the structure which has been in place for several  years. The basic principle of a four-section multi-band portable contest remains untouched, but a new experimental section, to run alongside, was introduced for fixed stations entitled (until someone can suggest something better) “Fixed Sweepers”.

The objectives of the latter were to raise awareness of the pleasures of contesting, but without the rigours of true field day operation and also to get more stations on the air for the portables to work. Certificates were to be awarded, on a band-by-band basis, for fixed stations achieving (a) the highest score and (b) attaining one of three percentage-based levels of contacts with registered VHF NFD portable entrants.

Additionally, this was the first VHF NFD to employ the new robot entry system.

This enabled direct data-input in the formats of either a separate LOG and COV file or a combined LOG & COV file with a facility for auto feed-back to the entrant of any missing or anomalous items for their attention. Right up to the closing date, entrants were able to make as many corrective re-submissions as necessary.  

For those not already familiar with them, the  VHF-general and VHFNFD-specific Rules can to be found at http://www.rsgbcc.org/vhf/rules/09rules.  Participation levels show that the experimental new section has been well supported.  The entry process has been warmly welcomed, but any further comments are invited to be posted to Pete Lindsay at g4cla@rsgbcc.org. Both the structure and process will be reviewed in the coming months.

Check Logs are gratefully acknowledged from: Bryn G4DEZ, Les G3VQO fixed and portable, Ray GM4CXM, Phil G0UUU/P, Reading & DARC G3ULT, Scarborough Special Events Group GX0OOO/P, Toby MM0TSS/P (whose VHFNFD activities were curtailed by a lightning strike), Chepstow & DARS GW4LWZ/P, Gary CU2JT and Marcos EA1FAU/P.

Registrations and Entries.

224 entries for VHFNFD were received, of which 186 were registered. This compares with 215 and 193 respectively in 2008. Band distribution was as follows: 50 MHz: 53, 70 MHz: 40, 144 MHz: 58, 432 MHz: 49 and 1296 MHz: 24 – showing just minor changes from last year. Group entries by section did however reveal larger changes (2008 in brackets): Open: 14 (14), Restricted: 32 (22), Low Power: 17 (17), Mix & Match 13 (10). This maybe suggests some migration, for tactical reasons, into Mix & Match and new entrants opting for Restricted section rather than taking on the logistical challenges of Open. It is pleasing to see the numbers in Low Power section to be holding firm.

The Fixed Sweepers section attracted 84 entries overall . Band distribution was as follows: 50 MHz: 26, 70 MHz; 8, 144 MHz: 31, 432 MHz: 15 and 1296 MHz: 4.

Activity and Conditions.

This is the part of the commentary where simply reproducing the soapbox comments is likely to leave the reader with the conclusions that activity was better and worse and quiet compared with last year and conditions were lively and normal and dead by the same comparison. So, in addition to the soapbox, readers might find it illuminating to note how many different station callsigns from each nation appeared at least once in the logs of VHFNFD entrants. This does not include contacts between  VHFNFD entrants themselves, nor with or by Fixed sweepers, for by comparison they are small in number. If the exercise is repeated in 2010, then we might have a more statistical basis for comparison between successive years.

50 MHz

Nations and individual callsigns worked: England 373, Scotland 25, Wales 32, Northern Ireland 7, Isle of Man 2, Guernsey 2, Republic of Ireland 14, France Mainland 11, Corsica 1, Netherlands 14,   Portugal Mainland 18, Madeira 1, Spain Mainland 96, Balearic Is 6, Canary Is 10, Ceuta & Melilla 1, Gibraltar 1, Morocco 2, Mali 1, Italy Mainland 30, Sicily 4, Sardinia 2, Germany 3, Poland 15, Lithuania 1, Latvia 1 , Estonia 3, Finland 24, Denmark 2, Sweden 10, Czech Republic 9, Slovakia 1, Hungary 3, Montenegro 1, Croatia 26, Bosnia & Herzegovina 6, Slovenia 9, Serbia 19, Greece Mainland 5, Crete 2, Ukraine 1, Israel 1,  USA – Florida 2, Trinidad & Tobago 2. Guyana 1, Peru 1. Total 801 callsigns.

