Location

Click on the map pins for further information.

  • Operating Location:
    • Lat/Long (WGS84 Geoid): 51.387896°N, 2.622039°W
    • OSGR: ST 56812 65612 (6 figure ST568656)
    • What 3 Words: ///dogs.free.mute
  • Site Entrance:
    • Off Wells Road south of the Carpenters Tavern
    • Lat/Long (WGS84 Geoid): 51.389001°N, 2.624978°W
    • OSGR: ST 56609 65736 (6 figure ST566657)
    • What 3 Words: ///farmer.duke.rams
  • IARU: IO81qj
  • WAB: ST56 – England
  • IOTA: EU005 (UK Mainland)

Operation

This section is under preparation

Analysis of 6m Operation

Table 1 – 6m QSO’s Recorded

This table demonstrates the distribution of QSOs throughout the contest period. This can be useful for spotting trends in activity to inform when to concentrate operational activity and when to have a beer!

Day Time (UTC) Hour QSOs %age of QSOs Deviation from Average QSOs per Hour Cumulative QSOs Cumulative %age of QSOs Cumulative QSOs/Hour
 
S
a
t
u
r
d
a
y
 
14:00 – 15:00 1 1 3.33% -73.33% 1 3.33% 1.00
15:00 – 16:00 2 3 10.00% -20.00% 4 13.33% 2.00
16:00 – 17:00 3 3 10.00% -20.00% 7 23.33% 2.33
17:00 – 18:00 4 5 16.67% 33.33% 12 40.00% 3.00
18:00 – 19:00 5 4 13.33% 6.67% 16 53.33% 3.20
19:00 – 20:00 6 2 6.67% -46.67% 18 60.00% 3.00
20:00 – 21:00 7 3 10.00% -20.00% 21 70.00% 3.00
21:00 – 22:00 8 9 30.00% 140.00% 30 100.00% 3.75
22:00 – 23:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 30 100.00% 3.75
23:00 – 00:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 30 100.00% 3.75
 
S
u
n
d
a
y
 
00:00 – 01:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 30 100.00% 3.75
01:00 – 02:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 30 100.00% 3.75
02:00 – 03:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 30 100.00% 3.75
03:00 – 04:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 30 100.00% 3.75
04:00 – 05:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 30 100.00% 3.75
05:00 – 06:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 30 100.00% 3.75
06:00 – 07:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 30 100.00% 3.75
07:00 – 08:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 30 100.00% 3.75
08:00 – 09:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 30 100.00% 3.75
09:00 – 10:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 30 100.00% 3.75
10:00 – 11:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 30 100.00% 3.75
11:00 – 12:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 30 100.00% 3.75
12:00 – 13:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 30 100.00% 3.75
13:00 – 14:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 30 100.00% 3.75
Totals 30 100.00%  

The best summary for this year’s performance is “flat”. 30 contacts in 8 hours is not particularly special, we’ve never had the QSO haul that we experience on 2m, partly due to the reduced operation period on 6m. But, leaving aside the rather compromised performances in 2025 and 2024 we usually manage over 50 contacts on 6m on the Saturday of VHF Field Day.

Table 2 – 6m Points Scored

This table demonstrates the distribution of points throughout the contest period. There are instances when frenetic periods in terms of QSOs do not translate into high points scores and vice-versa.

Day Time (UTC) Hour Points Average Points/QSO %age of Total Points Deviation from Average Points/QSO Cumulative Points Cumulative %age of Points
 
S
a
t
u
r
d
a
y
 
14:00 – 15:00 1 20 20.00 0.09% -97.30% 20 0.09%
15:00 – 16:00 2 400 133.33 1.80% -82.01% 420 1.89%
16:00 – 17:00 3 757 252.33 3.40% -65.96% 1177 5.29%
17:00 – 18:00 4 1084 216.80 4.87% -70.75% 2261 10.17%
18:00 – 19:00 5 246 61.50 1.11% -91.70% 2507 11.27%
19:00 – 20:00 6 3811 1905.50 17.14% 157.07% 6318 28.41%
20:00 – 21:00 7 4038 1346.00 18.16% 81.59% 10356 46.57%
21:00 – 22:00 8 11881 1320.11 53.43% 78.10% 22237 100.00%
22:00 – 23:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 22237 100.00%
23:00 – 00:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 22237 100.00%
 
S
u
n
d
a
y
 
00:00 – 01:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 22237 100.00%
01:00 – 02:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 22237 100.00%
02:00 – 03:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 22237 100.00%
03:00 – 04:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 22237 100.00%
04:00 – 05:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 22237 100.00%
05:00 – 06:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 22237 100.00%
06:00 – 07:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 22237 100.00%
07:00 – 08:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 22237 100.00%
08:00 – 09:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 22237 100.00%
09:00 – 10:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 22237 100.00%
10:00 – 11:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 22237 100.00%
11:00 – 12:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 22237 100.00%
12:00 – 13:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 22237 100.00%
13:00 – 14:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 22237 100.00%
Totals 22237 741.23 100.00%  

The band seemed, from our persepctive at least, to be closed for much of the contest period with little or no obvious DX propagation. The first 5 hours of operation from 14:00 UTC – 19:00 UTC accounted for just over 50% of the total number of contacts but only 11% of the total points score with every one of the first 5 hours being below the overall average points per QSO.

