Welcome to week one hundred and seventy three of NARC’s contest news.
Results:-
On VHF
The results of the 70MHz UKAC of 19th December were released on 7th January. I was away for this one. The club managed two entries, thanks to John G8VPE and Mike G4KQY, scoring a total of 345 points. This was the last 70MHz contest of the 2024 series leaving NARC in 4th place overall where we have been almost all year! Link to results here
In the overall UKAC we are still running 4th out of 58 in the General clubs section. Link to this here
We’re now almost up-to date with VHF results from the RSGB, just awaiting the final UKAC result from this month (1.2GHz).
NARC is running 10th at the moment in this year’s VHF championships out of 84 clubs. Link 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
The 2m UKAC took place on Tue 7th January. NARC managed 8 entries, top scorer being, once again, Stewart G4AFF. Thanks to all who entered – every contact counts! Conditions were reasonable from here with best Dx CW into SM. Link to claimed score here
The 432MHz FT8 AC (2h and 4h) took place on Wednesday 8th January. NARC members who took place were EI8KN and G0BIX. Entries were a bit down on previous episodes. Link to 2h claimed scores here
The 50MHz UKAC took place on Thursday 9th January but due to an early deadline for club news copy this week I will be reporting on this next week.
On HF
The RSGB 80m/40m CW AFS contest took place on Saturday 4th January. Turnout from NARC members was quite good with 11 entries and some good scores were achieved. Highest claimed score was from Stewart, G4AFF with his new contest call, G5E. These events include both HF and VHF tests and count together towards the cumulative Affiliated Societies award. Link to logs received here
I’ve not had any reports of other activity although there were 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.
- Tue 14th Jan. 2000-2230 432MHz UKAC
- Thu 16th Jan. 2000-2230 70MHzUKAC
- Tue 21st Jan. 2000-2230 1.3GHz 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 11th Jan. 1200-2400 SKCC Weekend Sprintathon – Link to rules
- Sat 11th Jan. 1200 for 24h UBA PSK63 Prefix contest – Link to rules
- Sat 11th Jan. 1800 to Sun 12th Jan. 0559 North American QSO party CW – Link to rules
- Sun 12th Jan. 0900-1059 DARC 10-Meter contest CW and SSB – Link to rules here
- Sun 12th Jan. 1300-1700 RSGB AFS 80m-40m Data (AFS Superleague and HF Championship) – Link to rules here.
- Sat 18th Jan. 1300-1700 RSGB AFS 80m-40m Contests Phone (HF Championship / AFS Super League) – Link to rules here
- Sat 18th Jan. 0000-2359 Malaysia DX contest SSB – Link to rules here.
- Sat 18th Jan. 1200 to 1159 19th Jan. Hungarian DX contest CW and SSB – Link to rules here.
- Sat 18th Jan. 1200 to 1159 19th Jan. PRO Digi Contest RTTY Link to rules here.
- Sat 18th Jan. 1800 to 0559 19th Jan. North American QSO Party, SSB – Link to rules here.
- Mon 20th Jan. 2000-2200 RSGB FT4 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 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!
Submissions or comments for this news to thedoctorphil@gmail.com
73 until next week,
Phil G4LPP
NB – From Malcolm G3PDH:
The RSGB AFS Data (psk & RTTY) contest takes place this Sunday 12th Jan on 40/80m between 1300 and 1700.
See the rules for further details.