The greatest number of QSOs, 218, was netted by Wexford VHFG (IO62) in Open section.

This was certainly the most exciting of all bands with lots of contacts right to the outer periphery of Europe and north Africa. Also, some were rewarded with contacts with USA – Florida, Peru and Trinidad and Tobago. A Google Earth view of agglomerated logs, using dot kml files kindly created by Mike G0GJV, is quite fascinating and shows 5 concentric circles of contacts with peaks at intervals of 4 or 5 hundred km and then a big gap (no land) until 6 to 7000 km and then 10000 km. 

Many stations commented on the initial unwillingness of stations in the USA and Caribbean to give a serial numbers and/or a locator, or a locator with only 4 digits, and the fact that they changed their minds later. All entrants can be assured that the adjudicator dealt with this on an even-handed and impartial basis and no-one has been unreasonably penalised. The following guidance is not confined to just this band: We encourage entrants to put in their log what is actually heard off-air and, under these circumstances, to send separate comments explaining what has been logged and how they deduced the score which they are claiming.  Remember that claimed scores are only claims. Actual scoring is undertaken by the adjudicator, but he/she needs to understand your thinking. Keep a pen and paper handy

The leaders of all sections were well separated from the pursuing field, with Wexford VHFG (IO62) heading Open section, Cray Valley RS (JO01) heading Restricted section and MM0BQI (IO85) heading Low Power section.

It is appropriate for the first soapbox comment to come from Peter Day G3PHO on behalf of Sheffield ARC. It applies to all their bands of operation and it is repeated verbatim. “It was great to use the G2AS/P callsign in memory of Howard Booth, who died (as VK2AMD) last year aged 100. He founded our Sheffield club. It was a pleasure to meet him on my last visit to Australia”. Long may the memory of him continue. They enjoyed the contest too.  Verulam ARC commented on the superb openings, first to the east and then to southern Spain and beyond. Their intention was to run 400 watts on this band, but discovered the hard way all about the limitations of their generator. Reigate ATS & Crawley ARC found the Sporadic E interesting, but suffered interruption to their operations through a rig failure and a need to chase away grazing cows. Lothians RS confess to missing the Caribbean opening because they “went to the pub”. Cockenzie & Port Seton were delighted to have 3 newcomers to contesting in their team and were pleased that they performed so outstandingly well. We can all add our congratulations, too.

Open section (and by far the best overall) ODX was achieved by Windmill CG (JO01) for OA4TT (Peru) at 10276 km. Unless anyone knows better, this could constitute an all-time ODX record for VHFNFD. Restricted section ODX goes to Cray Valley RS (JO01) for 9Y4D (Trinidad) at  7174 km -  narrowly beating Newbury & DARS (IO91) for 8R1TO (Guyana) at 7153 km.   Low Power ODX goes to Mid-Sussex ARS (IO90) for 9Y4D at 7134 km – not bad for 10 watts to a 5 ele. FS ODX goes to CT4DK (Portugal - IM58) for OH1O (SW Finland) at 2225 km.

70 MHz

Nations and individual callsigns worked: England 126, Scotland 6, Wales 11, Northern Ireland 4, Isle of Man 3, Guernsey 1, Republic of Ireland 3, Slovenia 1. Total 155 callsigns.

The greatest number of QSOs, 103, was netted by Bracknell ARC & Flight Refuelling ARS (IO80) in Open section.  

Most comments compare the delights of Sporadic E-layer propagation (Es) on 6m with absence of it on 4m. It is tedious to attribute all the remarks that: “it was dull”, “very quiet”,”no Es”. Warrington CG did comment that they had made 65% of their total contacts in the first hour. Newquay & DARS report that they heard no DX and that their amplifier blew up through over-voltage from their generator. Mid-Lanark ARS, with some tinge of bitterness, report that they had built a new 8 element beam to facilitate all the DX they were going to work.

Entrants whose logging programs struggled and failed to record mixed mode contacts (eg SSB 57 one way and CW 569 the other) have not been penalised for what would otherwise have been an incomplete report. The Adjudicators warn that next year, contacts must be correctly recorded. Again, the following guidance is not confined to just this band:  Please check your logging software and operator training in advance. If all else fails, take notes at the time and send in an explanation with your entry.

