50MHz UKAC 2012 – Annual Results

Activity levels continue to increase though unfortunately non of the Sporadic E events coincided with the UKAC .  This year 258 stations entered at least one leg of the series, a 9% increase on 2011.  Congratulations to the 16 intrepid entrants who were active for all eleven sessions!  In total 33 of the 45 UK squares were activated.  The club competition has grown in popularity with 74 clubs entering this year, a 32% increase on 2012.

In the club competition the Bolton Wireless Club continue their domination of the event winning eight of the eleven sessions. Throughout the year they managed to get twenty of their members to contribute.  Second place was a very close fight, which went right to the wire, with the Tall Trees CG eventually beating the Spalding &DARS into third place with just a 0.9% difference in their scores.

In the AO section GI4SNA won nine sessions and scored the maximum of 8000 points.  G4TSW had ten second places to come second overall with 7176 points.  There were 28 entrants in this section.

The AR section is renowned for close finishes and five entrants achieved scores greater than 7000. G3PYE/P won seven sessions to take top place.  M0GVG/P was the runner up.  There were 176 entrants in this section.

In the AL section M1EYP/P won three sessions to repeat his 2011 win.  G4HGI won two sessions to gain the runner up spot.   There were 77 entrants in this section.

In the AX section GM4JR won all eleven sessions to take first place.  GM4VVX was placed second from his remote location.  There were four entrants (all GMs) in this section.

Certificates and congratulations go to the following stations:

•  Club Competition:
  •  Winner:  50MHz Club Championship: The Bolton Wireless Club
  •  Runner-up:  50MHz Club Championship: The Tall Trees Contest Group ARS
•  Section AO
  •  Winner:  David Ross, GI4SNA
  •  Runner-up:  Tiverton (SW) Radio Club, G4TSW
•  Section AR
  •  Winner:  Camb-Hams, G3PYE/P
  •  Runner-up:  Tall Trees Contest Group, M0GVG/P  
  •  Leading Intermediate Licensee:  Pete Millard, 2E0NEY
•  Section AL
  •  Winner: Tom Read, M1EYP/P
  •  Runner-up:  Richard Staples, G4HGI
  •  Leading Intermediate Licensee:  Dennis Shields, 2E0JWJ
  •  Leading Foundation Licensee:  Brian Jones, M6OXO
•  Section AX
  •  Winner:  Andy Anderson, GM4JR
  •  Runner-up:  Clive O'Hennessy, GM4VVX

November

The entries this month again topped 100 and were a whopping 29% up on November 2011.  In total there were 189 stations active in 22 UK squares.  GI4SNA (IO64), G4OBK (IO94) and M1MHZ (IO92) all worked 16 squares.  Conditions were generally rated as below average with high levels of noise and deep QSB.  The best contact was between GI4SNA and G7RAU at 530 kms.

The 2013 50MHz UKAC series kicks off at 2000 local time on Tuesday 22nd January 2013.

Roger - G4BVY

October

After two months of relatively low activity, this month saw 102 entries (26% up on October 2011) and 199 stations in the logs.  Tropo conditions were good, though activity was probably reduced due to the good conditions on 2m and 70cms.  Seven stations outside of the UK were active: 1*DL; 1*EI; 1*F;  1*I; 3*PA.  Twenty three UK squares were active.  M1MHZ (IO92) worked 18, GI4SNA (IO64) worked 17, and G3PYE (JO02), M0GVG/P (IO83) and GW4ZAR/P (IO83) worked 16.  The best contacts were between GI4SNA and IZ5ILX at 1637 kms and G4TSW and DH6JL at 746 kms.

September

There were only 78 logs this month with 158 stations active.  This is the lowest level of activity for some considerable time.  The appalling weather conditions with high winds and driving rain deterred a number of people.  In spite of this a number of brave souls ventured out as portables!  Not surprisingly with this weather, conditions were poor and a number of people suffered from high levels of static rain.  This was a UK only event with 22 UK squares active.  M1MHZ (IO92) worked 19 of them and GI4SNA (IO64) managed 16 squares.  The best contact was between GM4VVX and GW4WND at 617 kms.

August

There were 96 logs this month and only 179 stations active which represents a significant fall, potentially due to the holiday season and the close proximity of the August Bank Holiday.  With low activity and only poor tropo conditions many stations struggled.  One group had a different type of excitement when they were chased off their hill top site by a herd of cows!  Only 22 UK squares were activated this month with M1MHZ (IO92) working 18 of them and GI4SNA (IO64) and G4TSW (IO80) managing 16 squares.  The best tropo contact was between GI4SNA and G4JED at 557 kms.

Many entrants commented on the silence from JO03.  Rest in peace Bryn.

July

There were 110 logs this month which is a 12% increase on July 2011.  Sporadic E threatened to make an appearance, but in the end there were only 5 Es contacts: one SP, one YL and three Z3s.  There were 248 UK stations active in 27 squares.   The stations achieving the highest multiplier scores were well distributed across the UK with GI4SNA (IO64) working 18 squares and G4TSW (IO80), M0COP/P (IO82) and GW4ZAR/P (IO83) managing 16 squares.  The best tropo contact was between GI4SNA and G4VFL/P at 567 kms.

