BERU lives and flourishes! With over 800 calls in the logs including 472 Gs, 164 VE and 118 VK/ZL, BERU is becoming one of the more popular contests in the calendar. It was hardly to be expected that the 1998 Commonwealth Contest could prove as successful as the 60th Anniversary Contest, last year. Yet while the total entry of 131 is lower it follows a steady upward trend.
Propagation did not, unfortunately, put on a special effort. As always, this seems to depend where you were, most Gs found 10 and 15 disappointing but VE3IY/7 commented on 'solid openings into the Pacific' and 8P9IF and VK4EMM agreed. But 1998 was an in-between year, the LF bands were the more disappointing, while HF bands seemed to be looking up, just a bit ! Even VE3EJ recorded almost no 80/40m opening to G at VE sunset. VK2BJ said both 10m and 40m were disappointing, and conditions generally poor to G. AT0PTT heard the whole of Europe strongly on 10m but no Gs. Long- path conditions between G and VK/ZL were quite good on 40m and 20m (though VK3APN would disagree), but the short path was virtually non-existent, until very near the end of the contest. The mixed propagation should be no surprise to BERU entrants, perhaps twas ever thus. But it produced one of the closest finishes for many years, the top four stations were separated by only 183 points, the odd extra bonus QSO really making the difference.
Tables
The contest amongst the top four Open section stations might be seen by some to be a clash of the titan superstations .The honours this year go to John Sluymer, VE3EJ. This is Johns sixth win, his first being in 1981. John needs just one more to equal the record of seven by Lee Sawkins VE7CC, second placed VE this year. As the Senior Rosebowl is too valuable to send outside the UK to present to John in person, Bob Whelan, 8P9IF/G3PJT, took advantage of a meeting at the Dayton Hamvention to present John with a framed photograph of the Rosebowl to grace the VE3EJ station wall. If funds are available it is hoped to be able to do this for future non-UK Rosebowl winners. John had to work hard to beat, by a very narrow margin, Andy Chadwick G4ZVJ, who as 9H3ZV took over the well-equipped station of 9H1EL, with 400 watts and eight antennas including GPs and beams. Bob, 8P9IF, had to settle for third place (400 watts with four antennas including TH6DX and 3-el for 40m, the latter jammed North for the second half !). Although Gavin Taylor, GM0GAV, could not repeat last year's tour de force, as V26XX, he occupies fourth place . (His callsign gave a little trouble to some people!). A more detailed look at the results shows that the tactics employed by the leaders made full use of the interplay between QSO numbers and bonuses. John correctly judged that conditions were likely to limit numbers of QSOs but might allow him to get sufficient bonuses especially on 80 and 40, bands where his antennas are very effective.
Then there is a gap before the two battling VKs in fifth and sixth. Barry Simpson, VK2BJ is again just ahead of John Loftus, VK4EMM. Both stations used only 100 watts, but each has a battery of antennas, 5 for 'BJ, 8 for 'EMM. Lee Sawkins, VE7CC, whom it is good to see back in the table, is very close behind them. Yet again Dave Lawley, G4BUO, is awarded the Col. Thomas Rose Bowl as top G, with 400 watts and a delta loop at 70 ft. for 80m, a 4-square vertical array for 40m, and single-band yagis for 20-10m. Only two places below, Jan Fisher, G0IVZ, had a similar set-up, but with tri-banders at 90 and 60 ft., while his 40m yagi at 75 ft. gave him the edge over 'BUO on that band. AT0PTT, Prasad, provided some serious new competiton from India. He should be able to further improve his position next year.
The Restricted section is headed by first-time entrant George Beasley, 5B4AGC, who comfortably held off the opposition using 400 watts and a TH11, with four slopers for 40/80m. CU next year in the Open section, George ? Dietmar Kiesewetter, VK2APK, occupies second place, and Bill Metcalfe, VE6BF is third as VE6JY. Leading G in this section, Peter Hobbs, G3LET, used to good effect his one antenna, a single 260 ft. wire sloping from 130 to 25 ft.
