CHRISTMAS CRACKER 2006

Competing Stations
Position	Unit Name	Points
1st	Vyne School CCF	379
2nd	Churchers College CCF	284
3rd	Bournemouth School CCF	282
4th	Y Coy, Hants & IOW ACF (A)	261
5th	Gwent ACF	258
6th	Maidstone GS CCF	190
7th	Blandford Det, Dorset ACF	184
8th	Duke of Yorks RMS CCF	182
9th	Hull Det, Humberside & S Yorks ACF	176
10th	Fairmile Pl, Dorset ACF	175
11th	Devon ACF	127
12th	Chichester HS CCF	88
13th	Staffs & W Midlands ACF	68
14th	Wellington School CCF	64
15th	Huyton Det, Merseyside ACF	35
Part-time Stations
Position	Unit Name	Points
1st	Rotherham Det, Humberside & S Yorks ACF	99
2nd	Bridlington School CCF	96
3rd	1213 Sqn, Hants & IOW Wing	78
4th	Y Coy, Hants & IOW ACF (B)	62
5th	Bodmin Pl, Cornwall ACF	60
=6th	ATC Station	34
=6th	Woodbridge School CCF	34
8th	A Coy, Hants & IOW ACF	20
9th	Dollar Academy CCF	19
10th	2480 Sqn, No2 Welsh Wing	7
11th	Cambridgeshire ACF	2
Net Monitors
	Capt G. Collier	34
	Lt Col M. Vokes	21
	Lt J. Wresdell	13
	Maj (retd) T. Sugdon	4
	Capt J. Langan	4
Active & No Log
	Skinner's School CCF
	Clwyd ACF
	Glamorgan ACF
Not Active & No Log
	Essex ACF
Withdrew Before Competition
	City of London CCF

Comments from the Organiser

I think this is the biggest entry we have had for a very long time. Welcome to our ATC colleagues. Very well done Vyne School CCF - your first win I think.

The large number of entrants was very pleasing despite the appalling radio conditions. In simple terms the refractive properties of the ionosphere are at a very low point. This happens about every 11 years and is called the solar cycle. We are using natural propagation and it is something all HF radio operators have to live with. When natural propagation is good it is amazing what long distances can be achieved with the PRC 320 and similar sets AND a good antenna.

Thanks to all stations who sent in logs, Cambridgeshire ACF in particular who only had one contact. Well done on those who also sent in QSL cards. Those who did not please try next time. They are not difficult to produce and certificates are available from the NRN QSL bureau manager for contacts with 12, 25 and 50 different units. Contacts must be confirmed by QSL card. Full details on the awards scheme from Capt R. Cogzell email via the e-mail page. QSL cards can also be pinned up on the radio shack wall, it gives a good impression to visitors especially inspecting officers!

Comments from Entrants

Woodbridge School CCF - Our first entry for several years - very worthwhile and our signallers learnt a lot. Relays seemed to take a long time to complete.

Hull Det, Humberside & S Yorks ACF - Had problems with coax lead, cadets enjoyed competition.

Churchers College CCF - We lost a lot of time (5hours) by not having the jumper link plugged into the back of the PRC 320. Very pleased to hear several new stations. eg. Woodbridge School CCF, Duke of Yorks RMS, Staffs & W Midlands ACF, Clwyd ACF and Air Cadet stations.

A Coy, Hants & IOW ACF - Hope to do better next time.

Wellington School CCF - Very pleased with contacts made, especially through the night. Cadets learnt a lot and had fun!

Devon ACF - Did our best with a 5MHz dipole, conditions were very bad on Saturday. Please have bonus points for distance next year.

Capt G. Collier - VP was tolerable, few stations took advantage of the "message to 3 stns at once" call ( to save time) Some cadets have no sense of urgency! 4 - 5MHz was poor but heard activity on 2MHz at 2200hrs.

1213 Sqn, Hants & IOW Wing - Our first ACF/CCF radex and our cadets found the pace quite fast to begin with. We soon realised accurate logging is essential.

Christmas Day Net

Thanks to the following for keeping the tradition going: Capt J. Muyle, Lt J Wresdell, Duke of Yorks RMS, The Vyne School CCF, Lt Col M. Vokes, Mr J. Weston, Mr A. Graham, Plt Off A. May, Maj (retd) T. Sugdon and 1213 Sqn, Hants & IOW Wing.

NB: Next Christmas Cracker is on 24/25 November 2007 and the organiser is Pilot Officer Alex May (Webmaster).

Competition Organiser - Lt J Wresdell