2025 144MHz UKAC: Review of the year

This series of contests continues to be popular with an average number of entrants per session of 213 (217 in 2024, 257 in 2023). There were at least 186 entrants in every session this year and entries peaked at 236 in the March session.

The number of locator squares active in each session varied between 49 (January) and 64 (July). The number of stations active in each session varied between 351 (January) and 446 (March). In total, 106,789 QSOs (106,494 in 2024) were made during the 2025 144MHz UKAC.

The General Club category was won by the Parallel Lines CG. They topped the table in eight of the twelve sessions. In second place was the Northern Fells CG. Harwell ARS claimed third place, pushing Wirral & District ARC into fourth place. Fifty-five Affiliated Societies (58 in 2024) competed in the General Club Category.

The top spot in the Local Club category was claimed by the Northampton RC. They topped the table in all twelve sessions. Hereford ARS claimed second place. Third place was claimed by the Trowbridge & DARC. Forty-three Affiliated Societies (43 in 2024) competed in the Local Club Category.

Affiliated Societies can apply to compete in the Local Club category section if they meet the appropriate criteria. If a club wishes to change category, this must be done before the first UKAC session of 2026. Please see the UKAC rules for further details.

For the eleventh year running, the AO (Licensed Power, unlimited antenna) section was won by Pete G4CLA who won nine of the twelve sessions, scoring 8,000 points. Andy G4PIQ was in the runners-up spot, 225 points behind G4CLA. Richard GD8EXI claimed third place. The leading non-UK Station was Mark EI3KD, who entered eleven of the twelve sessions. Eighty-nine stations entered the AO section (80 in 2024).

The AR (100 Watt, single antenna) section witnessed a close battle between 2E0VCC/P, G4FZN/P, GM4JTJ, MW0LKX/P, G3XDY, and G4ODA. All of these stations managed to score more than 7760 points (out of 8000). To achieve success in the UKAC, consistently high performance is required in at least eight of the twelve sessions and this year, Darrell 2E0VCC (now M8VCC) produced this year's winning performance by amassing a nearly perfect score of 7984 points, beating the runner-up Chris G4FZN (assisted by Pauline G8HQW) by only 22 points. Jon GM4JTJ was in third place with a score of 7816. The leading Foundation station was Ady M7HCT. The leading Non-UK Station was Frank PE1EWR who scored 5816 points. 280 stations entered the AR section (287 in 2024).

In the AL (10 Watt, single antenna) section, three stations scored more than 7,600 points (out of 8,000): G1YBB, G0EAK, and G6HPR. The winner was Steven G1YBB who won the all eight of the twelve sessions he entered to score the maximum of 8000 points. Steve G0EAK was in second place, only 135 points behind G1YBB. Allan G6HPR was in third place with 7610 points. Ben 2E0TXQ was the leading Intermediate Station with 6033 points. David M7DQO was the Leading Foundation Station with 4282 points. 106 stations entered the AL section (119 in 2024).

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 2025 is David GI4SNA who appeared in the ODX column 217 times. In second place was Richard GD8EXI who appeared in the ODX column 195 times and in third place was Jon GM4JTJ who appeared in the ODX column 163 times.

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

The first 2026 144MHz UKAC session starts at 2000 local time on Tuesday 6 January. 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