May 144MHz 2008



Entry levels in this years event were at a 10 year high. Looking back over the last 10 years it is evident that QSO numbers have fallen slightly but have kept at about the same level for the past 4 years, also there has been a shift of entries from the 24 hour to the 6 hour sections.

Once again conditions were far from favourable, being described as flat or below average by many.

The open section was won by the A1 Contest group, particular congratulations go to them for their 5th successive win. The Five Bells group took advantage of the contest weekend to have a social event for the group and take second place, a nice birthday present for Keith G4ODA.

In the SF section Bryn found the contest hard work and the activity levels low, nonetheless he takes top spot. Steve M5BFL takes second place for the 4th year running and with his highest ever score.

The only single-op portable station to brave the wet and windy conditions for the full 24 hours was Chris M3XLG, who used his 10w and 8-over-8 to good effect to take the honours in the SO section.

In the 6 hour sections, Alex Dunn GM4NFC and Iain MM0TFU operating GM0AYR/P proved that you can do well from a location well away from the centre of activity by winning the 6O section from Stewart G0LGS operating G8CQA/P. There was a big increase in entries for the 6S section this year, with some excellent scores. Matthew G0XDI came out on top despite his observation that conditions were "flat as a pancake again". In second place was Bob G8HGN.

Congratulations also go to the following, who were the leading intermediate and foundation licensee's in their sections. Pete, 2E0NEY, Billy M3ZWW, Raymond 2E0RFX, Simon 2E0VAG and Andy M3YFC.

Thank you to G3MEH, G7OOD, M3WFO and M3VXX/P for their checklogs.

Pete G4CLA.

Section O
Pos
Group
Callsign
Locator
QSOs
Score
Multiplier
Total
ODX Call
ODX Kms
Power
Ant
Equipment
1*
A1 Contest Group
G4ZAP/P
JO02EB
451
133,031
108
14,367,348
DJ2NR
822
400
4x12 + 2x12 + 2x12 + 9(vertical) + Colinear @ 15m QTH @ 126m
TX IC7400 + 2x 4CX250B RX 3xIC7400r+Preamps
2*
Five Bells Contest Group
G4SIV
IO92WS
365
102,972
109
11,223,948
DK1FG
862
400
6 x 12 elements & 2 x 12 elements [70ft & 50ft] @ 70ft/50ftm QTH @ 0m
TX TS950SDX & HB PA RX TS950SDX & LNA
3
Colchester Contest Group of Colchester RA
G0VHF/P
JO01PU
335
98,906
106
10,484,036
F6FHP
802
400
2x15 Cue Dee (Mod) + 2x12 M^2 @ 20m QTH @ 40m
TX FT-847 + GS35b RX FT-847 + LNA
4
Reigate Amateur Transmitting Society
G7RAT/P
IO91SG
238
50,989
91
4,639,999
DF5NK
845
400
2x9 + 2x17 @ 25m QTH @ 175m
TX IC-910 + pa RX IC-910
5
SWINDON & DISTRICT
G8SRC/P
IO91CL
212
41,037
79
3,241,923
F6FHP
758
400
4 X 12ELE @ 60FTm QTH @ 250Mm
TX FT-1000 + TXR RX FT-1000 + TXR
6
Verrulam Amateur Radio Club
G3VER/P
IO91RU
180
24,444
78
1,906,632
DF5HC
683
100
4 x 9 ele tonna @ 30mm QTH @ 230mm
TX IC7000 + BNOS linear RX IC7000 + M/H pre-amp
7
Mad Jack's ARS
M0MAD
JO00EW
124
21,366
53
1,132,398
DG3XA
703
400
2 x 11 @ 15m QTH @ 180m
TX TS2000 + LAUK Discovery RX TS2000
8
Herstmonceux Megacycles
G3YNN
JO00EU
45
7,357
33
242,781
GM0AYR/P
579
50
9 ele yagi
Yaesu FT 847
Section SF
Pos
Group
Callsign
Locator
QSOs
Score
Multiplier
Total
ODX Call
ODX Kms
Power
Ant
Equipment
1*
 
