Contester's Rate Sheet for December 3, 2003
*********************** Contester's Rate Sheet 3 December 2003 *********************** Edited by Ward Silver, N0AX SUMMARY o HF Schizophrenia - 160-Meter and 10-Meter contests back-to-back o RTTY Mêlée and PSK Death Match - Yikes! - DPX Contest, too o For stargazers, check out the Meteor Scatter Contest o Subscription Drive o World Contest Station Database o Low-Band Antenna sites galore o Zero-Gravity Soldering o Contest Dynamic Range BULLETINS o No bulletins in this issue. BUSTED QSOS o A golden issue last time! ANNOUNCEMENT & NOTICES FOR 3 DECEMBER TO 16 DECEMBER 2003 Logs are due for the following contests: December 3 - ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, CW, email to: SSCW@arrl.org, paper logs and diskettes to: November SS CW, ARRL, 225 Main St., Newington, CT 06111, USA December 3 - North American Collegiate ARC Championship, CW, E-mail summary to: wm5r@arrl.net, paper logs and diskettes to: (none) December 9 - Anatolian ATA PSK31 Contest, email to: ta9j@qsl.net, paper logs and diskettes to: TA9J, Ismail Cakmak, PO Box 34, 36000 Kars, Turkey December 14 - High Speed Club CW Contest, email to: (none), paper logs and diskettes to: Contest Manager, Lutz Schroer, DL3BZZ, Am Niederfeld 6, D-35066 Frankenberg, Germany December 15 - Arkansas QSO Party, email to: bismith@uark.edu, paper logs and diskettes to: Bill Smith, K1ARK, 2164 Magnolia Drive, Fayetteville, AR 72703, USA December 15 - WAE DX Contest, RTTY, email to: waedc@dxhf.darc.de, paper logs and diskettes to: WAEDC Contest Manager, Bernhard Buettner, DL6RAI, Schmidweg 17, D-85609 Dornach, Germany 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 Top Band Sprint--CW/SSB, sponsored by QRP ARCI, 0000Z - 1200Z Dec 4. Frequencies: 160-meters only. SO-CW, SO-SSB, SO Mixed-Mode categories, no time limit. Exchange: RST, S/P/C and Pwr or QRP ARCI number--work stations once per mode. QSO Points: members--5 pts, non-members/different continent--4 pts, non-members/same cont.--2 pts. Score: QSO points x total S/P/C x power mult (<250mW x 15, 250mW--1W x 10, 1--5W x7, >5W x 1). For more information: http://personal.palouse.net/rfoltz/arci/top.htm. Logs due 30 days after the contest to rfoltz@turbonet.com or Randy Foltz, K7TQ, Attn: Top Band Sprint, 809 Leith St, Moscow, ID 83843. ARRL 160-Meter Contest--2200Z Dec 5 - 1600Z Dec 7. Work US/VE only, no DX-to-DX QSOs, and reserve 1.830 -- 1.835 MHz for intercontinental QSOs. Remember that JA stations can operate from 1.810 - 1.825 MHz. Categories: SO-QRP/LP/HP, MS. Exchange: RST and ARRL/RAC section or ITU region for maritime mobiles (DX sends RST only). QSO Points: US/VE -- 2 pts, DX -- 5 pts. Score: QSO points x ARRL/RAC sections + DXCC entities. For more information: http://www.arrl.org/contests/announcements/rules-160m.html. Logs due 7 Jan to 160meter@arrl.org or 160-Meter Contest, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. TARA RTTY Mêlée--sponsored by the Troy Amateur Radio Assn, 0000Z - 2400Z Dec 6. Categories: SOAB-HP (>150 W), SOAB-LP (<150 W), MOAB, SWL, 10 min band change rule for MO. Frequencies: 80 - 10 meters, operate 16 hours max. Exchange: RS + State/Province or serial number for DX. QSO Points: 1 pt/QSO. Score: QSO points x S/P/C counted once only (US and VE only count as S/P). For more information: http://www.n2ty.org/seasons/tara_melee_rules.html. Summary sheets (no logs) due 31 Dec via on-line submission form at www.n2ty.org/seasons/tara_melee_score.html. PSK31 Death Match--PSK31 and PSK63, sponsored by the Michigan DX Association, 0000Z - 2400Z Dec 6. Frequencies: 80 - 6 meters, PSK31 and PSK63 count as separate "bands". Categories: SO, Class 1 (<100W), Class 2 (<25W), Class 3 (<10W). Exchange: Name + S/P/C. QSO Points: 20 meters--1 pt/QSO, 6 meters--3 pts/QSO, other bands--2 pts/QSO. Bonus points: W8DXI 500 pts (once) and 100 pts for uploading logs to LoTW within 30 days of contest. Score: QSO Points x total S/P/C + bonus points. For more information: http://www.geocities.com/mdxa1/deathmatch.html. Logs due 30 days after the contest to k8khz@yahoo.com or Brian R. Pawloski W8BRI, PO Box 140012, Grand Rapids MI 49514-0012. Holiday Spirits Homebrew CW Sprint--sponsored by the QRP ARCI, 2000Z - 2400Z Dec 7. Frequencies (MHz)--1.810, 3.560, 7.040, 14.060, 21.060, 28.060 kHz. Categories: SOAB, SOSB, SO20-10, SO160-40, MOAB, DX stations are SOAB only. Exchange: RST, S/P/C, and Power or QRP ARCI number. QSO Points: members--5 pts, non-members/different continent--4 pts, non-members/same cont.