Welcome to week one hundred and seventy five of NARC’s contest news.
Results:-
On VHF
The results of the 144MHz UKAC of 7th January were released on 20th January. This was the first UKAC of the year. 26 clubs were represented in our General clubs section and our 8 entries have landed us in 5th place, so not too bad a start to the season. Leading scorer was Stewart G4AFF. Link to results here.
The results of the 432MHz FT8 AC of 8th January were also released on 20th January. Club member Roger EI8KN, was 5th in the 2h Open section and club member Terry G0BIX was 11th in the 2h Restricted section, Terry was also in the 4h Restricted section, finishing 4th. Link to results (2h) here.
On HF
The results of the HF AFS DATA and SSB tests are still awaited here.
The results of the RSGB FT4 contest of 20th January are already out and the only club member I was able to spot was Terry G0BIX who came 18th out of 53 in the 100W section. My apologies if I missed anyone else. 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
The 1.3GHz UKAC took place on 21st January. 89 logs have been received so far by RSGB of which 4 were from NARC members. Conditions were pretty flat with most DX worked by aircraft scatter. Quite challenging but good fun. Link to claimed scores here.
On HF
The RSGB 80m/40m SSB AFS contest took place on Saturday 18th January. Activity was good once again, with support from overseas stations. 205 logs in all have been received by RSGB. Turnout from NARC members was reasonable with 11 entries and some good scores were achieved. It was good to see entries from foundation licensee, Marie-Louise M7YRU and Intermediate licensee, Tracey 2E0CEY. Leading scorer was Stewart G5E (G4AFF).
These events include both HF and VHF tests and count together towards the cumulative Affiliated Societies award so please look out for the VHF sections. 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 28th Jan. 1930-2230 SHF UKAC
Sun 2nd Feb. 0900-1300 432MHz AFS (AFS Super league) Link to rules here.
Tue 4th Feb. 2000-2230 144MHz UKAC
Wed 5th Feb. 1700-2100 144MHz FT8 AC 2h and 4h sectionsAlso 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.
Fri 24th Jan. 2200 for 48h CQ 160 Meter CW contest - Link to rules here.
Sat 25th Jan. 0600 for 36h REF CW contest - Link to rules here.
Sat 25th Jan. 1200 for 24h BARTG RTTY Sprint - Link to rules here
Sat 25th Jan. 1300 for 24h UBA DX contest SSB - Link to rules here.
Sat 25th Jan. 1600 to Sun 26th Jan. 2159 Winter Field Day - Link to rules here.
Sat 25th Jan. 2200 to Sun 26th Jan. 1000 Australia Day Contest CW, Phone and Digital - Link to rules here.
Mon 27th Jan. 1300-1400 QCX challenge CW - Link to rules here.
Sat 1st Feb. 0000 to Sun 2nd Feb. 2059 LABRE-RS Digi contest FT4/8 - Link to rules here.
Sat 1st Feb. 0001 to Sun 2nd Feb. 2359 10-10 International Winter Contest SSB - Link to rules here.
Sat 1st Feb. 1200 to Sun 2nd Feb. 2359 Mexico RTTY International contest - Link to rules here.
Sat 1st Feb. 1200 for 24h European Union DX contest CW and SSB - Link to rules here.
Sat 1st Feb. 1200 for 24h F9AA Cup CW contest - Link to rules here.
Sat 1st Feb. 1400-2400 FYBO Winter QRP sprint CW, SSB, Digital - 5W max power - Link to rules here.
Sat 1st Feb. 1600-1900 AGCW Straight Key Party CW 80m - Link to rules here.
Sun 2nd Feb. 1300-2300 Marconi Club ARI Loano Slow CW QSO Party - Link to rules here.
Mon 3rd Feb. 2000-2130 80m CC SSB contest - the first in this years CC series - 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