From 19:00 UTC onwards the band seemed to open and become much more friendly but the really big points haul didn’t occur until the final hour of the contest.

Table 3 – 6m Distances Worked and Table 4 – 6m Statistical Analysis of Distances Worked

These tables shows the distribution of distances worked. If the dataset is small, this is likely to be of limited value.

Table 3 – 6m Distances Worked   Table 4 – 6m Statistical Analysis of Distances Worked
Distance (km) Number of Stations Worked %age of Stations Worked Quantity Value Population
D <= 1 0 0.00%   Mean Distance (km) 741.23  
1 < D <= 5 0 0.00% Median Distance (km) 300.00  
5 < D <= 10 1 3.33% Mode (km) N/A 0
10 < D <= 20 2 6.67% 1 Standard Deviation 824.15 90.00%
20 < D <= 50 1 3.33% 2 Standard Deviations 1648.30 96.67%
50 < D <= 100 3 10.00% 3 Standard Deviations 2472.46 96.67%
100 < D <= 200 5 16.67%  
200 < D <= 350 4 13.33%
350 < D <= 500 1 3.33%
500 < D <= 750 0 0.00%
750 < D <= 1000 3 10.00%
1000 < D <= 1500 6 20.00%
1500 < D <= 2000 3 10.00%
2000 < D 1 3.33%
Totals 30 100.00%

The sample set is small and clearly not a normal distribution curve. This is not the first time that we’ve seen a distribution graph showing two distinct peaks, one for when the band is “closed” and essentially operating as a typical VHF band when average distances of around 200km can be expected and a second for when the band “opens” and real DX is possible.

Table 5 – 6m Breakdown of UK Callsigns

This tables shows if we managed to collect all RSLs on a single band, at the end of this page will be an indication of if we managed to collect all RSLs when the bands are aggregated.

Country Callsign Groups Number of Stations Worked %age of UK Stations %age of All Stations
Special Events GB 0 0.00% 0.00%
Isle of Man MD, 2D, GD, GT, MT 0 0.00% 0.00%
Northern Ireland MI, 2I, GI, GN, MN 0 0.00% 0.00%
Jersey MJ, 2J, GJ, GH, MH 0 0.00% 0.00%
Scotland MM, 2M, GM, GS, MS 1 5.88% 3.33%
Guernsey MU, 2U, GU, GP, MP 0 0.00% 0.00%
Wales MW, 2W, GW, GC, MC 0 0.00% 0.00%
England or Unspecified ME, 2E, GE, GX, MX, G, 2, M 16 94.12% 53.33%
Club Stations (included above) GT, MT, GN, MN, GH, MH, GS, MS, GP, MP, GC, MC, GX, MX 0 0.00% 0.00%
Totals 17 100.00% 56.67%

Only 2 parts of the UK shows how dire things were.

Table 6 – 6m Breakdown of Overseas Callsigns

This table shows if we managed to contact anywhere exotic! This table is designed to cover 95% of likely contacts to standardise analysis not for any thought that we might manage all countries on all bands.

