Contester's Rate Sheet for March 12, 2003

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Contester's Rate Sheet
12 March 2003
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Edited by Ward Silver, N0AX

The Rate Sheet Is One Year Old!

Wow!  The little email that I get from the ARRL email server told me
that, as of the last issue, 7210 of you were on the receiving end. 
That's a pileup! Pretty strong performance in a single year and I am
most grateful to all of you for spreading the word to your friends. 
Now, if I could just get you all in the log!

Feedback continues to be good, with information on products, contests,
and helpful tips and suggestions gracing my Inbox every week.  I've
poked at some issues and had a bit of fun with others.  I hope year
number two is as successful as the first.  Oh yeah -- and tell your
friends and club members about it!

73, Ward N0AX - Editor

SUMMARY
o 10th anniversary of the Russian DX Contest
o New HF and VHF Contest sections for contest information
o SEANET, All-Asian DX, and IOTA Contest results available
o Dial-marking Software and a Geography Quiz Page
o That Was the Year That Was

BULLETINS
o 9KCC 15-meter Contest, European EME, and San Bernardino Microwave
Contests are late additions to the contest calendar.

BUSTED QSOS
o The Montana QSO Party is NOT being held on March 15 & 16 -- it's
being held on April 5 & 6.

ANNOUNCEMENT & NOTICES FOR 12 MARCH TO 25 MARCH 2003

Logs are due for the following contests:

March 12 - CQ/RJ WW RTTY WPX Contest, email to: wpxrtty@kkn.net, paper
logs to: CQ WPX Contest, 25 Newbridge Road, Hicksville, NY 11801, USA

March 15 - Minnesota QSO Party, email to: wa0mhj@arrl.net, paper logs
to: MNQP, 4745 170th Lane NE, Ham Lake, MN 55304-5233, USA

March 15 - Six Club Winter Contest, email to: w4wrl@aol.com, paper
logs to: Wayne Lewis, 3338 South Cashua Drive, Florence, SC
29501-6306, USA

March 15 - OMISS QSO Party, email to: (none), paper logs to: OMISS QSO
Party, c/o Don Banta, K5DB, 3407 Diana St., Springdale, AR 72764, USA

March 16 - ARRL School Club Roundup, email to: (none), paper logs to:
School Club Roundup, c/o Lew Malchick, N2RQ, Brooklyn Technical HS, 29
Fort Greene Place, Brooklyn, NY 11217, USA

March 18 - ARRL Inter. DX Contest, CW, email to: DXCW@arrl.org, paper
logs to: DX CW Contest, ARRL, 225 Main St., Newington, CT 06111, USA

March 18 - YL-OM Contest, SSB, email to: wa6uvf@pe.net, paper logs to:
Jeanie Parker, WA6UVF, 28400 Vista del Valle, Hemet, CA 92544, USA

March 23 - Russian PSK WW Contest, email to: msstvs@mail.ru, paper
logs to: Eugene Suhoverhow, Avangardnaja 11-134, Moscow 125493,
Russia

March 24 - FYBO Winter QRP Field Day, email to: nk7m@extremezone.com,
paper logs to: Bob Hightower, Attn: FYBO, 1905 N. Pennington Drive,
Chandler, AZ 85224, USA

March 25 - REF Contest, SSB, email to: cdfssb@ref-union.org, paper
logs to: F5JBR, Andre Schweitzer, La Bascule, 01560 Cormoz, France

March 25 - UBA DX Contest, CW, email to: berger@cyc.ucl.ac.be, paper
logs to: Michel Le Bon, ON4GO, UBA HF Contest Manager, Chee de Wavre
1349, 1160 Bruxelles, Belgium

March 25 - North American QSO Party, RTTY, email to:
rttynaqp@ncjweb.com, paper logs to: Wayne Matlock, K7WM, Rt 2 Box 102,
Cibola, AZ 85328, USA

March 25 - CQC Winter QSO Party, email to: contest@cqc.org, paper logs
to: CQC Contest, POB 371883, Denver, CO 80237-1883, USA

The following contests are scheduled:

