March 144/432MHz 2000

Over the years this contest has proved to be an endurance test. This year was no exception! Strong winds, driving hail and snow, low temperatures and deep mud were present across much of the country. However one station in the south of the country reported sunburn problems on the Sunday. One portable station operator was trapped in his Land Rover after the doors froze shut. Another had the rotator gears stripped by the winds. Most equipment problems were related to the conditions with water in connectors and cables and generator problems. One group found it so difficult to persuade members of the team to operate in these conditions that one member operated a single operator single band entry.

Not surprisingly with the weather conditions, radio conditions were generally regarded as poor with deep QSB. Many entrants bemoaned the lack of UK activity and in particular commented on the lack of activity from the North of the country.

The majority of entries were received in electronic format making the adjudication process much easier. In would be helpful if entries could be virus checked before submission. In general logging standards were high with the most common mistakes being the failure to correctly log portable stations and hopelessly optimistic locators.

Congratulations go to:

• The Five Bells group for repeating their overall win in 1999
• G0KPW, operated by Bob G4BAH, for his overall victory on 144MHz
• Roger, G3MEH for his overall win in the single operator fixed section
• GW7ORR/P and M1CRO/P for their joint win in the single operator open section
• John, G3XDY for his triumph in the 6 hour single operator fixed section
• The Wythall CG for their win the 6 hour open section.

These stations, together with those identified (*) in the results tables, will receive certificates

Roger, G4BVY