Wow, this contest attracted a bumper crop of entries this year. In all there were 86 stations active though there was only one GM and no activity at all from EI, GI. GJ and GU. The return to portable activity encouraged eight groups to venture out. Conditions were rated as average with the best of propagation early in the event. Longer paths were subject to severe fading.
The Isle of Man continues to dominate this event with GD0EMG, operated by GD4GNH and GD0TEP, winning the multi operator section with a score over twice that of anyone else. Phil, G4OBK, benefited from his northerly location to win the single operator fixed station section. Tim, M0AFC/P, won the single operator open section by a large margin. Congratulations go to these stations who, together with those marked (*), will receive certificates.
Roger, G4BVY
Single Operator Fixed (SF) Pos Call Locator QSOs Score ODX Kms Power Ant 1 * G4OBK IO94OF 38 8943 G6EED/P 392 75 5 ele 2 * G3MEH IO91QS 50 6514 G3JYP 334 160 2*5 ele 3 G3TCU IO91QE 40 6298 G3JYP 395 150 6 ele 4 G0ODQ IO91NQ 39 5414 G0HYP 366 100 5 ele 5 G4DEZ JO03AE 26 4576 G6EED/P 324 150 5 ele 6 G3JYP IO84SN 18 4291 G4RFR 423 10 8 ele quagi 7 G3LVP IO81WV 30 3800 G4CAY 308 150 7 ele LPY 8 G3XPU IO92HM 31 3416 GD0EMG 282 50 3ele 9 * G3HYH IO92JO 23 2949 G6EED/P 220 25 dipole 10 G0GCI JO01ED 15 2726 G4BWW/P 337 100 7 ele 11 G1KHX IO81MI 18 2486 G4OBK 351 90 5 ele 12 G0UPU IO91AX 17 1982 G6EED/P 134 50 5 ele Single Operator Open (SO) Pos Call Locator QSOs Score Call Kms Power Ant 1 * M0AFC/P IO84SA 43 8654 G4JXK 343 20 5 ele 2 * GW8ASA/PIO81FP 36 4818 G4BWW/P 228 80 3 ele 3 G4BWW/P IO83RO 27 4720 G0GCI 337 12 3ele 4 G4XRV/P IO91QT 26 3246 GD0EMG 374 10 5ele 5 G0WJR/P IO83SO 19 2399 M0YYY/P 227 15 2 ele 6 G4WVD/P IO70NL 6 975 M0YYY/P 217 25 3 ele Multi Operator (M) Pos Call Locator QSOs Score Call Kms Power Ant 1 * GD0EMG IO74QD 62 19205 S51DI 1673 160 2*8 ele 2 * G0VHF/P JO01GN 46 8112 G8FWE 447 120 8 ele 3 GW5NF/P IO81KR 44 6634 G3XDY 300 80 5 ele 4 G4RFR IO90AS 36 5385 G4CAY 432 100 24 ele Comments from the logs: G0GCI The conditions seemed above average for the contest but I suffered badly from a local igniting/frying noise which was S8 in the worst direction. Only by beaming north west could I put the source into a null on my beam. This, however, limited the number of stations I could work. At least three QSOs were lost due to the QRM. I believe I could have worked at least 30 stations without that noise. It only appears occasionally but likes to pick contest days (!!!'s law). G0UPU No GMs to be heard - conditions average. G0VHF/P Good band occupancy, conditions favoured locals - & MS!! (I hope PBP completed with S51DI.). Heard no GM/GI/EI regrettably and only heard Slovenia, but all the gear worked - eventually! G0WJR/P Dry and calm, but a little chilly. Some of the paths subject to considerable fading. For the first time ever in a 4m event, I found my chosen site already occupied when I arrived (Peter G4BWW), so had to find another location further round the side of the hill. The event seemed busier than usual; I had to queue up to work some of the stronger stations, and there was more QRM than usual, and at least one pair of stations operating co-channel. I heard at least 6 more stations whom I didn't have chance to work, having to head off early for lunch, and to watch the Grand Prix. It was encouraging to hear the band so busy: in this year when VHF activity seems to have sunk to a new low, it's good to find "the friendly band" still thriving! G1KHX Fair - deep QSB on distant stations. G3JYP Patchy. Lack of GMs. Lost almost an hour due to unexpected visitors. G3MEH Good activity but poor conditions. G3TCU Condx seemed quite reasonable but it was disappointing that there seemed to be no GM, GI, EI or GU/GJ active. Busy for 2 hrs then vy slow going in 3rd & 4th hour. Is this contest too close (in the calendar) to the cumulatives ? G4BWW/P Better towards the start. G4DEZ Reasonable conditions but low activity blame it on M3 callsigns nobody left on VHF now! G4OBK Great fun - my first real go at a 4m contest. I was surprised what could be worked from the Vale of York and doubled the number of my all time locators worked on 4m from 7 to 14! The 4m crowd are a friendly welcoming lot and it was pleasing to make a handful of CW QSOs as well as those on SSB. With the amount of activity I reckon 4 hours was just about right. G4WVD/P Rain and cold. Normal problem with being to far West. Worked all I could hear, only one answered CQ calls. G4XRV/P Rather average. GW8ASA/P Poor condx long slow qsb, nothing from GM,GI. M0AFC/P Fairly good activity conditions got worse as contest progressed !!