4th 144MHz Backpackers Contest of 2010

15 stations submitted an entry for the penultimate session of the 144 MHz Backpackers contest. The weather was kind to many of the entrants with no rain and light winds. However, the lack of activity was a problem to several of the entrants. The best DX of the contest was worked by Andrew G4XZL/P; DF0MU at 609km.

Congratulations to:

Winner: Hill Toppers (10H): Paul Selwood, G8BGV/P
Runner-up: Hill Toppers (10H): Tony Crake , G0OVA/P
Winner: Backpackers (3B): Rhys Thomas, GW4RWR/P
Runner-up: Backpackers (3B): Ron Price, GW4EVX/P
Highest placed Intermediate Station: Paul Johnson, 2E0TXT/P

Check logs are gratefully acknowledged from G1MZD, G3LVP, G3UFY, G6NHU, G8APB, G8ZRE, GM8OTI/P and GW3NYY/P.

Ian, G0FCT

Section 10H
Pos	Callsign	Locator	QTH/Postcode	QSOs	Score	Multiplier	Total	ODX Call	ODX Kms	Power	Ant	Equipment
1	G8BGV/P	JO01	CM	47	8,356	55	459,580	GI4SNA	548	10	6 Ele DK7ZB	FT817 + lin + Pre Amp
2	G0OVA/P	IO91	GU	38	7,717	52	401,284	DF0MU	552	10	13 EL TONNA	IC706
3	G4HUN/P	IO92	SG	38	6,076	51	309,876	DF0MU	502	5	9 ele Tonna	FT817
4	G4XZK/P	IO93	SD	29	4,872	39	190,008	G6HIE	294	10	7 ELEMENT YAGI	YAESU 897D
5	G4FSU/P	IO81	BS	18	2,941	26	76,466	G6NHU	278	5	SOTA 3 element yagi	FT-817
6	G7NBE/P	IO92	LE	8	1,165	18	20,970	GI4SNA	363	10	9 element beam	FT897
Section 3B
Pos	Callsign	Locator	QTH/Postcode	QSOs	Score	Multiplier	Total	ODX Call	ODX Kms	Power	Ant	Equipment
1	GW4RWR/P	IO82	LL	52	7,857	57	447,849	G6NHU	332	3	9el	IC-202e
2	GW4EVX/P	IO83	LL	62	7,220	54	389,880	M0REG/P	306	2.5	5 Ele ZL Special	Yaesu FT817
3	GW0RMX/P	IO81	NP	36	5,148	41	211,068	G6NHU	281	3	13 Yagi	IC202
4	G4XZL/P	IO91	RG	27	4,274	37	158,138	DF0MU	609	3	6 Element DK7ZB yagi	FT-817
5	G4ALE/P	IO91	GU	21	3,303	31	102,393	GD0TFG/P	419	3	5 EL DIAMOND	FT847
6	M0REG/P	IO90	BN	21	3,345	28	93,660	DF0MU	548	3	5-ele homebrew Yagi	Icom IC-706
7	2E0TXT/P	IO83	BB	20	3,182	29	92,278	G7RAU	333	2.5	MOXON	Yaesu FT817
8	2E0FSR/P	IO84	BD	15	1,590	19	30,210	GI4SNA	252	2.5	SOTA beam SB270	Yaesu FT817ND
9	MW0DSZ/P	IO82	SY	8	1,091	15	16,365	G8BGV/P	289	3	Moxon	FT817

Comments from the Logs:

2E0FSR/P

Quite breezy but dry

G0OVA/P

Most unpopulated contest ever!!! Very poor conditions (thought I had a fault somewhere!!) Still did make DL and PA!

G3LVP

Otherwise occupied earlier, came on @ 1400 to give some points away. Could only find 3 GW's to work. Put out CQ's all round the compass but no replies. Perhaps the rest of the /P's had given up & gone to the pub?

G4ALE/P

Worked all we could hear except DL. wx poor. Bigger beam next time! Aircraft QRM from RAE! Great to work GD/p last QSO!

G4FSU/P

Could have done with a little more activity but a fun couple of hours before packing up to miss the rain

G4XZK/P

Nice sunny day, moderate wind. Complaint from the national park ranger because I did not have a license to erect an aerial in the Peak district (oops)!

G4XZL/P

Excellent contact into Germany, but didn't hear any other continental activity unfortunately. Record number of GW stations worked!!

G6NHU

Checklog. Just giving away points. Conditions were very flat today.

G7NBE/P

Only time for 1 hour operating.

G8ZRE

CHECKLOG WORK COMMITMENTS. Very quite conditions, glad to give CH mult to entrants.

GM8OTI/P

Very quiet, so gave up after an hour.

GW3NYY/P

Tropo conditions slightly above flat. Nothing heard from the continent. Activity seemed rather low - I had to resort to FM to make any contacts after 1315 UTC.

GW4RWR/P

Low activity, 25 mins gap between contacts near end. Condx normal, PA & ON beacons at normal strength. Nice sunny wx for a change.

M0REG/P

Sat in cloud and steady rain - glad of tent. Very slow going. Battery gave out after 2.5 hours and only 21 QSOs

MW0DSZ/P

Poor propagation for me....