[UK-CONTEST] March 23cm UKAC - Report

[Ray James]

Hi all,
Last nights 23cm UKAC continued the trend of increasing activity month on month and benefitted with slightly above average conditions in most directions from my location.

It was impossible to work everyone in the allotted time which always makes for an interesting time as you race the clock.

At least 13 stations were active from GM this month.   

I managed to crack the 40 QSO's barrier for the first time, finishing with 42 and a good number of G's finished with over 50. I expect Ian at G8OHM to surpass 60, maybe even 70!
These are incredible figures considering it wasn't that many years ago when single figure totals were the norm and reflect the ever increasing migration of stations looking for a new challenge in the hobby. 

Though high ERP certainly makes life a wee bit easier, many stations run 10w or less and getting consistantly good results and in particular if using CW.
Examples this month for me include Keith G4ODA IO92 (10w), Tim M0AFJ IO92 (9w), Mike G0CDA IO83 (10w SSB) and Richard G4HGI IO83 (3w).

ODX this month was Kjeld OZ1FF in JO45 with a very quick exchange made by aircraft reflection. David M0GHZ IO81 presented the most impressive contact by this method with a booming s9 contact done and dusted at typical "HF" speed in a matter of seconds!

My QSO Map can be viewed at http://maps.google.com/maps?q=http://www.rsgbcc.org/vhf/kml_files/2012/uTvqSSCqi7feUDXovLY7eHFhCh4rMaQ

73 Ray GM4CXM IO75TW
150w 4x44 + LNA