144MHz Backpackers Championship of 2009

The 2009 144MHz Backpackers Championship has been run with different rules to the previous year's events. In place of separate 3W and 10W, single operator and multi-operator sections, two new sections have been created; a 3W (3B) section with no operation from vehicles and a 10W (10H) section where operation from a vehicle is permitted. Single operator and multi-operator stations can enter either section.

Twenty-five stations competed in the 3B (Backpackers) section and twenty-seven stations competed in the 10H (Hill Toppers) section.

The competition for honours has been very fierce with only a few points separating the top stations in both sections.

In the 3B section four stations (GW4IDF/P, G8JAY/P, G8HXE/P and M1EYP/P) amassed more than 2400 points and between them, they won four out of the five sessions. G3CWI/P won the remaining session.

In the 10H section two stations (GW4RWR/P and G8BGV/P) dominated four of the five sessions. Previous Backpacker Champion GW8ZRE/P won the remaining session.

Congratulations to the Malvern Hills B, GW4IDF/P, for winning the Backpackers (3B) section and the 144MHz Backpackers Trophy for 2009. Tony Jay, G8JAY/P was the runner-up.

Congratulations to Rhys Thomas, GW4RWR/P, for winning the Hill Toppers (10H) section of the 144MHz Backpackers Championship for 2009. Paul Selwood, G8BGV/P, was the runner-up.

This year, Leading Foundation and Intermediate Station certificates are awarded to:

• M3EYP/P - 3B section
• 2E0DXX/P - 3B section
• 2E0MMI/P - 10H section

Finally, thank you to all of the stations that took part in this year's Backpacker contests.

Ian, G0FCT