Contester's Rate Sheet for May 2, 2007
******************************************** CONTESTER'S RATE SHEET 2 May 2007 Edited by Ward Silver N0AX Published by the American Radio Relay League Free to ARRL members - tell your friends! (Subscription info at the end of newsletter) ******************************************** SUMMARY o QSO Party Qaos - 7th Area, New England, Mid-Atlantic, IN, NV o Spring Sprints on 50 MHz and Microwave Bands o ARRL Withdraws Bandwidth Petition o New Elecraft Competition-Grade Transceiver - the K3 o New Slow-Speed Sprint from NCCC o Videos That Will Spark Your Interest o ARRL 160 Meter and SS SSB Results o Vertical Phasing Techniques o USB Scope Reviews o Imagine NEW HF OPERATORS - THINGS TO DO o Ten-HUT! Give the Armed Forces Crossband Test a try - it's a great way to work on your split technique and get some interesting QSLs, too. If you're already hard at work on your WAS award, this is a busy period for state and regional QSO parties. BULLETINS o No bulletins in this issue. BUSTED QSOS o I got a little happy with the 0 key last time - the magic date and time will appear again in 100 years, not 1000. As a bonus correction, Jim N1HTS points out that 07:07:07 07/07/07 will occur twice on a 12-hour clock this coming July 7th, once for AM and once for PM. o The tiny URL link in the Contest Rate Sheet for the Antenna Impedance Model Powerpoint file was broken. Here's the full and correct link - http://www.ewh.ieee.org/r6/scv/aps/index_files/Stearns_APS_031406.pdf (Thanks, Fred N5WLA) CONTEST SUMMARY (Rules follow Commentary section) May 5-6 - MARAC CW Contest - 10-10 International CW/Digital - Indiana QSO Party - ARI International, CW/SSB/RTTY - New England QSO Party - 7th Area QSO Party - IPA Contest - Radio Club of America QSO Party - Portuguese Navy Day - North American High Speed Meteor Scatter Contest - Microwave Spring Sprint May 12-13 - Armed Forces Crossband Communications Test - Mid-Atlantic QSO Party - Nevada QSO Party - CQ-M International, CW/SSB - FISTS Sprint Sprint, CW - Alessandro Volta RTTY - SBMS 2 GHZ and Up World-Wide Club Contest - 50 MHz Spring Sprint --o- ooo - --o- ooo - --o- ooo - -oo o NEWS, PRESS RELEASES, AND GENERAL INTEREST - oooo o o-o o- - o ooo oooo o o - -o- The ARRL has rescinded its petition for rule making to the FCC requesting regulation by bandwidth rather than mode. The full story can be read at http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2007/04/27/101/?nc=1 The issue will be revisited at the 2007 Board of Directors meeting, so make your feelings known on this issue to your Division Director. Elecraft has unveiled a new top-of-the-line transceiver -- the Elecraft K3. This is the culmination of three years of design, test, and refinement. (http://www.elecraft.com/) The data sheet (http://www.elecraft.com/K3/K3_Data%20Sheet_rev06.pdf) is also on-line. It operates on SSB, CW, DATA, AM, FM, plus AM-sync receive, and has a built-in PSK31/TTY/CW decoder. IF DSP is performed with 32-bit resolution, supported by software-defined capabilities and upgrades. There is an optional full-featured, fully independent subreceiver. Both receivers can have up to five crystal roofing filters with bandwidths as narrow as 200 Hz. This is but a fraction of what the rig offers. An FAQ site (http://www.kk7p.com/K3FAQ.html) is up and will be moved to the Elecraft web site next week. For technical questions, email wayne@elecraft.com and for sales, sales@elecraft.com. (Thanks, Wayne N6KR) Note to VHF+ contesters - from John K9JK, co-sponsor of the VHF Sprints, "As of April 23, we had 66 logs received for 144 MHz and approx. 