50MHz CW CONTEST - 25/6/23

Almost all the measurable characteristics of the 2023 50MHz CW Contest were down on their equivalents from 2022. The number of entrants, at 22 (seven Open Section, twelve Restricted Section, three Low power Section, plus three check logs) was down by 21% - and unlike 2022 none of these were non-UK&CD entrants. The number of DXCCs appearing in entrants' logs was ten (9H, CT2, DL, F, G, GM, GU, PA, SM and SP), 48% down on 2022. The number of different stations appearing in entrant's logs was 63 (40% down) and although the number of UK big squares worked was eighteen per cent up at 20, the number of non-UK big squares was way down (by 81%) on last year.

This across-the-board fall in numbers seems to have been largely due to the absence of the sporadic E with which was available in 2022. Examination of the logs suggests that only four contacts were made via sporadic E this year, the 'far ends' being one station in 9H and one in CT. This is borne out by comments from leading entrants of 'extremely sparse Es, almost none' and 'that was challenging - only two QSOs that were not tropo'. Nevertheless some reasonable tropo was there to be had, contributing to a best DX of 2138km between G3TCU/P (IO91) and 9H1TX (JM75) plus three other contacts at between 1000km and 2000km.

Thanks to all the entrants and congratulations to the certificate winners in each section - and let's hope for better things in 2024!

Quin G3WRR

g3wrr@rsgbcc.org