Country Callsign Groups Number of Stations Worked %age of Non UK Stations %age of All Stations
Andorra C3 0 0.00% 0.00%
Austria OE 0 0.00% 0.00%
Belgium ON, OO, OP, OQ, OR, OS, OT 0 0.00% 0.00%
Bosnia and Herzegovina E7 0 0.00% 0.00%
Canada VA, VB, VC, VD, VE, VF, VG 0 0.00% 0.00%
Canada (Labrador) VO2, VO4, VO6, VO8, VO0 0 0.00% 0.00%
Canada (Newfoundland) VO1, VO3, VO5, VO7, VO9 1 7.69% 3.33%
Croatia 9A 0 0.00% 0.00%
Cyprus 5B, C4 0 0.00% 0.00%
Czech Republic OK, OL 1 7.69% 3.33%
Denmark 5P, OZ 0 0.00% 0.00%
Eire EI, EJ 0 0.00% 0.00%
France (inc Overseas Territories) F, TM, TO, TX 0 0.00% 0.00%
Germany DA, DB, DC, DD, DF, DG, DH, DJ, DK, DL, DP, DR 5 38.46% 16.67%
Gibraltar ZB, ZG 0 0.00% 0.00%
Greece J4, SV 0 0.00% 0.00%
Hungary HA, HG 0 0.00% 0.00%
Italy I, IA, IB, IC, ID, IE, IF, IG, IH, IK, IL, IN, IP, IR, IT, IV, IW, IX 0 0.00% 0.00%
Latvia YL 0 0.00% 0.00%
Liechtenstein HB0 0 0.00% 0.00%
Lithuania LY 0 0.00% 0.00%
Luxembourg LX 0 0.00% 0.00%
Monaco 3A 0 0.00% 0.00%
Netherlands (inc Antilles) PA, PB, PD, PE, PI, PJ 0 0.00% 0.00%
Norway LA, LB, LC, LG, LI, LJ, LN 0 0.00% 0.00%
Poland HF, SN, SO, SP, SQ, SR 4 30.77% 13.33%
Portugal (inc Azores) CT, CU 0 0.00% 0.00%
San Marino T7 0 0.00% 0.00%
Sardinia IM, IS 0 0.00% 0.00%
Serbia YT, YU 0 0.00% 0.00%
Slovak Republic OM 0 0.00% 0.00%
Slovenia 7S 0 0.00% 0.00%
Spain (inc Overseas Territories) AM, AN, AO, EA, EB, EC, ED, EF, EG, EH 0 0.00% 0.00%
Sweden 8S, S5, SE, SH, SI, SJ, SL, SM 0 0.00% 0.00%
Switzerland HB, HE 0 0.00% 0.00%
Turkey TA, YM 0 0.00% 0.00%
Ukraine UR, US, UT, UU, UV, UW, UX, UY, UZ 2 15.38% 6.67%
Vatican City HV 0 0.00% 0.00%
Total 13 100.00% 43.33%

The highlight has to be the contact with Newfoundland, made doubly impressive as we were beaming east at the time we received and worked them.

Table 7 – 6m Breakdown of Countries Worked

This table is a summary of the two previous tables for those who prefer fewer facts.

Classification Number of Stations Worked %age of Total QSO
All UK Stations 17 56.67%
All Non-UK Stations 13 43.33%
All Identified UK and Non-UK Stations 30 100.00%
Unmatched Callsigns 0 0.00%
Total 30 100.00%

A more or less 50/50 split between UK and non-UK contacts this year.

Map of Stations Worked on 6m

We have seen, in previous years, the difference between when the band is “closed” and when it is “open” with that odd gap in western Europe which is too far to be worked when the band is closed and too close to be worked when the band is open.

Of more interest this year is the very thin East-West geographic distribution. We did have a bit of interaction between the two beams that made some combination of directions more problematic than others but we might need to get a bit more creative next year.

Log of Stations Worked on 6m

We publish our log after the closing date for entries to be submitted to the Contest Committee

Analysis of 4m Operation

Table 1 – 4m QSO’s Recorded

This table demonstrates the distribution of QSOs throughout the contest period. This can be useful for spotting trends in activity to inform when to concentrate operational activity and when to have a beer!

Day Time (UTC) Hour QSOs %age of QSOs Deviation from Average QSOs per Hour Cumulative QSOs Cumulative %age of QSOs Cumulative QSOs/Hour
 
S
a
t
u
r
d
a
y
 
14:00 – 15:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 0 0.00% 0.00
15:00 – 16:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 0 0.00% 0.00
16:00 – 17:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 0 0.00% 0.00
17:00 – 18:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 0 0.00% 0.00
18:00 – 19:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 0 0.00% 0.00
19:00 – 20:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 0 0.00% 0.00
20:00 – 21:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 0 0.00% 0.00
21:00 – 22:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 0 0.00% 0.00
22:00 – 23:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 0 0.00% 0.00
23:00 – 00:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 0 0.00% 0.00
 
S
u
n
d
a
y
 
00:00 – 01:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 0 0.00% 0.00
01:00 – 02:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 0 0.00% 0.00
02:00 – 03:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 0 0.00% 0.00
03:00 – 04:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 0 0.00% 0.00
04:00 – 05:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 0 0.00% 0.00
05:00 – 06:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 0 0.00% 0.00
06:00 – 07:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 0 0.00% 0.00
07:00 – 08:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 0 0.00% 0.00
08:00 – 09:00 1 7 38.89% 94.44% 7 38.89% 7.00
09:00 – 10:00 2 2 11.11% -44.44% 9 50.00% 4.50
10:00 – 11:00 3 6 33.33% 66.67% 15 83.33% 5.00
11:00 – 12:00 4 1 5.56% -72.22% 16 88.89% 4.00
12:00 – 13:00 5 2 11.11% -44.44% 18 100.00% 3.60
13:00 – 14:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 18 100.00% 3.60
Totals 18 100.00%  

4m is not a particulary active band for us even in good years, and this wasn’t a good year. Over tha past years when we have mounted a 4m station we have typically only managed between 15 – 33 QSOs, so although this year’s total of 18 QSOs is at the lower end of that range it is by no means unrepresentative of our performance.

