Contester's Rate Sheet for April 6, 2005

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Contester's Rate Sheet
6 April 2005
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Edited by Ward Silver N0AX

SUMMARY
o JA International, YU, and Holyland DX Contests
o EU and VHF Sprints, GA-MI-VE3 QSO Parties
o 4th Edition of ON4UN's "Low Band DXing" now available
o Scanner Laws Reference
o W7EL Balun Article
o VHF+ Technical Articles by the Pack Rats
o Antenna Analyzer Product Review
o How to Operate a Radio

BULLETINS
o No bulletins this issue

BUSTED QSOS
o A golden issue last time!

ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICES FOR 6 APRIL TO 19 APRIL 2005

Logs are due for the following contests:

April 6 - ARS Spartan Sprint (April), email logs to: hjohnc@core.com,
post log summary at: http://www.arsqrp.com/ars/ss_log.html, paper logs
and diskettes to: (none) 

April 6 - Open Ukraine RTTY Championship, email logs to:
krs@model.poltava.ua, paper logs and diskettes to: George Ignatov
UT1HT, PO Box 87, Kremenchug-21 39621, Ukraine

April 9 - Pesky Texan Armadillo Chase, email logs to: n1ln@arrl.net,
paper logs and diskettes to: Bruce Meier, N1LN, 15283 Runnymede St.,
Conroe, TX 77384, USA 

April 10 - High Speed Club CW Contest, email logs to:
hsc-contest@dl3bzz.de, paper logs and diskettes to: Lutz Schroer,
DL3BZZ, HSC Contest Manager, Am Niederfeld 6, 35066 Frankenberg,
Germany 

April 10 - UBA Spring Six Meter Contest, email logs to:
ubaspring@uba.be, paper logs and diskettes to: Lode Kenens ON6KL,
Oudestraat 8, B-3560 Lummen, Belgium 

April 11 - SOC Marathon Sprint, email logs to: n4bp@arrl.net, paper
logs and diskettes to: Bob Patten, N4BP, 2841 N.W. 112 Terrace,
Plantation, FL 33323, USA 

April 13 - NSARA Contest, email logs to: ve1cel@rac.ca, paper logs and
diskettes to: Mr Tom Goldie, VE1BYO, Antigonish Amateur Radio Club, 12
Sylvan Valley Rd, Apt 204, Antigonish NS B2G 2P6, Canada 

April 13 - SARL VHF/UHF Contest, email logs to: admin@sarl.org.za,
paper logs and diskettes to: VHF/UHF Contest, 69 Erskine Street,
Scottburgh 4180, South Africa 

April 13 - Wisconsin QSO Party, email logs to: (none), paper logs and
diskettes to: Wisconsin QSO Party, West Allis Radio Amateur Club, PO
Box 1072, Milwaukee, WI 53201, USA 

April 15 - Virginia QSO Party, email logs to: nq4k@arrl.net, paper
logs and diskettes to: VA QSO Party, Call Box 599, Sterling, VA 20167,
USA 

April 17 - UBA Spring 2-Meter Contest, email logs to:
ubaspring@uba.be, paper logs and diskettes to: Lode Kenens ON6KL,
Oudestraat 8, B-3560 Lummen, Belgium 

April 19 - 9K 15-Meter Contest, email logs to: 9k2rr@9kcc.com, paper
logs and diskettes to: Faisal N. Al-Ajmi, 9K2RR, PO Box 1124,
Alfarwanya 80000, Kuwait 

April 19 - RSGB RoPoCo, email logs to: ropoco1.logs@rsgbhfcc.org,
paper logs and diskettes to: RSGB G3UFY, 77 Bensham Manor Road,
Thornton Heath, Surrey CR7 7AF, England

The following contests are scheduled:

Note that the following abbreviations are used to condense the contest
rules summaries:
SO - Single-Op; M2 - Multi-Op - 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

DX YL to North American YL Contest - CW, sponsored by YLRL from 1400Z
Apr 6 - 0200Z Apr 8, work 24 hours max. (Phone - Apr 13 - 15) 
Frequencies: all HF bands. Exchange: RST, serial number and ARRL
Section, province, or DXCC entity. QSO Points: 1 pt/QSO. Score: QSO
Points x S/P/C counted only once x 1.5 (<100 W CW, 200 W SSB) For more
information: http://www.ylrl.org/. Logs due 30 days after the contest
to WX4MM, 216 Lee Road 343, Salem, AL 36874.

