Welcome to week one hundred and seventy one of NARC’s contest news. Back in Norfolk again. Seasons greetings - I hope you're all having a very happy Xmas and New Year!

There's not much to report on this week.

Results:-

On VHF

The results of the 432MHz UKAC of 10th December were released on Boxing day. This was the final 432 of 2024. NARC's 5 entries ensured a 4th place in this one and we remain in 4th place for the whole 432 series. Leading scorer, once again, was Stewart, G4AFF. Link to results here 

We're now almost up-to date with VHF results from the RSGB, just awaiting the final 3 UKAC results from this month.

The Christmas VHF contest series starts on 27th.

NARC is running 10th at the moment in this year's VHF championships out of 85 clubs. Link here 

In the overall UKAC we are still running 4th out of 57 in the General clubs section. Link to this here 

On HF

No new HF results I could see this week.

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

It's very quiet at this time of year contest-wise. With a good lift on today I did hear and work 4 stations in a Swedish 2m contest which was rather unexpected.

On HF

I've had no reports of club activity in any HF contests.

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 28th Dec. 1500-1700 RSGB 70MHz Christmas contest, part of the Christmas cumulatives
* Sun 29th Dec. 1500-1700 RSGB 144MHz Christmas contest, part of the Christmas cumulatives
* Mon 30th Dec. 1500-1700 RSGB 432MHz Christmas contest, part of the Christmas cumulatives
* Wed 1st Jan. 1700-2100 144MHz FT8AC 2h and 4h sections
* Tue 7th Jan. 2000-2230 144MHz UKAC
* Wed 8th Jan. 1700-2230 432MHz FT8AC 2h and 4h sections
* Thu 9th Jan. 2000-2230 50MHz UKAC

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 28th Dec. RAC Winter contest, CW and Phone - Link to rules here. 
* Sat 28th Dec. 0000-2359 YB Banggai DX contest, SSB - Link to rules here. 
* Sat 28th Dec. 1500 for 24h Stew Perry Topband Challenge, 160m CW - Link to rules here. 
* Sat 28th Dec. 1500 for 24h Original QRP contest, CW and SSB - Link to rules here. 
* Mon 30th Dec. 1000-2159 YOTA Contest, CW and SSB - Link to rules here. 
* Mon 30th Dec. 1300-1400, 1900-2000, 31st Dec. 0300-0400 QCX challenge CW - Link to rules here. 
* Tue 31st Dec. 0100-0159 Worldwide Sideband activity contest - Link to rules here. 
* Sat 4th Jan. 1300-1700 RSGB AFS 80m and 40m CW (AFS Superleague and HF Championship) - Link to rules here. 
* Sat 4th Jan. 0000 for 24h PODXS 070 Club PSK fest (PSK31) - Rules here. 
* Sat 4th Jan. 0700-2100 Marconi club ARI Loano QSO party day CW - Link to rules here. 
* Sat 4th Jan. 1200 for 24h WW PMC Contest CW / SSB - Link to rules here. 
* Sat 4th Jan. 1800 for 36h ARRL RTTY Roundup - Rules here. 
* Sat 4th Jan. 2000-2300 and Sun 5th JAn 0400-0700 EUCW 160m 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 

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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 whatsover 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!

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73 until next week,

Phil G4LPP