1^st 1.3/2.3 GHz fixed 1998

Entries and activity in these contests continue to edge upwards; the logs contained 55 UK callsigns on 23cm and 8 on 13cm. This is despite poor radio conditions which can be seen from the average distance below 100km/QSO and modest best dx for most stations on 23cm.

Whilst a ‘big’ station clearly helps with a good score, a couple of entries are noteworthy. Roger, G3MEH did very well with a very modest aerial (chosen for low wind loading on the day) – a ‘billboard’ of 4 full wave dipoles with mesh reflector which gives a very broad horizontal beamwidth. On 13cm, Andy G4TFI made the very best of only 0.25W output power. I wondered if there was some magic in his ‘horn fed yagi’ – that’s a new one on me, although my committee colleagues tell me it is a standard design.

Thanks to all entrants, and to those who were active but didn’t enter (why not?). Congratulations and certificates to the winners, runners-up and G4GFI who gets the low power/one aerial award.

Steve Thompson G8GSQ