The Christmas Contests are the last ones of the year.  From 2021 the format was been changed from 4 bands on all 4 days to one day per band; and to points per kilometre (PPK) from points per qso (PPQ).  For 2024 the contests will happen a day later (27-30 December) and will run from 1500-1700.

Many entrants remarked on low levels of activity (G0XBU on 432MHz Sometimes waterfall completely empty. Tedius!).  Here are the numbers

In 2020 there were 101 unique entrants, in 2021 126, in 2022 97 and in 2023 81.

Band	2020	2021	2022	2023
50	35	53	40	28
70	28	42	33	27
144	82	96	68	60
432	47	70	57	51

Previous events have been favoured with tropo or Es but this year the conditions were generally reported to be poor.  And for those contemplating portable activity the weather was damp,cold and windy for most with a number of fixed stations being unable to raise aerials at all or at lower heights because of gales and otherwise poor weather.  Both these factors may have served to reduce the numbers of entrants.

Contest ODX was achieved in G6HPR/P's 432MHz QSO with GM0HBK/P at 591km, which tells you quite a lot about the conditions.

Congratulations to all certificate winners.

Stephen Purser GW4SHF