The leader in Open section, Wexford VHFG (IO62), and in Restricted section, Lothians RS (IO74) ended with a significant gap between themselves and followers in the table. Low Power section, however showed a neck and neck battle to the finish between 1st and 2nd places, with Warrington CG (IO93) just pipping Loch Fyne Kippers (IO75).

Open section (and best overall) ODX was achieved by Wexford VHFG (IO62) for S51DI at 1755 km (WOW).  Restricted section ODX goes to Clifton ARS (JO01) for Loch Fyne Kippers (IO75) at 638 km. Low Power section ODX goes to Loch Fyne Kippers (IO75) for (surprise) Clifton ARS (JO01) at 638 km. FS ODX goes to G3JYP for Reigate ATS & Crawley ARC (JO01) at 457 km.

144 MHz

Nations and individual callsigns worked: England 875, Scotland 80, Wales 69, Northern Ireland 19, Isle of Man 3, Guernsey 2, Jersey 1, Republic of Ireland 20,  France 168, Belgium 9, Netherlands 65, Spain Mainland 80, Balearic Is 4, Canary Is 3,  Portugal 32, Morocco 1, Germany 163, Switzerland 9, Austria 1, Czech Republic 6, Norway 1, Denmark 4, Poland 1.  Total 1616 callsigns.

The greatest number of QSOs, 439, was netted by Reigate ATS & Crawley ARC (JO01) in Open section.

Most stations were visited by Es on the Saturday, with Extended Tropospheric propagation more prevalent on the Sunday. Good openings to the Iberian mainland, the Canary Is, the Balearics, and across the Straits of Gibraltar to CN8LI in Morrocco gave many their ODX . SP3OCC, in Poland sat singularly, furthest to the east to give others their ODX. The leader in Open section, Aberdeen VHF Group (IO86) and in Restricted section, Telford & DARS (IO82) both ended clearly ahead of  clusters of 3 or 4 in hot pursuit. Low Power section saw a stunning performance by the leader, Lagan Valley ARS (IO74) which left the rest of the field well behind. 

Verulam ARC commented that there seemed to be a reduced presence from Germany, but nevertheless were pleased to bag twice the number of QSOs compared with 2008. Bittern DXG, placed 3^rd in Restricted section, were pleased with their first attempt at VHFNFD. With that score, so they should be. Both Lothians RS and Moray Firth ARS conclude that they need more operators to improve their showing. So, any experienced operators willing to move permanently to IO74 or IO87, or take their holidays there at the beginning of July 2010, now know that you will be made very welcome by those groups.

Open section (and best overall NFD) ODX was achieved by Windmill CG for EA8AVI, Gran Canaria,  at 2915 km. Restricted section ODX goes to Cray Valley RS for EB8BRZ, Gran Canaria,  at 2907 km. Low Power section ODX goes to Galashiels & DARS  for EA7TL, Cadiz southern Spain, at 2118 km.  ODX for FS (and best overall for 144 MHz) goes to G0JJG for EA8AVI at 3007 km.

432 MHz

Nations and individual callsigns worked: England 274, Scotland 21, Wales 20, Northern Ireland 4, Republic of Ireland 1, Guernsey 2, France 15, Belgium 9, Luxembourg 1, Netherlands 28, Germany 65,  Austria 1, Czech Republic 2,  Denmark 5. Total 448 callsigns.

The greatest number of QSOs, 153, was netted by Colchester RA (JO01) in Open section.

Conditions were moderately good with the hours of night-time nothingness of 2008 joyfully absent. Everyone's beacon PA6NL stayed active throughout the 24 hours, this year. Colchester RA (JO01) stood out ahead in Open section, as did Middlesex DX Group (JO00) in Restricted section. In Low Power section, no-one came close to Warrington RS (IO93).  

Just about all groups believed activity to be down this year with much less doing to Germany and Netherlands. Cray Valley RS remarked that going was so slow that their PSU went to sleep. Wexford VHFG reported a late start with lots of equipment problems this year. Conversely, NE Surrey CG enjoyed seamless performance from their kit and were amazed to have everything set up with 2 hours to spare. Just to show that at least 2 Groups have their priorities right, both Lowestoft Dist & Pye ARC and West Bromwich Central RC praised the quality and volume of their breakfasts. 