QRP ARCI Spring QSO Party - CW, sponsored by the QRP ARCI, from 1200Z
Apr 9 - 2400Z Apr 10. Frequencies (MHz): 1.810, 3.560, 3.710, 7.040,
14.060, 21.060, 28.060. Categories: SOAB, SO-High Band (20-6), SO-Low
Band (160-40). QSO Points: member QSOs - 5 pts, non-member on same
cont - 2 pts, non-members on diff cont - 4 pts. Score: QSO points x
S/P/C x Power Multiplier (< 55 mW x 20, <250 mW ×15, <1 W ×10, <5 W
output ×7, >5 W ×1). For more information and log submission address:
http://www.qrparci.org/contest.htm. Logs due 30 days after contest.

EU Spring Sprints - SSB: 9 Apr - managed by G4BUO, CW: 16 Apr -
managed by 9A6XX, from 1500Z - 1859Z. Frequencies (MHz): SSB - 14.250,
7.050, 3.730, CW - 14.040, 7.025, 3.550. SO category only (results
list LP with *), EU stations work everyone, non-EU stations work EU
only. Exchange: your call, the other station's call, serial number
starting at 001, your name - both stations must repeat both callsigns.
If any station initiates a call (CQ, QRZ?, etc.) he is permitted to
work only one station on the same frequency and must move at least 2
kHz before he may call another station or before he may call CQ again.
Score is the total QSOs (1 point/QSO). For more information or contest
software: http://www.qsl.net/eusprint. Logs due 15 days after the
contest to eusprint@kkn.net (ASCII format) or to (SSB) Dave Lawley,
G4BUO, Carramore, Coldharbour Road, Penshurst, Kent, TN11 8EX,
England, UK, or (CW) Hrvoje Horvat, 9A6XX, 25 Rujan 4, HR-52000 Pazin,
Croatia.

Japan International DX Contest (JIDX) - CW, sponsored by Five-Nine
Magazine from 0700Z Apr 9 -- 1300Z Apr 10. (Phone - Nov 12 - 13) 
Frequencies: 80 -- 10 meters. Categories: SOAB and SOSB (HP >100W,
LP), MO, Maritime Mobile. Exchange: RST + JA prefecture number or CQ
Zone. QSO Points: 80 or 10-meters - 2 pts, otherwise 1 pt. Score: QSO
Points x JA prefectures + JD1 provinces (JA stations use DXCC
entities). For more information: http://jidx.org/. Logs due May 31 to
jidx-cw@jidx.org or JIDX "PHONE/CW" Contest, c/o Five-Nine Magazine,
PO Box 59, Kamata, Tokyo, 144-8691 Japan.

Georgia QSO Party - CW/SSB, sponsored by SECC and SEDXC from 1800Z Apr
9 - 0359Z Apr 10 and 1400Z - 2359Z Apr 10. Frequencies: 80 - 10
meters. Categories: SOAB, MS, MM, Rover, Novice/Tech, HP (>150W), LP,
or QRP (<5W). Rovers must activate at least six GA counties. Mobiles
and portables must move the complete station including antennas at
least 100 yards to change counties - no county line operations.
Exchange RST and GA county or S/P/C. QSO Points: SSB - 1 pt, CW - 2
pts. Score: QSO Points x GA counties (GA station use states and
provinces) counted only once per band and mode. For more information:
http://gqp.contesting.com/. Logs due May 10 to ku8e@bellsouth.net or
Jeff Clarke KU8E, 98 Mobley Ct, Hamilton, GA 31811.

