Another year on in the current solar cycle and, as expected, the SFI was higher than 2022 although did drop slightly in the days just before the start of the 86th Commonwealth Contest.  However the A and K indices also declined to more favourable values and the end result was generally good propagation on the HF bands. There were some unexpected openings reported at unusual times on 15m and 10m just to make it interesting!  In contrast many entrants experienced poor conditions on 80m and also 40m to some extent, but this was compensated for by the results on 15m and 10m.  In the UK & CD, HQ stations were also contactable by local stations via back-scatter on the higher frequencies.  Some auroral propagation was noted, necessitating requests for QRS to achieve accurate copy.  Overall there were some very high scores from the leading stations, almost reaching 1000 QSOs and similar to those achieved at the same point in the last solar cycle showing support for this event is still popular.  Total submitted logs were slightly higher than last year.  The following call areas were active but did not submit logs: 5H, 8P, 9J, 9M, 9V, 9Z, AP, C5, S7, V3, V5, VK8, ZB, ZS1, ZS5 and ZS6.

Logs submitted were overall of a high standard with a low mean error rate but with many weak signals, callsigns and received serial numbers were sometimes logged incorrectly.  Entrants are  reminded that UK & CD stations may not work each other for points, although there is no additional penalty, it just wastes time.  The HQ station GB5CC, a regular participant for many decades, appeared as 'G6HCC' in a few logs.  A lot of points were lost mis-copying the H2 prefix from Cyprus and not logging the 'HQ' suffix where sent will also appear in quite a few UBN reports.  A full list of HQ stations active usually appears on Bob G3PJT'swebsite before the start of the contest and post-event a wealth of reports, stories and achievements makes for fascinating reading.

In the team event there were again two Australian teams entered, this year the World Travellers Plus prevented a Southern Hemisphere clean sweep of the top two places and there was a very close finish for the penultimate place with the Grimsby Mariners just ahead of the Quake Contesters.

There were a total of thirteen HQ stations with the greatest number (six) fielded by Australia followed by five from the UK & CD and two from Canada.  In addition to GB5CC, the other UK & CD HQ stations used the call G5WS with or without a regional indicator.  Just over one hundred years ago this callsign was used for the December 1922 series of transatlantic tests which resulted in the RSGB station (G)5WS being the first to be heard from Europe in Canada and the USA. Thanks to all the operators for providing valuable bonus points, for many on all five bands.

This contest always attracts a few travellers, often to Commonwealth Call Areas with low populations.  Although recent travel restrictions are now almost gone, there is still often a huge effort required to get a station on the air and operate it successfully, Africa in particular, so a vote of thanks to all the travellers this year.  Commonwealth Traveller Certificates are awarded to Nigel 5B/G3TXF and Mike 5B/G3VYI and a Commonwealth Medal to Phil ZL3PAH, this year participating as ZL3P.

The Commonwealth Contest requires a unique knowledge of propagation and perseverance to achieve a good result so congratulations to all Trophy and Certificate winners.

John G4CZB