Note that the following abbreviations are used to condense the contest
rules summaries:
SO - Single-Op; M2 - Multiop - 2 Transmitters; MO - Multi-Op; MS -
Multi-Op, Single Transmitter; MM - Multi-Op, Multiple Transmitters; AB
- All Band; SB - Single Band; S/P/C - State/Province/DXCC Entity; HP -
High Power; LP - Low Power; Entity - DXCC Entity

HF CONTESTS

BARTG Spring RTTY Contest - sponsored by the British Amateur Radio
Teledata Group from 0200Z Mar 15-0200Z Mar 17.  Frequencies: 80 - 10
meters.  Categories: SO-Expert, SOSB, SOAB (one band change per 5
min), MS, MM, and SWL. SO operate 30 hours total with off periods of 3
hours min.  Operators with a Top Ten log during the past three years
must enter as an Expert.  Exchange: three-digit serial number and
four-digit time. Multipliers: DXCC entities + W/VE/JA/VK call areas,
counted once per band.  Score: QSOs x multiplier x continents (count
only once).  For more information - http://www.bartg.demon.co.uk/. 
Logs in Cabrillo format due May 1 to ska@bartg.demon.co.uk (with the
call and entry class in the subject line and the log included as an
attachment) or John Barber GW4SKA, PO Box 611, Cardiff, CF24 4UN,
Wales (only logs with <50 QSOs may be submitted as printed logs).

Russian DX Contest - CW/SSB - from 1200Z Mar 15-1200Z Mar 16. 
Frequencies: 160 -- 10 meters.  Categories: SOAB --HP and --LP
(<100W), SOSB (Mixed HP only), MS (Mixed HP only , 10 minute rule),
SWL, SO may enter Mixed Mode, CW, or SSB, MO and SWL are Mixed only,
Club/Team competition.  Exchange: RS(T) + serial number, RU stations -
RS(T) + Oblast designator.  QSO points: own entity -- 2 pts, different
entity, same continent -- 3 pts, diff. cont. -- 5 pts, with Russians
-- 10 pts.  Multiplier: DXCC entity + Oblasts, count once per band. 
Score: QSO points x multiplier.  For more information -
http://www.rdxc.org. Logs due 45 days after the contest to
rusdxc@contesting.com or to Russian DX Contest, PO Box 88, 123459
Moscow, Russia.

Virginia QSO Party - Phone/CW - sponsored by the Sterling Park ARC
1800Z Mar 15-0200Z Mar 17.  Frequencies (MHz): CW - 1.805 and 50 kHz
up, Phone - 1.845, 3.860, 7.260, 14.270, 21.370, 28.370, Novice/Tech -
28.370, VHF/UHF - 50.125, 144.200, 146.58, 223.50, 446.00. No repeater
or cross-mode QSOs. Categories: SO, MS, MM fixed station and Mobile. 
Exchange: serial number and SPC or VA county/city.  QSO Points: Phone
- 1pt, CW - 2 pts, VA Mobile - 3 pts. Score: QSO Points x VA
city/counties + SPC (counted only once).  VA mobiles add 100 pts per
VA city/county activated.  Add 500 pts for QSO with K4NVA.  For more
information - http://www.qsl.net/sterling.  Logs due April 15 to
ks4ii@arrl.net or Virginia QSO Party, Call Box 599, Sterling, VA
20167.

YL International Single Sideband System QSO Party - Phone - 0000Z Mar
15 - 2400Z Mar 16, two 6-hr off times required. Frequencies: 160 - 10.
Categories: SOAB, YL/OM Team, DX/US Team. Exchange: Call sign, RST,
State, County, YLISSB member number. QSO Points: YLISSB members on own
continent - 2 pts, on other cont - 6 pts, DX members - 3 pts,
non-members - 2 pts. QSO party points may not be made on the YL net
frequency of 14.332 MHz. Score: QSO Points × SPC +Teams. For more
information - http://www.qsl.net/yl-issb/. Logs due Apr 30 to
2hamsrus@comcast.net or N4KNF/N4ZGH, 2160 Ivy St, Port Charlotte, FL
33952. 

