Welcome to week one hundred and eighty of NARC’s contest news. This week the news comes to you from sunny Findhorn.
Results:-
On VHF
The results of the 432MHz FT8 AC 2h and 4h were released on 21st February. Roger, EI8KN came third in the 2h section and is in 3rd place overall in the Open 4h section now. Terry, G0BIX came 6th in the Restricted section and is currently 6th overall. In the 2h section Roger is 3rd. Link to results 4h section.
The results of the 432MHz UKAC of 11th February were released on 23rd February. Our team of 7 managed 7th place and are currently 7th overall. Link to results here.
In the overall UKAC we are running 5th in section out of 39 clubs so far. Link to this here.
On HF
No new HF results this week of which I am aware.
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 SHF UKAC ran on Tuesday 25th February. I’m pleased to be able to report that our usual entrant, Graham, G3SGC is fighting fit again and was on 2.3GHz and 10GHz. He tells me he is also now set up for 3.4GHz and 5.7GHz and should be deploying these bands soon. Apparently, Stewart, G4AFF was heard on 10GHz also so there is even more hope for us in this series although I gather his station is not yet fully ready. Link to SHF UKAC claimed scores 2.3GHz and 10GHz.
On HF
I dabbled a bit in the NAQP RTTY at the weekend. Activity seemed quite good but I heard no other NARC stations on. If you were active and feel moved to send me a report, I’ll publish it here next week.
The 80m CW CC ran on Thursday 27th February. Unfortunately I was away for this one. Checking at 22:10 after the contest ended I see that 140 logs have been received by RSGB and so far 14 NARC members have posted logs with 7 over 100 points. This already compares well with other clubs who have posted so far. I note that there was a moderate auroral warning during the test and wonder if this affected signals? 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
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 1st Mar. 1400 for 24h March 144 432MHz contest (VHF championship) - Link to rules here
* Tue 4th Mar. 2000-2230 144MHz UKAC
* Wed 5th Mar. 1700-2100 144MHz FT8AC 2h and 4h sections
* Tue 11th Mar. 2000-2230 432MHz UKAC
* Wed 12th Mar. 1700-2100 432MHz FT8 AC 2h and 4h sections
* The 14th Mar. 2000-2230 50MHz UKACAlso 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 1st Mar. 0000 for 48h ARRL International DX SSB contest - Link to rules here
* Sun 2nd Mar. 0700-1100 UBA Spring Contest CW - Link to rules here
* Sun 2nd Mar. 1800-2200 WAB 3.5MHz Phone contest - Link to rules here
* Mon 3rd Mar. 2000-2130 80m CC DATA
* Sat 8th Mar. 1000 for 24h Commonwealth Contest, part of RSGB HF - Link to rules here.
* Sat 8th Mar. 1200 for 36h SKCC Weekend Sprintathon CW - Link to rules here
* Sat 8th Mar. 1200 for 24h EA PSK63 Contest - Link to rules here
* Sat *th Mar. 1400-2000 AGCW QRP Contest - Link to rules here
* Sat 8th Mar. 1500 for 24h Stew Perry Top Band CW contest - Link to rules here
* Sat 8th Mar. 1800 to Sun 9th Mar. 0559 TESLA Memorial HF CW Contest - Link to rules here
* Sunday 9th Mar.1000-2159 YOTA Contest CW and SSB - Link to rules here
* Wed 12th Mar. 80m CC CWSee 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 :- CWOPs 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