YU DX Contest (Note - these rules have changed since the version in
QST was printed.)  - CW, sponsored by the Amateur Radio Union of
Serbia and Montenegro (SCG) from 2100Z Apr 16 -- 0500Z Apr 17 and
0900Z - 1700Z Apr 17. Frequencies: 160 -- 10 meters. Categories:
SO-Lower (1.8, 3.5, 7 MHz), and SO-Upper (14, 21, 28 MHz), QRP (< 5W),
LP, HP (> 100W). Exchange: RST + ITU Zone. QSO Points: with YU
stations - 1 pt, own continent - 2 pts, diff cont - 4 pts. Score: QSO
points x ITU zones + YU prefixes (counted once per band). For more
information: http://yudx.net/. Logs due 30 days after the contest to
logs@yudx.net or Savez radio-amatera Jugoslavije, YU DX Contest, PO
Box 48, 11001 Beograd, Serbia and Montenegro.

Michigan QSO Party - CW/SSB, sponsored by the Mad River Radio Club,
from 1600Z Apr 16 - 0400Z Apr 17. Bands: 80-10 meters. Frequencies: CW
- 45 kHz from band edge, Phone (MHz) - 3.850, 7.225, 14.250, 21.300,
28.450. Work stations once per band and mode, MI-to-MI QSOs allowed,
mobiles and portables can be worked from each county. Categories: SO,
MS, MM, Mobile SO, Mobile MO. Exchange: serial number and MI county or
S/P/C. QSO Points: CW - 2 pts, Phone - 1 pt. Multipliers for MI
stations are states, provinces and MI counties; multipliers for non-MI
stations are MI counties. Multipliers count once per mode. Score: QSO
points x multipliers. For more information: http://www.miqp.org/. Logs
due 30 days after the contest to logs@miqp.org or Mad River Radio
Club, c/o Dave Pruett, 2727 Harris Rd. Ypsilanti, MI 48198.

TARA Skirmish - Digital Prefix Contest, sponsored by Troy ARA, 0000z -
2400z Apr 16. Frequencies: 160 - 6 meters, work stations once per
band. Categories: High, Low (<100W), Great (<20W), QRP (<5W), SWL.
Exchange: Name and Prefix. Score: QSO's x WPX prefixes x power
multiplier. (High x0.5, Low x1, Great x2, QRP x3) Multipliers count
once per band. For more information:
http://www.n2ty.org/seasons/tara_dpx_rules.html or
skirmish-manager@n2ty.org . Logs due May 14 via the contest score
entry form at n2ty.org/seasons/tara_dpx_score.html.

Holyland DX Contest - CW/SSB, sponsored by the Israel Amateur Radio
Club from 0000Z - 2359Z Apr 16. Frequencies: 160 -- 10 meters
according to IARU Region I band plan, work Israeli stations once per
band and mode. Categories: SO (Mixed Mode, CW, SSB, QRP), MS, MM, SWL.
Exchange RST and serial number or Israel district. QSO Points: 1.8 or
3.5 MHz - 2 pts; other bands 1 pt. Score: QSO Points x districts
counted once per band. For more information: http://www.iarc.org/. Logs
due 31 May to 4Z4KX@iarc.org or Contest Manager 4Z4KX , Israel Amateur
Radio Club, Box 17600, Tel Aviv, 61176, Israel.

ES Open HF Championship - CW/SSB, sponsored by the Estonian Radio
Amateurs Union from 0500Z - 0859Z Apr 16. Frequencies: 80 and 40
meters. Categories: SO (SSB, CW, Mixed), MS, SWL. Exchange: RST and
serial numbers, Duplicate QSOs allowed once per hour (see Web site).
QSO Points: SSB - 1 pt, CW - 2 pts. Score: QSO Points x ES prefixes
counted once per band and mode. For more information:
http://www.erau.ee/index.php?newlang=eng.  Logs due May 20 to
esopen@erau.ee or Toomas Soomets ES5RY, PO Box 177, Tartu, 50002
Estonia.

