VHF NFD - 1st/2nd JULY 2023

It is pleasing to report that the number of portable entrants in VHF NFD was up again this year at 49 - four (8%) more than the 2022 entry. The number of entries in the Open, Restricted and Mix & Match Sections were almost static but the halving of entries in the Multi-Single Section was more than offset by a doubling of the number in the Low Power Section. Entries were distributed as follows: Open Section - nine: Restricted Section - fourteen: Low Power Section - thirteen, Mix & Match Section - nine: Multi Single Section - four. The same upward trend applies to the number of Sweepers which, at 68, was 42% up on 2022.

Looking at the overall results, this year was one of change at the top of the table, with only one of last year's section leaders retaining their leading position. That said, none of the 2023 leaders moved up by more than four positions, indicating a fair degree of consistency among the hopefuls.

Before looking at individual bands, it is worth noting entrants' comments that apply to all (or several) bands. The most obvious was the weather - most noticeable for the wind which was commented on no less than fourteen times. There were multiple reports of mastage either having to be lowered (or not being raisable to the intended height in the first place), difficulty keeping beams pointing in the desired direction - and in one case a tent had to be taken down to avoid an involuntary visit to Bridlington Bay. Apart from the wind, several groups reported the weather as reasonable to good except for setup on Friday. Other common threads were that (a) UK activity was relatively low and QSO numbers on some bands over the whole weekend were less than those achievable in UKACs (slightly disappointing in view of the increased level of entries - but possibly explained by stations focussing on their most productive headings rather than being more 'direction agile'), and (b) quite a number of Sweepers commented that they fitted on-air time between other activities.

On 6m, UK stations reported tropo as poor, although one German station found conditions very good to the UK. But the most notable feature of the band was a generous helping of sporadic E. Nearly all entrants commented favourably on this (with one entrant thanking the RSGB for laying it on). Although the opening came and went (well, it is called sporadic E after all) it seemed to hold up for a good part of the contest. It clearly covered a wide part of the UK, with all portables achieving best DXs of over 1000km, nineteen between 2000km and 3000km and ten at over 3000km. The best DX was a remarkable 5083km between G4ALE/P and A92HK.

After the fun and games on 6m, 4m was a disappointing contrast.... Apart from a single meteor scatter contact between GM3HAM/P and S51DI at 1687km, all other best DXs were below 1000km, the next best being at 687km. Although a couple of comments of 'good' and 'lively at times' were received the majority described conditions as very flat, and activity as disappointing. But nil desperandum - one Sweeper reported that it was his first foray onto 4m and that he loved it.

Entrants' opinions varied most on 2m, with conditions reported as from 'extremely good both days' and 'nice DX' through 'average' to 'worst band conditions for many years'. Similarly comments on activity varied from 'reasonable' through to 'very poor'. There were three contacts at over 1000km, the best being between EI9E/P and HB9N.  Noise, deep QSB and rain scatter caused problems for several entrants.

Moving on to 70cm, there was more agreement by entrants about conditions and activity. The former varied from 'variable' downwards, although some good aircraft scatter contacts were reported and one entrant found conditions and DX better then on 2m. Likewise, because conditions and activity and are inevitably linked to some extent, activity was largely reported as poor, with one entrant commenting 'dead' and another noting that he could work more stations in a UKAC than during the whole of the FD weekend. The best DX - the only contact over 1000km - was again between EI9E/P and HB9N.

And finally 23cm. Although entries from portables were up by 31% and from sweepers by 60% (most welcome) UK activity was reported as limited, and conditions as flat to average. The best DX was between G0VHF/P in JO01 and DM5D in JO61 at 829km, the best of only three QSOs at over 750km.

There was a higher number than usual of 'high spots' reported by entrants, including the following:

'Can report much food was consumed, washed down with plenty of custard and all plates cleaned by the on-site dishwasher which continues to give good service.'

'VHF NFD is a great club social event for us and we enjoy the BBQs and takeaways.... Everything worked ok and we were ready 3 hours before the start which is possibly a first!'

'Nice to return to a favourite site from previous years. QRN from nearby wind farm has disappeared'.

'Setup and take down in the dry which is always a plus. Well supported by club members.'

'Super weekend.'

'New personal best of 93km' (on 23cm)

But (yin and yang and all that), for every good experience there seems to be at least an equal number of problems, and 'Schadenfreude Corner' as usual makes interesting reading. Problems reported include:

• a wasps' nest prevented one group from using their second tower. A 20 ft scaffold pole was found and used instead
• 'antenna fault stopped play'
• generator problems
• rotator problems, including direction indicator fault
• gremlins in masthead preamp
• other unspecified 'technical problems'
• another station heard on top of radiated signal (traced to acoustic coupling)
• wind meant that the barbecue could not be lit....

Well, that's it for another year - thanks to all this taking part - look forward to seeing you in VHF NFD 2024...

Quin Collier G3WRR

g3wrr@rsgbcc.org