Table 2 – 4m Points Scored

This table demonstrates the distribution of points throughout the contest period. There are instances when frenetic periods in terms of QSOs do not translate into high points scores and vice-versa.

Day Time (UTC) Hour Points Average Points/QSO %age of Total Points Deviation from Average Points/QSO Cumulative Points Cumulative %age of Points
 
S
a
t
u
r
d
a
y
 
14:00 – 15:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 0 0.00%
15:00 – 16:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 0 0.00%
16:00 – 17:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 0 0.00%
17:00 – 18:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 0 0.00%
18:00 – 19:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 0 0.00%
19:00 – 20:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 0 0.00%
20:00 – 21:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 0 0.00%
21:00 – 22:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 0 0.00%
22:00 – 23:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 0 0.00%
23:00 – 00:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 0 0.00%
 
S
u
n
d
a
y
 
00:00 – 01:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 0 0.00%
01:00 – 02:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 0 0.00%
02:00 – 03:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 0 0.00%
03:00 – 04:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 0 0.00%
04:00 – 05:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 0 0.00%
05:00 – 06:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 0 0.00%
06:00 – 07:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 0 0.00%
07:00 – 08:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 0 0.00%
08:00 – 09:00 1 1207 172.43 42.28% 8.71% 1207 42.28%
09:00 – 10:00 2 447 223.50 15.66% 40.91% 1654 57.93%
10:00 – 11:00 3 679 113.17 23.78% -28.65% 2333 81.72%
11:00 – 12:00 4 251 251.00 8.79% 58.25% 2584 90.51%
12:00 – 13:00 5 271 135.50 9.49% -14.57% 2855 100.00%
13:00 – 14:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 2855 100.00%
Totals 2855 158.61 100.00%  

The first hour had about 40% of the toal contacts and about 40% of the points scored. This opening hour was manned by those who had stayed overnight and were ready for the opening of the contest. This made hunt and pounce type tactics very rewarding as the there were plenty of new stations to work at the start of the contest.

After than the track of QSOs v Points becomes a little less linear but reamins quite similar.

Table 3 – 4m Distances Worked and Table 4 – 4m Statistical Analysis of Distances Worked

These tables shows the distribution of distances worked. If the dataset is small, this is likely to be of limited value.

Table 3 – 4m Distances Worked   Table 4 – 4m Statistical Analysis of Distances Worked
Distance (km) Number of Stations Worked %age of Stations Worked Quantity Value Population
D <= 1 0 0.00%   Mean Distance (km) 158.61  
1 < D <= 5 0 0.00% Median Distance (km) 147.50  
5 < D <= 10 1 5.56% Mode (km) N/A 0
10 < D <= 20 1 5.56% 1 Standard Deviation 108.46 55.56%
20 < D <= 50 2 11.11% 2 Standard Deviations 216.92 94.44%
50 < D <= 100 2 11.11% 3 Standard Deviations 325.38 100.00%
100 < D <= 200 6 33.33%  
200 < D <= 350 5 27.78%
350 < D <= 500 1 5.56%
500 < D <= 750 0 0.00%
750 < D <= 1000 0 0.00%
1000 < D <= 1500 0 0.00%
1500 < D <= 2000 0 0.00%
2000 < D 0 0.00%
Totals 18 100.00%

The data set is really too small to draw any meaningful conclusions from. Our “bin” sizes are larger in the larger distance ranges so the graph may not appear to be a typical normal distribution “bell-curve”, it almost certainly is closer to it than the bar chart might suggest.

Table 5 – 4m Breakdown of UK Callsigns

This tables shows if we managed to collect all RSLs on a single band, at the end of this page will be an indication of if we managed to collect all RSLs when the bands are aggregated.

Country Callsign Groups Number of Stations Worked %age of UK Stations %age of All Stations
Special Events GB 0 0.00% 0.00%
Isle of Man MD, 2D, GD, GT, MT 0 0.00% 0.00%
Northern Ireland MI, 2I, GI, GN, MN 0 0.00% 0.00%
Jersey MJ, 2J, GJ, GH, MH 0 0.00% 0.00%
Scotland MM, 2M, GM, GS, MS 1 5.56% 5.56%
Guernsey MU, 2U, GU, GP, MP 0 0.00% 0.00%
Wales MW, 2W, GW, GC, MC 0 0.00% 0.00%
England or Unspecified ME, 2E, GE, GX, MX, G, 2, M 17 94.44% 94.44%
Club Stations (included above) GT, MT, GN, MN, GH, MH, GS, MS, GP, MP, GC, MC, GX, MX 0 0.00% 0.00%
Totals 18 100.00% 100.00%

Like the 6m UK results only England and Scotland.