Ontario QSO Party - CW/Phone, sponsored by the Ontario DX Association
from 1800Z Apr 16 - 1800Z Apr 17. Frequencies (MHz): SSB - 1.870,
3.735, 3.860, 7.070, 7.260, 14.130, 14.265, 21.260, 28.360; CW - 30
kHz above band edges; VHF-SSB: 50.130, 144.205, 432.105; VHF-FM
52.540, 146.550, 446.1, no repeater QSOs. Categories: SOAB and SOSB
(HP, LP <150W HF & 50W VHF, QRP <5W) in CW, Phone, and Mixed Modes, SO
VHF FM QRP (< 5W), MS, SWL, Mobile, Rover. Exchange: RS(T) and S/P/C
or Ontario QTH. QSO Points: HF SSB - 1 pt, HF CW - 2 pts, VHF - 5 pts
(work stations once per VHF band), 10 bonus pts for each QSO with
VE3ODX and VA3RAC. No county line QSOs allowed. Score is QSO Points x
Ontario QTHs (non-VE3 stations) or S/P/C + Ontario QTHs (mults count
once per band). For more information:
http://www.odxa.on.ca/oqphome.html. Logs due May 31 to ve3agc@rac.ca
or Ontario QSO Party, Ontario DX Association, PO Box 161, Station "A",
Willowdale, Ontario, M2N 5S8 Canada. (Address changes will be shown on
Web site.)

EA QRP Contest - CW, sponsored by the EA QRP Club from 1700Z Apr 16 -
1300Z Apr 17. Frequencies: 80 - 10-meters (see Web site for operating
periods). Categories: QRP (< 5 W) and QRPp (<1 W). Exchange: RST and
EA province or EA QRP number or serial number. QSO Points: QRP - 1 pt,
QRPp - 2 pts. Score: QSO points x EA provinces + EA QRP members + DXCC
entities on each band. For more information: http://www.eaqrp.com/.
Logs due 30 days after the contest to ea1bp@yahoo.es or Vocalia de
concursos (Concurso CW), PO Box 73, E-46182, La Canada (Valencia),
Spain

Weeknight 40/80-Meter Sprint - CW, sponsored by the North American QRP
Contest Club (NAQCC) from 0030Z - 0430Z Apr 20. Operate any 2-hour
period starting at 0030, 0130, or 0230Z. Frequencies (MHz): 3.560,
3.710, 7.045. Exchange: RST + S/P/C + NAQCC number or power. There is
a straight key or bug bonus. For more information:  
http://www.arm-tek.net/~yoel/sprint_0405.html. (This is a brand new
contest and is being included one issue early to publicize it - Ed.)

VHF+ CONTESTS

VHF Spring Sprints - CW/SSB, sponsored by the Eastern Tennessee DX
Association as follows: 50 MHz - 2300Z May 14 - 0300Z May 15; 222 MHz
- 7-11 PM Apr 12; 432 MHz - 7-11 PM Apr 20; Microwave - 902 MHz and
higher - 6 AM -- 1 PM May 7. Fixed and Rover categories. Exchange is
Grid Square only, count 1 pt per QSO. Score is QSO Points x Grid
Squares, score each sprint separately. Rovers and Microwave sprints
total all points and all grids worked from each grid. For more
information: http://www.etdxa.org/vhf.htm. Logs must be emailed or
postmarked within four weeks of the contest to springsprints@etdxa.org
or ETDXA/WU4O Jeff Baker, 2012 Hinds Creek Road, Heiskell, Tennessee
37754.

