2016 144 MHz UKAC - Review of the year

The activity in the 144 MHz UKAC continues to climb. This year the average number of entrants per session was just over 265, exceeded 260 in eight of the twelve sessions and peaked at 287 in the May session. With this level of activity, entrants frequently commented that it was difficult to find a clear frequency to operate on.

The number of locator squares active in each session varied between 38 (in January) and 66 (in June). The number of stations active in each session varied between 687 (in January) and 832 (in May). In total, over 137,400 QSOs were made during the 2016 144 MHz UKAC.

The club element of the 2m UKAC produced a close competition between the Travelling Wave Contest Group (TWCG) and the Ossett Amateur Radio Operators (OARO). TWCG managed to field 26 stations this year and OARO fielded 37 stations.  However, TWCG scored consistently better than OARO for the nine of the twelve sessions and hence emerged in first place with OARA in second place. The Drowned Rats Radio Group were in third place. 105 Affiliated Societies participated in the 2016 144 MHz UKAC.

In the AL (10 Watt) section, four stations scored more than 7,700 points (out of 8,000): G4HGT, M0GAV, G4ODA and G0EAK. Competition was fierce but eventually John G4HGT topped the table by 48 points. Andrew M0GAV was the runner-up with Keith G4ODA in third place. John 2E0DXK was the leading Intermediate Licensee and the winner of the Intermediate Shield. Tony M6KTP was the leading Foundation Licensee and the winner of the Foundation Shield. The leading Overseas Station was Robin F4VQT. 194 stations entered the AL section.

The AR (100 Watt) section witnessed a very close battle between M0VXX, G8XVJ, G8PNN, M0BRA, G3YDY, G4IRC and G6DOD.  All of these stations managed to score more than 7,700 points (out of 8,000). To achieve success in the UKAC, consistently high performance is required and Tristan M0VXX produced this year's winning performance amassing 7987 points, beating the runner-up, Erik G8XVJ by 62 points. Godon G8PNN was in third place.  Pete 2E0NEY was the leading Intermediate Licensee. The leading Overseas Station was Jacques F1BHL. 346 stations entered the AR section

The AO (400 Watt, unlimited antenna) section also produced a battle between several stations.  Three stations, G4CLA, GI4SNA and G4FZN all scored more than 7,500 (out of 8,000) points. However, for the second year running, Pete G4CLA dominated this section and won seven of the twelve sessions to score 7970 points.  David GI4SNA was the runner-up with G4FZN (operated by G4FZN and G8HQW) in third place. The leading Intermediate Licensee was Dave Boyes 2E0KVJ. The leading Overseas Station was Gerard F8BRK. 104 stations entered the AO section.

In summary, congratulations to:

2m Club Championship:

Winning Society and Winner of the G6NB Trophy: Travelling Wave Contest Group

Runner-up: Ossett Amateur Radio Operators

AL Section:

Winner: John Wilkinson G4HGT

Runner-up: Andrew Burton M0GAV

Intermediate Shield Winner (Leading Intermediate Licensee): John Whitworth 2E0DXK

Foundation Shield Winner (Leading Foundation Licensee): Tony Purnell M6KTP

Leading Overseas Station: Robin Burrows-Ellis F4VQT

AR Section:

Winner: Tristan Quiney M0VXX

Runner-up: Erik Gedvilas G8XVJ

Leading Intermediate Licensee: Pete Millard 2E0NEY

Leading Overseas Station: Jacques Lepoil F1BHL

AO Section:

Winner: Pete Lindsay G4CLA

Runner-up: David Ross GI4SNA

Leading Intermediate Licensee: Dave Boyes 2E0KVJ

Leading Overseas Station: Gerard Pottier F8BRK

The first 2017 144MHz UKAC session starts at 2000 local time (2000 UTC) on Tuesday January 2nd. Just before this event is the first 144MHz FM Activity Contest (FMAC) which starts at 1900 local time (1900 UTC) with a duration of 1 hour.

The Club Championship for all UKAC is also being split into a General category and a Local category and clubs need to choose which section to enter and email their decision toafs.query@rsgbcc.org.

Clubs wishing to enter the 'Local' category must specify a Virtual Meeting Place (VMP) -- a reference point from which distances are measured, and which need not have any connection with the Society's activities. Societies must email the UK Postcode or 6-digit QTH locator of their VMP toafs.query@rsgbcc.org before the first relevant contest entry of each calendar year. Their VMP will be used for all HF AFS, 80m CC, VHF AFS and UKAC contests.

An Affiliated Society must enter the same club category for every UKAC band. Society members in the Local category must have their home QTH (as shown on their Ofcom validation document) within a circle of radius 35km from their Club's Virtual Meeting Place. However, members may be based outside the 35km radius if there are no other AFS with that 35km.

Stations must state their UK Postcode or 6-digit QTH locator of their home QTH when entering their log on behalf of a club in the Local category. There is no distance restriction on where their station is operated. There is no distance restriction on society members in the General category.

Ian G0FCT