1st 1.8 MHz Contest 2026 Summary

Three changes were introduced to the rules for this year's event:

Self-spotting was permitted for Assisted entries.

Remote operation of the station was allowed.

Entries can be submitted as Single Operator or Multi-Operator.

A total of 50 logs were received (including check logs), down from 76 the previous year. This represents the lowest entry level in nine years and continues with the recent downward trend. The number of non-UK entries also declined significantly, falling by 37%.

Despite the reduced entry numbers, many stations were active, with the concurrent PACC contest once again providing valuable additional activity, particularly from the Netherlands. However, several operators reported difficulties completing QSOs with some of these stations.

Propagation conditions were challenging. No DX contacts outside Europe were claimed, although many stations reported hearing K1LZ but were unable to complete a QSO.

As in previous years, the most successful strategy across all sections was the use of both CW and SSB modes.

Congratulations to Tim G4ARI and Steve GW9J (GW0GEI), who took the top spots in the UK Unassisted and Assisted categories. Tim G4ARI is awarded the Somerset Trophy as the highest-scoring UK station.

The standard of logging was encouraging, with 65% of UK entrants and 33% of Overseas entrants submitting error-free logs.

Congratulations to all certificate winners and thank you to those who submitted the four check logs.

Eoin M0NVK