VHF National Field Day 3-4 July 2010 

 

 

Building upon the successes of 2009, and in response to contestants'   feedback, some changes were made to the rules for this year. They were posted early but, unfortunately, not everyone seems to have read them before the contest - nor, possibly, after it either.

 

Remaining unchanged is the principle of a four-section multi-band portable contest: Open, Restricted, Low Power and Mix & Match. However, for the 70 MHz band, it was concluded that the historical RF permitted power levels for Restricted section and Low Power section were out of step with the Open section full legal limit. Therefore, these were reduced, respectively, from 100 W  to 40 W and 25 W to 10 W.

 

The Fixed Sweepers element, running alongside, introduced last year, had two Sections this time: Open – without restriction on output power or antenna and Restricted – with 100W power limit on all bands except 70 MHz, where the limit was 40W, and only one antenna per band. Fixed Sweepers were required to establish QSOs only by replying to a station calling CQ.

 

A full set of General Rules applying to all RSGB contests and Rules for VHFNFD 2010, together with the basis upon which awards are made of Trophies and Certificates in all Sections and Bands, are to be found at http://www.rsgbcc.org/vhf/rules . The VHFNFD 2010 pages include a link to a listing of all Portable section entrants who had registered by the closing date of 28 June. Registration is required for portable entrants in order to qualify for the award of Trophies and Certificates and to facilitate site inspection. The listing of registered portable stations also facilitates scoring-multipliers for Fixed Sweepers.

 

Little mentioned nowadays, the SWL section continues but, sadly, there have been no takers for a number of years.

 

The robot entry process is well established as efficient and helpful to entrants and adjudicators alike.

 

Check Logs are gratefully acknowledged from Bryn G4DEZ, Philip G1TST, Sergio EA3DU, Graham G3TCT, Ivan S51DI, Bob G0ADH, Dave G3YMC and Alun G4WGE.

 

Registrations and Entries

 

The Portable element attracted the entry of 204 station logs. 218 stations were registered by the closing date. This compares with 224 and 186 respectively in 2009. Band distribution of entries was as follows (last year in brackets): 50 MHz: 55 (53), 70 MHz: 37 (40), 144 MHz: 52 (58), 432 MHz: 42 (49) 1296 MHz: 18 (24)

 

Group entries by section were as follows (last year in brackets): Open:15 (14), Restricted: 15 (32), Low Power: 13 (17), Mix & Match: 18 (13). Total 61.

 

The preceding figures take account of the movement by the Adjudicators of four 70 MHz station entries: three from Restricted to Open section and one from Low Power to Restricted section. They had all failed to take account of the new 2010 power limits. Only three of these moves required a shift of the Group from Restricted section into Mix & Match.

 

By dint of weather or lack of resources, the number of entries turned out somewhat less than those registering. 29 stations, spread over 5 groups,  made a token appearance or did not get on the air at all. They would have raised the entry level to 232 stations and 66 groups.

 

The Fixed Sweepers element attracted 9 entrants to the Open section FSO. Band distribution was as follows: 50 MHz:1, 70 MHz: 1, 144 MHz: 3, 432 MHz: 2, 1296 MHz: 2.

 

The Restricted section FSR attracted  47 entrants. Band distribution was as follows: 50 MHz:12, 70 MHz: 6,144 MHz:16, 432 MHz: 9, 1296 MHz: 4. 

 

The adjudicators for the 50 MHz band noted comments from portable stations that a fixed station had been calling CQ. After investigation, it was established that one entrant in the FS element had not complied with the Rules requiring that contacts may only be made in response to CQ calls, that is by "Search and Pounce". The Contests Committee determined that this entry be disqualified.

 

 

Activity and Conditions.

 

Last year, readers seemed to like the listing of nations and totals of  individual callsigns appearing at least once in the logs of  Portable entrants. So, we shall repeat that. Note that this does not include contacts between Portable entrants themselves, nor with or by Fixed Sweepers. To save space, prefixes have been used this time rather than the name of the nation, although here and there a little more detail is given. A convention has been adopted here so that G, for example, means all English prefixes: G, M and 2E; GM means all Scottish prefixes: GM, MM and 2M; DL means all allocated German prefixes and so on.