Open section (and best overall) ODX was netted by Windmill CG for F5ICN Tarbes  French Pyrenees at 883 km. Restricted ODX goes to NE Surrey CG for OZ9EDR/P, Island of Serjero Denmark at 875 km. Low Power ODX goes to Warrington CG for DF2VJ Saarland Southern Germany, at 750 km. ODX for FS goes to G8IZY for PI4GN, VRZA HQ in Groningen Netherlands at 534 km.

1296 MHz

Nations and individual callsigns worked: England 84, Scotland 5, Wales 6, Northern Ireland 2, Isle of Man 1, Republic of Ireland 2, France 2, Belgium 1, Netherlands 19, Germany 18. Total 141 callsigns..

The greatest number of QSOs, 74, was netted by Reigate ATS & Crawley ARC (JO01), in Open section.

Conditions can be best described as unremarkable. Reigate ATS & Crawley ARC (JO01) led Open section,  South Birmingham RS (IO82) led Restricted section and Warrington CG (IO93) led Low power section - all by substantial margins.

South Birmingham RS (IO82) were better pleased with their performance this year.  Telford & DARS ((IO82) and Trowbridge & DARC (IO81) resorted to use of ON4KST (note this is the only band in VHFNFD where this is permitted). The former did not note much benefit but the latter is convinced that, without its use, some contacts would not have taken place.   Aberdeen VHFG (IO86) suffered the gremlins with a failed PA early on and thought 2009 would reveal their worst-ever result. Sadly, they were correct. Moray Firth ARS had a good site, finding propagation to Europe good, but not much doing to the rest of the UK.  Warrington CG found activity to be up this year and were pleased with some good continental contacts. Goole R&ES 'B' (IO93) and Bracknell ARC & Flight Refuelling ARS (IO80) thought activity to be low.  Sheffield ARC (IO93) attributed what they saw as a poor UK turn-out to the tennis on TV.

Open section ODX  was obtained by Reigate ATS & Crawley ARC for DH9FM, N Bavaria Germany, at 729 km. Restricted (and best  overall) ODX goes to Trowbridge & DARC for DK0ZB Minden NordRhein - Westfalen Germany, at 766 km,. Low Power ODX goes to Warrington CG for DF2VJ Saarland Southern Germany, at 750 km. ODX for FS goes to G0JJG for DF0MU, Muenster NordRhein - Westfalen Germany,  at 433 km.

Logging Quality

The Adjudicators report that the quality of logging accuracy was varied. The spread ranged from satisfactory, ran through poor and ended at absolutely appalling. Indeed, a few logs were 100% errored. Many errors were down to the addition or subtraction of a /P, or mis-recording  a report or serial number. Better focus, a contest workshop, the use of headphones and a check-logger are some of the possible solutions here.

There are other circumstances, however, where solutions are simple and obvious:

Reading the rules, for what constitutes a contest exchange, tends to help.

Another key requirement is that the stations at both ends of the QSO acknowledge that they are working each other. This sounds obvious, but there were several instances where a contact is recorded in the log at one end, is not matched in the intended station's log, but appears in the log of a wholly different station. This usually arises when a CQ call is responded-to by the sending of a single callsign, with no mention of that of the caller. 

Also, a  frequent source of error is the logging of an implausible callsign or/and locator. Here are a few examples, all of which could and should have been spotted at the time. Perhaps everyone should keep a small locator map on the operating desk. 

G1KJG in JO30NT ? Given that this locator lies between Cologne and Bonn, maybe the prefix should be DG1.

Was that LY2TQ or YL2TQ in KO37LK ? Latvia, not Lithuania, occupies part of KO37, so the correct prefix must be YL2.

EN3FCB in JN11CK . Definitely not Ukraine with that locator. Much more likely  to be AN3FCB.

Signal quality.

