CW National Field Day 2026

The rules for this contest stayed the same as 2025 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 35 entries from portable stations, a small increase on last year, with 8 groups entering the QRP Unassisted section, 5 entering the QRP Renewable Energy section, 12 groups entering the Low Power Unassisted section and 10 groups entering the Low Power Assisted section. This is 2 more than the total portable numbers in 2025, but with less in the low power unassisted section. The Fixed Station section attracted 63 entries, which was a small increase on 2025. It was good to find a number of fixed USA and DX stations joining in or being worked. These included 4Z, VU, ZA, JA, VE, W1-W0, VO,VK, VP2, 5H, 5Z, 9H, 9J .

The band conditions were generally reported as poor on 10m and 15m on Saturday, with just a few periods of EU Es, but slowly 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, but a severe storm in the south on Friday and Saturday morning caused some south coast stations difficulty in setting up, with mast damage and tent abandonment.

The multiplier count was again most important in the final scores, and S&P with frequent band changes was the best tactic. The equipment in use was quite a mix, including the new Elecraft K4 and K3 series, FLEX6x00, and IC7300 rigs, and some TS590,TS480 and FTDX tranceivers. The preferred antennas in the QRP and Low Power Unassisted sections were the usual doublets, some with removable links. The Low Power Assisted section winners used wires and two K3 rigs, others used single transceivers, beams and high dipoles.The QRP Renewable Energy section used wires and verticals.

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 a field and small batteries is a good way to enter. Three stations managed good qrp entries with just a wire and modern small rig for a few hours. Thanks to all who sent in photos, but more would be nice again !

The UK&CD winner in the QRP Unassisted section was again G3ULT/P, the Reading& DARC, who receive the Reading QRP Shield. The runner up was the Loxlot Group M0RYB/P. The leading non UK station was OK1GSB/P who operated SOTA style from a bicycle mounted installation with a wire V antenna.

The UK&CD winner in the QRP Renewable Energy section was GM3GAV/P operated by GM3GAV for GMDX club using a KX2 and L antenna.. The runner-up was venerable op G3OTO with a KX3 and wire, and S50TTT/P was the leading non UK station.

The UK&CD winner in Low Power Unassisted Portable section was G4FNL/P, the Sussex Downs Contest group, who receive the NFD Shield. They had three CW ops and a doublet. They were followed closely by G4A/P the Windmill CG, using a K4 and five ops to a doublet but suffered some computer and antenna problems. A fine solo effort by GM4Z/P (GM4ZUK) for Aberdeen ARS was third. OK3DM/P was the leading non UK station.

The UK&CD winner in the Low Power Assisted Portable section was again 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 G4GA/P the Radio GaGa CG. Operating from a very windy coastal site.The leading non UK entry was S57WX/P.

The winner of the Low power unassisted Single Operator award, the G3MVZ Memorial Cup, was GM4Z/P, Allan Duncan GM4ZUK.

In the Fixed Station section, the UK winner was G3SWC with G4BRK in the runner-up slot. OE5TXF (G3TXF) was the leading non UK entrant , followed by OY1CT, followed by E77EA.

Logs and Adjudication; Logs were of a good standard, but again with three entries into the QRP or unassisted sections but using multiple antennas, which had to be moved to the correct section, after informing the entrants

73 Mike G3VYI