80% of them were "Electronic" and in Cabrillo format which we very much appreciate! Many of the electronic log submitters used the Web-to-Cabrillo "form" (http://b4h.net/cabforms/) that Bruce, WA7BNM, very kindly made available to us and is very easy to use. Please check that out and try it as opposed to mailing a paper log or e-mailing something in a non-Cabrillo format." The Northern California Contest Club (NCCC) has been running a highly Successful Thursday-night sprint contest, now in it's 3rd year. Some have requested a slow speed version to get familiar with the sprint concepts, etc. This is to announce the SNS or slow speed NS. This practice event will precede the regular NS every Thursday evening (Friday UTC) at 0200Z. It will run for 15 minutes. There will be a 15 minute break (0215Z to 0230Z) and then the regular NS (currently in NS Ladder format) will start at the normal time of 0230Z. Remember to reset your program so that the number starts at #1 if you operate both practices. The suggested upper limit for the SNS is 23 WPM. All of the same rules apply to the SNS as NS. The bands will be 20 and 40 meters (around 14040 and 7040 kHz). For more information: http://www.ncccsprint.com/default.htm. (Thanks, Mike W9RE) If you are looking for a list of state QSO parties, try Kyle WA4PGM's site at http://www.wa4pgm.us/qso_parties.htm and the Yankee Clipper Contest Club (http://www.yccc.org/Links/Contest/Rules.htm#State), California QSO Party sponsors (http://www.cqp.org/), and Bruce WA7BNM (http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/stateparties.html) also maintain lists. (Thanks also to Jim AD1C and KR, K6TD) Spotted by Frank W3LPL, "The official NOAA, NASA and ISES Solar Cycle 24 prediction (http://www.sec.noaa.gov/SolarCycle/SC24/) was released by the Solar Cycle 24 Prediction Panel on April 25. The Prediction Panel included members from NOAA, NASA, ISES and other US and International representatives. Press Briefings and presentations at the SEC Space Weather Workshop, plus additional announcements and information from the Panel are linked below. The Panel expects to update this prediction annually. The panel considered all predictions of Solar Cycle 24 they found in the literature or received directly from an author." Topband Contesters will be saddened to learn of the passing of Earl K6SE. Earl's big signal provided contacts to many with his contest QTH located on salt flats, including experiments with balloon-hoisted verticals. His article on receiving antennas, "Flags, Pennants and Other Ground-Independent Low-Band Receiving Antennas" in July 2000 QST was very popular, as well. Earl will be sorely missed. URL of the Week - Grey line fans, rejoice! Here's the complete information on sunrise and sunset, courtesy of Jim K9YC and Bob W7LR: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twilight http://aa.usno.navy.mil/faq/docs/RST_defs.html http://www.sunrisesunset.com/ oooo o -o-- -o-- o- o-oo o-oo SIGHTS AND SOUNDS o-- o- - -o-o oooo - oooo oo ooo You think you have a risky job? Try the "High Power" video at http://www.glumbert.com/ (Thanks, Dave N0RQ) And who could stop at just one "arcs'n'sparks" video? CADWELDS on EHV transmission lines http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY72athcwvA&mode=related&search= Snap Crackle Pop; Fuse Puller on HV lines http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tCuzys-1P8&mode=related&search= Darwin Award Candidate; Notice how reporter picks up downed line Line:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=773dN-iFGks&NR=1 High Voltage Explosion on Distribution Lines http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYUmdqQ94Ao&mode=related&search= High Voltage Arcs on Neighborhood Distribution Lines http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHSBph71GX8&mode=related&search= Transformer Explosion and Fire http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FA6LDkNc4Qo&mode=related&search= Zapps and Sparks http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewdi89DNbRs&NR=1 HV line Inspections by Helicopter http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZSep9lkfwQ&mode=related&search= (Thanks, Pat AA6EG - now somebody needs to sneak up behind Pat and clap their hands together really loud!) oo-o oo -o -oo -o-- --- oo- o-o RESULTS AND RECORDS -o-o o- o-oo o-oo oooo o o-o