10-10 Mobile Contest - any mode - sponsored by 10-10 International,
from 0000Z-2359Z Mar 15. Frequencies: 10-meters only. Categories:
Fixed, Mobile. Exchange: Call, Name, SPC, 10-10 membership number, and
county (only US, Canada, and England). QSO Points: 1 pt/QSO. Score:
Fixed - QSO Points x counties, Mobiles - QSO Points x counties worked
+ counties activated. For more information - http://www.ten-ten.org.
Logs due April 1 to k7qxg@pcez.com or 2003 Mobile Contest, 592 SE
Cypress Ave, Dallas, OR 97338.

Oklahoma QSO Party - Phone/CW/Digital - sponsored by the Oklahoma DX
Association (OKDXA) from 1300Z Mar 22 -- 1300Z Mar 23.  Frequencies:
160 -- 10 and 6 meters and higher, no repeater contacts, operate 18
hours max.  Categories:  SOHF-HP (>100W), -LP, -QRP (<5W), SO-VHF, MS,
MM, Rover (OK only).  Exchange: serial number and SPC or OK county. 
QSO points: Phone - 2 pts, CW/Digital - 3 pts. Score: QSO points x OK
counties (OK stations use States + Provinces), counted only once.  For
more information - http://www.okdxa.org.  Logs due April 30 to
k5yaa@okdxa.org (ADIF or CABRILLO format preferred) or OKDXA, PO Box
2591, Claremore, OK 74018-2591
(<100 QSOs only).

CLARA and Family HF Contest - Phone/CW - sponsored by the Canadian
Ladies ARA, from 1700Z Mar 22-1700Z Mar 23. Frequencies (MHz): CW -
14.033, 21.033, 7.033, 3.688, Phone - 28.300, 21.225, 14.120 14.285,
7.033, 7.200, 3.750, 3.900, work CLARA and YL stations once per
band/mode. Cross-mode contacts count as phone for both stations.
Categories: SO only, no time limit. Exchange: RS(T), name, QTH, and
whether CLARA member, Family member, non-member YL, or OM.  QSO
Points: 5 pts for CLARA-members, 2 pts for CLARA family members, 3 pts
for non-CLARA YLs, 1 pt for OMs. Multipliers are VE provinces and DXCC
entities (only if QSO with YL) counted only once. Score: QSO points x
multipliers. For more information - CLARA_YL.tripod.com. Logs due
April 23 to ve7vpe@rac.ca or Paulette Schouten, VE7VPE, c/o VECTOR,
3301 East Pender Street, Vancouver, BC V5K 5J3, Canada

9KCC Contest - CW/SSB - sponsored by the 9K Contest Club (Kuwait) from
1200Z -- 1600Z Mar 23. Frequencies: 15-meters only, work stations only
once, use of packet spotting allowed. Categories: SSB or CW for 9K or
non-9K. Exchange: RS(T) and serial number. QSO Points: 1 pt/QSO.
Score: QSO points x DXCC entities + number of different 9K stations.
For more information - www.qsl.net/9kcc/9KCCRule.htm. Logs due 30 days
after the contest to 9k2rr@9kcc.com or Faisal N. Al-Ajmi 9K2RR, PO Box
1124, Alfarwanya 80000, Kuwait.

Spring QRP Homebrewer Sprint - CW/PSK31 - sponsored by New Jersey QRP
Club from 0000Z-0400Z Mar 24 (Monday in the U.S.).  Frequencies: QRP
CW and PSK31 frequencies on 80 -- 10 meters, CW and PSK31 are
considered separate bands. Exchange: RST + SPC + Output Power.  QSO
Points: 2pts for QSOs made with Commercial Equipment, 3pts for
Homebrew Xmtr or Rcvr, 4 pts for Homebrew Xmtr+Rcvr or Xcvr, 5 pts for
Homebrew PSK31 station, kits are ok for homebrew.  Score: QSO Points x
SPC (counted once per band) x power multiplier. Power Multiplier:
0-250 mW = x15, 250 mW-1W = x10, 1-5W = x7, >5W = x1.  For more
information - http://www.njqrp.org/data/qrphomebrewersprint.html. 
Logs due 30 days after the contest to n2cq@arrl.net (text only) or Ken
Newman, N2CQ, 81 Holly Drive, Woodbury, NJ 08096

VHF CONTESTS

European EME Contest - sponsored by DUBUS Magazine from 0000Z Mar 15 -
2400Z Mar 16. Frequencies: 432 MHz, 2.3 GHz, 5.7 GHz. (144 MHz, 1.3
GHz, 10 GHz on Apr 12 -- 13) Categories: QRP and QRO (determined by
EIRP), Pro (non-ham antennas). Exchange: both call signs, TMO or RST,
and R. QSO Points: random QSOs - 100 pts, scheduled QSOs -10 pts.
Score: QSO points × DXCC entities + states or provinces in W/VE/VK.
Only random QSOs can count for multipliers. For more information
-g3sek@ifwtech.co.uk. Logs due 30 days after the contest to
f6hye@ref-union.org or Patrick Magnin, F6HYE, Marcorens, F-74140
Ballaison, France. 