 

50 MHz.

 

Nations and individual callsigns worked:

 

4O Montenegro: 1, 5B: 2, 9A Croatia: 7, 9H: 1, CT: 1 , DL: 95, E7 Bosnia -  Herzegovina: 2, EA Mainland: 10, EA6 Mallorca: 1, EI: 11, ES: 1, F: 20 , G: 325, GD: 4, GI: 8, GJ: 1, GM: 34, GU: 4, GW: 29, HA: 4, HB:13, HB0 Liechtenstein: 1, I Mainland: 54, IS Sardinia: 1, LX: 1, LY Lithuania: 6, LZ: 4, OE:  10, OK: 29, OM: 5, ON: 25, OZ: 13, PA: 16, S5 Slovenia: 9, SM: 7, SP: 29, SV Mainland and minor islands: 19,  SV5 Rhodes:1, SV9 Crete: 6, TA: 1 (in the shape of TA/G4IJD near Olu Deniz), UW Ukraine: 2, YL Latvia: 4, YU: 2. Total 819 callsigns (801 in 2009). The callsign J41P puzzled a few but proved to be in Greece and, for those who do not keep an eye on these things, so did SW and SZ.

 

The greatest number of QSOs, 239, was netted by Wexford VHFG (IO62) in Open section. The maximum number of QSOs by a UK station, 196, went to Rochdale & DARS (IO83) also in Open section. Last year, the QSO leader (Wexford VHFG also) netted 218 QSOs.

 

In comparison with last year, the "worked footprint" was much reduced. Nothing is recorded as having been worked beyond Europe plus the singleton TA, in Asia, close to the east Mediterranean sea. Also, no stations were worked in a 750km-wide void between a line running NW to SE through mid France to a similar one running through mid Spain. Possibly, this marked the boundaries between contacts made by Extended Tropospheric propagation (Te) and those made by sporadic E-layer Ionospheric propagation (Es). Nevertheless, total stations available remained about the same as last year and only the maximum distances worked show significant reduction. Greece and Cyprus provided the longest distance (ODX) contact for many.  

 

We will start the soapbox comments with a quote from Wexford VHFCG (IO62) since it forebodes by a few hours what went on to strike the UK later: “Although the 6 metre contest in EI lasts for the full 24 hours, we decided this year that we would close down the 6 metre station on Saturday night – allowing us to share the mast with 4 metres. This was a good idea until we were hit by overnight gale force winds. Despite that, we found good conditions again this year with some nice Es openings and lots of UK activity after that focused on the Es had calmed down.  Verulam ARC (IO91) enjoyed very different weather, finding it superb  – sunny all the time and a gentle breeze on the Sunday. They noted the Es but thought it down on that which existed a fortnight earlier. Getting priorities right again, the fish and chip supper at 20:00 proved most enjoyable. FS operator G4VPD (IO92) did not find much UK activity and G3TXF (IO91) found little or no Es. G0KYS (IO80), on the other hand, remarked upon the good Es early on. Trowbridge & DARC (IO81) sought to roll out their big gun in the shape of a GS35 amplifier, completed just in time for the contest. Unfortunately it did not perform correctly with their generator (How many times have others found that ?) so a slightly sick commercial amplifier was pushed hastily into service. They report some excellent Es and found the contest interesting and thoroughly enjoyable. The Bristol Four to 70 cms CG thought it a shame that the 50 MHz session did not last the full 24 hours !

 

Band leaders are as follows: Open: EI9E/P Wexford VHFCG (IO62), Restricted: GM3HAM/P Lothians RS (IO74), Low Power: GI0RQK Lagan Valley ARS (IO74), FSO: G3TXF (IO91), FSR: G3XNO (IO93).

 

Open section ODX was achieved by MM0CPS/P Cockenzie & Port Seton ARC (IO84) with 5B4AIF (KM64 SW Cyprus) at 3566 km. Restricted section, and best overall, ODX was achieved by MI0SMK/P (IO74) with 5B4AIF at 3672 km. Low Power section ODX was achieved by GM3SHK/P Loch Fyne Kippers (IO75) with 5B4AIF at 367O km. FSO ODX went to G3TXF (IO91) with Aberdeen VHFG, GM0FRT/P (IO86) at 636 km. FSR ODX went to G3NXO (IO93) with 5B4AIFat 3398 km.