o ARRL Contest Results Look for SS cups and pins and 2006 IARU certificates to arrive in mailboxes soon. The results of the 2006 ARRL 160M and SSB Sweepstakes contests authored by Ford N0FP and Kelly VE4XT are now available on the ARRL Web site at http://www.arrl.org/members-only/contests/results/2006/160-meters/ Non-members will have access to the information when the QST containing the printed results ships. (Thanks, Tom KC1J) - - - - - The results article and scores for the 2006 CQ WPX CW contest have been posted to the CQ WW WPX Web site at http://www.cqwpx.com/results.htm (Thanks, Randy K5ZD) The results of the RAC 2006 Canada Day contest have been published and are now available on the RAC web site. The full report and results listing are at http://www.rac.ca/downloads/canaday2006res.pdf (Thanks, Bart VE5CPU) The 2007 LA QSO Party results are now available. Click on the Louisiana QSO Party link at http://www.w5yl.org/ for the complete results. (Thanks, Scott W5WZ) The results of the 2006 Ohio QSO Party are now posted at the Ohio QSO Party Web site, http://www.oqp.us/ (Thanks, Jim K8MR) The 2006 JIDX-PH contest results have been posted (http://jidx.org/jidx2006ph.html) as well as the all-time phone records list (http://jidx.org/rec-ph.html) and 2007 JIDX-CW logs received (http://jidx.org/2007cw-logliSthtml). (Thanks, Tack JE1CKA) Scott K7ZO has performed an extensive analysis of "busted spots" during the ARRL SSB contest this year. Too lengthy to be reprinted here, enter "Busted Packet Spot Analysis" into the search window for the CQ-Contest email reflector's searchable archives (http://lists.contesting.com/archives//html/CQ-Contest/) and enjoy! More number-crunchin' goodness can be had at http://www.radiosport.ca/rsrp/logs.php where log submissions are plotted for numerous contests. A similar table of line score totals is a click away at http://www.kkn.net/~k5tr/scoredb/contest_liStphp You can win some arguments with the stuff in here! (Thanks, George K5TR) oooo o -o-- -o-- --- oo- OPERATING TIP o-- o- -o- o oo- o--o If your log checking report shows that other folks are consistently busting a specific letter of your call sign or an element of the exchange, that's something that can often be easily fixed. Perhaps you aren't speaking clearly at high speed. Is there a punchier phonetic or could you practice saying the phonetic more distinctly? On CW, you might be running two characters together. Examine your call sign to see if it could easily be received as different characters? In either case, have someone record your signal on the air, preferably during a contest, and see what it sounds like. oo oo-o oo - ooo -o --- - -ooo o-o --- -o- o TECHNICAL TIPS AND INFORMATION -o-- --- oo- o-o o -o --- - - o-o -o-- oo -o --o Frank W3LPL also contributed a Web site (http://tinyurl.com/yv2c6o) with an excellent discussion of vertical phasing techniques, including background on why some work better than others. Frequently, a weekend is home to more than one state or regional QSO party. If you want to enter all of them, how can you log all the contacts and keep them straight. Dick K4XU has some suggestions. "It's easier than you think. As long as the parties have similar exchanges - signal report and county code - all you need is a multiplier file that knows all the possible codes. I was able to make TR-log play NEQP, IN and 7QP simultaneously simply by concatenating their respective multiplier ".dom" files. Different logging programs have different names for their multiplier files but it's a common thread for most of the commonly used programs. How to score and what to submit? As long as your logging program puts out a Cabrillo file, don't worry about it. That's good enough for the sponsors - they check for extraneous contacts and score the log again anyway." If you need an inexpensive mount for 3/8-24 threaded-base whip antennas, you might check out your local truck stop. The larger ones often carry a dizzying array of mounts in all sorts of