This years winner of the Commonwealth Medal is Mike Hutchins, ZL1MH, a consistent performer from ZL over the past few years. It is very pleasing to welcome at least twelve first-time entrants, whom we hope will become regulars. They include ZL2RN: Nigel Hardy, ZL2TX, operated the RNARS New Zealand branch HQ station in BERU as a tribute in memory of the late Mike Mathews, G3JFF.
Only four HQ stations were in evidence this year. GB5CC was operated by Justin, G4TSH, and Brian, G4ODV, at the latter's station. VI4WIA was again operated by VK4XA, and VU2UR by Arasu, himself, while VA3JFF was at the key of VA3RAC.
A number of familiar calls are absent from the tables, though some participated. Alas, there are some we shall never hear again. Foremost among them is Peter Watson, ZL3GQ, who sadly died soon after the contest. He will be greatly missed. We also regret the loss of Tom Dowling, VK4OD, who was awarded the first Commonwealth medal.
Among the check logs, G4UOL made a good showing with QRP. G3TXF operated as for the Open section, but because he had DX-Cluster running in his shack for part of the time could put in only a check log.
Participation
A total of 805 callsigns was recorded over all bands (472 G, 164 VE, 77 VK, 41 ZL, 6 ZS: all up on 1997 except ZS). These cover 55 call areas: 3B8, 5B, 5N, 5W, 6Y, 7Q, 8P, 9H, 9J, 9M2, 9M6, 9V, 9Y, A3, G (including GD, GI, GJ, GM, GW, M, MM and MW), GB (HQ), P2, V2, VE1-9, VE3 (HQ), VK1-8, VK4 (HQ), VO1, VP2V, VP8. VP9, VQ9, VU, VU (HQ), VY1, VY2, ZF, ZL0-4, ZS1, ZS6.
Participation by band was: 80m, 255 stations including 125 Gs, 41 call areas; 40m, 463 (268 G), 50; 20m, 601 (376 G), 50; 15m, 424 (250 G), 50; 10m, 125 (21 G), 47. Some of these figures were down on 1997 but up compared with 1996.The numbers of call areas and stations was higher on 15m and much higher on 10m, than in the past two years. Gs on 15 m were fewer than in 1997 but more than '96, and were well down on 10m compared with either year. The British Isles do seem to have been badly treated on the HF bands in BERU '98.
Logs
Use of computers may be increasing, but only a quarter of the logs were submitted on disk. However, nearly half of the paper entries showed evidence of computer logging. A minority even provided the stipulated dupe sheets (with serial number or time of contact) and bonus lists! Count has been lost of the many hours spent making dupe sheets for logs without them. A great deal of tolerance is extended to overseas (indeed to all) entrants, who may not have the full rules, or any at all. But it is not unreasonable to expect Gs to conform with them, and submit logs in the proper format. Despite these comments it must be remarked that many logs were of a high standard, and earned the gratitude of the adjudicator. The highest scoring log with no detectable errors is that of VK6AJ, followed by VK4XW. There was a greater incidence than usual of unmarked duplicates: one station had four, another three! They each attract a penalty of 55 points, which can be ill afforded.
Soapbox
ZF1WD, ' don't spend 19 hours travelling the day before the contest'. W9JKY/ZL counted as ZL0 but,' ZL4? would not answer and complained of Ws calling'! VK8AV,' Indonesian intruder made 40 a severe strain'. VK4EMM,' special thanks to contest manager.. for a enjoyable and rewarding contest'. VK6PG, 'first time entry, loved every minute'. VK6VZ, ' where are the ZS gang these days'. A common comment, your organisers are trying to encourage Africa in general! VE3FU,' thanks to V26XX, 8P9IF and ZF1WD for QSYing to 10m without hesitation'. GW3SB heard ,' an enterprising ON calling CQ BERU!' ZL1AZE, 'operated from the "Quartz Hill Amateur Radio Station….with a big rhombic and vee beams'. G3LHJ, ' hard going , still great fun'. 8P9IF managed to,' catch the first day of the West Indies-England Test match.