 

70 MHz.

 

Nations and individual callsigns worked:

 

9A Croatia: 3, CT: 2, EI: 1, G: 122, GD: 1, GM: 7, GU: 2, GW: 14, I mainland 17, IS Sardinia: 1, LX: 1, OK: 1, ON: 5, S5 Slovenia: 5, SV: 2. Total 184 callsigns (155 in 2009).

 

Activity showed an increase of around 20%. The most significant change from last year comes from the continuing roll-out of amateur permanent or renewed-temporary band allocations across Europe (and beyond). Sadly, no contact was recorded with Spain, Scandinavia or the Baltic states, but achieved scores and ODX reflect the greater opportunities to work stations more remote from the British Isles.

 

The greatest number of QSOs,  126, was netted by Wexford VHFG (IO62) in Open section. The maximum number of QSOs by a UK station, 111, went to Bracknell ARC & Flight Refuelling ARS (IO80) also in Open section. Last year the QSO leader (BARC & FRARS) netted 103 QSOs.

 

FS Op GW8ASD (IO83) commented that he found lots of activity from Italian stations and worked a couple on FM. Check Logger Ivan S51DI (JN76), from the other end of the telescope, commented on the high UK activity. He went on to plead for a section of VHFNFD for overseas-located RSGB members.    It is unclear whether Ivan advocated a separate FS section or a separate portable section of VHFNFD.  Warrington CG (IO93) made 60% of their contacts in the first two hours. They enjoyed  the Es to I / 9A / S5, but failed, with their low power, to break through the pile-up in order to bag SV. Telford & DARS (IO82) thought that the Es to Europe made the later hours of the contest much more enjoyable and ran up a local 70 MHz record of 12 EU stations in a VHFNFD. Trowbridge & DARC (IO91)  reported that a new RX preamp arrived just in time to fit on site but it failed to cure their FT847's deafness. They resorted to a PW Meon with a 2m IF plus a PA. Fortunately, they did not plan 144 MHz activity this year. Newquay & DARS ((IO70) confessed to a blow up of their Linear again, but were pleased with their return with barefoot output (30 W in Open). Newbury & DARS (IO91) suffered a similar fate, shortly after the session started, but their output was reduced to a mere 2 W.  Had they not been so fated, how much closer would have been the overall out-turn for the Restricted section ? On balance, most folk enjoyed operation on 4m this year – those who didn't lose their antennas, masts, tents etc. in the Sunday howling gales, of course.

 

Band leaders are as follows: Open: EI9E/P Wexford VHFCG (IO62), Restricted: G0OLE/P Goole R&ES (IO93), Low Power: G3CKR/P Warrington CG (IO93), FSO: G6UBM (JO01), FSR: GW8ASD (IO83).

 

Open section ODX was achieved by EI9E/P Wexford VHFG (IO62) with SV1OH (KM27 nr Athens, Greece) at 2853 km. Restricted section ODX was achieved by G8LED/P Northampton RC (IO92) with SV1DH (KM18 nr Athens, Greece) at 2507 km. Low Power section produced a tie at 2019 km between G3CKR/P Warrington CG (IO93) with IF9/I2ADN (JM67 Egadi Is, to the W of Sicily) and Lagan Valley ARS (IO74) with 9A6R (JN83 Split, Croatia). FSO ODX went to G6UBM (JO01) with Warrington CG, G3CKR (IO93) at 264 km. FSR ODX went to GW8ASD (IO83) with 9A6R at 1782 km. 

 

144 MHz.

 

Nations and individual callsigns worked:

 

DL: 178, EA: 12, EI: 15, F: 164, G: 760, GD: 6, GI: 18, GJ: 2, GM: 54, GU: 3, GW: 65, HB: 17, HB0 Liechtenstein: 1, LX: 1, OE: 1, OK: 3, ON: 61, OZ: 2, PA: 65, SP: 1. Total 1429 callsigns (1616 in 2009). 

 

In comparison with 2009, the worked footprint contracted by many hundreds of km to the south. Contacts with Spain were confined to its north coast. Interestingly, the UK callsigns on the air fell by 141. I told you not to mention the tennis on TV.

 

The greatest number of QSOs , 443, was netted by the same group as last year, Reigate ATS & Crawley ARC (JO01) in Open section. Last year, they secured 439 QSOs.  