EU EME Contest - any mode, sponsored by DUBUS and REF, 0000Z Apr 16 -
2400Z Apr 17. Frequencies: 50 MHz, 1.3, 10, 24 GHz and up. (May 14, 15
- 144 MHz, 2.3, and 3.4 GHz; Jun 11, 12 - 432 MHz and 5.7 GHz)
Categories: Single and Multi-band, QRP and QRO - based on EIRP, Pro,
CW, Digital, Mixed, Assisted. Exchange: callsigns TMO/RST and "R". QSO
Points: 144/432/1.3 - 100 pts for random, 10 pts for scheduled QSO,
2.3 GHz and higher - 100 pts/QSO. Score: QSO Points (x2 for QSOs at
2.3 GHz and above) x S/P/C from random QSOs (or any QSOs at 2.3 GHz
and above). For more information: http://www.dubus.org/ or
info@dubus.de. Logs due Jul 10 to f6hye@ref-union.org or Patrick
Magnin, F6HYE, Marcorens, F-74140 Ballaison, France.

NEWS AND PRESS RELEASES

2004 November Sweepstakes pins and cups and the certificates for the
2004 EME Competition are in the process of being mailed. The RTTY
Roundup on-line database has been enhanced to show band-by-band QSO
breakdowns. (Thanks, Dan N1ND)

Starting with the 2006 CQ 160 contests, electronic logs will be
handled by a separate email robot for CW and SSB. (Thanks, Dave K4JRB
CQ 160 Contests Director)

Rick KT7G is assembling digital photos of W7RM and his stations for a
memorial page.  If you have photos of Rush-related items, particularly
from the glory years at Foulweather Bluff or earlier, please contact
Rick at Rick.L.Smith@motorola.com. Please be sure to identify anyone
in the photo, if at all possible, and the approximate date taken. The
photos Rick has currently assembled are posted at
http://www.pacifier.com/~macrosmi/W7RM.html.

Free software by DL2NBU is available for the EU Sprint contest at
http://www.eusprint.com/.  It is very similar to CT in look and feel.

The 4th Edition of ON4UN's Low Band DX-ing book is now available at
http://www.arrl.org/catalog/?item=9140.

More contest club newsletters - the Society of Midwest Contesters
(SMC) posts their newsletter and links to those of the NCCC, YCCC,
PVRC, MRRC and others at http://www.w9smc.com/newsletters.htm.
(Thanks, Mark K6UFO)

The NCCC JUG newsletter is available directly from
http://www.nccc.cc/newsletter.html (Thanks, Marc W6ZZZ)

Those of you taking your scanner along for the trip to the hamfest
should be aware that several states have scanner laws prohibiting
possession or use of scanners capable of receiving public safety
broadcasts. Usually there is an exception for hams, but not always. 
Todd KB4MHH has assembled a fairly comprehensive site that lists
scanner laws in the United States at
http://www.afn.org/~afn09444/scanlaws/.  Click on "State Scanner Laws"
to go directly to the listing of laws by state.

Collectors of the venerable straight key will enjoy K6IX's Web site
featuring the J-37 (http://k6ix.net/J37Keys.html) and J-38 keys
(http://k6ix.net/J38Keys.html).  There are good photos and detailed
discussion of these popular Morse-makers. (Thanks, K9YA Telegraph
http://www.k9ya.org/)

Science with a sense of humor? Fan's of the Annals of Irreproducible
Results (http://www.improbable.com/) will recognize author Eric
Schulman's byline.  Check out Eric's work at
http://members.bellatlantic.net/~vze3fs8i.

RESULTS AND RECORDS

Logs Received for the 2005 ARRL International DX CW Contest is posted
at http://www.arrl.org/contests/claimed. If you find an error with
your listing please contact Dan at n1nd@arrl.org. Several changes and
additions have made to the 2004 ARRL EME Competition write-up posted
on the ARRL Web site, as well. (Thanks, Dan N1ND)

The results of the 2004 New England QSO Party are now posted on the
NEQP web site http://www.neqp.org/. Plaques, certificates and printed
results should be in the mail this week. New England stations that
will be active in the 2005 NEQP (May 7th & 8th) are requested to send
a message to info@nepq.org. (Thanks, Tom K1KI)

Ron WD4AHZ reports, "I've just completed and uploaded the 2004 Florida
QSO Party package of the writeup and results. It's got a new and
improved look, along with lots of the old "stuff" included!"  View it
all at http://www.floridaqsoparty.org/results/fqp2004.pdf.