Conclusions
Thirty-eight Certificates of Merit have been awarded, to the top three of each section and the leading station in each Call Area, while 55 stations worked more than 61 band-call areas, and so qualified for a special certificate (though few claimed the certificate on their cover sheet, as requested). Presumably it will become harder each year to work a progressively larger number of band-call areas...... but who knows what will happen as the current sunspot cycle moves nearer to its peak?! Certificates, positions and scores apart, the Commonwealth Contest maintains its standing as a friendly and enjoyable contest with a unique character which is greatly appreciated. So many entrants - high, medium and low scorers alike - testify by their comments to the enjoyment they obtain from BERU, and evidently wish it to continue in more or less its current form. And a final thanks to Harold Owen, G2HLU, from ZL1PC, ZL1MH,ZL1AZE, VU2UR, VK8HA and all the rest of the entrants for adjudicating such a hard fought contest.
Next year
Make a date for the 62nd Commonwealth Contest, 13-14 March 1999 . All non-UK entrants will be mailed the full results and rules. For 1999 you will need to work 62 band call areas to qualify for a special certificate. Hopefully propagation will improve. The Committee is working hard to encourage more participation by Commonwealth countries , by home stations, HQ stations and contest DXpeditions, G3PJT has a list of possible QTHs if you fancy a change!
1998 Commonwealth Contest -Open Section
Posn Call 80 40 20 15 10 Total QSOs
1*+ VE3EJ 1160 2307 2588 1876 498 8429 740
84/37 220/60 260/65 156/55 20/20
2* 9H3ZV 947 1905 3022 1951 580 8405 860
99/23 203/45 331/69 203/47 24/23
3* 8P9IF 1113 2248 2697 1703 583 8344 834
115/27 225/57 306/59 159/46 29/22
4* V26XX 1138 2001 2785 1789 523 8236 854
122/27 205/49 321/59 181/45 25/20
5* VK2BJ 935 1816 2202 1346 370 6669 514
47/35 153/53 198/61 98/43 18/14
6* VK4EMM 836 1710 2193 1238 536 6513 502
41/32 157/47 216/56 64/46 24/21
7* VE7CC 979 1263 2300 1320 667 6504 439
45/38 69/46 224/59 70/49 31/26
8* VE9CB 790 2227 2097 988 75 6177 626
76/21 246/51 251/44 50/37 3/3
9* ZF1WD 832 1705 1905 1361 338 6141 630
75/24 189/38 205/46 145/32 24/11
10* VE3IY/7 773 1330 2012 1301 698 6114 407
35/30 76/48 195/53 69/48 32/27
11* ZL1AZE 1036 1674 1735 999 518 5962 452
53/34 143/49 178/43 54/37 24/20
12*++ G4BUO 806 1359 1828 1198 200 5391 285