styles. (Thanks, Steve KA5SUT) Are you in need of a 222 MHz transverter to fill in the "missing band" between the 50/144/440 supplied by your all-band rig? Take a look at Paul Wade W1GHZ's transverter kit at http://www.w1ghz.org/222xvtr/222.htm (Thanks, Doug W7RDP) A short, but interesting article entitled "Well-grounded Principles" by Jay Jacobsmeyer, P.E., appears in the April issue of Mobile Radio Technology magazine at http://mrtmag.com/techspeak/radio_wellgrounded_principles/ Worthy of note are comments on the Ufer ground and a picture (Fig. 4) of a damaged tower leg pier due to a lightning strike. (Thanks, Dave K1FK) TECHNICAL URL OF THE WEEK -- Kevin N7WIM contributes some links to Web sites that feature reviews of those tiny oscilloscope modules that connect to a PC via a USB interface. http://www.embedded.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=160902529 http://www.embedded.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=163105522 http://www.ganssle.com/microscopes.pdf These may be a solution for portable use or when you just don't have the time (or budget) for a full-sized, self-contained instrument. o- -o-o -o-o oo- o-o o- -o-o -o-- oo ooo o--- --- -ooo CONVERSATION --- -o o oo -o -o-o --- -o - o ooo - oo -o --o While everybody is engaged chasing Scarborough Reef in that super-long contest called a DXpedition, I think it's time for yet another of Doctor Beldar's lyrical loquaciousnesses... Imagine By John Lennon, but retuned by Doctor Beldar Imagine there's no jammers It's easy if you try No lids to QRM us Only signals from the sky Imagine all DXers Making Q's today... Imagine there's no countries It isn't hard to do. Nothing to QSL for And no card checkers, too. Imagine all DXers Ragchewing in peace... Imagine no possessions I wonder if you can No need for separation Or charts and maps and plans Imagine all DXers Sharing all the world... You may say I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope some day you'll work them And DX will be as one 73, Ward N0AX -o-o --o- - o ooo - -o-o --o- - o ooo - CONTESTS -- 2 MAY THROUGH 15 MAY 2007 -o-o --o- - o ooo - -o-o --o- - o ooo - 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 (>100 W); LP - Low Power; QRP (5W or less) HF CONTESTS MARAC CW Contest--sponsored by the Mobile Amateur Radio Awards Club from 0000Z May 5 - 2400Z May 6. Frequencies (MHz): 3.550, 7.050, 14.050, 21.050, 28.050. Work fixed station once/band and mobiles once from each county and band. Categories: Mobile, Fixed & Mixed. Exchange: RST, 2-char state code and 4-char County abbreviation. County line QSOs count as one QSO but separate multipliers. QSO Points: Fixed stations in US -- 1 point, DX -- 5 points, Mobile 15 points, one station must be in a US County. For mult list: http://www.bnk.com/w0qe/countyabbrev-v3-4col.pdf. For more information: http://www.countyhunter.com/. Logs are due June 9 to aa8r@aol.com or Randy Hatt AA8R, 7878 W County Line Rd, Howard City, MI 49329. 10-10 International Spring Contest--CW/Digital, from 0001Z May 5 - 2359Z May 6. Frequencies: 10 meters. Exchange: Callsign, name, QTH, and 10-10 number (if a member). QSO Points: nonmembers--1 pt, members--2 pts. Score: total points. For complete rules: http://www.ten-ten.org/. Logs due May 21 to tentencontest@alltel.net or Steve Rasmussen N0WY, #68684, 312 N 6th St, Plattsmouth, NE 68048. Indiana QSO Party--CW/SSB, sponsored by the Hoosier DX and Contest Club from 1600Z May 5 - 0400Z May 6. Frequencies (MHz): CW--1.805 and 40 kHz above the band edge on 80-10 meters, SSB--1.845, 3.850, 7.230, 14.250, 21.300, 28.450, try 160 at 0200Z, no crossband QSOs. Categories: SOAB (HP, LP, QRP, no spotting assistance), MS (incl. SO using spotting assistance), Mobile, Portable. Exchange: RS(T) + S/P or IN county (DX stations send RS(T) only). QSO Points: SSB -- 1 pt, CW -- 2 pts, contact stations once per band/mode and once per county. County line stations count for 2 counties max. Score is QSO Points x IN counties or S/P/C