ADJUDICATION:

This year the vast majority of logs arrived in Cabrillo format, or, at least, a close approximation to it. Fifteen logs arrived by post in hand-written form - my sincere thanks to Steve G3UFY for his efforts in turning these into electronic format. As always, there were some surprises. One station from Canada sent a seemingly perfect Cabrillo log. Only upon closer inspection was it revealed to be for the Russian DX Contest!! A polite request for a re-send of the correct data was met by an embarrassed silence.

As I commented in last year’s report, I am still amazed at the number of entrants who spend up to twenty-four hours maximising their score, only to let themselves down by submitting a log with errors so obvious that even a cursory check would detect them. Some examples of this include logging V01TA instead of VO1TA, VA75T instead of VA7ST and VK43MM instead of VK4EMM. Another common error is working an HQ station several times, but failing to record the HQ for one of the contacts. Several entrants claimed an HQ contact with G6HCC instead of GB5CC – misread CW for sure, but shouldn’t it have triggered mental alarm bells?

CALL AREAS ACTIVE IN 2006:

3B8, 3B9, 3D2 (Rotuma), 5B, 7Q, 8P, 8R, 9H, 9J, 9M2, 9M6, 9V, A22, AP, C6, C9, G, J3, J8, P2, V3, V4, V5, VE1, VE2, VE3, VE4, VE5, VE6, VE7, VE9, VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, VK6, VK7, VK8, VO1, VP8 (Falkland Islands), VP8 (Antarctica - actually a VK0 station), VP9, VQ9, VU, Z2, ZB2, ZC4, ZF, ZL1, ZL2, ZL3, ZL4, ZL6, ZS1, ZS2, ZS4, ZS5 and ZS6, plus HQ stations in G, VE1, VE3, VE7, VK4, VO1, VU and ZL6

The 69th RSGB Commonwealth Contest, 2006.

As can be expected at this stage of the solar cycle, conditions were less than ideal on the higher bands, with many entrants reporting no contacts at all on 10 metres. It is hardly surprising, then, that the overall number of entrants dropped from 174 in 2005 to just 152 in 2006. However, long-term analysis, with the aid of Bob G3PJT’s excellent book “Reflections in a Rose Bowl”, shows that similar dips in activity have always coincided with troughs in conditions, and the Commonwealth Contest is alive and well! There were eight HQ stations active this year, no fewer than four of them from Canada, the only country where participation has remained at last year’s level. The contest is also an opportunity to increase scores for the RSGB’s Commonwealth Award, and 2006 was no exception with a total of 66 call areas (excluding HQ stations) represented in entrants’ logs. This year VK0 (Antarctica) and 3D2 (Rotuma) made a welcome appearance. Sadly, an invitation to 3D2RO and 3D2RX to actually submit a contest entry did not result in the receipt of a log!

Just a few days before this year’s event came the sad news of the death of long-time BERU stalwart Frank Cooper, G2QT. Frank had been ill for some time. He first entered the contest in 1935, when the rules were very different from those in force today, and, although never a winner, was one of the staunchest supporters over the years.

For the statisticians, a grand total of 24823 competitive QSO records went into the adjudication process, along with a further 1103 from the welcome twenty-one checklogs of various sizes. A breakdown of activity by band shows no surprises - 20m carried 47.6% of the contest traffic, with 40m following at 32%. 80m gave 10.8%, with 15m at 8% and 10m providing a mere 0.6%.

OPEN SECTION:

There were no major shocks in the Open category, with most of the usual contenders making an appearance. Congratulations to John VE3EJ on a speedy return to his winning ways, after his absence on a DXpedition last year. Once again his name will appear on the Senior Rose Bowl. Interestingly, John’s QSO total was lower than the second- and third-placed stations, but he has a knack of maximising his bonus score. The next three positions are filled by UK callsign holders, albeit operating from sunnier climes. Overall second place goes to Steve ZC4LI (alias G4LII), up two places from his 2005 listing, third is Alan P3J (alias G3PMR), whilst in fourth spot is Dave J88DR (alias G3TBK). Both Alan and Dave managed to improve on their 2005 position by three places.