--2 pts. Score: QSO points x S/P/C (counted once per band) x Power multiplier (<250mW x 15, 250mW--1W x 10, 1--5W x7, >5W x 1) + Bonus Points (2000 for homebrew (HB) xmtr, 3000 HB rcvr, 5000 HB xcvr). For more information: http://personal.palouse.net/rfoltz/arci/holispr.htm. Logs due 30 days after the contest to rfoltz@turbonet.com or Randy Foltz, K7TQ, Attn: Holiday Spirits Sprint, 809 Leith St, Moscow, ID 83843. ARRL 10-Meter Contest--0000Z Dec 13 - 2400Z Dec 14, operate 36 hours max. Categories: SO-QRP/LP/HP in Mixed Mode/CW/SSB, MS (includes SO stations using any spotting assistance). Exchange: W/VE (incl. KH6 and KL7) send RST and state or province, DX sends RST and serial number, maritime mobile send RST and ITU region (1 -- 3). Novices and Technicians add '/N' or '/T' to their calls on CW for QSOs to score extra points. QSO Points: SSB -- 2 pts, CW -- 4 pts, CW with /N or /T -- 8 pts. Score: QSO points x SPC + ITU regions. Note that District of Columbia (DC) counts as a separate multiplier. For more information: http://www.arrl.org/contests/announcements/rules-10m.html. Logs due Jan 14 to 10meter@arrl.org or 10-Meter Contest, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. 28 MHz SWL Contest--sponsored by Lambert Wijshake NL-10175, coincident with ARRL 10-Meter contest. SO-SSB and SO-CW categories, no packet. Log the ARRL 10-Meter multipliers and signal report at the SWL QTH, with a minimum RS/RST of 33/339 and a maximum of only three stations from each DXCC entity. QSO Points: The first station from a DXCC entity counts 5 points, the second 3 points, and the third 1 point. Score: QSO points x States and Provinces x DXCC entities. Logs due 31 Jan to nl10175@amsat.org or Lambert Wijshake NL-10175, Kattedoorn 6, 8265-MJ Kampen, Netherlands. To receive the results, include 2 IRC or 1$. Great Colorado Snowshoe Run--CW, sponsored by the Colorado QRP Club from 0200Z - 0400Z Dec 14. Frequencies: 40 meters only. Categories: SO-QRP (Antenna classes of Wires, Verticals, or Beam) Exchange: RST + S/P/C + Antenna Class + CQC no. or Power. The same station may be worked up to three times, with 30 minutes between QSOs. QSO Points: 1st QSO with station--3 pts, 2nd QSO--2 pts, 3rd QSO--1 pt. Score: QSO Points x S/P/C x CQC members. For more information: http://www.mtechnologies.com/cqc/contests. Logs due 17 Jan to contest@cqc.org (ASCII only) or Snowshoe, c/o CQC, PO Box 371883, Denver, CO 80237-1883. DPX (Digital Prefix) Contest--PSK, MFSK, MT63, RTTY, Hellschreiber, Throb, Packet, sponsored by the Penn-Ohio DX Society, 0000Z - 2400Z Dec 13. Frequencies: 160 - 6 meters. Categories: SO-Single Mode, and Multi-Mode (requires separate entries), SWL. Exchange: name, prefix and 070 Club member number or S/P/C. Score: QSOs x WPX prefixes x Power Multiplier (<100 watts x 1, <20 watts x 2, QRP x 3). For more information: http://www.qsl.net/wm2u/070_dpx.html. Logs due 10 Jan to wm2u@arrl.net or via the online form at http://podxs.com/html/DPX_online_score.html or Ernest Mills WM2U, 9 Morningside Dr, Ballston Lake, NY 12019-1531. VHF CONTESTS North American Meteor Scatter Contest--any mode, sponsored by the WSJTGROUP from 0000Z Dec 12 - 0700Z Dec 15 (the Geminids meteor shower). Frequencies (MHz): 50, 144, 222, 432, via meteor scatter. Categories: SOSB, SOAB, (HP, LP < 200W). No QSOs with your own or adjacent grid squares, QSOs are counted as Scheduled or Random. Exchange: full call signs, grid square and QSOs must be acknowledged. QSO Points: 50 & 144-- 1pt/QSO, 222--3 pts/QSO, 432--10 pts/QSO. Score: QSO Points x grid squares counted once per band + random QSOs. For more information: http://www.qsl.net/wa5ufh/Rally/NAHSMS.htm. Logs due Jan 12 to wa5ufh@ykc.com or Randy Tipton, 778CR123, Edna, Texas 77957. NEWS & PRESS RELEASES Subscription Drive Time! The last issue went out to 9557 subscribers. Wouldn't it be nice to break 10k in time for the New Year? Let your local clubs and groups know about the Rate Sheet. They may not be contesters, but they'll find the new and Technical Tips of value. Besides, the price is right to ARRL Members and they might decide to give one of the contests a try! Volume 2 of L.B. Cebik's three-volume work on antenna modeling has been released by Antennex at http://www.antennex.com/Sshack/amods/amod1.html. L.B.'s books are packed full of useful