counted once per mode. Bonus for working W9KT. For more information: http://www.hdxcc.org/inqp. Logs due Jun 15 to inqp@hdxcc.org (Cabrillo format preferred) or HDXCC, c/o Mike Goode N9NS, 10340 Broadway, Indianapolis, IN 46280-1344. ARI International DX Contest--CW/SSB/RTTY, sponsored by ARI from 2000Z May 5 - 1959Z May 6. Frequencies: (CW/SSB) 160 - 10 meters, (RTTY) 80 - 10 meters, 10 min band change rule for MS. Categories: SO (CW, SSB, RTTY, Mixed), MS, SWL. Exchange: RST and serial number (Italian send Province) QSO Points: own country--0 pts (mult only), own continent--1 pt, different cont--3 pts, Italian and IS0 stations--10 pts. Score: QSO points x Italian Provinces + DXCC entity (except I, IS0, IT9, IG9/IH9) counted once per band. For more information: http://www.qsl.net/contest_ari. Logs due 30 days after the contest to aricontest@ari.it (Cabrillo format preferred) or ARI Contest Manager c/o ARI, Via Scarlatti 31, 20124 Milano, Italy. New England QSO Party--CW/Phone, 2000Z May 5 - 0500Z May 6 and 1300Z - 2400Z May 6. New England is ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, and RI. Frequencies (MHz): CW--3.540, 7.035, 14.040, 21.040, 28.040; SSB--3.850, 7.280, 14.280, 21.380, 28.380; no crossmode or crossband QSOs, all CW QSOs in CW band segments. Categories: SOAB (HP, LP, and QRP), MS (includes stations using any kind of spotting assistance), mobiles use same categories. Exchange: RS(T) and S/P (non-US/VE sends "DX") or NE county/state. Work stations once per band/mode and mobiles in each county. County lines logged as two QSOs. QSO Points: phone--1 pt, CW and Digital--2 pts. Score: Non-NE stations--QSO points x NE counties; NE stations--QSO points x S/P/C; mobiles total QSO points from all counties and count multipliers only once. For more information: http://www.neqp.org/. Logs due 30 days after the contest to logs@neqp.org (Cabrillo format preferred) or NEQP, PO Box 3005, Framingham MA 01705-3005. 7th Area QSO Party--CW/SSB, sponsored by the Central Oregon DX Club from 1300Z May 5 - 0700Z May 6. Frequencies: 160 - 10 meters, 6 and 2 meters; CW: 40 kHz above band edge; SSB: 3.855, 7.235, 14.255, 21.355, 28.455; no repeater QSOs. Exchange: state and county code (see Web site) or S/P/C. QSO Points: SSB--2 pts, CW--3 pts. Score: QSO points x 7th area counties (7th area stations add states and provinces plus up to 10 DX) counted only once. For more information: http://www.7qp.org/. Logs due Jun 10 to 7qplogs@codxc.org or 7th Call Area QSO Party, c/o CODXC, 61255 Ferguson Rd, Bend, OR 97702. IPA Contest--CW/SSB, sponsored by the International Police Association US Section from 1400Z - 2000Z May 5 (CW), 1400Z - 2000Z May 6 (SSB), each mode is considered a separate conteSt Frequencies: 80 - 10 meters. Categories: SOAB, MS, SWL. Exchange: RS(T) and serial number, IPA stations add IPA, US IPA stations add state. QSO Points: Non-IPA--1 pt, Non-US IPA--2 pts, US IPA--5 pts, IPARC club--10 pts, US IPA stations with 1x1 call--20 pts. Score: QSO points x US IPA states worked from all bands. For more information: http://www.iparc.org/ or jenkinstd@aol.com. Logs due 30 June to WA8VDC Tom Jenkins, 4828 Elm St, Newport, MI 48166. Radio Club of America QSO Party--Phone, from 1700Z May 5 - 0700Z May 6. Exchange: RST, QTH, name, equipment used. RCA members sign their calls "/RCA". Band changes throughout the day, for more information: http://www.radioclubofamerica.org/. Logs to rlraide@adelphia.net or Mike Raide W2ZE, 21 Canandaigua Street, Shortsville, NY 14548. Portuguese Navy Day--CW/SSB/PSK31--sponsored by the Portuguese Navy Radio Amateurs from 1500Z May 5 - 1500Z May 6 (CW/SSB) and 1500Z - 2100Z May 5 (PSK31). Frequencies: 80 - 10 meters (CW/SSB) and 20 - 10 meters (PSK31) according to the IARU band plan. Categories: SO. Exchange: RS(T) and serial number. QSO Points: see Web site for table and duplicate contact rules. Score: QSO points x prefixes. For more information: http://www.nra.pt/php/bdContestRules.php?lang=en. Logs due 1 