I decided to take part in this years UK Six Metre Group's 'UKSMG Summer Marathon'
Which runs from the first Saturday of May (02 May 2026 at 00:00 UTC)
upto the first Sunday of August (02 Aug 2026 ending at 23:59 UTC) on the Six Metre band, Known affectionately as the Magic Band, using CW Morse code.
There are two sections the LEGACY section (CW & SSB) and the DIGITAL section, (Mainly FT8) but any digital mode can be used.
The idea is to work as many 4 digit grid squares as possible, eg, JO01, IO92, etc.
One point is awarded for each 4 digit grid square worked.
There are 8 subsections
1. World
2. Africa
3. Asia
4. Europe
5. North America
6. Oceania
7. South America
8. Antarctica
You can read the rules here https://uksmg.org/page/the-uksmg-summer-marathon-rules?
So the Marathon ends at midnight tonight Sunday 2nd August @ 23:59 hrs
My station consists of a Yaesu FT847 radio running 100W and a home made wire delta loop antenna strung up in my back yard and in a fixed position, about 10ft off the ground.
I found making contacts very difficult as my noise floor varied from s5 to s9 on some days.
But I persevered using headphones and my sotabeams DSP filter.
As you can see on the ft847 picture below my noise figure is about s5 but it does fluctuate.
Anyway I worked 223 stations all on CW, some were dupes. I worked 31 DXCC entities.
And scored a total of 111 points for 111 4 digit grid squares worked.
So far I am in 6th place, but there may be log uploads from other stations who may then knock me down the table.
I will have to keep my fingers crossed.
Either way I feel I have done quite well with the limited antenna available.
OH my best dx worked was Canada, VE2QRA in grid FN78ts a distance of 4,249Km (2640 Miles) verified qso via LOTW.
I am already looking forward to next years Summer Marathon.
Anyway thanks for reading and catch you on the Magic Band.
73 Mark G0NMY.
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