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RSGB Contest Results VHF NFD 2022   
v4.158 by G4CLA

VHF NFD - 2nd / 3rd JULY 2022

It is good to report that the number of portable entrants in VHF NFD this year was 45 - ten (18%) up on the 2021 entry. With the number of Restricted Section entries unchanged from last year, a small decrease in the Open and Low Power Sections was more than compensated for by significant increase in the Mix and Match and particularly Multi-Single Sections.  These were distributed as follows: eight Open Section, thirteen Restricted, six Low Power, ten Mix and Match and eight Multi- Single. Conversely, the number of Sweepers was, at 48, down by 30% on 2021 - perhaps due to some of last year's Sweepers being out with the portables this time.

Before looking at individual band results, there are a number of points that are common to all of them. Firstly, the increased number of portables referred to above is encouraging. Secondly, and rather at variance with the first, there were several comments that the number of UK stations - particularly portables - was lower than in past years. Thirdly, without stepping into the Met. Office's territory and based on a limited number of reports, the weather apparently varied greatly across the UK. It seems to have been good in the south of England, deteriorating northwards with reports of wind and rain in the Midlands and north of England, deteriorating to torrential static rain (inevitably worst during set-up on Friday and Saturday) in Scotland - to the extent that one group were obliged to abandon their usual site and move to a less exposed one. On a more upbeat note, several groups reported a fair level of on-site home comforts with one group having a dishwasher on site (presumably a machine rather than a member who drew the short straw...) and at least two operating from campervans - although one of the latter reported that its electric water heater caused the circuit breaker on the generator to trip! And finally, a fair number of groups said that they enjoyed the weekend, one commenting that the introduction of poached eggs for breakfast enhanced the experience. At least one group used the event as an opportunity for operator training.

The Overall Winner of the Open Section, and winner of the Surrey Trophy, scoring 3580 normalised points is Reigate ATS and Crawley ARC, up from second place in 2021. It is gratifying to note that RSGB President Stuart G3YSX was one of their operators. Runner up is Colchester & A1 CG (last year's winner), with 3241 normalised points. With the third highest score, and leading non-UK&CD entrant in this section, is Wexford VHF Group, a non-entrant in 2021, with 2812 normalised points.  Third UK&CD entrant, and again winner of the Tartan Trophy, is Aberdeen VHF Group with 2000 normalised points from a two-band entry.

In the Restricted Section, the Overall Winner and recipient of the Martlesham Trophy is Warrington CG, winners of the 2021 Mix and Match Section, with 3874 normalised points. Runner up is again Lothians RS with 3020 normalised points, earning themselves the Cockenzie Quaich. In third place is last year's Restricted Section winner Windmill CG with 2650 normalised points.

In the Low Power Section, the Overall Winner is Andover RAC, taking the Arthur Watts Trophy, who took second place in the 2021 Mix and Match Section, with 2201 normalised points. In second place is Ripon & DARS, fifth placed in the 2021 Mix and Match Section, with 1870 normalised points. Third place goes to Fareham & DARC, second placed in the Restricted Section in 2021, with 1322 normalised points.

Overall Winner in the Mix and Match Section, taking the G5BY Trophy, is Northern Fells CG with 3750 normalised points - up from third in 2021. Runner up is Trowbridge & DARC, up from fourth in 2021, with 2947 normalised points. Third place is taken by Telford & DARS - a non-entrant in 2021 - with 2767 normalised points.

In the Multi Single Section the Overall Winner is Oxford & DARS, up from second place in 2021, with 2487 normalised points. In second place is Addiscombe ARC - a non-entrant in 2021 - with 2477 normalised points. Third place is taken by Chesham & DARS - in seventh place in the Restricted Section In 2021 -   with2384normalised points. Leading non-UK&CD entrant in this section is LY1KAP/P with 1128 points.

Individual band leader awards for UK&CD portable stations are as follows:

50MHz

Open Section: GM4ZUK/P: Aberdeen VHF Group: IO86: Score 35956

Restricted Section: GM3HAM/P: Lothians RS: IO74: Score 19252

Low Power Section: G4SJM/P: Ripon & DARS: IO94: Score 6998

Multi Single Section: G4ALE/P: Addiscombe ARC: IO90: Score 10424

70MHz

Open Section: GM4ZUK/P: Aberdeen VHF Group: IO86: Score 26311

Restricted Section: GM3HAM/P: Lothians RS: IO74: Score 15716

Low Power Section: G0ARC/P: Andover RAC: IO91: Score 7713

Multi Single Section: G4ALE/P: Addiscombe ARC: IO90: Score 8524

144MHz

Open Section: G5LK/P: Reigate ATS & Crawley ARC: JO01: Score 255656

Restricted Section:  G3CKR/P: Warrington CG: IO93: Score 75774

Low Power Section: M0NFD/P: Northern Fells CG: IO94: Score 34326

Multi Single Section: G3MDG/P:  Chesham & DARS: IO91: Score 22616

432MHz

Open Section: IO93: G5LK/P: Reigate ATS & Crawley ARC: JO01: Score 58247

Restricted Section: G3CKR/P: Warrington CG: IO93: Score 26174

Low Power Section: M0NFD/P: Northern Fells CG: IO94: Score 10506

Multi Single Section: G8IB/P: Oxford & DARC: IO91: Score 3946

1296MHz

Open Section: G0VHF/P: Colchester & A1 CG: JO01: Score 32038

Restricted Section: M0NFD/P: Northern Fells CG: IO94: Score 15152

Low Power Section:  G3ZME/P: Telford & DARS: IO82: Score 8801

Multi Single Section: G8IB/P: Oxford & DARC: IO91: Score 26

Awards for Fixed Sweepers are as follows:

The Overall Winner is G3XDY in JO02 with 3528 normalised points. Runner-up is GW4SHF in IO82 with 3405 normalised points. Third placed UK&CD entrant is G0CDA in IO83 with 2215 normalised points. Leading non-UK&CD Sweeper is F1CBC in JN09 with 525 normalised points.

50MHz

Section FSO (6 entrants)

Band Leader - GW0GEI

Runner up - G4LPP

Leading non-UK&CD entrant - LY5OM

Bronze award - GW0GEI

Section FSR (15 entrants)

Band Leader - GW4SHF

Runner up - M0HMJ

Leading non-UK&CD entrant - F1CBC

Leading Intermediate Licensee - 2W0PUT/A

Silver Award - GW4SHF

Bronze award -2W0PUT/A, G3RLE, M0HMJ

70MHz

Section FSO (6 entrants)

Band Leader - G3XDY

Runner up - G4KCT

Bronze award - G3XDY, G4KCT

Section FSR (7 entrants)

Band Leader - GW4SHF

Runner up - G3OVH

Silver award - GW4SHF

Bronze award - G3OVH

144MHz

Section FSO (8 entrants)

Band Leader - G0XDI

Runner up - G3XDY

Silver award - G0XDI

Bronze award - G3XDY, G4FOH

Section FSR (25 entrants)

Band Leader - GW4SHF

Runner up - G0CDA

Leading non-UK&CD entrant - F1CBC

Leading Intermediate Licensee - 2W0PUT/A

Silver award - GW4SHF

Bronze award - 2E0PUT/A, G0CDA, G0GJV, G0JRY, G1MZD, G6NUM, GW4ZAR

432MHz

Section FSO (3 entrants)

Band Leader - G0XDI

Runner up - G3XDY

Silver Award - G0XDI

Bronze award - G3XDY

Section FSR (13 entrants)

Band Leader - G0AJJ

Runner up - G0CDA

Leading non-UK&CD entrant - F1CBC

Bronze award - G0AJJ, G0CDA, GW4SHF

1296MHz

Section FSO (5 entrants)

Band Leader - G3XDY

Runner up - G7LRQ

Silver award - G3XDY, G7LRQ

Bronze award - G3TCU, G4LPP

Section FSR: (5 entrants)

Band Leader - G4KCT

Runner up - G0CDA

Leading non-UK&CD entrant - F1CBC

Bronze award - G0CDA, G6GVI, G0LGS, G4KCT

Moving on to individual band reports...

On 50MHz, apart from one entrant who reported tropo as good, the great majority found conditions poor or very poor - with one view that they were the 'flattest ever'. Nevertheless, a number of entrants managed contacts via sporadic E. The best DX was between GI4GTY/P in IO74 and OH7KBF in KO25 at 2127km, one of two QSOs at over 2000km and seven at over 1000km.

Although one entrant found 70MHz conditions good, they were generally reported to be no better than average. Although several entrants commented that they had found no sporadic E, in fact two sporadic E contracts were made with S5.  There were also reports that the band was noisy and QSB in evidence. The best DX was made by G0VHF/P in JO01 at the UK end, with S51DI in JN76 at 1209km at the other - one of two contacts at over 1000km.

On 144MHz, although there were a few reports of poor conditions, the majority of those who commented found them average but with a fair amount of DX (probably tropo) available - a total of 19 DXCC entities appear in the logs. Two entrants commented that the Backpackers Contest provided a welcome pool of additional contacts on Sunday afternoon.  The best DX was between G4ZAP/P in JO01 and OM3KII in JN88 at 1209km, one of two contacts at over 1000km.