Table 6 – 4m Breakdown of Overseas Callsigns

This table shows if we managed to contact anywhere exotic! This table is designed to cover 95% of likely contacts to standardise analysis not for any thought that we might manage all countries on all bands.

Country Callsign Groups Number of Stations Worked %age of Non UK Stations %age of All Stations
Andorra C3 0 0.00% 0.00%
Austria OE 0 0.00% 0.00%
Belgium ON, OO, OP, OQ, OR, OS, OT 0 0.00% 0.00%
Bosnia and Herzegovina E7 0 0.00% 0.00%
Canada VA, VB, VC, VD, VE, VF, VG 0 0.00% 0.00%
Canada (Labrador) VO2, VO4, VO6, VO8, VO0 0 0.00% 0.00%
Canada (Newfoundland) VO1, VO3, VO5, VO7, VO9 0 0.00% 0.00%
Croatia 9A 0 0.00% 0.00%
Cyprus 5B, C4 0 0.00% 0.00%
Czech Republic OK, OL 0 0.00% 0.00%
Denmark 5P, OZ 0 0.00% 0.00%
Eire EI, EJ 0 0.00% 0.00%
France (inc Overseas Territories) F, TM, TO, TX 0 0.00% 0.00%
Germany DA, DB, DC, DD, DF, DG, DH, DJ, DK, DL, DP, DR 0 0.00% 0.00%
Gibraltar ZB, ZG 0 0.00% 0.00%
Greece J4, SV 0 0.00% 0.00%
Hungary HA, HG 0 0.00% 0.00%
Italy I, IA, IB, IC, ID, IE, IF, IG, IH, IK, IL, IN, IP, IR, IT, IV, IW, IX 0 0.00% 0.00%
Latvia YL 0 0.00% 0.00%
Liechtenstein HB0 0 0.00% 0.00%
Lithuania LY 0 0.00% 0.00%
Luxembourg LX 0 0.00% 0.00%
Monaco 3A 0 0.00% 0.00%
Netherlands (inc Antilles) PA, PB, PD, PE, PI, PJ 0 0.00% 0.00%
Norway LA, LB, LC, LG, LI, LJ, LN 0 0.00% 0.00%
Poland HF, SN, SO, SP, SQ, SR 0 0.00% 0.00%
Portugal (inc Azores) CT, CU 0 0.00% 0.00%
San Marino T7 0 0.00% 0.00%
Sardinia IM, IS 0 0.00% 0.00%
Serbia YT, YU 0 0.00% 0.00%
Slovak Republic OM 0 0.00% 0.00%
Slovenia 7S 0 0.00% 0.00%
Spain (inc Overseas Territories) AM, AN, AO, EA, EB, EC, ED, EF, EG, EH 0 0.00% 0.00%
Sweden 8S, S5, SE, SH, SI, SJ, SL, SM 0 0.00% 0.00%
Switzerland HB, HE 0 0.00% 0.00%
Turkey TA, YM 0 0.00% 0.00%
Ukraine UR, US, UT, UU, UV, UW, UX, UY, UZ 0 0.00% 0.00%
Vatican City HV 0 0.00% 0.00%
Total 0 0.00% 0.00%

As in previous years, nothing out side of the UK.

Table 7 – 4m Breakdown of Countries Worked

This table is a summary of the two previous tables for those who prefer fewer facts.

Classification Number of Stations Worked %age of Total QSO
All UK Stations 18 100.00%
All Non-UK Stations 0 0.00%
All Identified UK and Non-UK Stations 18 100.00%
Unmatched Callsigns 0 0.00%
Total 18 100.00%

Wholly UK stations

Map of Stations Worked on 4m

4m is probably a lesser band in the UK as well as other European Countries that have 4m priviliges compared to 6m and 2m. Moreover the low power limit in the contest of only 10W on 4m is 4dBW down on the power levels permitted in the same class as 2m and 6m. There is no justification for this restriction, even Foundation Licensees are permitted to use 25W on 4m outside of the contest.

Log of Stations Worked on 4m

We publish our log after the closing date for entries to be submitted to the Contest Committee

Analysis of 2m Operation

Table 1 – 2m QSO’s Recorded

This table demonstrates the distribution of QSOs throughout the contest period. This can be useful for spotting trends in activity to inform when to concentrate operational activity and when to have a beer!