information, including those subtle details that often lead to "gotchas." Volume 1 was aimed at the beginner, although the information on limitations of modeling software is of interest to all modelers. This volume comes with 86 models, as well. You might also want to check out L.B.'s jam-packed Web site - http://cebik.com/. (Thanks, Steve K7LXC) The problem with N1MM logger Cabrillo output reported in the last issue can be fixed by entering "Precedence Check Section" in the Sent Exchange window for new contest setup. Apparently, this is an option for all versions prior to 3.0.114, but was not completely clear. You can also download the latest version at http://www.kms.nl/n1mm/RevisionHistory.htm. (Thanks, Peter W1RM) RESULTS AND RECORDS The Online Results for the 2003 ARRL June VHF QSO Party are now available at http://www.arrl.org/contests/results. Congratulations to Bill Seabreeze W3IY for an excellent article including "point-counterpoint" sidebars on grid circling and captive rovers. (Thanks, N1ND) Following in N6AA's Worked From All 40 Zones footsteps, Phil Goetz N6ZZ just achieved #39 by operating CQ WW CW from the station of JA1ELY in Zone 25. Guess which one he has left? 40? 39? 23? Nope - the extremely rare and hard to get to Zone 5. Are there any contesters there? TECHNICAL & TECHNIQUE If you need a source of non-inductive resistors for RF work but can't find any carbon composition resistors, Mouser Electronics (http://www.mouser.com/) stocks a line of metal oxide resistors with even better specs than carbon comp. From the home page, enter "Xicon" into the search window, then select "Power Resistors." If you are looking for small quantities of metal stock, Metal Supermarkets may have a franchise in your area. The stores are set up for browsing and there is reported to be no minimum purchase. Check to see if there's one in your area at http://www.metalsupermarkets.com/. (Thanks, Lynn N7CFO) David N9KT reminds us of the World Contest Station Database Web page at http://www.pvrc.org/WCSD/WCSDsearch.htm. It contains information on 2469 HF contest stations. The database lists equipment used at each station like towers, antennas, rigs, software, etc and is fully searchable. You can also add or edit your own station information. It's fascinating to search through and see who is using a certain rig or antenna. Those of you migrating to a new Windows-based computer and wanting to minimize the hassle, Intellimover for USB 3.0 by Detto Technologies will transfer data, email, address books, bookmarks, etc. by cable. You'll probably still have to reinstall applications, but this should reduce the amount of hair you pull out. (Thanks, Bob N6TV) Bill W9OL has found a great stocking stuffer for tower climbers. Know any? "At Ace hardware, they now sell a fingerless leather work glove with a magnetic patch over the back of the hand portion. The magnetic patch will hold screws, washers, etc." It won't hold a crescent wrench or stainless steel stuff or you, but it's a neat idea. Want a fun SWR calculator and simulator? Try this neat Java applet - http://www.bessernet.com/Ereflecto/tutorialFrameset.htm. As Bill says, "It's that time again!" With December kicking off the 160-meter contest season, you might be scrambling for receive antenna ideas. Bill lists his favorite Web sites on the subject: - http://www.hard-core-dx.com/nordicdx/antenna/loop/index.html - http://www.angelfire.com/md/k3ky/page37.html - http://www.w8ji.com/k9ay_flag_pennant_ewe.htm - http://www.arraysolutions.com/Products/lowbandrcv.htm - http://www.arraysolutions.com/Products/ice/10.html - http://www.angelfire.com/md/k3ky/page20.html - http://www.dxzone.com/catalog/Technical_Reference/Antennas/160M/ - http://www.qsl.net/k1fz/ (Thanks, Bill KB9CRY) For you weary contest expedition airline travelers, here's a site that is guaranteed to bring a chuckle - http://www.skyhighairlines.com/. (Thanks, Steve K6AW) And for those of you that think you have soldered in EVERY possible environment, think again - http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2003/10nov_solder.htm. (Thanks, Ed KA7UKN) CONVERSATION Contest Dynamic Range After Phone Sweepstakes, there was an interesting and vigorous discussion of the significance of winning from outside the continental US, specifically Puerto Rico. Opinions run fairly strongly about the issue, but that is not the subject of my editorial. The question turned around and