VHF NFD - 5th/6th JULY 2025

The total number of portable groups entering VHF NFD 2025 was 33 - two (4%) down on 2024. Entries were distributed between sections as follows: Open - three: Restricted - twelve: Low Power - six: Mix & Match - eight: Multi-Single - four. The distribution between sections was similar to 2024, but with a small increase in the Restricted Section at the expense of Open and Mix & Match.

Looking at the overall results, of the top three stations in the Open and Restricted sections four of the six were in the positions they took in 2024. However in the Low Power, Mix & Match and Multi-Single sections there was more variation. In these sections, only two of last year's top twelve groups (top three groups in each of four Sections) appeared this year.

The total number of portable logs received across the five bands was 111, around 7% down on 2024. The distribution was as follows: 6m - 24, 4m - 24, 2m - 30, 70cm - 20 and 23cm - 13.

One source of comment about VHF NFD weekend that is usually independent of band is the weather (always a favourite topic of discussion for the British of course...). However for some reason this year there seemed to be more weather related comments from 2m entrants than the other bands. Perhaps this was due to the fact that 2m was the only band running for the whole 24 hours....  Reports varied - after all the UK  is a big place - but although some entrants found the weather better on Sunday a greater number were afflicted by thunderstorms, rain (frequently torrential and often at teardown time) and wind sometimes reaching gale force.

On 6m, conditions were generally reported as poor. Although the band was reported as open to CT & EA8 before the start, only a few sporadic E contacts into the Balkans were made during the contest. The band was reported as a hard slog with activity on the decline.

There was very little sporadic E on 4m (although an S51 getaway was reported). Entrants generally found conditions flat although there was one report of reasonable tropo. As with 6m, activity was reported as poor.

2m conditions were generally reported as flat to reasonable, with a number of European stations audible or workable. QSB and a noisy band did not help.  Activity was generally reported as poor, although the appearance of backpackers on Sunday afternoon provided a welcome boost.

On 70cm conditions were found to be reasonable to poor with no tropo, although aircraft scatter was reported as helpful by two entrants. One entrant suggested introduction of postcodes to boost activity. Again activity was reported as poor.

There were fewer comments on 23cm than the other bands. Reports on conditions varied from dire through reasonable to nice with aircraft scatter again (as well as KST) being used to facilitate contacts. One station noted increased activity but felt that the 9am start missed the early morning lift.

As usual 'Schadenfreude Corner' makes interesting reading, but to balance things up some favourable items are included as well this year. (It is not clear whether there is an upbeat equivalent of Schadenfreude...). Comments on activity, conditions and weather are not included specifically!

'Chinese was good'

'Small effort after many decades of absence'

'First attempt at NFD in about 40 years so everyone very well pleased'

'Chow Mein takeaway superb'

'A paltry 50 QSOs[on 6m]. It only makes sense when you add the beer'

'Murphy visited us when the Nacton transverter turned out to have gone deaf during its 12 months of storage!'

'Nothing more fun than soaking wet canvas'

'Didn't even work my own country[on 4m]'

'Not a site I will use again'

'My first non-SOTA NFD in 22 years - busted Achilles!'

'Preamp expired just before start so RX a little deaf'

'Antenna problems at start made for a challenging day'

'Technical problems resulted in us losing the first hour'

Well, that's it for another year - thanks to all for taking part and congratulations to trophy and certificate winners. Look forward to seeing you in VHF NFD 2026 - in a more conducive (or possibly conductive?!) environment!

Quin Collier G3WRR