Comments on 70cm conditions varied from 'average' through 'mediocre' to 'poor', although better on Sunday than Saturday. Some aircraft scatter helped. Best DX was between G0VHF/P in JO01 and OM6A in JN99 at 1273km, one of two contacts at over 1000km.

Finally, 23cm conditions were reported as average to poor, although, like 70cm, aircraft scatter proved useful. One entrant commented on having been 'totally reliant on KST and Airscout, with 80% of QSOs made via KST despite calling CQ all the time'. Best DX was, as with 70cm, between G0VHF/P in JO01 and OM6A in JN99 at 1273km - the only contact at above 1000km.

'Schadenfreude Corner' provided rather rich pickings this year. These included:

  • entrant admitting to being 'very rusty' after three years away left various important items behind - round trip to recover led to a late start
  • broken rotator during antenna erection
  • water in coax
  • defective connection lead
  • preamp left behind
  • struggle to interface linear & preamp
  • 23cm rig 'repurposed' when rig on another band failed
  • generator tripping out due to water heater (referred to above - but perhaps a self-inflicted injury...)
  • brand new 2m antenna defective - urgent recovery of 2021 antenna required
  • borrowed 6m beam would not go together. Trip home to dismantle dual band 6m/4m antenna, bring to site, reassemble and erect resulted in being on the band nearly three hours late. Inevitably the problem with the borrowed beam was soon identified - but far too late to change back.

Embarrassingly your scribe admits to being the culprit for the last - but ho hum - 'self training' and all that...

Bookings will be taken in due course for VHF NFD 2023...

Quin Collier G3WRR

g3wrr@rsgbcc.org



1 / 29
G2BQY/P (144)
Conditons reasonable with some tropo.
2 / 29
G2BQY/P (50)
Shame no Es
3 / 29
G3MDG/P (70)
4 / 29
GW3ZTT/P (144)
Very busy at the start of the contest despite our difficulties getting setup. Steady progress during the evening and a slow night shift. We were glad to have th....
5 / 29
G2BQY/P (432)
Very poor conditions Saturday but picked up on Sunday
6 / 29
G4LPP (70)
7 / 29
G3CKR/P (144)
8 / 29
GW3ZTT/P (50)
Three years since our last field day and it showed we were very rusty and left important equipment back at the club which made us very late getting started. Dam....
9 / 29
G3MDG/P (144)
10 / 29
G2BQY/P (70)
Sadly no Es this year
11 / 29
G3SRC/P (432)
12 / 29
G3CKR/P (432)
similar slow condx to previous years, lots of KST to attract attention, report of wide signal reported in first few minutes rectified , no further reports, thx ....
13 / 29
G3PIA/P (144)
Fairly slow, conditions average.
14 / 29
2W0PUT/A (144)
Lots of activity and the odd lift. Just worked on Sunday. 73 to all.
15 / 29
EI9E/P (432)
Flat conditions, outstanding signal from OR6T audible for most of the contest. Where were all the UK stations?
16 / 29
2W0PUT/A (50)
Really flat! Decent activity for the first few hours and then tailed off. Thanks to all who worked me.
17 / 29
GI4GTY/P (144)
Operating from a camper van with our new IC 9700 complete with built in voice keyer ....sheer luxury compared to previous years! Poor conditions with less conta....
18 / 29
GW3ZTT/P (70)
Some of the toughest radio conditions we have ever experienced during VHF NFD. No equipment issues but missed the preamp.
19 / 29
GI4GTY/P (50)
20 / 29
G3CKR/P (70)
very poor conditions Sunday morning, some stations disappearing into the noise at will, poor participation this year and no sign of any sporadic e , thx to all ....
21 / 29
G3PIA/P (70)
Reasonable activity
22 / 29
GW3ZTT/P (1.2 GHz)
Propagation on 23cms was very ordinary, no lifts at all even dawn. And activity not great either. Was nice not to have to rush contacts and had time to log accu....
23 / 29
EI9E/P (50)
Score well down on normal, no Es and very few UK stations active. The dishwasher continues to perform well, and we had poached eggs for breakfast this year, a....
24 / 29
G3CKR/P (50)
Flat noisy conditions , no sign of any E`s this year, wx was ok, chinese meal post contest was very welcome. participation in this years FD was poor to say the ....
25 / 29
G2BQY/P (1.2 GHz)
Average conditions, we were totally reliant on KST and Airscout. About 80% of QSOs were via KST despite calling CQ all the time.
26 / 29
G3PIA/P (432)
Reasonable activity and conditions
27 / 29
G3MDG/P (50)
28 / 29
G3PIA/P (50)
No Sporadic E sadly. Reasonable activity
29 / 29
G3PIA/P (1.2 GHz)
Poor conditions and low activity
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