Ropoco 2 Contest, 2004.
It's surprising how subjective the assessment of band
conditions can be. For those that reported them to be
bad there was a similar number who believed them to
be reasonable. Against those who thought the band quiet
there were others who were plagued with noise and QRN.
In fact, entries were 20% up on the April event and
a number of well-known stations were also active but
did not submit logs. Yet the number of QSOs made by
the leaders was about the same, which is indicative
of poorer propagation. Another clue is given by the
proportion of error-free logs, improved from 1-in-6
to 1-in-5 ... less-readable signals often mean more
concentration, more repeats and, surprisingly, better
accuracy!
A lot also depends on the quality (and speed) of the
transmitted CW! Special acknowledgement is due to Andy
Swiffin, G8YCM, who was visiting his parents over the
weekend of the contest and, having no key with him,
manufactured one out of an old relay screwed to a piece
of wood. All the information he sent was received correctly!
Several entrants lost points (in one case, a substantial
number) because they 'corrected' faulty incoming postcodes.
The problem is that we know the format which postcodes
take. It's all too easy to assume that a '4' received
where a 'V' would be expected is just a slip of the
ear, so to speak, and record the 'V'. If in doubt, ask
for a repeat! It is also worth bearing in mind that
this event has been subject to the activities of 'pranksters'
who introduce bogus (and sometimes ridiculous) codes.
While such QSOs are not invalid, it does mean that one
should be prepared for anything!
In the April contest we had to look to position 13
to find the first error-free entry. Things have changed,
and how! Phil Catterall, G4OBK, and Fraser Robertson,
G4BJM, tied for first position, both submitting faultless
logs. They each made 63 QSOs, of which 50 and 49 respectively
could be confirmed with other submitted logs. They will
share the G3XTJ Memorial Trophy. Tony Roskilly, G3ZRJ,
receives a certificate of merit for his third-placed
entry.
The G5MY Memorial Trophy, awarded for the highest aggregate
score over the year's two events, is won by G4BJM with
a tally of 1220 points, only 8 QSOs ahead of his nearest
rival Lee Volante G0MTN, who amassed 1140 points.
Steve Knowles G3UFY
Soapbox:
G4OBK Condx pretty good - noise level down
for me 90% of the time and lots of space on the band.
A quiet last 30 mins, but that's RoPoCo for you - not
much left to work. First time I took part for at least
10 years.
G4BJM Good fun, as always.
G3ZRJ Conditions not too hot here in Welsh borders,
with very heavy QSB on signals from GM. Band noise increased
considerably after 0800z. Seemed less activity than
usual or maybe it was just I couldn't hear 'em.
G0MTN I hid out high in the band early on and found
that 3520 was free for the last half hour. Lots of listening
with 2nd RX required. Postcodes getting sillier towards
the end ... how do they end up like that?
G4CZB Last minute decision to take part as shack still
in pieces from VHF FD! Managed to get antenna up and
rig re-assembled in time. Same number of QSOs as last
year.
G3OOK Good few years since I worked RoPoCo. Activity
seems well down. A few daft postcodes had crept in by
the second hour. Some things never change, I guess.
GM3JKS Poor turnout. Difficult to break into mid-England
cluster of stations. This is a good contest - gets away
from usual complaints around exchanges ... needs better
promotion.
G3BJ What happened? Only 58 Qs and little more to find.
Was it conditions or activity? Very slow.
G0VQR My biggest effort so far in this contest. Hard
going near the end but great fun and well worth getting
up early for. See you next year.
G3RSD There was deep QSB on some signals.
G3KNU Long time since I worked this one ... it don't
get any easier!
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