2018 144 MHz UKAC - Review of the year

This series of contests continues to be popular with an average number of entrants per session of 270 (269 in 2017). The number of entrants exceeded 260 in nine of the sessions, exceeded 270 in seven of the sessions and peaked at 292 in the February session.

The number of locator squares active in each session varied between 46 (in January) and 76 (in July). The number of stations active in each session varied between 446 (in January) and 687 (in June). In total, 129,250 QSOs were made during the 2018 144 MHz UKAC.

The General Club Category was dominated for the second year running by the 807 ARO who topped the table in nine of the twelve sessions. Drowned Rats RG were in second place with Harwell ARS in third place. 79 Affiliated Societies competed in the General Club Category of the 2018 144 MHz UKAC.

The top spot in the Local Club Category was claimed by Hereford ARS who won all twelve of the sessions. Second place was a close run battle between 93 CG and Worksop ARS. Eventually, 93 CG emerged in second place with Worksop ARS in third place for the second year running.  32 Affiliated Societies competed in the Local Club Category of the 2018 144 MHz UKAC.

The AO (400 Watt, unlimited antenna) section produced a battle between several stations.  Three stations, G4CLA, M0DXR and GI4SNA all scored more than 7500 (out of 8000) points. However, for the fourth year running, Pete G4CLA dominated this section and won seven of the twelve sessions to score 7968 points.  Mark M0DXR was the runner-up with David GI4SNA in third place. For the second year running, the leading Intermediate Licensee was Martin 2M0KAU. The leading non-UK Station also for the second year running was Conrad PA5Y. 94 stations entered the AO section.

The AR (100 Watt, single antenna) section witnessed a very close battle between G4FZN/P (sometimes operating from France as F/G4FZN/P), G8PNN/P, G3XDY, G4RUL/P and M0GAV (sometimes portable).  All of these stations managed to score more than 7800 points (out of 8000). To achieve success in the UKAC, consistently high performance is required and G4FZN/P (operated by Chris G4FZN and Pauline G8HQW) produced this year's winning performance for amassing 7983 points, beating the runner-up, Gordon G8PNN/P by 99 points. John G3XDY was in third place with a score of 7880, only four points behind G8PNN/P.  Pete 2E0NEY was the leading Intermediate Licensee. The leading Overseas Station was Jacques F1BHL. 357 stations entered the AR section

In the AL (10 Watt, single antenna) section, four stations scored more than 7,700 points (out of 8,000): G1YBB/P, G6DOD/P, G8DMU/P and G0EAK/P. The winner was Steven G1YBB who scored 7989 points, 64 points ahead of Mark G6DOD in second place. 103 points behind second place was Tony G8DMU/P in third place. John 2E0DXK was the leading Intermediate Licensee and the winner of the Intermediate Shield. Mary M6KMB was the leading Foundation Licensee and the winner of the Foundation Shield. 208 stations entered the AL section.

A new certificate was instigated for the UKAC series this year for the station who provides the most stations with their best DX on each band across the year. The winner for 2018 is Stewart GM4AFF who provided 278 stations with their best DX in the 144MHz UKAC. A close second was David GI4SNA who provide 244 stations with their best DX and in third place was Richard GD8EXI who provided 170 stations with their best DX.

In summary, congratulations to:

144MHz Club Championship, General Club Category:

1st Place: 807 ARO

2nd Place: Drowned Rats RG

3rd Place: Harwell ARS

144MHz Club Championship, Local Club Category:

1st Place and Winner of the G6NB Trophy: Hereford ARS

2nd Place: 93 CG

3rd Place: Worksop ARS

AO Section:

1st Place: Pete G4CLA

2nd Place: Mark M0DXR

3rd Place: David GI4SNA

Leading Intermediate Licensee:  Martin 2M0KAU

Leading Overseas Station: Conrad PA5Y

AR Section:

1st Place: G4FZN/P operated by Chris G4FZN and Pauline G8HQW

2nd Place: Gordon G8PNN

3rd Place: John G3XDY

Leading Intermediate Licensee: Pete 2E0NEY

Leading Overseas Station: Jacques F1BHL

AL Section:

1st Place: Steven G1YBB

2nd Place: Mark G6DOD

3rd Place: Tony G8DMU

Leading Intermediate Licensee and Winner of the Intermediate Shield: John 2E0DXK

Leading Foundation License and Winner of the Foundation Shield: Mary M6KMB

Station providing the most `Best DX': Stewart GM4AFF

The first 2019 144MHz UKAC session starts at 2000 local time (2000 UTC) on Tuesday January 1st. Just before this event is the 144MHz FM Activity Contest (FMAC) which starts at 1900 local time (1900 UTC) with a duration of 55 minutes. Running in parallel with the 144MHz FMAC is the new 144MHz MGM Activity Contest (MGMAC). This contest also starts at 1900 local time (1900 UTC) with a duration of 55 minutes.

Ian G0FCT