Day Time (UTC) Hour QSOs %age of QSOs Deviation from Average QSOs per Hour Cumulative QSOs Cumulative %age of QSOs Cumulative QSOs/Hour
 
S
a
t
u
r
d
a
y
 
14:00 – 15:00 1 17 18.89% 164.44% 17 18.89% 17.00
15:00 – 16:00 2 3 3.33% -53.33% 20 22.22% 10.00
16:00 – 17:00 3 8 8.89% 24.44% 28 31.11% 9.33
17:00 – 18:00 4 6 6.67% -6.67% 34 37.78% 8.50
18:00 – 19:00 5 8 8.89% 24.44% 42 46.67% 8.40
19:00 – 20:00 6 6 6.67% -6.67% 48 53.33% 8.00
20:00 – 21:00 7 2 2.22% -68.89% 50 55.56% 7.14
21:00 – 22:00 8 3 3.33% -53.33% 53 58.89% 6.63
22:00 – 23:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 53 58.89% 6.63
23:00 – 00:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 53 58.89% 6.63
 
S
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d
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00:00 – 01:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 53 58.89% 6.63
01:00 – 02:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 53 58.89% 6.63
02:00 – 03:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 53 58.89% 6.63
03:00 – 04:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 53 58.89% 6.63
04:00 – 05:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 53 58.89% 6.63
05:00 – 06:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 53 58.89% 6.63
06:00 – 07:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 53 58.89% 6.63
07:00 – 08:00 Shutdown 0 0.00% -100.00% 53 58.89% 6.63
08:00 – 09:00 9 1 1.11% -84.44% 54 60.00% 6.00
09:00 – 10:00 10 2 2.22% -68.89% 56 62.22% 5.60
10:00 – 11:00 11 17 18.89% 164.44% 73 81.11% 6.64
11:00 – 12:00 12 3 3.33% -53.33% 76 84.44% 6.33
12:00 – 13:00 13 6 6.67% -6.67% 82 91.11% 6.31
13:00 – 14:00 14 8 8.89% 24.44% 90 100.00% 6.43
Totals 90 100.00%  

The usual high hit rate start as everyone wants to work everyone else in the first hour. This year the evening secondary peak was less pronounced than in some previous years although 16:00 UTC – 20:00 UTC showed a steady hit rate with these hours turning out to be about the average for the whole contest.

The slow start on Sunday was a function of limited manpower on site as only one body remained on site overnight and was ready for the start of the 4m contest. Concentrating on the 4m contest the opportunities to run from station to station were limited and only really worthwhile if we were explicitly told by a station, as we were with G3PYE/P, that they were also QRV on 2m.

Table 2 – 2m Points Scored

This table demonstrates the distribution of points throughout the contest period. There are instances when frenetic periods in terms of QSOs do not translate into high points scores and vice-versa.

Day Time (UTC) Hour Points Average Points/QSO %age of Total Points Deviation from Average Points/QSO Cumulative Points Cumulative %age of Points
 
S
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r
d
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14:00 – 15:00 1 3167 186.29 19.30% 2.18% 3167 19.30%
15:00 – 16:00 2 936 312.00 5.70% 71.14% 4103 25.01%
16:00 – 17:00 3 2349 293.63 14.32% 61.06% 6452 39.32%
17:00 – 18:00 4 1029 171.50 6.27% -5.93% 7481 45.59%
18:00 – 19:00 5 1091 136.38 6.65% -25.20% 8572 52.24%
19:00 – 20:00 6 1186 197.67 7.23% 8.42% 9758 59.47%
20:00 – 21:00 7 420 210.00 2.56% 15.19% 10178 62.03%
21:00 – 22:00 8 486 162.00 2.96% -11.14% 10664 64.99%
22:00 – 23:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 10664 64.99%
23:00 – 00:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 10664 64.99%
 
S
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d
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00:00 – 01:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 10664 64.99%
01:00 – 02:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 10664 64.99%
02:00 – 03:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 10664 64.99%
03:00 – 04:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 10664 64.99%
04:00 – 05:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 10664 64.99%
05:00 – 06:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 10664 64.99%
06:00 – 07:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 10664 64.99%
07:00 – 08:00 Shutdown 0 0.00 0.00% -100.00% 10664 64.99%
08:00 – 09:00 9 214 214.00 1.30% 17.38% 10878 66.30%
09:00 – 10:00 10 236 118.00 1.44% -35.28% 11114 67.74%
10:00 – 11:00 11 2279 134.06 13.89% -26.47% 13393 81.62%
11:00 – 12:00 12 703 234.33 4.28% 28.53% 14096 85.91%
12:00 – 13:00 13 1131 188.50 6.89% 3.39% 15227 92.80%
13:00 – 14:00 14 1181 147.63 7.20% -19.03% 16408 100.00%
Totals 16408 182.31 100.00%  

A large part of the contacts made on the Saturday were above the average points per QSO for the contest. this is contrary to what we have seen in previous years when the more frenetic periods, such as contest start, tends to be a large haul of stations but with a relatively poor points value. Sunday saw a big reduction in points value as more local stations were worked.