G4DEZ
JO03AE
268
73,879
95
7,018,505
DF5NK
868
400
4 x 12e
IC910 + GS35b
2*
 
M5BFL
IO91OO
114
16,764
60
1,005,840
F6FHP
766
250
11ele
IC910
3*
 
2E0NEY
IO81VK
56
11,644
41
477,404
DL9GS
652
50
17 elements @ 9m QTH @ 124m
TX IC-910 RX IC-910
4*
 
PE1EWR
JO11SL
36
10,673
27
288,171
GM0AYR/P
665
80
10 el. Parabeam Jaybeam @ 9m QTH @ 0m
TX TS790E+HL85V RX TS790E+HL85V
5
 
GM4AFF
IO86ST
23
11,025
22
242,550
G4RRA
679
25
    
6
 
G4PDS
IO80KR
24
5,614
19
106,666
PA5KM
496
50
3 ele yagi @ 4m QTH @ 90m
TX IC-7000 RX IC-7000
7
 
G8LZE
IO91SO
43
3,678
29
106,662
M3XLG/P
300
100
12 element
TS2000
8
 
G3UFY
IO91WJ
30
3,685
25
92,125
GI4SNA
527
50
9Y @ 14m
TX FT817 + MML 144/100 RX FT817
9*
 
M3ZWW
JO01ED
29
3,543
22
77,946
GM0AYR/P
551
5W
13 EL @ 10Mm
TX FT817 RX FT817
10
 
G6UBM
JO01CE
25
3,157
21
66,297
GM0AYR/P
541
100
13 el cushcraft
IC910
11
 
G4RYV
IO91OI
24
2,678
21
56,238
GM0AYR/P
491
10
9 ele Tonna @ 8mm QTH @ 59mm
TX Icom IC-706 RX Icom IC-706
12
 
G7SKR
IO83RI
15
1,946
17
33,082
G0VHF/P
308
50
Colinear in loft
TX Icom IC-7400 RX Icom IC-7400
13
 
M5ADF
IO91TO
19
1,185
16
18,960
G4DEZ
179
25
21 LPY @ 12m QTH @ 120m
TX Kenwood TR751E RX Kenwood TR751E
Section SO
Pos
Group
Callsign
Locator
QSOs
Score
Multiplier
Total
ODX Call
ODX Kms
Power
Ant
Equipment
1*
Craven Radio Amateur Group
M3XLG/P
IO84WC
85
13,079
54
706,266
F6CBH
608
10
8x8 skeleton slot yagi @ 6m QTH @ 403m
TX Yaesu FT-857 RX Yaesu FT-857
Section 6O
Pos
Group
Callsign
Locator
QSOs
Score
Multiplier
Total
ODX Call
ODX Kms
Power
Ant
Equipment
1*
Ayr Amateur Radio Group
GM0AYR/P
IO75VG
130
45,005
88
3,960,440
DJ6SN
847
400
2 x 9 el Yagi @ 7m QTH @ 697m
TX Yaesu FT-897 RX Yaesu FT-897
2*
GCARC
G8CQA/P
IO81XV
110
15,641
64
1,001,024
DL9GS
639
100
8 Ele @ 6m QTH @ 304m
TX ICOM IC-910HX RX ICOM IC-910HX
3
MID LANARK AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY
MM0GPZ/P
IO74VT
55
17,194
50
859,700
F6KHM
714
400
9 ELE M2 @ 6m QTH @ 30m
TX IC-275H RX IC-275H
4
 
G1KHX/P
IO81MH
70
12,629
47
593,563
GM4AFF
613
150
9 ele tonna @ 6m QTH @ 165m
TX yaesu ft817nd/tokyo amp RX as above
5
 
GW4RWR/P
IO83JA
76
10,781
49
528,269
GM4AFF
425
10
9el Tonna @ 6m QTH @ 563m
TX FT-225RD RX BF-981
6
 