38/31 73/50 110/64 56/46 8/8
13 ZL1MH 531 1259 1404 1307 509 5010 303
24/21 82/43 95/47 75/47 27/19
14 G0IVZ 833 1523 1556 895 175 4982 269
47/30 83/56 88/56 44/34 7/7
15* VE1ZJ 721 1468 1803 926 50 4968 500
62/21 147/37 224/35 65/33 2/2
16 VK2AYD 350 984 1882 868 430 4514 325
14/14 58/35 193/49 42/33 18/17
17* AT0PTT 326 1260 1031 1463 305 4385 392
30/9 131/31 85/31 133/41 13/12
18 ZL1AIZ 955 1159 1050 673 390 4227 242
44/37 80/39 68/37 32/26 18/15
19* VK6VZ 694 1706 1093 466 125 4084 308
36/26 157/47 84/34 26/17 5/5
20* VK1FF 298 1098 1896 593 125 4010 254
12/12 48/43 165/55 24/24 5/5
21* 9J2BO 198 804 1084 1317 525 3928 305
8/8 46/29 88/33 128/35 35/18
22* VE2AYU 613 959 1551 767 - 3890 367
55/18 79/29 186/32 47/27 -
23 VE3VHB 508 1015 929 988 350 3790 229
26/19 72/33 63/31 54/36 14/14
24* W9JKY/ZL 351 1141 1418 365 75 3350 184
15/14 61/42 86/50 19/14 3/3
25 VE3BW 537 622 1321 712 98 3290 209
27/21 26/25 119/40 33/27 4/4
26 VE7UZ 150 675 1030 1006 325 3186 172
7/6 31/26 67/34 54/37 13/13
27 G2QT 342 798 1231 486 50 2907 139
15/14 34/32 68/48 20/20 2/2
28 G0ORH 288 721 1276 542 50 2877 140
12/12 33/29 70/48 23/22 2/2
29* VK3ZC 564 1090 1029 125 - 2808 130
26/22 52/42 47/40 5/5 -
30= G3IAF 453 767 1065 491 25 2801 121
19/18 31/31 50/41 20/20 1/1
30=* VO1GO 620 981 1200 - - 2801 277
44/20 101/24 132/27 - -
32* VE6JKZ 125 595 1013 740 325 2798 137
5/5 27/23 56/37 36/28 13/13
33 G0WAT/P 325 715 1305 373 25 2743 138
13/13 35/28 73/48 16/15 1/1
34* VK5GZ 348 676 1182 354 130 2690 140
14/14 29/27 75/41 16/14 6/5
35 VE3HX 360 629 596 786 175 2546 126
16/14 28/25 41/20 34/31 7/7
36 VK6AJ 25 805 885 630 125 2470 114
1/1 33/32 45/33 30/24 5/5
37* ZL2RN 443 825 1194 - - 2462 128
21/17 38/32 69/43 - -
38 VE1AYY 392 696 789 443 - 2320 220
35/13 72/19 89/19 24/17 -
39 VK4XW 425 685 930 225 - 2265 101
21/16 29/27 42/36 9/9 -
40 G3GPE 250 728 848 350 25 2201 93
10/10 30/29 38/33 14/14 1/1
41 ZL1HV 173 504 922 469 75 2143 101
7/7 24/20 48/35 19/19 3/3
42 G4CZB 300 713 695 375 50 2133 91
12/12 31/28 21/27 15/15 2/2
43 VK3CIM 305 560 1048 200 - 2113 108
13/12 24/22 62/37 8/8 -
44 VK2DID 435 384 799 410 - 2028 101
24/16 18/15 41/30 18/16 -
45 G3KKP 323 573 855 246 25 2022 86
13/13 24/23 38/34 10/10 1/1
46 G3LIK 246 553 948 246 25 2018 86
10/10 23/22 42/37 10/10 1/1
47 G3VDL 321 500 786 375 25 2007 83
13/13 20/20 34/31 15/15 1/1
48 G3VYI 100 865 751 275 - 1991 88
