March 144/432MHz 2005

This contest continues to attract interesting weather. Snow, hail strong winds and freezing conditions made life interesting for the portable stations.

The number of entries for this event continues to rise, particularly in the six-hour sessions. Entrants are reminded that the same 6-hour period must be used for both bands -rule 4j. Conditions were described as "awful", "appalling" and "poor" with deep QSB on both bands. Contact numbers were well down on 2004. Generally conditions were better on 432MHZ though the band suffered from low activity levels.

Congratulations go to:
* The Five Bells, G5B, who won both bands and continue their dominance of this event;
* Bryn, G4DEZ who won the single operator fixed section for the second year;
* Steve M0BPQ/P for winning the single operator others section in appalling conditions;
* Bob, G8HGN for winning the six hour single operator fixed section;
* Ron, GW4EVX/P winning the six hour open section;

All other band winners and runners up who together with stations marked (*) will receive certificates.

Roger Dixon G4BVY

Comments from the logs:

2E0NEY
144MHz: Great Fun! Plenty of DX and much better conditions than last year.
432MHz: Nice to work some DX, but not many stations heard.

2E1GUA
144MHz: Not very good. But good fun.
432MHz: Not good on Saturday and Sunday but good fun.

G0D
There's only a log for 144MHz as due to the snow we decided against putting up another tower. Cccccold! Tried out our new array for the first time but couldn't get it up high enough due to the mast seals being frozen solid. Snow on the ground for nearly the whole contest. Conditions were reasonable but our array was a bit narrow and the Armstrong method didn't really appeal! Lack of operators due to snow meant that we didn't even attempt 70cms. Overall an enjoyable contest.

G0JLF/P
Terrible conditions Saturday, hopefully better for those venturing out on the Sunday. Terrible! Missed the first hour due to antenna trouble and getting to site late. Same number of Q's as last year but nearly half the points. This must mean more domestic activity! Some occasional DX popping out through the noise (antennas in the right direction must be a factor too). Ones that got away - DK0PU/P, DK3OS, F5SGT/P, DK5EZ - grrrrrrrr! WX cold with occasional snow.

G0POT/P
Please find attached my log entries for the March contest. By heck it was bloomin' freezing. Bloody hard work for very little reward...still, it dusted of the radio gear for the coming year! Radio conditions were poor with little DX heard. Wx condx even worse. Snow, hail and gales made for some challenging portable operation on my hill top. Only managed 4 hours before I had to decend the hill to find warmth! 70cms was very quiet with only a few stations heard. Not really set up for 70cm and used my 2m Sota beam to score a few points (and give a few away!).

G0VHF/P
144MHz: Cold, slow but some good contacts to be had.
432MHz: Just as cold, infinitely slower but, again, some good DX.

G1KHX
144MHz: Very poor WX. Heavy hail shower
432MHz: Better than 2m but very poor overall. WX hail showers.

G3MEH
144MHz: Propagation conditions below average wit deep QSB on longer paths
432MHz: Propagation conditions below average, most contacts arranged on 144MHz.

G3NJA
Helps if other stations beam south west. Very bad QSB. Good to work the M0B!

G3T
Arrived on site and forgot we had bent the tent poles last time - ended up with three missing!! Contest - what contest? Never known it so quiet in the south west. Lots of QSB.

G3VQO/P
Trying a new portable location - above the snow-line (not a phrase that comes easily to a soft southerner). Despite below-average conditions, this looks a very promising site - so watch out for more from me !!!

G3YDY
One hour operation Sunday Mid Day

G3YJR
144MHz: Condx quite good, but activity seemed low listening from IO93. GM, EI, DF/DL also heard. Beam North young man! No female operators heard.
432MHz: Wow that QSB was deep!

G4APJ
Possibly a little up, but very little G activity!

G4DEZ
More activity in the Cumulatives. Gale force winds snapped retaining bolt in rotator.
Antenna swinging merrily on its own!

G4HSO
As you may see, I did not take the entry too seriously - this is my first 144MHz contest from this site; but I will be back! It is also the first time I have tried computer logging during the contest
and I guess I made a few errors as a result. I am sure I would have operated for longer had it not been treating my XYL on mother's day!

G4XPE
Appalling conditions!

G8HGN
144MHz: Some DX worked through strong local signals.
432MHz: Heard DL8NCR JN59KE 736Km at 53 working OK 14:58 GMT didn't hear him afterwards. As with 144 some DX through strong local signals.

GW4EVX/P
144MHz: Wx was beautiful but conditions and activity were very poor.
432MHz: Spent about 90 minutes on this band - most of that time listening to white noise! Activity level very low.

GX1MAR
144MHz: This is the clubs first foray into contesting so was very much a learning experience. Conditions were VERY quiet so we cut our losses and entered the log for the first 6 hours. The aerials at the club need a thorough clean / revamp but we'll get that done before the next contest. Although the score is low, we all enjoyed the experience and WILL do it again.
432MHz: This is the clubs first foray into contesting so was very much a learning experience. Conditions were VERY quiet so we cut our losses and entered the log for the first 6 hours. The aerials at the club need a thorough clean / revamp but we'll get that done before the next contest. Although the score is low, we all enjoyed the experience and WILL do it again.

M0B
Very flat conditions. Was a hard slog. Where have all the VHF/UHF users gone? Sorry about mixing 2 & 70 up. Missed the bit in the rules about different serials per band until too late. Used to contesting on HF Hi Hi. Its a shame this procedure isn't adopted for HF.

M0BAO/P
Nice start to the new season.

M0BPQ/P
Awful conditions, only fragile lifts. Several station lost in QSB. Hope my best DX is valid as he was a real struggle. CQing brought few contacts so I spent most time carefully tuning the band which brought a reasonable return.

M0DDT
I look forward to this restful day every year! Even more so this year despite getting equipment in better order than usual!

M0LKB
Terrible QSB! Great Fun though, I really need another beam on the roof... I wonder if the wife can be persuaded?

M1DUD
144MHz: Deep QSB and low UK activity made conditions difficult. Very difficult to work QRP and I had to use CW often.
432MHz: Very difficult, with very little activity, deep fading. Unable to complete with M0B in same grid square!

M5ADF
144MHz: Difficult conditions, especially Sunday. Still enjoyable. Working 2 Bands makes it interesting and the many local contacts were really welcome.
432MHz: Difficult at times - much QSB. More local contacts this year, excellent, thanks.

M8Y
144MHz: Very windy, snowy conditions during Saturday with a hard frost overnight, sunny during Sunday but very cold. Poor conditions with low activity on SSB once again.
432MHz: The caravan overnight had frost on the inside! We were in a caravan with no heating! Good sleeping bags were the order of the day.