With Andy G4PIQ distracted by a new addition to his family, Dave G4BUO seized his opportunity to take fifth position, rising four places from last year. As highest scoring UK entrant, Dave wins the Col Thomas Rose Bowl in the process. Don G3BJ, rises to seventh place with a QSO total just one short of G4BUO’s total, but he found fewer bonuses. Andy G3AB takes ninth position.

2005 saw nobody from the Southern hemisphere in the leading places, so it is a pleasure to see the Quartz Hill super-station, operated by Brian ZL1AZE, at number six, whilst Frank ZL4BR also just makes the top ten. In eighth place is Bob G3PJT, this time using the callsign 9H3JT from the Island of Gozo.

RESTRICTED SECTION:

In contrast to the continuity of the Open, the Restricted category shows only four of last year’s top ten retaining that status. The 2006 leader, and winner of the Junior Rose Bowl, is Bruce ZF2NT, otherwise known as N6NT. In second place, once again, is George 5B4AGC, who made a few more QSOs than Bruce, but found less bonuses.

The next four places are taken by Canadians - Chris VE3FU, Scott VE1OP, Yuri VE3DZ and Roger VE3ZI. What with VE3EJ winning the Open, there really must be something special in the water in Ontario, or perhaps it’s the Labatt’s Blue!! Barry VK2BJ slips from second to seventh placing, having gathered only around half as many QSOs as in 2005 in the frustratingly poor conditions.

In eighth and ninth position are two operators named Chris - G3VHB and G3SJJ. As the table shows, it was a closely-run result, but VHB finished marginally ahead (and yes, the scoring has been re-checked several times!!). Clive GW3NJW, who finished eleventh last time out, makes it into the top ten this year.

HQ STATIONS:

Once again, Fraser G4BJM steered the GB5CC HQ station to victory, but his previous winning margin has been slashed from over 3000 points to just under 200. The ZL6A team say that the addition of two new operators, ZL1GO and ZL1DD, to the previous incumbents, ZL1AIH and ZL1BHQ, is the explanation for the improvement. They already have plans for a bigger antenna system for 2007, so don’t be surprised if the title heads south next year!!

Elsewhere, no fewer than four of the eight HQ stations represented various provinces of Canada - an impressive level of support. One station each from Australia and India complete the line-up in this section.

JOHN DUNNINGTON TROPHY:

2005 was the inaugural year for the John Dunnington Trophy, awarded to the highest-scoring UK station using a maximum of 100 watts and a single-element antenna. Last year’s winner was ineligible to retain the award, so the 2005 runner-up, Mike G3WPH battled on with his FT-1000MP and 132' Inverted-L antenna to claim first place. Last year’s third place station, Mike G3IAF, remains in that position, having been beaten to second place by a fast-improving Gerry G0RTN, whose performance with a “bit of wire on the roof” of a block of flats in Central London would put many a better-equipped station to shame.

The leading seven stations competing for the trophy are, hardly surprisingly, in the Open category, but Neil G3OAY, Richard GM0OGN and Mike G3VYI from the Restricted category make it into the top ten. Well done to all!!

COMMONWEALTH MEDAL:

This year the Commonwealth Medal is awarded to Steve Ireland - VK6VZ. Despite many calls upon his time, Steve has been a consistent entrant over the years, and has tried hard to promote the Commonwealth Contest amongst his fellow Aussies. Congratulations.

SELECTED SOAPBOX:

On conditions >>>
Conditions certainly down from previous years. Nothing heard on 10m at all. (VE3FU)

Similar to last year. Nothing on 28, far less on 21, but restored the balance on 7 with over double last year’s number. (G4FKA)

40m was very good but 80m was not as productive as last year. (G4FAL)

Conditions stank making BERU an even more fiendish challenge than usual! (G0RTN)

Very slow contest and always seem to be in the back of the queue of QRO people with beams. (G3LIK)

Let's just say it was a struggle. (GM4KGK)

Very hard going with my low power and basic antennas. I must invest in an amplifier for 2007. (G4DBW)

a time when power and beams truly come into their own (G3KKP)

On external factors >>>
The first three hours were good but then freezing rain damaged my beams knocking me off the high bands (VO1AU)

