In reply to M1EYP:
I have been so busy at work that I actually completely forgot about the Tuesday evening UKAC’s this week. I did have sneaking suspicion in my mind that I had forgotten something, but it wasn’t until I read your post earlier that I suddenly dawned on me.
I do like to try to be active in the 50MHz UKAC, despite my unfeasably high noise level on that band, & I do like to have the odd dabble on 70cms, which never ceases to amaze me, as I seem to be able to work GM with relative ease, even after shortening my 9 element Tonna yagi down to 5 elements due to the wind we sometimes get around here.
I do apologise for not being on the air, & the weather was indeed dire, but I genuinely forgot 
Congraulations on the 50MHz Backpackers result, well deserved in my opinion, although I would like to see this particular section return in future years, if only because F2 propagation on the band makes 5 Watts or less much more feasable at Solar maximum than has been the case over the past few years. I have only been active on 6 metres for the past couple of years when the Sun has been very quiet, but I have been active on 10 metres since I was first licensed, & I well remember the tales of the quite astounding DX worked by those who had really taken 6 metres to heart when we first got access to the band in the UK.
Surely, any planning of the future contest calendar should be based on at least an 11 year cycle, not just “recent years” as currently seems to be the case?
I am certain there is room for an internationally co-ordinated, QRP, 50MHz contest, with sections specifically for those who are truly " backpackers".
In my view, the contest should be held alongside one for full power stations, but with less overlap in timings. The last 50MHz backpackers contest I took part in was during a good lift, but once the “Major” contest finished, the band went very quiet. Maybe if once the “Major” contest has finished there should be a further hour (or so) where normal "high power " stations are not allowed to call CQ, & can only answer CQ calls by QRP stations (ie Backpackers). With additional & substantial “multipliers” available by working the QRP stations, maybe some of the big guns will stay active in the contest long enough to really see it’s full potential.
If nothing else, it would show who has “good ears”, rather than just a “big mouth”.
Very short term thinking by the RSGB contest committee in my opinion.
Best 73,
Mark G0VOF