In their soapbox comments, several operators referred to activity being down this year.  I am pleased to report that this impression is not reflected in the entries, which have almost completely recovered from the disappointing dip of 2012.  We have 228 competing logs, representing 89 teams, and a further 30 checklogs – an entry level which holds its own as far back as the change to teams of four, in 2008, and beyond.

Conditions were favourable in that short skip, for working within the UK, remained available throughout the event.  This perhaps disadvantaged the stations with better antennas – the number of QSOs with EU was well down.  Notwithstanding, A65BD and C4Z managed to work a substantial number of competitors ... their efforts are much appreciated.  

Another, less welcome, participant was unusually busy this year.  Murphy struck at BATC, Cambridge, Essex CW, Newquay, Tall Trees and Trowbridge, causing varying degrees of havoc.  Fortunately, none of the stations was forced to shut down completely.

I seem to recall that, last year, I likened Three As CG to the Eggheads (apologies if you don’t watch tea-time BBC), saying “Who will beat you”?  No-one, it would seem!!  Congratulations on taking the Edgware Trophy for the eighth consecutive year.  Bristol CG wins the certificate for second place, ousting Lichfield who were unable to field a full team this year, by the narrowest of margins over De Montfort University ARS who keep their third position.

All change, however, in the individual listings.   All three award winners had superbly accurate logs, losing only 12 of the 815 QSOs made between the three of them.  Congratulations to Mark, M0DXR, who wins the Marconi Trophy, and to Nigel, G3TXF, who advances from 5th place last year to take the runner-up position by just two QSOs from Don, G3XTT, in third place.

Thanks to all who took part, especially those with outside shacks who braved the cold ... let’s hope for better everything next year!

Steve Knowles, G3UFY

g3ufy@rsgbcc.org