4th 144MHz Backpackers Contest of 2009

22 stations submitted an entry for this session of the 144 MHz Backpackers contest. Once again, the summer weather played its part in this contest with many stations reporting high winds, torrential downpours, thunder, lightning and even hill fog. The high wind caused some stations to have problems keeping their antennas pointing in the desired direction and even worse, trying to keep their tent etc on the ground! Band conditions weren't much better with little continental DX available. The best DX of the contest was worked by Dave GW8ZRE/P; PA0PVW at 622km.

In the 10H section Paul Selwood, G8BGV/P was the winner with Rhys Thomas, GW4RWR/P in second place.

The 3B section was won by the Malvern Hills `B', GW4IDF/P with Keith Haywood, G8HXE/P in second place.

Check logs are gratefully acknowledged from F/G8CUL/P, G0LGS, G4PDS, G6NHU and M0NUT.

Ian, G0FCT

Comments from the Logs

F/G8CUL/P

Giving some points away from Normande!

G0LGS

Just giving away a few points, worked all those I could hear.

G0OVA/P

V Hard going, great periods of white noise !!

G3BPK/P

Got soaked while setting up. VERY heavy rain. Cleared later but many contesters put off! Very few Europeans heard except PA0PVW (tnx for the points OM). European beacons still 5 and 7 though. Still an enjoyable contest though, even in the wet. Thanks to all who took part

G4PDS

Quiet

G4VRC/P

Very windy. Difficult keeping antenna pointing.

Low activity. Packed up after 2hrs due to rain and cold.

G4XZL/P

Somehow avoided the rain but very windy, hard to keep the beam pointed!

Activity low due to wx

G6NHU

Conditions pretty flat although two new squares worked.

Very quiet for last hour, only heard two stations!

Checklog only.

G7IVF/P

Grim weather at times and not much activity heard on the band.

G7NBE/P

Wet and little activity, packed up after 2 hours

G7PZL/P

Heavy rain showers, band flat.

G8BGV/P

As last year very windy, no GI or GM Worked and low activity

As the Activity is consistently low for this stand alone contest perhaps it would be a good idea to move session 4 to be the first 4 hours of the low power contest in August. Allowing Backpackers to enter both contests.

G8HXE/P

Terrible weather on the walk in and nearly abandoned the contest then. WX improved by the start time though giving tremendous visibility later out to the west and north. Managed to leave the wrong antenna in car and had to use the 3 ele instead of the 5 ele.

G8JAY/P

Poor conditions, only highlight was the PA0. Hard work, wet and windy again.....

GW4EVX/P

Very wet and windy afternoon but a good level of activity.

GW4IDF/P

The usual mix of wind, rain and a little bit of sun

GW4RWR/P

Traversed 3km of peat bog during ill fog and rain to reach this qth, horrid going, I name it The Devil's Colon. Erected antenna and lean-to tarpaulin, only to have clouds lift 90mins into contest, and discover that I'm 600m and 190' short of the summit! Sorry if I couldn't hear you over noise of flapping tarp as it tried to get airborne.

GW8ZRE/P

No real DX after 1st 2.5 hours no new stations heard.

M0DDC/P

Gave up after an hour when I couldn't hear the stations for the wind and the aerial and mast were nearly blown down the hill. Thanks to all for the contacts.

M0NUT

Harwell ARS

M0OZH/P

One hour break in rain. Thunder and lightning

MW1EYP/P

Surprisingly dry for 75% of contest, but downpour for last hour. Good fun. Note, used a site in Wales for this round; score should combine in the series with my others as M1EYP.