2 GHz and Up World-Wide Club Contest--Sponsored by the San Bernardino
Microwave Society from 6 AM Mar 15 -- 12 midnight Mar 16 local time,
operate 24 hrs max. Frequencies: All bands 2.4 GHz and higher.
Categories: Small (2 -- 10 members), Medium (11 -- 50), Large (> 50).
Exchange: 6-digit Maidenhead Locator.  For scoring and other
information - http://www.ham-radio.com/sbms/. 

NEWS & PRESS RELEASES

If you're into VHF contesting or just interested, Lee Scott AA1YN has
put together an interesting VHF station registry.  There are over 400
call signs in the searchable data base listed from all over the world
so far.  Stations register their interests, bands for which they have
equipment, their location, and Web site, if any. Lee plans on adding
rover schedules and award program standings.  Why not stop by and
check it out at http://www.aa1yn.com/vhf? 

There was a very nice note on QRZ.com from Tom VE3II, one of the
managers of the Maritime Mobile Service Net relating that he was
grateful that in the midst of ARRL DX SSB, his valuable service net
was given a clear frequency all weekend.  If you made the conscious
decision to avoid QRM-ing the net even under the competitive pressures
of a major contest -- thank you. We should all be aware that weather,
natural disasters, or world events may result in sudden requirements
for emergency communications - even in the middle of a contest -- a we
should give them a wide berth. (Thanks Ron, WN3VAW)

Dave Thompson K4JRB reports that he's had problems with the computers
that hold the logs received for the CQ WW 160 contests.  He requests
that you be sure to check the Claimed Score listing when the logs
received are posted.  There is NO NEED to re-send your log.  He also
reports that he is receiving a number of logs in unacceptable formats
-- .BIN, encoded files, and so forth.  Cabrillo format is required. If
you receive a note that your log needs to be resubmitted, please do so
to help speed the log checking process along. (Thanks, Dave K4JRB)

RESULTS AND RECORDS

Results listings for the RSGB 2002 IOTA Contest are now available for
viewing at http://www.rsgbhfcc.org. (Thanks, Justin G4TSH)

The results of the 43rd All Asian DX Contest -- 2002 -- available at:
http://www.jarl.or.jp/English/4_Library/A-4-3_Contests/2002/2002index.htm

The results for the 2002 SEANET contest are available at
http://www.qsl.net/seanet2002. (Thanks, Ray G3NOM/HS0ZDZ)

Tim K7XC has a very interesting Web site listing top scores by VHF
event. Although it focuses on West Coast items, the Rover links at the
top are national in nature and may be of interest. The URL is
http://k7xc.tripod.com/VHF_Records/index.html. (Thanks, Ev W2EV)

TECHNICAL & TECHNIQUE

If you build stuff with some kind of analog control for audio,
attenuation, or the like, it's tough to make the dial markings look
good.  In fact, it's tough to make them not look horrid.  No more!  I
was alerted to DIAL.EXE, a program by John McDonough, WB8RCR. It's on
his QSLMaker website - http://hfradio.org/wb8rcr.  Click on "Panel" at
the left side of the page.  He also has a QSL design and panel layout
program on the same site.  You can print the resultant dial scale and
copy it onto heavy paper or clear plastic and have a snazzy-looking
layout.  (Thanks, John NA8M)

Here's a nice, one-page reference sheet for the important
characteristics of many types of coaxial cable:
http://www.thewireman.com/coaxdata.pdf.  Very handy -- print it out
and keep it in the shack or just bookmark the site. (Thanks to The
Wireman)

Just for fun, if you like maps and geography, point your browser at
NASA's "Where on Earth" quiz:
http://www-misr.jpl.nasa.gov/education/whereonearth.html.  Every
couple of months (although they seem to be busy at the moment dealing
with Columbia's aftermath) a new guess-where-this-is picture appears. 
It's addictive! (Thanks, Nancy W7FIR)

Tomas NW7US, has a great Web site (http://hfradio.org) that includes a
lot of propagation resources, including a subscription service for
real-time information feeds, news groups, and now, for those of you
with suitably equipped mobile phones, WAP/WML-compatible browsing.