This could become the subject of an annual lecture because every year there is an incident which is handled well and one which is handled badly. This year we have both situations, all rolled into one. A West Midlands station was found to be radiating a less than satisfactory 70 MHz signal. A fairly local station had heard good signals from this station earlier in the contest and alerted them to the problem. Together, they worked with various tests and adjustments until a solution was found. This took quite a while to complete, but both stations recognised their responsibility to give priority to the matter. All this activity was duly noted in their logs – both of which were examined by the Adjudicators and deemed exemplary in how to behave when this situation arises. Contrast this with a third station, local too, who also heard the poor signals, but took no action at all other than post-contest to complain to the Contest Committee – placing stress on how much he had suffered. I leave it to readers to draw their own conclusions as who merits praise and who deserves something else.

Overall Results, Awards and Certificates.

Open section.

Wexford VHF Group appear at the top of the table in # position with an overall score of 3782 points. For the benefit of newcomers, I should explain that only UK-based entrants are eligible for Awards and that the band-scores are likewise normalised against the highest scoring UK-based station. That is why Wexford's normalised scores on both 50 MHz and 70 MHz exceed 1000 points. Accordingly, the Contests Committee is delighted once again to present a Certificate for highest placed overseas entry and encourages them to return for another bout next year.

In official 1st place lies Reigate ATS & Crawley ARC with 3538 points - leaping from 4^th place last year. They are congratulated and receive the Surrey Trophy. In Runner-up slot lies Windmill CG, for the third year running, with 3423 points. In third place lies Cockenzie & Port Seton ARC with  3057 points. They retain the Tartan Trophy as highest-placed Scottish station for the third year running. Undoubtedly, feeling a little disappointed at 4^th place lies Colchester RA with 2849 points  - having occupied the winner's position for the previous 5 years.

Restricted section.

First place goes to Cray Valley RS with 3030 points -  jumping from 3^rd last year. They are congratulated and are awarded the Martlesham Trophy. Retaining Runner-up position for a second year is North East Surrey CG with 2803 points. In 3^rd place, up 1 from last year, lies South Birmingham RS  with 2734 points. Last year's winners Lothians RS sadly find themselves in 8^th place this time. However, they retain the Cockenzie Quaich, as highest placed Scottish station.

Low Power section.

First place, for the 3^rd year running, goes to Warrington CG with 3000 points. They are congratulated and retain the Arthur Watts Trophy. In 2^nd place lies Lagan Valley ARS with 2595 points. It is good to see a station from Northern Ireland so highly placed in the table – not to mention the Scottish groups who are in hot pursuit: Loch Fyne Kippers in 3^rd place with 2366 points who, for the 4^th year running, retain the Scottish Trophy as highest placed Scottish station, and MM0BQI in 4^th place.

Mix & Match section.

1^st place goes to Telford & DARS with 2646 points. Telford were Runners-up last year after a string of wins for several successive years. Last year, we wondered  what would this year bring. Well, now we know. Consequently they are awarded the G5BY Trophy. Congratulations. In 2^nd place lies Mid-Lanark ARS with 2407 points. In 3^rd position lies last year's winner Trowbridge & DARC with 2360 points.

VHF NFD Certificates. In addition to the Awards mentioned above, Certificates will be awarded to winners and runners-up in all sections and additionally to Wexford VHF Contest Group as the leading overseas entry.

Fixed Sweepers.

Certificates are awarded for each band as follows: Band Leader and Gold, Silver and Bronze Award for contacting 90%, 75% and 50%, respectively, of Registered NFD stations.

50 MHz

Band Leader CT1HAR, Bronze G4RYV

70 MHz

Band Leader & Bronze G3JYP, Bronze G8LZE

144 MHz

Band Leader & Bronze GM8OEG
Silver G8IZY
Bronze G0JJG, G0LGS, G4APJ, M1MHZ , G4PDS , G4RYV , G0BRC

432 MHz

Band Leader & Bronze G4APJ

1296 MHz

Band Leader G0JJG

Congratulations to all recipients of Awards and Certificates and all participants on behalf of Band and Overall Adjudicators:  Bob Edgar G0KYS, Ian Pawson G0FCT, Richard Cooper G4WFR, Roger Dixon G4BVY, Steve Thompson G8GSQ and Commentator:  John Simkins G8IYS.