The VHF Contests Championship aims to provide an overall result for the year - based on a representative selection of contests. The contests that count towards the Championship are: March 2m/70cm (the overall 2 band normalised score), 432 MHz Trophy, 10GHz Trophy, May 144 MHz, 50 MHz Trophy, 144 MHz Low Power, 432 MHz Low Power, 144 MHz Trophy, 70 MHz Trophy, 1.3 GHz Trophy & 2.3 GHz Trophy.

All stations entering any of these 11 events are automatically included in the Championship. There is a Single Operator Fixed Station section (SF), a Single Operator Fixed Low Power section [less than 25W to a single antenna] (LP) and Open section [Groups and Portables] (O) and an AFS section which accumulates all the scores of individual club members in each contest and section to give an overall total for the club.

All entries have been re-allocated and re-normalised from the original sections and points scores in each qualifying contest. The re-normalisation is against the best scoring station/group in each individual Championship section for each event. For 2023 the normalisation method has changed see here for details. For sections other than the AFS section only the best seven normalised scores count to towards the final score.

All Single Operator Fixed stations are entered and tabulated into the SF section. Stations qualifying for the LP section are also entered and tabulated into the LP section.

These contests take place over various weekends during the year on bands from 50MHz to 10GHz, so to get anywhere near the top of the tables takes a lot of commitment and the ability to  run a highly effective station across multiple bands and events. Unlike the short, sharp, weekday contests these events run for up to 24 hours, so patience and perseverance as well as plenty of coffee are usually required.

For the fifth year running, the winners of this year's AFS Section are Hereford ARS, the team improved on their 2022 total and scored a maximum 1000 points in eight of this year's events, one more than last year, and are again awarded the VHF Championship AFS Trophy. Chesham & DARS have moved up from fourth place in 2022 to second spot this year, with a much-improved score. 88 AFS teams are represented in the results this year, slightly down on last year.

There is a new name on the Racal Radio Cup this year, with Warrington Contest Group jumping up from fourth place last year to take top spot in the Open Section. The Weekend Contest Group move up from sixth pace to the runners-up spot this year.

In the Single Operator Fixed Section, the top three stations are the same as 2022, but in a different order. This year it is Keith, G4ODA in top spot with John G3XDY and David G4ASR in second and third places. Kieth is therefore awarded the John Pilags Memorial Trophy for 2023. The award for the highest placed Intermediate Licensee is won by James, 2E0OUT and the highest placed Foundation Licensee is Sue, M6XAK. Ranking certificates can be downloaded for all Intermediate and Foundation licence entrants using the filter at the top of the callsign column.

Andy, M5TKA has moved from sixth place in 2022 to take top place in the Low Power Section and is awarded the Low Power VHF Championship Trophy. Sue M6XAK is the highest placed foundation licensee and Tim, 2E0TJX repeats last year's success and is again the highest placed intermediate licensee.

Congratulations to all trophy and certificates winners.

Pete Lindsay, G4CLA.