 

Goole R & ES (IO93) start this section of soapbox with the comment: “Contest abandoned on the Sunday because of high winds !”. FS Op G0XDI (IO91) found the going slow and frustrating but at least captured some EAs in the log. Conversely, FS Op G0JJG (JO02) noted some nice Es and added a smiley face. North Bedfordshire Gentlemen's CG (IO92) found good conditions for the most part, but had to finish early when the operating tent blew away. West Bromwich Central RC (IO92), true to form in their permanent oasis, enjoyed weather which was dry, bright and sunny ! Bittern DXG (JO02) found conditions average, but problems with their linear amplifier reduced the power output to 25 W in Restricted section. Weston-super-Mare RS (IO81) suffered a fault with their antenna/feeder, which  severely limited their performance. Suffering like others, the wind destroyed their tent on Sunday morning. They hope for more operators next year (if only to hold the new tent down). Lothians RS (IO74) found Saturday to be good. At 13:30 one operator remarked: “Great. Nothing has gone wrong.”.   At 0730 on Sunday, the operating tent was decimated by gales gusting 60mph. They then spent 3 miserable hours in driving rain rescuing equipment and packing up. They do not report the fate of the rashly-commenting operator. It was difficult to choose a band for the report from Cockenzie & Port Seton ARC (IO84). You will see why as you read on: “What started good ended bad !! Having said that, we left the two 70cm beams at home and the 4m elements. Our logging PC went faulty. Once up and running, all was going fine and then the wind hit us. Force 10. Our tents suffered damage and our 2m array on the tower, although well guyed, was not looking stable. The safety option then came in and we abandoned the contest. At the end of the day, everyone's safety is far more important”. I cannot think of anything meaningful to add here.

 

Band leaders are as follows: Open: G5LK/P Reigate ATS & Crawley ARC  (JO01), Restricted: Telford & DARS G3ZME/P (IO82), Low Power: Warrington CG G3CKR/P (IO93), FSO: G0JJG (JO02), FSR: G6NHU (JO01).

 

Open section, and best overall, ODX was achieved by GM3ZUK/P Aberdeen VHFG (IO86) with EB1RL/P (IN83 S of Santander, Spain) at 1536 km. Restricted section ODX was achieved by G0OLE/P Goole RS (IO93) with EB1RL/P at 1223 km. Low Power section ODX was achieved by G3CKR/P Warrington CG (IO93) with F6FZS/P (IB93 SW of Pau, French Pyrenees) 1130 km. FSO ODX went to G0JJG (JO02) with EB1RL/P at 1060 km. FSR ODX went to G4UPD (IO92) with EB1RL/P at 1037 km. 

 

 

432 MHz

 

Nations and Individual callsigns worked:

 

DL: 56, EA: 3, EI: 4, F: 37, G: 219, GD: 2, GI: 6, GM: 12, GU 1, GW: 13, HB 4, LX: 1, OK 4, ON 10, OZ 1, PA 17. Total 390 callsigns (448 in 2009).

 

The worked footprint is remarkably similar to that for 144 MHz, but with only 25% of its station population. This was true last year too. The UK numbers are down on last year by about 70 stations, but the French contribution has tripled. Conditions were flattish throughout and overnight operation did not prove to be particularly fruitful – again, just like in 2009.

 

The greatest number of QSOs , 163, was netted by Reigate ATS & Crawley ARC (JO01) in Open section. Last year, the QSO leader (Colchester RA) netted 153 QSOs.  

 

Windmill CG (JO01) thought that propagation was OK, but that there was a lack of continental activity – possibly caused by a football match at 1330 UTC on Sunday. Propagation lifts and depressions can be localised of, course since an overview reveals something rather different. Rochdale & DARS  (IO83) bemoan that they were only able to operate for 5 hours, since their 70cm tent was blown away on the Saturday evening and this curtailed further operation. NE Surrey CG (IO91) were buoyed by contacts with Scottish stations early in the contest, but found that the QSO-rate declined rapidly as the night and following day rolled on. However, Sunday brought some real surprises: EB1RL/P coming back to a CQ-call and the arrival of Force 6 gales. The latter prompted the snappy recovery of the 70cm station's caravan awning, which had been erected on Saturday as a needful sunshade. Sadly, the group's 6m/4m tent did not survive its maiden flight. Mid-Lanark ARS had a less than happy weekend, reporting: “Problems on the Saturday from our 2m station. Resited 70cm antenna, which hugely improved the situation, but QRM from another local station made a large part of the band unusable for us. We had to pull down the tent on Sunday morning as it was being destroyed in a storm”. Moray Firth ARS (IO87) found very poor propagation for much of the contest, although improving very late on Sunday. They could hear G2BQY/P Trowbridge & DARS (IO81) at S5 but could not raise them.  Camb-Hams (JO02) suffered a fire in their linear amplifier just before contest start, so ran barefoot (75 watts in Open section) throughout. It took some while to get the smell of burnt PCB out of the operating van.

