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Welcome to week one hundred and eighty seven of NARC’s contest news.
Back now after 24 days touring Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. A fascinating trip.
My thanks to Wilson, G6WQN, for filling in with the news so admirably during my absence.
Results:-
On VHF
The results of the 432MHz FT8AC of 9th April are out. The only NARC interest I could spot was our old friend Roger, EI8KN who managed 4th in the open 2h section. This puts him in 3rd place overall.
No other new VHF results to report.
In the overall UKAC we are running 5th in section out of 45 clubs so far. Link to this here.
On HF
The results of the 1 Watt challenge competition of 23rd March were released. Worldwide there were 38 entries. Congratulations go to the clear winner, Roger, G3LDI who came first with best DX RK8A at 3661 Km and a score of 34,488 points (He won a QRP Rock Rose CW TCVR kit by Kanga products) I managed 5th, Mike G4DYC came 35th and Jim, G3YLA came 36th. Roger was 4 other contestant’s best DX.
The results of the 80m CC SSB contest of 16th April have been published. Unfortunately several of us were on holiday for this one and as a result we experienced our first loss of this season managing 3rd place. Bristol put in a large entry and scored 5,971 points, Newbury were second with 5,367 points and NARC scored 5,245 points. This actually was quite close and still leaves us with a commanding lead of 70,239 over Bristol with 44,190. Keep up the good work guys! Link to results here
If people are entering other contests of whose results I am obviously unaware please e-mail me to let me know the outcome and I’ll mention it here.
Contests:-
On VHF
On Tuesday 22nd April the SHF UKAC ran, unfortunately no NARC entry this time. Correction, that was at the time of posting this news. A later posted entry from Graham, G3SGC has appeared so my apologies to him for not realising he had entered. He competed in the 2.3 and 10GHz sections. Links to claimed scores here 10GHz and 2.3GHZ
On HF
On Thursday 24th April, the 80m CC Data contest ran. Conditions appeared quite good and it looks like 17 members turned out for this one at first count. Generally scores were good although as usual some had issues with PSK and others with RTTY. G6XX bonus station was not in evidence. Link to logs received here
I’ve not had any reports of other activity although there were, once again, several good contests to choose from!
Please let me know if you were on in any other VHF or HF contests and I’ll put a summary in next week’s news.
Upcoming contests in the next 2 weeks (all times in UTC):-
On VHF / UHF / SHF
Before each of the 2m and 70cm UKACs there is an FM leg starting 1 hour before for 55 minutes. I hear almost no activity in this from here but others may have more luck! Rules etc on RSGBCC site.
* Sat 3rd to Sun 4th May 1400-1400 May 432MHz to 245GHz contest (VHF championship) - link to rules here
* Sat 3rd May 1400-2000 432MHz Trophy contest (VHF championship) - link to rules here
* Sun 4th May 0800-1400 144MHz May contest (VHF championship) - link to rules here
* Sun 4th May 1100-1500 1st 144MHz Backpackers - link to rules here
* Sun 4th May 0800-1400 10GHz Trophy contest (VHF championship) - link to rules here
* Tue 6th May 1900-2130 144MHz UKAC - we need as many entrants as possible please!
* Wed 7th May 1700-2100 144MHz FT8 AC 2h and 4h sections
* Thu 8th May 50MHz UKAC 1900-2130 - please try to get on for this one!Also of interest for some on the vhf / uhf bands are the EU FT8 activity tests – see the following link for more information. These are on the first (144 MHz), second (432MHz) and third (1.3GHz) Wednesdays of each month. 1700-2000 Hrs EU FT8 series website
On HF
NB:- Note the RSGB has changed several of the rules for HF contests in 2025 – Link here to changes.
* Sat 26th Apr. 1200 for 24h UKEI DX CW contest (HF championship) - link to rules here
* Sat 26th Apr. 0001 to Sun 27th Apr 2359 10-10 International Spring contest Digital - link to rules here
* Sat 26th Apr. 1200 for 24h SP DX RTTY contest - link to rules here
* Sun 27th Apr. 1700-2059 BARTG Sprint 75 - 75 Baud RTTY - link to rules here
* Mon 28th Apr. 1300-1400 QCX challenge - CW - link to rules here
* Mon 28th Apr. 1900-2100 RSGB FT4 contest - link to rules here
* Sat 3rd May 0001 to Sun 4th May 2359 10-10 International CW contest - link to rules here
* Sat 3rd May 1200 to Sun 4th May 1159 ARI International DX contest - CW and SSB - link to rules here
* Sat 3rd May 1200 for 24h F9AA Cup PSK - link to rules here
* Sun 4th May 1000-1400 WAB 7MHz Phone contest - link to rules here See Link to WA7BNM for other contests not mentioned above.
Wednesdays throughout the year, CW ops 1 hour mini tests 13:00, 19:00, Thurs 03:00 and 07:00, exchange Name and G if not a member or CWOPS number if you are a member.
See CWOPS website for more details.
Also on Fridays 2000 to 2100 and Mondays 0000 to 0100 each week CWops runs the K1USN slow speed CW contests. Any speed up to 20wpm is acceptable. For rules see :- CW OPs SST page these contests are open to anyone.
All RSGB contest rules and further details plus log submission at RSGB contest site
Look to WA7BNM’s contest calendar for other contests and links to rules etc at WA7BNM weekly contest calendar
A link to John 2E0TWQ’s site’s Narc contest history page – 2E0TWQ’s NARC contest results page
Contesting can be great fun but I know there’s a reluctance to step into unknown waters. It’s a great way of improving many aspects of our hobby including one’s own performance and the quality of your station. If you have any interest whatsoever please call in to the contest net on Friday evening at 9pm on 145.250MHz FM or speak to any of the regular contesters on 450. Or indeed email me!
Submissions or comments for this news to thedoctorphil@gmail.com
73 until next week,
Phil G4LPP