Couldn't spend too long - had laminate flooring to lay in the lounge. (M0DHO)

Sunday was spoiled by constant static from falling snow. (GM4SID)

We had freezing rain that started just before 10Z - within an hour or so the yagi was detuned (VO1HP)

Woke up at 0500 to find everywhere plastered with wet snow, and no electricity... end of story. (GM3SEK)

Just as things were going well here, the snow static arrived, masking many signals on most bands. At the end we had six inches of snow on the ground. (G3BJ)

Very high static levels for last 8 hours of contest (VE2AYU)

Unable to put in a serious entry due to newish baby (G4PIQ/P)

I decided to take a break and spent the next 5 hours working on maintenance projects around the Quartz Hill antenna farm. This decision probably cost me some QSOs and multipliers on the higher bands, but the exercise and fresh air certainly helped to wake me up! (ZL1AZE at ZL6QH)

This was a tough one with heavy QRN from approaching thunderstorms. (VE3EJ)

Accidentally deleted my log after the contest - had to rebuild log from notes and mp3 audio. (VK4EMM)

My logging computer failed at approx 0300 losing my last 5 QSO's. (VE3KZ at VA3RAC)

I know this isn't necessary but please accept my apologies for being absent from BERU this year! We had an unexpected, brief, visit from our younger daughter. (ZL1MH)

On the contest generally >>>
Great contest, certainly not in its death throes from what I can see. (P3J)

Great way of working some interesting stations without most of the rest of the world muscling in. (G0WBC)

My first BERU. Hooray for Super Duper! The new ESM mode is awesome! (GI4NKB)

First time entry (VE3GSI)

Good humour and good manners - always a pleasure. (VK6AJ)

I think that this will be my last BERU entry. I have entered BERU virtually every year since 1953, as MP4BBE in Bahrain to 1964 and thereafter as G3VDL. I built my own TX in 1956, while on leave from Bahrain, and have used it in every BERU since. It is now 50 years old, a working antique (no black boxes here). Also, I am nearly 80, and finding it rather difficult to concentrate (sometimes I forget which band I’m on), so, all in all, this seems like a good time to pull out of BERU. I’ve enjoyed every BERU I’ve entered, even when I’ve fallen asleep at the desk!! (G3VDL)

I may not be QRV in the 2007 contest as it is likely that we will have to dismantle the ZL6QH station to make way for the building of a wind farm. (ZL1AZE at ZL6QH)

Making progress - see you next year. (VP8NO)

It was fun, not only being able to finally participate in the BERU contest after years of being "on the outside", but also give out a decent multiplier. (VQ9JC)

Yet another of my occasional entries. First was in 1961 as a listener. (G3TVW)

NEXT YEAR:

There were, as usual, many suggestions for changes to the rules, to address real or perceived weaknesses. Such comments are always welcome, and especially so this year, as an exercise was already under way to make some innovative changes for the 2007 event, aimed at keeping this event amongst the forefront of international contests.

The 70th Commonwealth Contest will take place on the 10/11th March 2007, starting at 1000UTC. The full details will appear on the HFCC website at http://www.contesting.co.uk/hfcc/ in due course, and the alternative BERU website at http://www.beru.org.uk will also host the revised rules, together with an expanded version of this year’s results, pictures, and other contest-related items. However, as a brief taster of things to come, here are a few highlights. Whilst retaining the popular choice of twelve or twenty-four hour options, we have made provision for multi-operator and cluster-assisted entries. At the other end of the scale, we are aiming to encourage entries from less well-equipped stations by extending the 100 watts and single-element section throughout the Commonwealth. There will be incentives to encourage the activation of call areas not normally active; who knows, we may one day actually work the island of Beru (yes, it exists) in the contest! Additionally, as the 2007 contest coincides with the Cricket World Cup, there will be a team-based competition between various regions of the Commonwealth.

As a separate initiative, from this year, automatic credits will be given towards the RSGB’s Commonwealth Century Club award, for all verified contacts in the Commonwealth Contest (for credit, the QSO must be verified in both logs). Visit http://www.rsgb-spectrumforum.org.uk/ccc.htm for further details.

Les Allwood
G3VQO