G8ZRE/P
IO83PF
55
6,214
42
260,988
G0VHF/P
311
10
7 Element ZL Yagi @ 6m QTH @ 152m
TX Kenwood TR751E RX Kenwood TR751E
7
Bolton Wireless Club
G6GVI/P
IO83SO
15
2,624
17
44,608
G0VHF/P
319
25
HB9CV @ 2m QTH @ 425m
TX IC202 + W&D PA RX IC202
8*
 
2E0RFX/P
IO93AO
24
1,967
19
37,373
GM0AYR/P
236
25
VERTICAL MA6000 @ 5m QTH @ 427m
TX ICOM 706 MK11 G RX ICOM 706 MK11 G
9
 
G3VQO/P
IO91TE
6
363
7
2,541
G8SRC/P
104
5
whip @ .5m QTH @ 297m
TX Yaesu FT817 RX Yaesu FT817
Section 6S
Pos
Group
Callsign
Locator
QSOs
Score
Multiplier
Total
ODX Call
ODX Kms
Power
Ant
Equipment
1*
 
G0XDI
IO91RQ
102
17,773
66
1,173,018
DF4IP
706
150
9 ele Vargarda
IC-275e + Microset SR200
2*
 
G8HGN
JO01FO
71
15,520
44
682,880
DF4IP
638
50
2x15 Cue Dee @ 13m QTH @ 60m
TX YAESU FT-847 RX YAESU FT-847
3
 
G4RQI
IO93IR
60
10,617
42
445,914
G0KYS/P
384
100
10ele
IC746
4
 
G4APJ
IO83UP
50
9,059
43
389,537
PA0PVW
572
25
7 ele
FT-736R
5
 
G4FOH
JO02BA
57
8,027
44
353,188
GI4FUE
495
100
8 ey @ 8m QTH @ 131m
TX TS2000 RX TS2000
6
 
G0HVQ
IO81UX
48
7,178
38
272,764
GM4AFF
538
200
9 ele yagi
Icom IC7400
7
 
G0GJV
IO91OK
52
6,882
37
254,634
DK5WO
483
100
9 ele @ 10m QTH @ 60m
TX FT1000MP + Transverter RX FT1000MP + Transverter + Preamp
8*
 
2E0VAG
IO91UM
56
6,849
35
239,715
DL9GS
519
50
2 X 9 ELE TONNA @ 10m QTH @ 50m
TX FT897 RX FT897
9
 
G4XPE
IO92GU
26
4,041
26
105,066
GI4SNA
355
25
Jaybeam 10Y 10 element yagi @ 3.81m QTH @ 38.1m
TX FT736R RX FT736R
10
 
G3YJR
IO93FJ
22
3,245
24
77,880
PA5KM
425
25
9 el yagi @ 12m QTH @ 235m
TX FT290 + linear RX FT290 + preamp
11
 
G8ONK
IO83MR
18
3,804
19
72,276
G0VHF/P
354
100
9 Ele Yagi @ 12m QTH @ 10m
TX FT897 +linear RX FT897
12
 
G3TTC
IO92FG
12
1,961
14
27,454
GI4SNA
390
50
5 ele @ 8m
TX FT857 RX FT857
13
 
G4GTH
IO90BV
12
1,851
10
18,510
G4DEZ
287
50
M2 2M9SSB Yagi @ 9Mm QTH @ 27Mm
TX Kenwood TS2000 RX Kenwood TS2000
14*
 
M3YFC
IO91OI
14
1,081
13
14,053
G4DEZ
212
10
Sotabeam 3el Yagi @ 20'm
TX IC-7000
15
 
G4CLB
IO91RO
13
915
11
10,065
G4DEZ
181
50
6 ele yagi - loft mounted @ 6m QTH @ 95m
TX TS2000 RX TS2000
16
 
M0GGO
JO01PD
3
1,007
2
2,014
DL9GS
414
50
5 element yagi
TX yaesu ft 857 RX yaesu ft 857
17
 
