Ropoco 1 Contest, 2005.

Everything was bigger and better this year than in 2004. Conditions were improved, the number of entries increased by a third and the leaders made 20% more QSOs. Most, if not all of the old stalwarts turned up and there were several first-time entrants. Also believed to be for the first time, Derek Stanners G3HEJ made all his QSOs using the Verulam Silver Jubilee Trophy Key that he won in this event last year.

Some stations were reported as not sending an RST. This was not reflected in any of the logs, or points would have been deducted. There were few outrageous postcode errors this time, but a substantial number of smaller, subtle slips. This is an event where the emphasis is on accuracy and, as almost all the contacts WILL be checked, one can be sure one’s sins will find one out! Why any operator, whether experienced or not, should accept a postcode sent once only and at high speed without asking for a repeat is a mystery. But accept they evidently did, with the result that only 9 of the 56 logs received were error-free.

Congratulations to Don Field G3XTT, whose faultless log of 71 contacts earns him both the certificate for overall leader and the Verulam Silver Jubilee Trophy. Fraser Robertson G4BJM takes second place with 69 QSOs and 2 errors. Peter Hobbs G3LET is third with 67 QSOs and 1 error. Thanks to GM3UM for his useful check log.

Steve Knowles G3UFY.

Soapbox:

G4BJM Kept run freq for whole contest, doing S&P on K2's second VFO. Band quiet for a change - no problems with QRM, QRN or QSB. Nice, relaxed fun - 2 QSOs in the last half-hour.

G3LET Excellent propagation throughout the contest with low noise level - good signals from everyone.

G4ARI I especially like RoPoCo because it is a test of both sending and receiving accuracy and ability. The lack of serial numbers makes it even more mysterious. Great fun!

G4RCG Always enjoy this contest and wkd more in this one than others in the past. Just one comment - why were some of the more "known" stations sending the P/code and no 599?

G4OBK Steady for the first hour or so and a good rate for RoPoCo. This meant there wasn't much left to go at in the last half hour. Band QRN was low and very good for inter-UK working, even with a vertical.

G4CZB Nice to work several new calls. Conditions and activity good.

M0AJT Much enjoyed again. Why so few entrants? On AFS last year 224 CW ops active. It's a shame more don't discover the fun of RoPoCo and make a very good contest even better.

G3OLB As usual, my postcode disappeared after the first QSO!

GM3WUX Good event, as usual. Here's to the next one. Fewer errors than usual going round.

G3XSV Didn't hear my own postcode again after the first QSO.

G3RSD Glad to have some new callsigns joining in.

G3OOK Business pretty slow in the second hour of the contest. Maybe a case for working stations TWICE, once in each hour. The "accuracy" aspect of copying the postcode correctly would not be compromised. (One of the Estonian contests uses the "one QSO per hour" rule, I think.) Today everyone seemed to be CQ-ing in the second hour. Daft postcodes started with the second QSO this year!

G0MTN Woke up scared half to death in middle of night by strange noise on animal in distress, and so started RoPoCo groggily. Confirmed this by getting the VFOs mixed up. Activity slowed right down in the last half hour - a real slog to get new QSOs.

G2AFV Condx dropped in the 2nd hour, as usual.

G3ZGC I had an LA5 call me at 0900LT, but of course could not count him. It was a pleasant surprise to work LA at that time of day.

G3LHJ Enjoyable as always. Condx good - did better this time even with 20mins out for breakfast, on XYL's orders.

G4BLI As exhilarating as ever - a good way to blow away the cobwebs!

GM4AFF My first RoPoCo - great fun.

G3LIK Good signals and strong! Two other contests on from Europe made it difficult at times. Nice to meet the friendly calls again.