4/4 38/34 35/29 11/11 -
49 GM3ITN - 601 1100 275 - 1976 87
- 26/24 50/43 11/11 -
50 G4IIY 250 698 735 250 25 1958 82
10/10 29/28 32/29 10/10 1/1
51 G2HLU 378 525 765 275 - 1943 81
16/15 21/21 33/30 11/11 -
52 G5MY 271 620 852 196 - 1939 92
11/11 28/25 45/32 8/8 -
53 G3KNU 100 425 1020 325 25 1895 91
4/4 17/17 56/38 13/13 1/1
54 VE1LS 361 591 673 234 25 1884 128
18/14 32/22 64/19 12/9 2/1
55 G2AFV 225 528 868 250 - 1871 79
9/9 22/21 38/34 10/10
56 VK6PG - 691 728 434 - 1853 95
- 33/27 41/28 21/17 -
57 VK3MR 320 690 639 175 - 1824 97
14/13 38/26 36/24 9/7 -
58= VE3EZP 200 567 616 391 25 1799 92
8/8 28/22 33/23 21/15 1/1
58= VK3XB 150 691 598 260 100 1799 79
6/6 28/28 28/23 12/10 4/4
60 G3EBH - 369 961 398 - 1728 72
- 15/15 41/38 16/16 -
61 G3ESF 125 447 889 171 50 1682 74
5/5 20/18 40/35 7/7 2/2
62 G3BPM 96 509 791 271 - 1667 77
4/4 24/20 38/31 11/11 -
63 G3TEV - 475 815 325 25 1640 71
- 20/19 36/32 14/13 1/1
64= VK2VM 125 506 751 247 - 1629 161
6/5 29/19 115/11 11/10 -
64= G3DEF 98 475 685 346 25 1629 70
4/4 20/19 31/27 14/14 1/1
66 G3WRR 100 575 541 275 25 1516 64
4/4 23/23 25/21 11/11 1/1
67 G3MPB 50 623 535 250 25 1483 61
2/2 25/25 23/21 10/10 1/1
68 G3HKO 50 415 639 175 - 1279 55
2/2 17/17 29/25 7/7 -
69 G3NAN - 348 608 300 - 1256 52
- 14/14 26/24 12/12 -
70 G3IGW 270 370 513 100 - 1253 52
11/11 16/15 21/21 4/4 -
71 G3UFY 321 344 198 275 25 1163 47
13/13 14/14 8/8 11/11 1/1
72 G3ZDD 169 312 547 71 - 1099 49
7/7 14/13 25/22 3/3 -
73 GW3SYL 200 300 451 125 - 1076 45
8/8 12/12 20/18 5/5 -
74 VK5HO 306 346 404 - - 1056 47
15/12 14/14 18/16 - -
75 VE1EP 305 375 225 150 - 1055 43
13/12 15/15 9/9 6/6 -
76 G3GMS 75 225 576 175 - 1051 43
3/3 9/9 24/23 7/7 -
77 G0OGN 25 175 720 125 - 1045 45
1/1 7/7 32/28 5/5 -
78 VK3KS 25 148 453 200 75 901 38
1/1 7/6 19/18 8/8 3/3
79 G3ZGC 96 50 528 175 - 849 35
4/4 2/2 22/21 7/7 -
80 G4ZME - 225 398 144 - 767 32
- 9/9 17/16 6/6 -
81 G3GMM 25 198 315 175 25 738 36
1/1 8/8 18/12 8/7 1/1
82* VE5AAD - - 234 448 - 682 35
- - 12/9 23/17 -
83* 5Z4FN 25 25 100 336 125 611 49
1/1 1/1 4/1 37/8 6/5
84 G4OTY - 25 275 200 - 500 20
- 1/1 11/11 8/8 -
85 VK3AMD - - 398 - - 398 16
- - 16/16 - -
+ Senior Rose Bowl ++ Col. Thomas Rose Bowl * Certificate of Merit
Restricted Section
Posn Call 80 40 20 15 10 Total QSOs
1*+++ 5B4AGC 448 464 2162 1525 319 4918 482 Junior Rosebowl
31/15 26/17 229/52 183/31 13/13
2* VK2APK 619 1414 1413 553 100 4099 307
30/24 120/42 126/40 27/21 4/4