G0MTN
IO92BJ
2
213
3
639
G3VER/P
110
50
vertical
FT857
Comments from the logs:
2E0RFX/P
FLAT
G1KHX/P
reasonably good
G3VQO/P
As there is not a 20-minute section, I'll have to enter the 6-hour option! As usual, I worked all that I could hear, and no reply to my CQs. I was surprised that so many commented that RH was a new multiplier, given that so many stations reside within its borders. Thanks to Pete G4CLA for "advertising" the contest on the UK-Contest reflector, otherwise I would not have realised it was on.
G6GVI/P
Just blowing the cobwebs off my old IC202, and giving away a few points for an hour. Sunny, but with a cool breeze. Propagation seemed below par.
G8CQA/P
Quite busy, Little DX.
G8ZRE/P
Main entry in Backpackers contest. Plenty of mults no DX good weather.
GM0AYR/P
Reasonable conditions and average activity. Weather wasn't too extreme but 2c in May...it must be the global warming!
GW4RWR/P
Band flat. Weather calm, almost sunny, a fine start to the series.
MM0GPZ/P
Exceptionally flat. Lost a few calls to fast QSB. No real big signals and only 1 QSO outside UK.
G0HVQ
Very quiet on the Sat evening much better Sun morning no real DX but condx better up to the North
G0MTN
Did much better last year...
G0XDI
Conditions flat as a pancake again! Always fun and made a change to be at home for this one
G3YJR
A late start, but plenty of activity overall, though could have done with more from Scotland!
G4APJ
Fairly average. Pleased that my ODX called me while I was beaming SW. Perhaps I should leave the beam as it is? :-)
G4FOH
Nothing to write home about! Very few continentals heard at this qth
G4GTH
Fairly flat during periods of operation
G4RQI
Poor conditions deep QSB
G4XPE
Very hard going due to flat conditions, qsb & lack of activity.
G8HGN
Average condx,few UK entrants until Backpackers started. Some DX to Europe
G0VHF/P
Saturday poor condx, improving on Sunday. Activity: fair, considering other attractions. Well supported by GM & GI. Effort hampered by poor match on the pair of 12s.
G3VER/P
Flat condx. Fell back to Linear amp #3 Lucky with the wx.
G3YNN
Severe QRM from nearby station spreading over entire Comments etc. 2 : 2m band for first few hours of contest
G4SIV
Relatively flat band with odd pockets of DX. Some unusual call signs & multipliers "popped out of the woodwork" even in the closing minutes of the contest - 2 multipliers in the last 12 mins. Great social meet too from the pre-contest dinner on Friday night to the cutting of the birthday cake for Keith G4ODA. A visit from G4YHF's family & G0VTL's too. Once again it was great to see David G4DHF join us for dinner & operating. Oh & we managed a BBQ too, cool though it was. thanks once again to Keith
G4ODA
for some terrific hospitality. Best claimed score on this contest for a few years!
G4ZAP/P
After weeks of good conditions the contest weekend saw poor weather and poor radio conditions. Saturday very poor, Sunday conditions a little better, especially towards France. Everything worked OK and at least it was dry, if rather cold, on Sunday!
G7RAT/P
Rather flat and rather quiet
G8SRC/P
WE HAD PROBLEMS WITH OUR FIRST FT-1000 AND HAD TO BORROW A REPLACEMENT. WEATHER HELD OFF ALTHOUGH IT WAS EXTREMELY COLD. STARTED LATE AND ACTIVITY SEEMED STABLE. FEW DEAD POINTS BUT WE ENJOYED THE CONTEST. THANKS FOR THE POINTS.
M0MAD
Not our best effort! Problems with the antenna feeds and then the cable on the trailer tower snapped!
2E0NEY
Very slow on Saturday, conditions and activity much better on
G4DEZ
Real hard work and very low activity as usual.
G6UBM
Heard more activity in 2 1/2 hours on Tuesday night.
GM4AFF
Just messing about, trying to get the station back on 2m. Only 25 watts out
M3ZWW
Heavy QSB long periods of silence tnx to all for the points
M5BFL
Fairly flat conditions Normal bad splatter from station in IO91
M3XLG/P
BAD CONDITIONS SATURDAY NIGHT BUT ALOT BETTER SUNDAY. ALSO COLD WINDY AND WET UP ON THE HILLS...