432MHz Low Power 2005

This year saw the highest entry level for many years (at least back to 1997). The number of stations entering this contest continues to grow year on year (34 in 2005, 23 in 2004, 19 in 2003), which is very encouraging. A couple of entrants commented that it was their first contest entry for years.

Comments on conditions ranged from poor to average, and activity was rated from poor to good!

The top of the Single Operator Fixed section was closely fought, but last year's runner up, John Hall G0ODQ, was the clear winner this time. Ray James GM4CXM put in an excellent score from up in IO75 to gain second place.

The top two places in the Single Operator Others section were unchanged from last year, with Geoff Morris, as GW3ATZ/P, again the clear winner from Ron Price, as GW4EVX/P, who was runner up.

The battle at the top of the Multi Operator section was close, but the A1 Contest Group G4ZAP/P continue their dominance of this event, making it four wins in a row. As in other years, they picked up extra QSOs from a spell on FM. The Colchester Contest Group of Colchester Radio Amateurs G0VHF/P came in second.

Certificates will also be awarded to James Beatwell 2E1GUA and Bob Treacher M3RCV for leading intermediate and foundation entries in the SF section, and to Dave Cutts 2E0EBV and Greg Bailey 2E0FMS as operators of 2E0EBV/P, the highest placed intermediate entrant in the multi-op section.

Thanks to G3MEH for his checklog.

Bob Edgar
G0KYS

2E0EBV/P
Good fun hard work not many stations to work!

2E0GUA
Good fun and nice to work F8BRK. Thank to all stations.
First weekend contesting for some years, I looked back at when I entered this contest in 1997 and had 55 QSO in less time operating. But I did enjoy it and look forward to doing some more from my QTH in South Kent.
G0JBASlow QSB made some contacts a challenge, but all QSOs completed.

G0OIW
A fair bit of activity at first, but condx flat and once we'd all worked each other, it became a struggle to find any new stations. Gave up after a while, 'cos had other things to do and there was a nasty smell (dead badger?) at the operating site :0)

G0VHF/P
Low occupancy but some good long distance contacts made with the low power, small system setup.

G1HLT
Average conditions, beacons at normal levels. Some QSB on otherwise decent signals. F8BRK was very loud for a time. Just as we won the test match! Rotator unit went faulty after first hour - typical I guess. A fun morning.

G1KHX/P
WX sunny and warm. Conditions average.

G3IZD/P
Condx not good and had tg QRT early had visitors

G3WIR/P
Good weather, average conditions. Our first contest for years.

G3XG/P
Breakfast was more enjoyable than the band conditions.

G3XNO/P
Reasonable WX. Tropo conditions normal for this site.

G3YDY
Normal. Only operated for last 1.25 hours.

G4APJ
Fairly average, with maybe a slight improvement in the second half.

G4DBW
Seems nobody swings their beam to this corner of England! Several other stations heard but who couldn't copy my 5w. Must build a 70cm antenna for next time.

G4DEZ
Reasonable activity but conditions poor.

G4FUR/P
Very poor conditions with low activity. Saturation point reached within 35 minutes.

G4ZAP/P
Flat. If we have to have the shorter length a 10:00 start would be nice.

G6ZXN/P
Condition seemed flat, with QSB. Hard work - obviously missed/never heard a few stations. I suppose it's about taking part as there very little chance of doing spectacularly well here in the depths of Wiltshire.

G8HGN
Conditions not favourable and a lot of 2M stations did not come on 70cms today. Nil to the East. Oh, and the cricket was on TV!!

G8IYS
F station off back of beam was a surprise.

G8SRL
Average number of QSOs for this QTH under flat conditions.

G8VHL/P
Conditions average, cold & windy! Good number of stations on the band

GM4CXM
Good to hear so many stations beaming north!
Good to hear plenty of stations, and even work MOST of them!

GW3ATZ/P
Poor conditions. Nothing from Scotland. WX fine.

GW4EVX/P
Conditions pretty flat but excellent wx for /P.

M0GHZ
Hardwork! Some good propagation to north.

M1AEA
My first entry into this contest. I only operated for half an hour, just to give a few points away, but thought what the heck, I may as well enter!

M1MHZ
Seemingly less activity than a Tueday night contest. - WHY?

M3CRV
Missed the first hour. Watched the cricket and gave a few the SE postcode!

M3OVL
This was my first time on 70cms ssb. Conditions and poor antenna location did not help. After an hour of nothing after my first 2 qsos I decided to earn brownie points and go gardening. Lesson to be learnt. Better antenna system a must and probably more patience!!

M5ADF
Lively early on then very quite last hour.