Propagation for the 84th Commonwealth Contest was much as expected for this point in the solar cycle, the SFI was slightly higher than last year but there was an elevated K index to make it really tough at times, particularly on the LF bands.  However, total entries were up on last year at 290,  the QRP/5W section showing the largest increase from just two in 2020 to eleven this year from four different Commonwealth call areas.  The Restricted Assisted and HQ sections had more than double the number of entries.  The following call areas were active but did not send in logs: 3B8, 5X, 9J, 9M2, 9V, 9Z, AP, V3, VP8, VU, ZL4, ZS1,2 and 6.

The Covid 19 pandemic has placed restrictions on International travel in many countries around the world and this resulted in a noticeable lack of World travellers this year, but this was partly compensated by 26 HQ stations.  These ranged from Allen VY1KX activating VY1RAC in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, to Andrew VK1DA travelling from his home in New South Wales (VK2) to operate VK1WIA in the Australian Capital Territory.

The availability of HQ stations meant checking 10m regularly was worthwhile in many call areas and there were some limited openings from VK to VK/ZL and from Africa to Europe, in particular thanks to Brian 9J2BO who was in many logs on this band.  As usual 15m QSOs were available at the appropriate times while 20/40m were the main bands for traffic.  80m was variable with reports of outstanding propagation and the opposite.  Unfortunately the Tesla Memorial contest on 80m and 40m seems to be now more popular in Europe.  This made it difficult for both DX and more local stations to be heard on those bands between 1800 and 0600 UTC.

With so much different logging software and still a few paper logs used for this event there are always a few issues to resolve with entrants before adjudication begins.  This time there was also a problem with the adjudication software which could not cope with some callsign formats.  Thanks to Mike G0GJV for rapidly producing a software upgrade that allowed adjudication to begin with the minimum of delay.  Incorrect calculation of their score concerned some entrants and while it is always nice to know one's claimed score when submitting a log, entrants are assured that the adjudication software always recalculates the correct score as part of the process and any numbers in the log header are ignored.

The UK HQ callsign GB5CC has been used in nearly every contest since it was first introduced in 1987.  This callsign consistently catches people out who don't expect 'GB5' and log 'G6H' or some other variant.  After some 35 years, regular entrants should be getting used to it.  There is a majority view that we should continue with GB5CC as it has become a part of the history of the contest.  Try not to let it catch you out in future years.

On to the trophies and certificates, the Senior Rose Bowl is awarded to the leading station in the Open Unassisted section and this year it goes to Jeff Briggs VY2ZM, with last year's winner VE3AT in second place.  The highest placed 12 hour station in the Open Unassisted section is Vlad Milutinovic VE3JM who receives the VP8GQ trophy.

The Junior Rose Bowl goes to the winner of the Restricted Unassisted section, this year it is Brian Miller VK3MI, up from second place last year with a much increased score from 2020.  In second place is VE3BR.  For the last few years Mike Franklin G3VYI has been a traveller for this contest but confined to home this year achieved the highest UK&CD score and overall third place in the Restricted Unassisted section.  Mike is therefore awarded the RSGB John Dunnington G3LZQ Trophy.

The Colonel Thomas Rose Bowl is awarded to the leading UK&CD Open Unassisted station, this year it goes to Keith Kerr GM4YXI.  Keith was just ahead of Don G3BJ, a four times winner of this award, by only five points, the lowest possible margin.

For the second year running John Sluymer VE3EJ achieved the highest Open Assisted score and is therefore awarded the Rosebery Shield.  Second place in the Open Assisted section is VK2BJ.

The leading UK&CD 12 hours duration Unassisted entry and Ross Carey Rose Bowl winner is Alan Ibbetson G3XAQ.

Despite the anticipated difficult propagation conditions there was a welcome increase in QRP/5W entrants from just two last year to eleven this year.  The highest placed Unassisted entrant receives the Lilliput Cup and for the second year running it goes to Eric Castro VA3AMX.  In second place and the highest Assisted entry is Bill Tracey GM4M (GM4UBJ).  Runner-up Unassisted is G4GIR and Assisted is G0KYA.  Credit to all entrants for taking part with low power and generally simple antennas.

In the Restricted single operator Assisted section the leading station is Ivan Privitera 9H1PI.  In second place is G3RLE.

A Commonwealth Medal is awarded to James Brooks 9V1YC.  James has been a regular supporter of this contest for many years making the rare 9V call area available to all.

Every year at least one Commonwealth Traveller Certificate is normally awarded to highlight the efforts of all those that activate CCAs that are either remote or have low population.  With so many International travel restrictions this was difficult or just not possible this year but as indicated above there was one activation of note by Andrew VK1DA who travelled from his home in New South Wales to a site south of Canberra to put VK1WIA on the air.  Andrew is therefore awarded a 2021 Commonwealth Traveller Certificate.

There was one entry in the Multi-op section from VE9ML operated by VE9ML and VE9BK.

Travel restrictions no doubt made Open-remote a more attractive section to enter for some and this year there were three entries.  Colin G4CWH had some difficulties with his internet connection dropping out and a power outage but still managed to keep ZF2CA on the air from the UK for most of the event making 595 scoring QSOs to achieve first place.  5B4WN made slightly more contacts but fewer CCAs for second place.

Finally to the HQ section, a huge thank you to all those involved with getting 26 on the air of which 25 submitted logs.  Leading the table is GB5CC operated by Nick G4FAL with GW6XX (op. GW3YDX) not far behind in second place.  There were seven entries from Canadian stations of which VA3RAC (op. VE3ZI) was the highest placed in 6th overall and three entries from New Zealand with ZL6HQ (op. ZL2BR) their leader in 9th overall.  Australia also fielded seven stations with VK7WIA (op. VK7GN) highest placed in 12th overall.  Will there be VK8WIA next year for all mainland states/territories represented?

In the team event Australia have continued their dominance of the top spot for the fifth year in a row although their lead has been narrowing over the last three years.  Canada #1 are in second place and the second Australian team in third.

As always there are individual reports and more Commonwealth Contest stories on Bob G3PJT's website:

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John G4CZB