CONVERSATION

"That Was the Year That Was"

Aside from the launch of the Rate Sheet by the ARRL, what has happened
to contesting in the past year in the arena of information and
contesting?  First, the http://www.hornucopia.com/3830score/ score
reporting service run by Bruce WA7BNM was automated and now churns out
regular, reliable reported score listings by category on a seemingly
daily basis.  If it were not for the need to do QSO-by-QSO log
checking, the contest would be run and won within a week's time.  It
is a tribute to Bruce and Mike N7WA that this technology has become a
"given" by the contest community -- soon it will be hard to remember
what it was like without the service.

Second, the QST publishing staff announced the migration of line
scores from the hallowed pages of QST to the Web. Predictably, this
set off a firestorm of commentary.  The resultant appearance of
greatly enhanced scoring information has been generally well-received.
 Individuals are beginning to generate some analysis of the data and
this should only accelerate. Also predictably, within weeks of its
introduction, there were complaints that it wasn't available fast
enough!

Contest writeups are appearing on the Web with increasing frequency. 
ARRL contests are leading the way in the "big leagues", but state QSO
parties and the smaller national societies have been publishing their
results on the Web for some time.  As authors learn how to make the
best use of the Web's semi-infinite ability to deliver information,
look for increasing quality and depth of reporting.  At the same time,
the information printed in QST should be of much wider interest and
attract new contesters to our corner of the hobby.

The improved access to data and scoring information is also raising
the collective consciousness regarding accuracy.  Along with your
corrected score, you now receive a log checking report or LCR for your
log.  CQ WW pioneered the publication of their UBN
(Unique/Busted/Not-in-Log) reports and now this information is
available for most of the major contests.  While this information can
contain a few unwelcome surprises, knowledge of one's performance can
only improve it in the next contest.  Will LCRs and UBNs become
public, like the QSOs on which they are based?  It's hard to say.  I,
for one, would like to see competition for the Top Ten Accuracy Box
become as highly regarded as Top Ten Score.  Who will be the first to
top both lists?

What's on the horizon for the coming year?  The biggest application to
hit contesting since computer logging will be another computer
application -- Logbook Of the World (LOTW).  While this won't affect
on-the-air operation directly, it's another huge aid to acknowledging
and confirming those hundreds and thousands of QSO we make.  This will
be available for widespread beta testing in the coming weeks and could
be available for use shortly thereafter.  Indirectly, this will
increase participation because it removes another administrative
burden from the contester who can then spend more time on the air.  It
will also encourage the award-chaser to enter contests because the
speed and reliability of QSO confirmations will go way, way up.

Other likely new uses of information technology will be that log
submission periods will tighten considerably, log checking automation
will drive processing times down, and the verified results will be
available quicker than ever before.  A prototype Web application
(again by Mr. Web, Bruce WA7BNM) for submission of small logs in
Cabrillo format has borne fruit and will likely be expanded to handle
more contests.  The paper-and-pencil loggers, users of software
without Cabrillo formatting, and folks that don't have reliable email
access will all be able to easily contribute their contest efforts.

Growing pains?  Certainly.  As technology changes the playing field,
some long-held assumptions will be challenged.  Some time-honored
methods and strategies may have to slip quietly into that gentle
night. Eggs will be cracked, omelets made, and feathers will be
ruffled.  Yet the results will be better, more enjoyable competitions
for the vast majority of contesters.  I look forward to continuing to
contribute in my own way as radiosport enters the 21st century.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Contester's Rate Sheet wishes to acknowledge information from the
following sources:
WA7BNM's Contest Calendar Web page -
http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/ ARRL Contest page -
http://www.arrl.org/contests/
SM3CER's Web site - http://www.sk3bg.se/contest/