[UK-CONTEST] 70MHz UKAC - G4FZN/P

[Chris G4FZN]

Now the year is over for 4m UKAC, a brief look at the top of the Restricted
and Open sections...

 

It is very close at the top of the restricted section - with M0NUT just
ahead of G3PYE, and G0EHV close behind. Will G3PYE have enough extra points
from this month's contest to overtake M0NUT ?  

 

At the top of the open section, it is anyone's call. G4ASR wasn't on this
time round - he usually wins if he is. G3MEH is ahead of G4FZN by 67 points,
but we missed the March contest, and every one counts! GM4ZUK is currently
clear of the pack, but he wasn't his usual strong signal this time around,
and even with his usual high average points per QSO may not clinch the #1
spot this month. He hasn't claimed his entry yet - keeping us in suspense!

 

Where more people enter a section, the difference in points between the
places comes down. If there are ten entries, there are 100 points between
places. But if twelve people enter, there are only 83 points between places.
So, if you're looking to "overtake" someone who is close to you in points,
it can be an advantage if there are fewer entries that month. How weird is
that?

 

Band conditions seemed very poor last Tuesday, but the weather forecast was
exactly right. On Sutton Bank, near Thirsk, we had a band of squally showers
pass over during the contest but by the end the sky was clear, and the
temperature down to +3 deg.

 

I was using my (converted) TS700 for the first time, and I was concerned
that when I plugged the antenna in up at Sutton Bank, the noise floor didn't
rise. Back at home when the antenna is plugged in, there is a definite
increase in noise level. I must live in a noisy environment!  The TS700 was
mainly operating crystal controlled, but switching over to the VFO for S & P
and for working split with 69.950.  Thanks to G4IZH for the inspiration on
his website to perform the modification on the old Trio.

 

Just like Eddie, G0EHV, our evening entertainment didn't finish at the end
of the contest. Pauline and I were stopped by the police on the way home.
You don't get many people towing box trailers at 12.15am around the lanes of
North Yorkshire, and the officer decided we were worth a "stop".
Fortunately, there were no stray sheep in the trailer, and we were allowed
to proceed home!

 

73,

Chris G4FZN