 

Band leaders are as follows: Open: G0VHF/P Colchester RA (JO01), Restricted: G3SRC NE Surrey CG (IO91), Low Power: G8LED/P Northampton RC (IO92), FSO: G3XDY (JO02), FSR: G3XDI (IO91).

 

Open section, and best overall, ODX was achieved by G0FBB/P Windmill CG (JO01) with EA1FO/P (IN 62 SW of Oviedo, Asturias, Spain) at 1089 km. Restricted section ODX was achieved by  G0OLE/P Goole RS (IO93) EB1RL/P (IN83 SW of Santander, Spain) at 1223 km. Low Power section ODX was achieved by G5RV/P Mid-Sussex ARC (IO90) with EB1RL/P at 900 km. FSO ODX went to G3XDY (JO02)  with EB1RL/P at 1053 km. FSR ODX went to G0XDI (IO91) with DL0GTH (JO50 Gotha, Thuringia, Germany) at 798 km. 

 

1296 MHz

 

Nations and Individual stations worked.

 

DL: 24, EA: 1, EI: 1, F: 9, G: 80, GD: 1, GM: 4, GU: 1, GW: 5, OK 1, ON 3, OZ 1, PA: 18. Total 144 callsigns (141 last year)

 

The worked footprint is almost identical to that of 2009 but with the addition of 1 station in Denmark and conditions were unremarkable - in a positive sense.

 

The greatest number of QSOs , 76, was netted by Colchester RA (JO01) in Open section. Last year, the QSO leader Reigate ATS & Crawley ARC (JO01) netted 74 QSOs.  

 

Sheffield ARC (IO93) wondered:  “Where are all the UK home stations and portables ?”. Adding the comment: “Support for this band is well down on Tuesday night Activity Contests when similar scores can be made in a couple of hours, compared to a weekend at VHFNFD.” Trowbridge RS (IO81) 23cm station shared a mast with 70cm, which they found to be a little limiting, but saving in effort and equipment. They were disappointed not to have gained more from stations logging on to 'KST' (nb: This is the only band in VHFNFD where the use of 'KST' is permitted) and questioned whether such stations were only seeking DX. Telford & DARS reported the converse, remarking they were well up on last year's results and were helped quite a lot by the use of 'KST'. South Birmingham RS noted the absence of a number of regular UK stations this year. Reigate ATS & Crawley ARC (JO01) commented that a possible 1000 (normalised) points for 24 hours of operating is poor reward compared to a possible 1000 points for only 6 hours operating on 4m. Moray Firth ARS reported: “Foul, horrible and miserable” and asked when southern stations will learn to point their beams north ? A glance at the tables will reveal some justification for their comments.  Overall, there was not a lot of happy bunnies to be found on this band.  Nevertheless, I did find one amongst a cloud of depression (literally and meteorologically). This  came from F/G4FZN/P (JO00): “Warm, gentle breeze”.

 

Band leaders are as follows: Open: G0VHF/P Colchester RA (JO01), Restricted: G3OHM/P South Birmingham RS (IO92), Low Power: G3CKR/P Warrington CG, (IO93), FSO: G3XDY (JO02), FSR: GW8ASD (IO83).

 

Open section ODX was achieved by G0VHF/P Colchester RA (JO01) with EB1RL/P at 1034 km. Restricted section ODX was achieved by G2BQY/P Trowbridge RS (IO81) with DF0OL at 739 km. Low Power section, and best overall, ODX was achieved by G3CKR/P Warrington CG (IO93) with EB1RL/P at 1119 km. FSO ODX went to G3XDY (JO02)  with EB1RL/P at 1053 km. FSR ODX went to GW8ASD (IO83) with PA6NL at 500 km.