TECHNICAL

W7EL's classic article from Antenna Compendium 1 on how baluns work
and why they are needed is now on line at
http://eznec.com/Amateur/Articles/Baluns.pdf. If you ever wanted to
know about baluns and how they work, read this article. It will dispel
a lot of myths. (Thanks, Jim KK6MC/5)

VHF+ contesters will find a great collection of technical articles on
the Pack Rats club Web site at
http://members.ij.net/packrats/techinal.htm. (Yes, 'technical' is
slightly misspelt in the Web URL.)

From "Go Boating" magazine, a water-paste of baking soda not only
cleans up acid corrosion on and around battery terminals, but cleans
up rust bleed on stainless steel. A perfect use for that old
toothbrush and stinky old box of baking soda in the fridge.

ARRL has just posted the electronic version of May 2005 QST's product
review of Antenna Analyzers for members only at
http://www.arrl.org/members-only/prodrev/pdf/pr0505.pdf. The analyzers
covered are the Autek VA1, the Kuranishi Instuments BR-210, the
MFJ-269B and the Palstar ZM-30. The N2PK Vector Network Analyzer,
while not covered in this review is also highly recommended. (Thanks,
Bill W4ZV and Rick N6RK)

Speaking of which, having trouble with your VA-1 SWR analyzer turning
on in your pocket? Take a sharp pair of cutters and snip off the top
of the power-on switch's plastic pushbutton to the point where you
need to use your finger nail to press it down far enough to turn it on
or off. A 5/16" or 8mm nut glued to the case around the switch
accomplishes the same function. A preventative measure is to add an
external "loop-through" connector that when removed disconnects the
batteries. (Thanks, Dave W5UN, Bruce AA4Z, Paul GW8IZR)

Steve N2IC contributes a link to "Make a Wish"
(http://slate.com/id/2115922/) an interesting magazine for builders
and tinkerers of all persuasions.

For looking up those inscrutable engineering terms, browse to the
Maxim IC glossary at http://www.maxim-ic.com/glossary/.

CONVERSATION

How to Operate a Radio (adapted from "How to Operate a Scanner" by Jim
Springer)

(I was very sorely tempted to put out a special April First edition,
with all the attendant possibilities of editorial tomfoolery. Thanks
to Rick Wallace's referral, this will have to do - Ed.)

In this world of complexity and semi-intelligent radios and operators,
we are often confronted with vexing situations of electronic
recalcitrance.  The following six steps are virtually guaranteed to
solve almost any radio-related problem you may encounter, whether you
realize it or not.

Step One - Approach the radio in a confident manner.  This will give
it the (frequently mistaken) idea that you know what you are doing. 
This will also impress anyone who happens to be looking over your
shoulder and if the radio suddenly starts working, you will be
credited with it. If this step fails, proceed to Step Two.

Step Two - Wave the manual at the radio.  This will show everyone, and
perhaps the radio, that you are at least somewhat familiar with the
sources of knowledge.  You will no doubt have to proceed to Step
Three.

Step Three - In a forcible manner, recite Ohm's Law directly at the
front panel.  (Before you do this, refer to an old Handbook to be sure
you still remember what Ohm's Law is for.)  This may be a traumatic
experience for most Extra Class hams, for both you and the radio, and
should only be attempted after the first two steps fail.

Step Four - Perform "percussive maintenance" by jarring the radio
slightly. This may require anything from a three to six foot drop. 
Most repair shops prefer a concrete floor for this step.  This is, of
course, a drastic step and if it fails, you have no recourse other
than to return it to the factory as "In Warranty", or, proceed to Step
Five.

Step Five - Add at least one minor accessory to the power supply. This
will put an added load on the unit and thereby increase your advantage
over it.  Should these five steps fail to work, you will have to
proceed to six, the most drastic step of all, which is seldom used
except as a final resort.

Step Six - THINK!

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