2022 144MHz UKAC - Review of the year

This series of contests continues to be popular with an average number of entrants per session of 262 (302 in 2021, 322 in 2020, 256 in 2019, 270 in 2018, 269 in 2017). There were at least 224 entrants in every session this year and entries peaked at 311 in the January session.

The number of locator squares active in each session varied between 48 (in February) and 74 (in October). The number of stations active in each session varied between 406 (in December) and 574 (in May). In total,  128,548 QSOs (144,802, in 2021, 157,241 in 2020, 123,419 in 2019, 129,250 in 2018) were made during the 2022 144MHz UKAC.

The General Club category was won by the Northern Fells CG, up from second place in 2021. They topped the table in all twelve sessions. In second place was last year's winners, the 807 ARO. For the third year running, Wirral & District ARC claimed third place. Seventy-four Affiliated Societies (64 in 2021, 80 in 2020, 70 in 2019, 79 in 2018) competed in the General Club Category.

The top spot in the Local Club category was claimed for the fifth year running by Hereford ARS who also topped the table in eight of the twelve sessions. Northampton RC for the second year running claimed second place. Third place was claimed also for the second year running by Trowbridge & District ARC. Thirty-four Affiliated Societies (41 in 2021, 34 in 2020, 34 in 2019, 32 in 2018) competed in the Local Club Category. Affiliated Societies can apply to compete in the Local Club category section if they meet the appropriate criteria, please see theUKACrules for details.

Once again, the AO (400 Watt, unlimited antenna) section was won by Pete G4CLA who won eight of the twelve sessions.  David GI4SNA was in the runners-up spot, 246 points behind G4CLA. Richard GD8EXI claimed third place. The leading Intermediate Licensee was Martin 2M0KAU. The leading non-UK Station for the sixth year running was Conrad PA5Y, who entered ten sessions. Ninety-five stations entered the AO section (100 in 2021, 111 in 2020, 94 in 2019 and 2018).

The AR (100 Watt, single antenna) section witnessed a close battle between G4FZN, G3XDY, GM4JTJ, G4RUL, GD0AMD and G3TBK.  All of these stations managed to score more than 7700 points (out of 8000). To achieve success in the UKAC, consistently high performance is required in at least eight of the twelve sessions and Chris G4FZN (assisted by Pauline G8HQW) once again produced this year's winning performance by amassing 7980 points, beating the runner-up John G3XDY by 76 points. Jon GM4JTJ was in third place with a score of 7782. Pete 2E0NEY was the leading Intermediate Station in this section and is awarded the Intermediate Shield. The leading Non-UK Station was Jacques F1BHL who scored 7979 points. 336 stations entered the AR section.

In the AL (10 Watt, single antenna) section, three stations scored more than 7,700 points (out of 8,000): G1YBB, G4ASR, and G0EAK. The winner was Steven G1YBB who won the eight sessions he entered to score the maximum of 8000 points. David G4ASR was in second place, only 77 points behind G1YBB. Steve G0EAK was in third place with 7765 points. John, 2E0JPO was the leading Intermediate Station with 6216 points. David M7ALE was the Leading Foundation Station with 7049 points and is awarded the Foundation Shield. 175 stations entered the AL section.

A certificate is also awarded for the station who provides the most stations with their best DX (ODX) on each band in the UKAC across the year. The winner of the Best DX certificate on 144MHz for 2022 is Conrad PA5Y who appeared in the ODX column 358 times. In second place was David GI4SNA who appeared in the ODX column 310 times and in third place was Jacques F1BHL/P who appeared in the ODX column 195 times.

The Trophies and the certificates are awarded to the entrants listed below.

The first 2023 144MHz UKAC session starts at 2000 local time on Tuesday January 3rd. Just before this event is the 144MHz FM Activity Contest (FMAC) which starts at 1900 local time with a duration of 55 minutes.

Ian G0FCT