 

Logging Quality.

 

Logging quality was generally good except for the station that failed to log any portable station as /P, did not log the majority of the locators and did not log the majority of serial numbers. As a consequence, this station suffered a massive reduction in score.

 

Signal Quality.

 

It is clear from the logs that in many cases where a poor quality signal was being produced, there was willing cooperation from some stations in the resolution of difficulties. On the other hand, some comments suggest a sort of range war with no thought given to who else may have a contest site planned in the vicinity. This is sometimes coupled with the outright dismissal of any suggestion of a less than perfect signal. Worse are those who preferred to complain to the Contest Committee after the event, but did nothing during it to raise the awareness of the supposedly offending station. Contestants should need no reminding that this is probably one of the most testing events for receivers, transmitters and generators, not to mention operators.  Likewise, what is expensive and taken straight from its delivery box is by no means guaranteed to be a good performer.   Some models are not and may never be so, according to some experts.

 

Portable element: Overall Positions and Trophies

 

Open section.

 

Wexford VHF Group appear at the top of the table in #1position with an overall score of 4746 points. For the benefit of newcomers, I should explain that only UK-based entrants are eligible for Awards and that the band-scores are likewise normalised against the highest scoring UK-based station. That is why Wexford's normalised scores on both 50 MHz and 70 MHz exceed 1000 points. Accordingly, the Contests Committee is delighted once again to present a Certificate for highest placed overseas entry and encourages them to return for another bout next year.

 

In official 1^st place lies Colchester RA with 3929 points. They reoccupy this position having dropped down to 4^th last year after 5 previous years at the top. They are congratulated and receive the Surrey Trophy. In Runner-up slot lies  Reigate ATS & Crawley ARC with 3436 points – dropping down from 1^st last year and pushing Windmill CG down from 2^nd last year to 3^rd with 3055 points. The highest placed Scottish group, at 5^th, is Aberdeen VHFG seizing the Tartan Trophy from Cockenzie & Port Seton ARC, who are placed 6^th this year.  Placed at #2 is F/G4FZN/P – for the first time a second overseas station has completed and is welcomed.

 

Restricted section.

 

First place goes to South Birmingham RS with 3111 points, leapfrogging from 3^rd last year. They are congratulated and receive the Martlesham Trophy. In Runner-up slot lies Newbury & DARS with 2996 points, up from 4^th last year and nudging N E Surrey down to 3^rd place with 2892 points. Last year's winner, Cray Valley RS, lies 4^th this year with 2564 points. The highest placed Scottish group is Lothians RS, at 5^th with 2089 points - retaining the Cockenzie Quaich for a third year.

 

Low Power section.

 

First place, for the 4^th year running, goes to Warrington CG with 3000 points. They are congratulated and retain the Arthur Watts Trophy. Again in 2^nd place lies Lagan Valley ARS with 2266 points.  Jim Martin MM0BQI/P, in 3^rd place with 1913 points, takes the Scottish Trophy, as the highest placed Scottish station – pushing Loch Fyne Kippers into 4^th place with 1834 points.

 

Mix & Match section.

 

1^st place goes to Rochdale & DARS with 3204 points. They are congratulated and are awarded the G5BY Trophy. In the Runner-up slot is Telford & DARS with 2930 points. Telford seems to occupy one of the top two places every year. Who knows what 2011 will bring. Last year's winner, Trowbridge & DARC, drops down to 3^rd place with 2676 points. Although down from 2^nd last year to 5^th this time with 2296 points, Mid-Lanark ARS remains the highest placed Scottish station.

 

 

Certificates.

 

In addition to the Awards mentioned above, Certificates will be awarded to all registered portable stations in the winners and runners-up position in all overall sections and bands and to the leading stations in each UK country.  Additionally, Wexford VHF Group is awarded a Certificate as the leading overseas Group entry.

