Final 2023 RSGB 80m CC Data Contest

The final run of the data part of the 80m CC series ran on the 27th July and 129 logs presented for adjudication, around twenty down on typical submissions. Perhaps summer holidays had an effect. Entrants once more reported variable conditions throughout although in general improving as the event proceeded. One station simply said Meh for the conditions, which made me smile.

An essential part of the 80m CC series is the RSGB Contest Club call being aired for valuable 5 point QSOs. The station is operated by various contesters throughout the series and without them the series would be the poorer. The operators all get a lot of enjoyment from it as they are on the go non-stop. It is akin to operating as a rare DX station. Richard Brokenshaw M5RIC operated the final G6XX station of the series. Our most sincere thanks to Richard and all the operators of G6XX for generously giving up their time for the benefit of all.

We have now concluded not only the DATA section contests but the entire 80m CC series, however let us focus on the DATA results for the moment which shows the following section winners in this month's event:

G4ENZ - 100W Assisted

M0RYB - 10W Assisted

M0NKR - 100W Unassisted

G4PIQ - 10W Unassisted

Applying these to the DATA results over the six events G4ENZ missed only the April event otherwise being top scorer in the 100W Assisted section. Very close on his heels and also missing an event comes G4ZFE in the 10W Assisted section. In third place we find M7W in the 100W Unassisted section with G3SWC being the overall winner of the 10WUnassisted section. Very well done to all.

The CC series of contests was designed to favour club entries over those from dedicated contesting groups. The emphasis is more on quantity of operators rather than quality and where clubs encourage their membership to turn out in good numbers and combine this with good operators and strategies, we see some very impressive results indeed. In the local section Norfolk ARC have simply run away with first place this year some 50% ahead of their nearest rivals, the Bristol Contest Group. Strangely the reverse happened in the General Club section where the Three As Contest Group had a broadly similar score difference with the runners up De Montfort University ARS. These results show that the composition of the contest is nicely balanced and it is clubs encouraging their members to come out to play that brings home the silverware.

Talking of Silverware, the following trophies have been awarded this year.

Local Club: G5RV Memorial Shield: Norfolk Amateur Radio Club

General Club: Horace Freeman Trophy: Three As Contest Group

Highest scoring individual: RSGB 80m Challenge Trophy: David Cree, G3TBK operating as M7W

Our hearty congratulations to the trophy winners and we look forward to presenting them to you at the convention this year.

With that, the 80m CC series rests until February next year. However our Aut umn series begins in September so there is no excuse for not keeping your contesting setup in fine shape. Until September then.

73 de Simone Wilson

80m CC Data Adjudicator.