Table 3 – 2m Distances Worked and Table 4 – 2m Statistical Analysis of Distances Worked

These tables shows the distribution of distances worked. If the dataset is small, this is likely to be of limited value.

Table 3 – 2m Distances Worked   Table 4 – 2m Statistical Analysis of Distances Worked
Distance (km) Number of Stations Worked %age of Stations Worked Quantity Value Population
D <= 1 2 2.22%   Mean Distance (km) 182.31  
1 < D <= 5 0 0.00% Median Distance (km) 165.00  
5 < D <= 10 2 2.22% Mode (km) 200.00 2
10 < D <= 20 2 2.22% 1 Standard Deviation 138.06 68.89%
20 < D <= 50 10 11.11% 2 Standard Deviations 276.12 96.67%
50 < D <= 100 13 14.44% 3 Standard Deviations 414.19 97.78%
100 < D <= 200 27 30.00%  
200 < D <= 350 24 26.67%
350 < D <= 500 7 7.78%
500 < D <= 750 3 3.33%
750 < D <= 1000 0 0.00%
1000 < D <= 1500 0 0.00%
1500 < D <= 2000 0 0.00%
2000 < D 0 0.00%
Totals 90 100.00%

The average distance is very similar to previous years, and the distribution is close to a normal bell-curve. The mean is higher than the mode indicating that there is a slight skew to the longer distance stations which is good.

Table 5 – 2m Breakdown of UK Callsigns

This tables shows if we managed to collect all RSLs on a single band, at the end of this page will be an indication of if we managed to collect all RSLs when the bands are aggregated.

Country Callsign Groups Number of Stations Worked %age of UK Stations %age of All Stations
Special Events GB 0 0.00% 0.00%
Isle of Man MD, 2D, GD, GT, MT 0 0.00% 0.00%
Northern Ireland MI, 2I, GI, GN, MN 0 0.00% 0.00%
Jersey MJ, 2J, GJ, GH, MH 0 0.00% 0.00%
Scotland MM, 2M, GM, GS, MS 3 3.61% 3.33%
Guernsey MU, 2U, GU, GP, MP 2 2.41% 2.22%
Wales MW, 2W, GW, GC, MC 3 3.61% 3.33%
England or Unspecified ME, 2E, GE, GX, MX, G, 2, M 75 90.36% 83.33%
Club Stations (included above) GT, MT, GN, MN, GH, MH, GS, MS, GP, MP, GC, MC, GX, MX 1 1.20% 1.11%
Totals 83 100.00% 92.22%

A reasonable spread of UK callsigns. nice to work Gurnsey, typical to miss out on Jersey and the Isle of Man and odd not to have made a Northern Ireland contact, or for that matter anything in Eire either.

Table 6 – 2m Breakdown of Overseas Callsigns

This table shows if we managed to contact anywhere exotic! This table is designed to cover 95% of likely contacts to standardise analysis not for any thought that we might manage all countries on all bands.

Country Callsign Groups Number of Stations Worked %age of Non UK Stations %age of All Stations
Andorra C3 0 0.00% 0.00%
Austria OE 0 0.00% 0.00%
Belgium ON, OO, OP, OQ, OR, OS, OT 1 14.29% 1.11%
Bosnia and Herzegovina E7 0 0.00% 0.00%
Canada VA, VB, VC, VD, VE, VF, VG 0 0.00% 0.00%
Canada (Labrador) VO2, VO4, VO6, VO8, VO0 0 0.00% 0.00%
Canada (Newfoundland) VO1, VO3, VO5, VO7, VO9 0 0.00% 0.00%
Croatia 9A 0 0.00% 0.00%
Cyprus 5B, C4 0 0.00% 0.00%
Czech Republic OK, OL 0 0.00% 0.00%
Denmark 5P, OZ 0 0.00% 0.00%
Eire EI, EJ 0 0.00% 0.00%
France (inc Overseas Territories) F, TM, TO, TX 3 42.86% 3.33%
Germany DA, DB, DC, DD, DF, DG, DH, DJ, DK, DL, DP, DR 2 28.57% 2.22%
Gibraltar ZB, ZG 0 0.00% 0.00%
Greece J4, SV 0 0.00% 0.00%
Hungary HA, HG 0 0.00% 0.00%
Italy I, IA, IB, IC, ID, IE, IF, IG, IH, IK, IL, IN, IP, IR, IT, IV, IW, IX 0 0.00% 0.00%
Latvia YL 0 0.00% 0.00%
Liechtenstein HB0 0 0.00% 0.00%
Lithuania LY 0 0.00% 0.00%
Luxembourg LX 0 0.00% 0.00%
Monaco 3A 0 0.00% 0.00%
Netherlands (inc Antilles) PA, PB, PD, PE, PI, PJ 1 14.29% 1.11%
Norway LA, LB, LC, LG, LI, LJ, LN 0 0.00% 0.00%
Poland HF, SN, SO, SP, SQ, SR 0 0.00% 0.00%
Portugal (inc Azores) CT, CU 0 0.00% 0.00%
San Marino T7 0 0.00% 0.00%
Sardinia IM, IS 0 0.00% 0.00%
Serbia YT, YU 0 0.00% 0.00%
Slovak Republic OM 0 0.00% 0.00%
Slovenia 7S 0 0.00% 0.00%
Spain (inc Overseas Territories) AM, AN, AO, EA, EB, EC, ED, EF, EG, EH 0 0.00% 0.00%
Sweden 8S, S5, SE, SH, SI, SJ, SL, SM 0 0.00% 0.00%
Switzerland HB, HE 0 0.00% 0.00%
Turkey TA, YM 0 0.00% 0.00%
Ukraine UR, US, UT, UU, UV, UW, UX, UY, UZ 0 0.00% 0.00%
Vatican City HV 0 0.00% 0.00%
Total 7 100.00% 7.78%

