4th 144MHz Backpackers Contest of 2011

4^th 144MHz Backpackers Contest of 2011

The 4^th 144MHz Backpackers contest is normally run `stand-alone', that is not associated with another RSGB 2m contest. This year, as an experiment, this contest was moved to coincide with the 144MHz Low Power Contest. A similar number of stations entered this year (14) as last year (15). Some of the usual Backpacker entrants elected to enter the 144MHz Low Power Contest instead.

Congratulations to:

Winner: Hill Toppers (10H): Walt Davidson, G3NYY/P
Runner-up: Hill Toppers (10H): Ashley Edwards, M0BAO/P
Winner: Backpackers (3B): Keith Haywood, G8HXE/P
Runner-up: Backpackers (3B): Andrew Vare, G4XZL/P
Leading Intermediate Station (3B): Paul Swingewood , 2E0CVU/P

Thank you to the entrants of the 144MHz Low Power contest for their check logs.

Ian, G0FCT

Section 10H
Pos	Callsign	Locator	QSOs	Score	Multiplier	Total	ODX Call	ODX Kms	Power	Ant	Equipment
1*	G3NYY/P	IO82	70	10,380	62	643,560	PA0SJE	580	10	5 over 5 slot fed yagi	FT857D
2*	M0BAO/P	IO80	38	7,110	41	291,510	GI4SNA	470	10	13 ELE	IC7000
3	G1ARU/P	JO02	35	6,834	40	273,360	TM2A	529	10	9el Tonna	IC706MkIIG
4	G4ALE/P	IO80	22	4,878	30	146,340	G1ARU/P	396	3	9 el Tonna	FT857
5	G3BPK/P	IO83	23	3,172	30	95,160	G4XZL/P	345	10	12 Element Yagi	IC746
6	G3VER/P	IO91	33	2,843	33	93,819	G4ALE/P	271	10	Diamond 10el Yagi	FT897
7	MM1APS/P	IO85	4	477	9	4,293	GW4RWR/P	293	10	5-el quad	TM255E
Section 3B
Pos	Callsign	Locator	QSOs	Score	Multiplier	Total	ODX Call	ODX Kms	Power	Ant	Equipment
1*	G8HXE/P	IO83	56	7,307	48	350,736	G4XZL/P	351	2	SOTA SB5	FT817
2*	G4XZL/P	IO90	37	7,109	44	312,796	G8HXE/P	351	3	9 Element DK7ZB yagi	FT-817
3*	2E0CVU/P	IO92	52	5,216	46	239,936	GI4SNA	351	2	3 Ele Homebrew	FT-817ND
4	M0REG/P	IO90	17	2,907	24	69,768	G8HXE/P	340	2	5 el Yagi	FT-817
5	GW8OVZ/P	IO71	12	2,442	21	51,282	G4SIV	331	2	3 elelemt SOTABEAM	FT817ND
6	2E0HRD/P	IO93	16	1,749	24	41,976	G0VHF/P	235	2	9 element	FT-290MkII
7	MW5ABH/P	IO71	7	1,732	16	27,712	G0VHF/P	446	2	3ele sota	FT817
* = certificate

Comments from the logs:

2E0CVU/P

Very slow to start. Worked some good inter G DX. WX sunny spells until pour down at 16 00 Activity was very poor. Where was everyone?

G1ARU/P

Hard going. Poor conditions and activity. (Power reduced to 10w and measured using Diamond SX-200 Power/SWR meter)

G3BPK/P

Very, Very noisy band all day. Not a good idea to have 3 contests with different power levels on at the same time. Us small stations were completely blotted out by the "big guys" and the splatter was horrendous up and down the band! Never again!

G3NYY/P

Conditions very flat, especially to the East. Activity seemed very low, particularly in the first and last hours of the contest. Weather sunshine and heavy showers, but at least there was no wind this time!

G3VER/P

A very enjoyable day. Very slow start but picked up on the start of the low power contest, last our very slow. Excellent weather conditions, part cloud so not too hot in the tent, one short shower.

G4ALE/P

Very slow 1st hour last hour. Flat condx but great wx!! Thanks to all for contacts

G4XZL/P

Wx fine, conditions average, activity generally low, no GMs heard. First hour just backpackers made it interesting. Last hour however only worked 4 stations! Can more stations please try beaming south!!

M0REG/P

Conditions fluctuated rapidly, possibly due to heavy rain. We still got good distance on 2.5W!

MM1APS/P

Miserable afternoon huddled under a tarpaulin and a pretty much deserted band as far as contesters go.

MW5ABH/P

Had high hopes for this holiday session from Pembrokeshire but just didn't hear many stns. Could have done with a bit of enhancement ! Wind and showers didn't help!