2020 Trophies and Awards

Founders’ Trophy

Awarded for outstanding services to the Society

Winner: The team behind ‘Get on the air to care’ and associated activities

Citation:

To the people behind the hugely successful ‘Get on the air to care’ (GOTA2C) campaign and all the linked activities that helped to make 2020 such a positive year for amateur radio in the UK. Thousands were welcomed into amateur radio via remote invigilation exams whilst tens of thousands were supported by initiatives such as the Hope QSO Parties, the Tonight @ 8 webinars, the Beyond Exams resources, the online Convention, the ‘Get on the air for Christmas’ construction competition and the NRC support nets. The widespread GOTA2C media campaign brought amateur radio to the notice of a potential 35 million people, many of whom heard about it for the first time whilst for others it was the catalyst that brought them back into amateur radio. A year that saw amateur radio flourish despite the pandemic; we pay tribute to the staff and all the volunteers who contributed so much.

Jock Kyle Memorial Trophy

Awarded to the Scottish club, society or RSGB member thought to have done the most for amateur radio in Scotland during the past year

Winner: The GMDX Group, GS8VL

Citation:

This is in recognition of The GMDX Group’s support to VHF operating in Scotland, which has resulted in an upsurge of interest and increased levels of activity.
Through its publication, the GMDX Digest, the sponsorship of the Celtic Knot Competition and trusteeship of support groups it provides information of direct relevance and support to amateurs operating on the VHF bands in Scotland.

Jack Wylie Trophy

Awarded to the Scottish club, society or RSGB member thought to have done the most for amateur radio in Scotland during the past year

Winner: Billy McFarland, GM6DX

Citation:

During the Covid restrictions Billy has devised a free, online UK amateur radio licence course which has had many subscribers, whom he has closely mentored and tutored.
Many of these students have donated to charity in thanks for the help they have received.

Courtenay-Price Trophy

Awarded for the most outstanding technical contribution to amateur radio

Winner: Steve Carter, G8EPA

Citation:

For the campaign launched in the May 2020 RadCom to encourage Members to use Lelantos software to identify VDSL interference, and for his ongoing work supporting the EMC Committee

Ostermeyer Trophy

Awarded for the most meritorious description of a piece of home-constructed or electronic equipment published in RadCom in 2020

Winner: Thomas Alldread, VA7TA

Citation:

Wide Dynamic Range Field Strength Meter published in RadCom Plus, volume 5 issue 1

Norman Keith Adams Prize

Awarded for the most original article published in RadCom 2020

Winner: Reinhardt Weber, DC5ZM

Citation:

SSB – Weaver Method published in the March 2020 RadCom

Bennett Prize G8PF

Awarded for any significant contribution or innovation which furthers the art of radio communications

Winners: Jack Purdum, W8TEE and Al Peter, AC8GY

Citation:

Double-double Magnetic Loop published in the February 2020 RadCom

Kenwood Trophy

Awarded for a significant contribution to training and development in amateur radio within the UK

Winner: The Remote Invigilation Exam Team

Citation:

For the significant personal commitment given by them to facilitate thousands of remote invigilation exams during 2020. Their help, kindness and support put candidates of all ages at their ease and made the online process easy to navigate. Their contribution has been invaluable and has provided a way for people to get started in amateur radio or progress through the licence levels during lockdown.

Wortley-Talbot Trophy

Awarded for the most outstanding experimental work in amateur radio

Winner: Peter DeNeef, AE7PD

Citation:

VHF Fields Inside a Car published in the April 2020 RadCom

Harold Rose Plate

Awarded for outstanding contribution to 50 MHz

Winner: Peter Lund, JW7QIA/LA7QIA

Citation:

For significant contributions to 50 MHz activity—notably from Svalbard, to all over Europe, US and Japan

Louis Varney Cup

Awarded for advances in space communication

Winner: Dave Crump, G8GKQ

Citation:

Dave accepts this award as Chair of the British Amateur Television Club. His leadership of the BATC community, both in the UK and overseas, has been instrumental in enabling the QO100 satellite wideband transponder to be fully utilized with many new DATV systems being developed since the launch of the spacecraft.
This award acknowledges the exciting and significant contributions made by many members of the BATC, both in terms of software and hardware.

Fraser Shepherd Award

Awarded for research into microwave applications for radio communication

Winner: Andrew Anderson, VK3CV and team

Citation:

For the development of 122 GHz equipment that has resulted in a breakthrough on this difficult band, making it accessible to hundreds of amateurs. Andrew acknowledges the following people in his original article in DUBUS: Karl Harbeck, VK3LN for field operations, assistance and sourcing the surplus dishes. Noel Higgins, VK3NH for field operations and assistance. Mike Lavelle, K6ML; Alan Devlin, VK3XPD; Dave Smith, VK3HZ and others for ideas and peer review. Also, Tim Tuck, VK2XAX, has been involved with testing and has arranged the manufacture and shipping of the boards around the world.

Don Cameron G4STT Memorial Trophy

Awarded for outstanding contribution to low power amateur radio communication

Winner: Dick Pascoe, G0BPS

Citation:

Dick has been flying the QRP flag for many years and has been a key part of the G-QRP Convention organising team at Rochdale, Rishworth and the virtual convention in 2020. He has written books about QRP and has been a regular in the amateur radio press; Practical Wireless, RadCom and other amateur radio magazines. As one of the founders of Kanga UK, he ran a very successful QRP kit business. Dick is a past President and current Board member of the QRP Amateur Radio Club International. He is also the current Secretary of the G-QRP Club. All in all, Dick is a very worthy supporter of QRP.

Les Barclay Memorial Award

To recognise those who have made excellent contributions to propagation research and understanding, ranging from conducting original research, through to spreading knowledge about propagation and inspiring interest among amateurs

Winner: Jim Bacon, G3YLA

Citation:

For his work on sporadic E and the development of the EPI (Es Probability Index) and propquest.co.uk

Calcutta Key

For outstanding service to international friendship through amateur radio

Winner: Dave Wilson, M0OBW

Citation:

For initiating, developing and managing the facilities to enable remote invigilation examinations at all three levels. This resulted in over 4,000 candidates sitting examinations in the UK and abroad during the pandemic restrictions

Life Vice President

For outstanding services to the Society

Winner: Dave Wilson, M0OBW

Citation:

For his tireless devotion over many years to all aspects of amateur radio and the Society