A typical sweep of European stations, we’ve had Germany as a Best DX for a couple of years lately. Unusual not have worked Eire from our /P QTH.

Table 7 – 2m Breakdown of Countries Worked

This table is a summary of the two previous tables for those who prefer fewer facts.

Classification Number of Stations Worked %age of Total QSO
All UK Stations 83 92.22%
All Non-UK Stations 7 7.78%
All Identified UK and Non-UK Stations 90 100.00%
Unmatched Callsigns 0 0.00%
Total 90 100.00%

7% – 8% of non UK QSOs is consistent with previous years, we still beleive that stations on the east of the UK have a better chance of making European contacts but that’s geography for you.

Map of Stations Worked on 2m

Whilst not identical to previous years there are clear similarities with the maps of previous years.

Log of Stations Worked on 2m

We publish our log after the closing date for entries to be submitted to the Contest Committee

10 Year RSL Tracker (2017 – 2026)

The Regional Secondary Locators (RSLs) are optional (except in the case of Intermediate Licences commencing with a 2 when they are mandatory) letters altered or added to an individual or club amateur radio callsign to denote which part of the United Kingdom the station is operating from, the map and table below indicate the principles:

Location Foundation Callsigns Intermediate Callsigns Full Callsigns Club Callsigns Special Event Callsigns
England M#☐☐☐ 2E#☐☐☐ G#☐☐☐
M#☐☐☐
GX#☐☐☐
MX#☐☐☐
GB~

Following the implementation of Phases 2 and 3 of the Amateur Radio Licence changes that commenced in 2024, since the latter part of 2025 the new SES format will allow call signs to a maximum 6 characters in length, in the format ‘GBdccccca’ (d = digit other than 3 or 7, c = digit or letter, a = letter). Licensees are able to choose a range of SES call signs, as long as they start ‘GB’

Guernsey MU#☐☐☐ 2U#☐☐☐ GU#☐☐☐
MU#☐☐☐
GP#☐☐☐
MP#☐☐☐
Isle of Man MD#☐☐☐ 2D#☐☐☐ GD#☐☐☐
MD#☐☐☐
GT#☐☐☐
MT#☐☐☐
Jersey MJ#☐☐☐ 2J#☐☐☐ GJ#☐☐☐
MJ#☐☐☐
GH#☐☐☐
MH#☐☐☐
Northern Ireland MI#☐☐☐ 2I#☐☐☐ GI#☐☐☐
MI#☐☐☐
GN#☐☐☐
MN#☐☐☐
Scotland MM#☐☐☐ 2M#☐☐☐ GM#☐☐☐
MM#☐☐☐
GS#☐☐☐
MS#☐☐☐
Wales MW#☐☐☐ 2W#☐☐☐ GW#☐☐☐
MW#☐☐☐
GC#☐☐☐
MC#☐☐☐

Map of RSL's

We have long harboured the ambition to work all RSL’s on a single Special Event or contest but have yet to manage this (although we have come close on a few occasions). We didn’t manage it again this time either, but we live in hope!

  2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026
A
o
t
A
England
Guernsey
Isle of Man
Jersey
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Wales
 
M
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t
A
England
Guernsey
Isle of Man
Jersey
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Wales
 
V
H
F
 
F
D
England
Guernsey
Isle of Man
Jersey
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Wales
 
I
L
L
W
England
Guernsey
Isle of Man
Jersey
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Wales
 
R
o
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A
England
Guernsey
Isle of Man
Jersey
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Wales
 
I
n
 
Y
e
a
r
England
Guernsey
Isle of Man
Jersey
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Wales