70MHz CW CONTEST - 14/5/2023

The number of entries in the 2023 70MHz CW Contest was 21 (six in section AO, ten in section AR, five in section AL plus one check log) - a disappointing 30% down on 2022 but one entrant up on 2021 in what appears to have been a volatile entry level in recent years. A total of 48 valid callsigns appear in the logs - from eight DXCC entities (DL, EI, G, GM, GU, GW, ON and PA), 17 big squares and 29 post codes: again, all these were down on 2022. The best DX was between G3TCU/P (IO91) and DL6BF (JO32) at 617km.

Congratulations go to the section leaders:

Open - Phil Guttridge G3TCU/P (who also wins the Bill Capstick G3JYP Memorial Award) for the second year running

Restricted - David Warr G4RQI

Low Power - Dave Page G7WHI.

A number of entrants reported difficulties resulting from the change of postcode for Norfolk - but noentrants were inappropriately penalised. Conditions were generally reported as poor, with the most optimistic view being 'reasonable'. No sporadic E was reported this year, but aircraft scatter assisted with several contacts. A couple of stations reported getting on late - one having been delayed by a gate being unexpectedly locked leading to an unwanted bucolic trek. Perhaps the most optimistic comment received was 'great wx'.... Let's hope for better things in 2024!

Quin Collier G3WRR

g3wrr@rsgbcc.org