Propagation on 40m has been good for inter-G contacts throughout January 2023 during daylight hours with the f0F2 generally being above 7MHz until local sunset.  Most entrants therefore chose 40m as the band to start on, moving to 80m later in the session with many also making multiple band changes.  Overall scores were slightly up on last year.  There were plenty of HA calls in the logs from the concurrent HA contest, plus three DX contacts with 9K2, TA and UA9, all on 40m.

There were a number of enquiries about how to correctly log the letter codes sent by the HA stations in their contest, recording a zero is advised if your logger will not accept a non-numerical exchange.  No points will be lost if the exchange is recorded to the best of your ability.  Some stations were noted to be operating below 3603kHz, no action was taken this time but entrants are reminded that the band edge for SSB is 3600kHz.  On lower sideband you need your dial frequency to be between 3603kHz and 3775kHz to ensure no RF energy is transmitted contrary to the band plan and the contest rules.

Congratulations to all the Trophy and certificate winners, as usual certificates have been awarded to the leading three, two and single station teams in both club categories.  The band leaders are John G0ODQ with 213 QSOs on 80m and Dave G4BUO and Ric MD7C both making 350 QSOs on 40m.  Thanks also to all the non-UK stations for their support and participation.

This is the penultimate contest in the 22/23 Superleague, the final event is the 432MHz AFS on Sunday 5th February.

John G4CZB