June

There were 111 entries this month which is a 19% increase on June 2011.  Yet again the Contest Committee managed to choose a date with no Sporadic E propagation!  Only three stations outside the UK were worked: 1 EI, 1 F and one TF.  Nevertheless activity was high with 278 stations active in 26 UK squares.  M1MHz (IO92) worked 18 squares with G4TSW (IO80) and GI4SNA (IO64) managing 16 squares.  The best DX was between a lonely GM4VVX and TF8GX at 1178kms and G4TSW and GM8OEG managed a tropo contact over 628kms.

Again entrants commented on the QSB, noise levels and poor conditions.  These may have resulted in a higher than usual number of logging errors with twice as many contacts, approximately 5%, being disallowed compared to the May event.

Entrants are reminded to avoid the DX window between 50.100 and 50.130 unless working inter continental.  

May

There were 107 entries this month which is a 14% increase on May 2011.  This month was a totally UK affair with no stations outside of the UK worked.  Given the excellent Sporadic E conditions over the previous week, this was a great disappointment.  However, 292 stations were active in 27 UK squares, which is the highest number of squares activated in a 50MHz UKAC event.  GM4JR (IO85) and G8APB (IO83) each worked 17 squares with G4TSW (IO80) and M1MHZ (IO92) managing 16 squares.

Deep QSB, high noise levels and average to poor conditions resulted in a number of logging errors.  Interestingly a number of antenna and rotator problems were reported this month.

April

While the entry level dropped from March, the number of entrants was still 10% greater than in April 2011.  In total 240 stations were active in 26 UK squares.  G3PYE/P (JO02) and M0GVG/P (IO83) each worked 16 squares.  Outside of the UK: 1 EI; 1 DL and 1 LA were worked.  Although aurora was forecast and auroral effects were briefly heard, the only auroral contact was between GM4VVX (IO78) and LA3EQ.

All entrants agreed that conditions were poor to terrible with deep QSB and high noise levels including static rain.  Portable stations suffered rain, hailstones and frost

A major logging error this month was "not in log".  Given the poor conditions it would appear that stations assumed they were being working when in reality the station they had called was working someone else.

March

Activity in this series continues to rise with 120 entrants and three check logs - another all time record!  Six stations topped 100 QSOs and there were 24 UK squares active.  M1MHZ (IO92) worked 17 squares and G4TSW (IO80) and M0GVG/R (IO83) worked 16 squares demonstrating the geographical spread of this event.  Outside of the UK: 2 EI's; 1 F; 1 ON; and 1 S5 were worked.  GI4SNA and M1MHZ worked S57RR by meteor scatter.

While activity levels were high, many stations were plagued by high electrical noise levels.  In urban locations this is an ever increasing problem.  Many entrants commented on the deep QSB .

A bizarre logging error was prevalent this month with many stations reversing letters in both callsigns and locators.  Logging accuracy is paramount with the podium places in AO, AR, AL all being affected by errors.

February

One hundred and seven entries were received which is an all time record for the 50MHz UKAC.  Activity was high with three stations making at least 100 QSOs.  There were 24 UK squares active with M1MHZ working 19.   With the exception of one PA station, this was a UK event.  GM4WJA (IO87) and GI4SNA (IO64) provided the best DX distances for many and five QSOs exceeded 500 kM.

While some portables suffered wet conditions, others commented on a nice dry evening.  Conditions were rated as average to good but deep QSB and high background noise levels made it hard going on the more marginal contacts.

Logging standards are variable in this event with a number of logs having no errors to some who will notice large reductions in their claimed scores.  In total 4.1% of contacts contained errors with the major source of error being the received report.  Other errors were equally split across callsign, locator and serial number.  All elements of the contact are checked so it is worth being sure that you have received everything correctly.    

January

Ninety six entries were received for the first session of the 2012 series.  This compares to 80 entries in the corresponding leg last year.  There were 23 UK squares active with M1MHZ and G8APB both working 15 of them.  GI4SNA (IO64) and GM4JR (IO85) provided the best DX distances.  GM4VVX (IO78) spent a lonely evening too far away from the activity!  One EI and one PA made an appearance.

Wet conditions made it an unpleasant evening for the portables and provided static rain for many others.  Conditions were rated as poor, with deep QSB and high background noise levels.  The recent solar events failed to produce any auroral conditions.

Many entrants commented on the adherence (or lack of) to new band plan.  The confusing wording in the band plan has caused much confusion.  As a general rule, the band plan should be followed and calling frequencies avoided.  However, guidance needs to be issued.  Following discussions, including the UKSMG, contest contacts may be made between 50.130 and 50.300.  The DX window from 50.100 to 50.130 should be avoided and when there is intercontinental propagation, contest CQ calls should be avoided in this slot.  Until the majority of beacons have moved in frequency, CW should be restricted to 50.080 to 50.100.