around in my head and eventually boiled down to a core issue. Just who are contests for, anyway? The easy answer is "Everybody!" Well, duh. Certainly we all need for all possible participants to have a good time and know that their efforts are truly appreciated. This is hardly in question. At a deeper level, for a contest to attract not only a large volume of competitors, but those of the greatest skills, there must be a structure that allows everyone to measure their abilities at their chosen level. This is not an easy thing to accomplish because of the wide disparity in skill levels "on any given weekend." For example, the Bay to Breakers Run caters to the casual participant, resulting in massive volume (some of it very silly, indeed), while the Boston Marathon is run as a Serious Race and has fewer entrants. How can contests be set up to allow such a wide range of competitors? Because of all the different types and skills of the entrants, the rules and scoring have to be set up so that the final results are open-ended, but linear. That is, reachable "ceilings" are bad because the top competitors are compressed into a very narrow scoring range. Scoring that is highly "accelerated" with contacts or multipliers is also bad because the top competitors outdistance the pack by such large amounts that it discourages up-and-coming contesters. Contests with large dynamic ranges accommodate very wide ranges of ability and commitment because whatever the ability, the results reward skill within that range. CQ's World Wide Contest has lots of dynamic range. You can never work all of the participants nor put all of the multipliers in the log. There is plenty of room in the scoring structure for everyone to differentiate themselves within whatever peer group they compete. Sweepstakes, on the other hand, doesn't have so much dynamic range -- after you get 79 or 80 sections, it becomes strictly a question of QSOs and so propagation essentially determines the contest outcome. East Coast operators know this very well. As any particular part of the scoring range becomes compressed, the difference in results for those competitors also gets smaller. This magnifies the effect of rules and other factors beyond the operator's control. If those factors have too large an effect in any scoring range, then the results within that range no longer linearly represent the abilities of the operators. Essentially, this is structural distortion - flat-topping, if you will. Obviously, I don't think this is desirable. To my view, Sweepstakes is very close to flat-topping. The addition of five new sections over the past few years has helped the situation by adding a little more headroom at the top. Increasing participation also adds headroom by increasing the potential number of QSOs. However, if you make a graph showing the top twenty scores, you will be struck by how closely packed they are - far tighter than in a DX contest. As more stations show up from formerly rare sections and as participation drops in response to the coming poorer propagation, the compression will grow more severe. Should Sweepstakes be changed? Tinkering with a contest's structure often results in a demonstration of the Law of Unintended Consequences. Adding sections is about as radical a move as I would suggest and we seem to be pushing the limits of credible sections already. A relatively unexplored area of restoring dynamic range is in reporting. Static for many years, contest reporting consisted of blasting out the line scores and then listing the top stations in each category. Regardless of your feelings about line scores in magazines, you will have to agree that Web publishing gives the contest sponsors a medium in which a considerable amount of analysis and in-depth reporting can be made available at costs far below that of printed paper. Post-processing software can add more dimensions to the results beyond just scores by evaluating additional "figures of merit" such as logging accuracy. Such innovations are largely up to us, the contesting community. In the post-meeting meetings o'er the bar, the conversation often turns to a discussion of who the good operators really are, regardless of score. What makes them so? Can it be measured? If so, it can be reported and restore dynamic range where it is sorely needed. If you have ideas, I'd love to hear 'em. 73, Ward N0AX 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/