1^st place Open Section: Colchester RA
2^nd place Open Section: Reigate ATS and Crawley ARC
Highest placed Scottish Group in Open Section: Aberdeen VHF Group

Highest placed Overseas Group (#1) in Open Section: Wexford VHF Group

1^st  place Restricted Section: South Birmingham RS
2^nd place Restricted Section: Newbury & DARS
Highest placed Scottish Group in Restricted Section: Lothians RS

1^st  place Low Power Section: Warrington CG
2^nd place Low Power Section: Jim Martin MM0BQI/P
Highest placed Scottish Group in Low Power Section: MM0BQI/P

 

1^st  place Mix & Match Section: Rochdale & DARS
2^nd place Mix & Match Section: Telford & DARS
Highest placed Scottish Group in Mix & Match Section: Mid-Lanark ARS

Highest placed Welsh Group in Low Power Section: Salop ARS

 

50MHz 1^st  place Overseas Station Open Section: EI9E/P
50MHz 1^st place Open Section: GM0FRT/P, 2^nd place Open Section: MM0CPS/P
50MHz 1^st place Restricted Section: GM3HAM/P, 2^nd  place Restricted Section: G5XV/P
50MHz 1^st  place Low Power Section: GM0SHK/P, 2^nd place Low Power Section: MM0BQI/P

 

70MHz 1^st  place Overseas Station Open Section: EI9E/P
70MHz 1^st  place Open Section: G0VHF/P, 2^nd place Open Section: G0ROC/P
70MHz 1^st  place Restricted Section: G8LED/P,  2^nd place Restricted Section: G4OHM/P
70MHz 1^st  place Low Power Section: G3CKR/P, 2^ndplace Low Power Section: MM0BQI/P

 

144MHz 1^st  place Overseas Station Open Section: EI9E/P

144MHz 1^st  place Open Section: G5LK/P, 2^nd place Open Section: G0VHF/P
144MHz 1^st  place Restricted Section: G3ZME/P, 2^nd place Restricted Section: G5XV/P
144MHz 1^st  place Low Power Section: G3CKR/P, 2^nd place Low Power Section: G3TCR/P

 

432MHz 1^st  place Overseas Station Open Section: EI9E/P

432MHz 1^st  place Open Section: G0VHF/P, 2^ndplace Open Section: G5LK/P
432MHz 1^st  place Restricted Section: G3SRC/P, 2^nd place Restricted Section: G5XV/P
432MHz 1^st  place Low Power Section: G8LED/P, 2^nd place Low Power Section: G5RV/P

 

1296MHz 1^st  place Overseas Station Open Section: EI9E/P

1296MHz 1^st  place Open Section: G0VHF/P,  2^nd place Open Section: G0FBB/P
1296MHz 1^st  place Restricted Section: G3OHM/P, 2^nd place Restricted Section: G2BQY/P
1296MHz 1^st  place Low Power Section: G3CKR/P, 2^nd place Low Power Section: G2AS/P

Fixed Sweepers element.  Awards and Certificates.

 

Certificates are awarded for each band as follows: Band Leader and Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards for contacting 90%, 75% and 50%, respectively, of Registered VHFNFD stations.

 

50MHz 1st place FSO Section: G3TXF
50MHz Bronze Award FSO Section: G3TXF
50MHz 1st place FSR Section: G3XNO
50MHz Bronze Award FSR Section: G8LZE

70MHz 1st place FSO Section: G6UBM
70MHz 1st place FSR Section: GW8ASD
70MHz Bronze Award FSR Section: GW8ASD, G8CUL.

144MHz 1st place FSO Section: G0JJG
144MHz 1st place FSR Section: G6NHU
144MHz Bronze Award FSO Section: G0JJG, M0DJW

144MHz Silver Award FSR Section: G6NHU, G0XDI

144MHz Bronze Award FSR Section: G4PDS, M5FUN, G3PIA, G8DOH,
144MHz Bronze Award FSR Section: G8LGS, G3XNO, G4VPD.

432MHz 1st place FSO Section: G3XDY
432MHz 1st place FSR Section: G0XDI
432MHz Bronze Award FSR Section: G8DOH, G3PIA.

1296MHz 1st place FSO Section: G3XDY
1296MHz 1st place FSR Section: GW8ASD
1296MHz Bronze Award FSO Section: G3XDY, G0JJG

Sign Off

Congratulations to all those who have been awarded Trophies and Certificates and to all participants on behalf of Band & Overall Adjudicators: Ian Pawson G0FCT, Bob Edgar G0KYS, Roger Dixon G4BVY, Richard Cooper G4WFR and Commentator: John Simkins G8IYS.