5th 144MHz Backpackers Contest of 2005

'Wall to wall' DX and good weather - what more could a 'Backpacker' want? Perhaps a clear frequency? Several entrants commented that finding even a small operating 'hole' between 144.15 MHz and 144.4 MHz was challenging.

The best DX for the majority of the entrants was over 600 km. Severn stations even managed to break the 1000 km barrier - not bad for 3 (or 10) watts. However, it was not all plain sailing as one or two stations reported problems with static rain!

The standard of logging was much better in this Backpacker session with an average of only 11% of points lost. Seven stations managed to turn in logs with less than 1% points loss - well done to those stations. Also, almost a third of entrants lost less than 5% of their score - well done!

In the 10W Multi-operator section G0KYS/P was the comfortable winner with the Wigan Douglas Valley Radio Society, G3BPK/P in second place.

The 10W Single Operator section was won by Andrew Warburton, M0LKB/P, with Dave Hewitt, GW8ZRE/P in second place.

In the 3W Multi-operator section the Malvern Hills B team, GW4IDF/P, was the winner with the West Kent Amateur Radio Society, G1WKS/P, in second place.

The 3W Single Operator section was won by Charlie Jordan, GW0PZO/P, with the Wigan and District Amateur Radio Club, G0HRW/P, occupying the runners-up spot.

The leading Intermediate Station certificate was won by Ralph Gault, 2I0RPM/P. Paul Swingewood, M3CVU/P won the leading Foundation Station certificate.

Thank you to M1MAJ for a very useful check log.

Ian, G0FCT
g0fct@vhfcc.org