3* VE6JY 175 999 1377 1193 278 4022 227
7/7 57/36 90/47 61/45 12/11
4* G3LET 294 1140 1329 893 25 3681 170
12/12 54/44 64/51 39/35 1/1
5 VE6JO 125 735 1568 798 375 3601 225
5/5 37/29 127/47 41/30 15/15
6* VK8AV 398 688 1297 818 394 3595 210
16/16 57/21 85/44 36/32 16/16
7* VE3FU 548 651 1398 633 100 3330 217
21/21 27/26 133/37 27/25 4/4
8* VK4NM 541 1033 977 300 125 2976 163
25/21 48/40 73/31 12/12 5/5
9* ZB2EO 225 355 1805 415 25 2825 307
18/7 35/9 229/33 24/15 1/1
10 VE3ST 475 669 973 580 - 2697 181
20/20 35/28 93/34 33/21 -
11 G3GLL 221 721 1240 446 25 2653 119
9/9 29/29 62/47 18/18 1/1
12* ZL1PC 348 855 805 612 25 2645 168
18/16 65/31 51/34 33/24 1/1
13* VK3APN 851 1378 375 - - 2604 157
39/33 103/44 15/15 - -
14* VE7FJE 48 428 999 799 280 2554 151
2/2 18/17 75/33 43/30 13/11
15 VK4TT 125 704 998 446 204 2477 128
5/5 34/27 60/35 19/18 10/8
16 MM0APF 100 803 959 375 - 2237 97
4/4 33/32 45/37 15/15 -
17 G3LHJ 300 500 1071 323 23 2217 101
12/12 20/20 55/40 13/13 1/1
18* VK8HA/M5 516 570 842 198 25 2151 98
24/20 27/22 38/33 8/8 1/1
19 G3JYP 175 601 935 399 - 2110 92
7/7 25/24 43/27 17/16 -
20 VK2BQQ 305 768 908 25 - 2006 94
13/12 34/30 46/34 1/1 -
21 M0BKB 300 569 854 175 - 1898 80
12/11 24/19 37/26 7/6 -
22 G4AZN - 350 969 425 25 1769 82
- 15/14 48/27 18/17 1/1
23 GM3CFS 25 494 1036 70 25 1650 69
1/1 20/20 44/41 3/3 1/1
24 G3SXW 175 450 600 375 48 1648 66
7/7 18/18 24/24 15/15 2/2
25 G3RSD 123 467 783 125 - 1498 67
5/5 20/19 37/20 5/5 -
26 G3ICH 25 475 651 275 25 1451 63
1/1 19/19 31/25 11/11 1/1
27 G4OGB 100 346 526 298 25 1295 53
4/4 14/14 22/21 12/12 1/1
28 G3KKQ 141 170 515 323 25 1174 48
6/6 7/7 21/21 13/13 1/1
29 G3HZL - 294 600 75 - 969 41
- 12/12 26/24 3/3 -
30 G0ADH - 50 799 100 - 949 48
- 2/2 42/30 4/4 -
31* VE5SF - 25 535 378 - 938 70
- 1/1 52/14 17/15 -
32 VK3IY 330 506 - - - 836 39
17/15 22/20 - - -
33 M0AJT 50 198 400 150 - 798 32
2/2 8/8 16/16 6/6 -
34 GW3SB 73 175 248 123 - 619 25
3/3 7/7 10/10 5/5 -
35 G3NKQ - 219 73 200 - 492 20
- 9/9 3/3 8/8 -
36 G0AAA 25 - 25 - 25 75 3
1/1 - 1/1 - 1/1
37* ZS6/G3YHF - - 25 -- 25 1
HQ Stations
Posn Call 80 40 20 15 10 Total QSOs
1 GB5CC 986 1442 1572 663 98 4761 445
(G4TSH/G4ODV) 102/25 138/38 144/44 46/22 4/4
2 VI4WIA(VK4XA) 383 1347 1713 646 519 4608 295
17/15 80/48 143/53 30/25 25/20
3 VA3RAC(VA3JFF) 385 245 695 643 75 2043 131
21/14 13/9 61/20 33/24 3/3
4 VU2UR(VU2UR) 230 753 348 198 1529 78
10/9 35/29 25/14 8/8