Commonwealth Contest 2017

Entries into the Commonwealth Contest have been on a general upward trend for the last few years and the 80th was no exception with 275 entries received. There were 75 Open assisted, 77 Open unassisted, 28 Restricted assisted , 83 Restricted unassisted, 10 QRP and 2 Multi-op. In addition 15 HQ stations were active this year including six representing different UK&CD areas to give away the HQ bonus points. Seventeen Teams were entered into the team competition. Overseas travellers visited 3B8, 8P, 9G, 9H, C4, E5, V3, VY2, and ZF. The following call areas were active but did not enter logs: 3B9, 3D2, 4S7, 9J, 9M2, H4, P2, S2, V8, YJ, ZD7, ZS5.

HF band conditions this year were poor with the SFI at 69/70 all weekend, however the A index was low compared to 2016. As expected 10m proved to be dire as we approach the solar cycle minimum with a total of less than 100 QSOs in the submitted logs and almost none made by Restricted or QRP entrants. 15m was busy in the first few hours and 40m was in better shape than 2016. Stations in some of the rarer parts of the Commonwealth had to cope with many persistent non-Commonwealth callers and are to be commended for not giving up.

The leader of the Open unassisted section and winner of the Senior Rose Bowl is John Sluymer VE3EJ, narrowly ahead of traveller M0PCB operating 9G5X.

The top UK&CD Open unassisted section entry and winner of the Colonel Thomas Rose Bowl is Dave Lawley G4BUO.

The leader of the Restricted unassisted section and winner of the Junior Rose Bowl is Peter Hobbs G3LET operating VY2GQ, followed by 8P9IF (op G3PJT) in second place.

The top UK&CD Restricted unassisted entry and winner of the John Dunnington Trophy is Quin Collier G3WRR another traveller but only as far as the Isle of Wight.

The top UK&CD 12 hours duration unassisted entry and Ross Carey Rose Bowl winner is Jim Fisher GM0NAI.

The top non UK&CD 12hrs duration unassisted entry and winner of the VP8GQ trophy is Richard Ferch CG3KI.

The leading QRP station is Dave Sergeant G3YMC, who wins the Lilliput Trophy, with VE3PYG second.

The leading Restricted single operator assisted certificate goes to Iain Haywood G4SGX operating V31GX, followed by G3RLE in second place.

The leading single operator assisted station is Vladimir Milutinovic VE3JM, who wins the Rosebery Shield, followed by VE3FU in the open section.

In the Multi operator section C4I (ops G3UFY and G3VYI) was first, followed by 9H1MRC (ops G3TJE, G3RXP and G4CXQ).

The 2017 Travellers Award goes to E51KTA (Dominic Baines M1KTA), and the Commonwealth Contest Medal goes to Mike Franklin G3VYI.

Team Australia 1 take top spot in the team competition, with last years leaders Team Canada Eh! just behind in second place. Team Australia 2 move up to third with the highest placed UK&CD team, the A25UK Dxpedition, in fourth.

Many thanks to all the excellent HQ stations for providing many bonus QSOs on all bands. Six out of the seven UK&CD areas were represented this year and there were HQ stations in VK, ZL and VU. Canada had a total of six on the air.

QSO analysis plots are available as part of the Contest Committee results service and show band activity/ time for the various entry categories. Click on the link marked 'QSO Analysis'.

Log standards were generally very good and only a small number of entrants had problems where assistance was requested. Entrants are reminded to ensure they are using up to date contest information direct from the current RSGBCC website page as some external sites had incorrect information about the deadline for logs. Although the RSGBCC does notify changes to other sites listing contest information, the RSGBCC has no control over these so cannot guarantee accuracy.

Much more BERU info is at https://berucontest.wordpress.com/

John Cockrill G4CZB