CW National Field Day 2025:

The rules for this contest changed from 2024 in that contacts with Russian and Belarus stations were valid for points and multipliers, but those stations could still only enter check-logs.

There were 33 entries from portable stations, an increase on last year, with 3 groups entering the QRP section, 6 entering the QRP Renewable Energy section, 13 groups entering the Low Power Unassisted section and 11 groups entering the Low Power Assisted section. This is 4 more than the total portable numbers in 2024,  but with less in the low power unassisted section. The Fixed Station section attracted 58 entries, which was a small decrease on 2024. It was good to find a number of fixed USA and DX  stations joining in or being worked, and one portable in 9J on 10m. These included 4Z, 5B, 5X, 9J/P, 9K, B, JA, KP4, VU, ZA,  EI/P, JA, VO, W1-0 , ZC4 and  ZL.

The band conditions were generally reported as good on 40m and 20m, but poor on 10m and 15m, with just a few periods of EU Es, without  improving on Sunday. The Low bands conditions were deemed ok, the top stations managing 100+ contacts on 160m. For most areas in the UK the weather was sunny and hot but with scattered storms in the south. Some stations suffered heavy showers , but none had  to close down.

The multiplier count was again most important in the final scores, and towards the end of  the contest rates became slower, so S&P with frequent band changes was the best tactic. The equipment in use was quite a mix, including  the Elecraft K series, FTDX, and IC7300 rigs, and some Flex. The preferred antennas in the QRP and Low Power Unassisted sections were the usual doublets and dipoles. The Low Power Assisted section winners used wires and two K3 rigs,  others used single transceivers, beams and high dipoles.

Congratulations to all the winners and many thanks to all those groups who were able to get a station on the air. Several were single op QRP portable stations. Even a wire in the garden and small batteries is a good way to enter. At least 2 UK G and GM stations managed good qrp entries with just a wire  and modern small rig. Thanks to all who sent in photos, but more would be nice again !

The UK&CD winner in the QRP section was again G3ULT/P, the Reading& DARC, who receive the Reading QRP Shield. The runner up was the same club's B station M0AAA/P, with novice CW ops. The leading non UK  station was Z33ST/P.

The UK&CD winner in the QRP Renewable Energy section was again M3E/P operated by G4CWH for Camb-Hams using a K3S  and trap dipole. The runner-up was M8C/P (G4BUO) with a doublet, and S50TTT/P was the leading non UK station. The entry from MJ/OP2C/P was most welcome but did not qualify for an RSGB member's award.

The UK&CD  winner in Low Power Unassisted Portable section was G4GA/P, the Radio Ga Ga group  who receive the NFD Shield. They had four CW ops  and a doublet. They were  followed very closely by previous winners G4FNL/P, the Sussex Downs club, using a K3 and three ops to a doublet. The Windmill group G4A/P were third. UR5GAW/P was the leading non UK station.

The UK&CD winner in the Low Power Assisted Portable section was M2A/P, the DeMontfort University ARS ,who receive the Bristol Trophy. They used two K3 s with six cw ops  and wire antennas.They are followed by G6MC/P for Brimham CG , Third place went to G5O/P the Stockport RS. The leading non UK entry was S57WX/P.

The winner of the Low power unassisted Single Operator award, the G3MVZ Memorial Cup, was G6XX/P (G4FAL),

In the Fixed Station section, the UK winner was G3SWC with MI4I in the runner-up slot. Again YU5R was the leading scoring station non UK entrant by YT2AAA, followed by Nigel OE5TXF.

Logs and Adjudication; Logs were of a good standard, with a couple of entries into the QRP sections but using multiple antennas, which had to be moved to the correct section.

73 Mike G3VYI