June to contest@nra.pt. Armed Forces Amateur/Military Crossband Communications Test--the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard are co-sponsoring the annual military/amateur radio communications tests in celebration of Armed Forces Day the following weekend. (the test is held earlier to avoid the Dayton Hamvention). Various military stations will be listening for amateurs between 1200Z May 12 and 2400Z May 13. For complete information, including call signs, operating schedules, and frequency/mode lists: http://www.netcom.army.mil/mars. Mid-Atlantic QSO Party--SSB/FM/CW, sponsored by the Independent Mid-Atlantic QSO Party Committee from 1600Z May 12 - 0400Z May 13. Mid-Atlantic states include DE, MD-DC, NJ, NY, PA, VA, and WV. Frequencies: 160 - 10 meters, 50 kHz from bottom of band segment for operating mode; 50, 144, 222, and 432 MHz. Categories: Standard (SO <200 W), QRP, MO, Mobile. Exchange: serial number and QTH (Mid-Atl stations send 3-letter county and 2-letter state, US/VE send S/P, DX sends "DX"). QSO Points: Phone--1 pt, CW--2 pts, Mobile--3 pts. Score: QSO Points x Mid-Atl counties (Mid-Atl stations count S/P + 1 DX) counted only once. For more information: http://www.maqp.info/. Logs due 30 days after the contest to logs@maqp.info or Mid-Atlantic QSO Party, Attn: Walter O'Brien W2WJO, PO Box 4922, Clinton, NJ 08809. Nevada QSO Party--CW/SSB/RTTY--sponsored by the Area 51 Contest Club from 0001Z May 12 - 2359Z May 12. Frequencies: 160 -- 6 meters, CW 15 kHz and SSB 25 kHz above General class band edge. Categories: SO-LP/HP, MO-LP/HP, and Portable-SO/MO. Exchange: RST and S/P/C or NV county. QSO Points: 1 pt/QSO. Score is QSO Points x NV counties or S/P/C counted only once. For more information: http://nv.arrl.org/NQP. Logs due Jun 15 to w7gk_1@yahoo.com or Nevada Mustang Roundup 2007, Elko Amateur Radio Club, PO Box 5607, Elko NV 89802. CQ-M International DX Contest--CW/SSB, sponsored by the Soyuz Radiolyubiteley Rossii (SRR) from 1200Z May 12 - 1200Z May 13. Frequencies: 160 - 10 meters, 10-min rule for MS. Categories: SOSB (CW, SSB, Mixed), SOAB (CW, SSB, Mixed, LP, QRP), MS-Mixed, SWL-Mixed, WWII Veteran, Pobeda Memorial. Exchange: RS(T) and serial number. QSO Points: Using P-150-C award countries, own country--1 pt, same cont.--2 pts, different cont.--3 pts. Score: QSO points x countries counted once per band. For more information: http://www.cq-m.andys.ru/. Logs due June 15 to cqm@srr.ru or ua0agi@andys.ru or to CQ-M Contest Committee, PO Box 25464, Krasnoyarsk 660049, Russia. FISTS Spring Sprint--CW, sponsored by the FISTS CW Club from 1700Z - 2100Z May 12. Frequencies: 80 - 10 meters, work US/VE stations. Categories: SO, SO-QRP, Club. Exchange: RST, S/P/C, first name, FISTS number (non-FISTS Power output). QSO Points: FISTS members--5 pts, nonmembers--2 pts. Score: QSO points × S/P/C (count each only once). For more information: http://www.fists.org/. Logs due 30 days after the contest to w8pig@yahoo.com or Dan Shepherd N8IE, 1900 Pittsfield St, Kettering, Oh 45420. Alessandro Volta RTTY DX Contest, sponsored by COMO and ARI from 1200Z May 12 - 1200Z May 13. Frequencies: 80 -- 10 meters. Categories: SOAB, SOSB, MS, SWL. Exchange: RST, serial number, CQ Zone. QSO Points: see table on Web site. Score: see Web site for scoring rules and examples. For more information: http://www.contestvolta.com/. Logs due Jul 31 to log@contestvolta.it or to Francesco Di Michele I2DMI, PO Box 55, I-22063 Cantu, Italy. VHF+ CONTESTS North American High Speed Meteor Scatter Contest--FSK441 or JT6M, sponsored by the WSJTGROUP from 1300Z May 5 - 1500Z May 7 coinciding with the eta-Aquarids meteor shower. Frequencies (MHz): 50, 144, 222, 432, via meteor scatter. Categories are single band,multi-band, and rover. All contacts are to be random/unscheduled except as noted in the rules. Call CQ using the Primary or Secondary calling frequencies following the offset method. Exchange: full call signs, grid square and QSO acknowledgement. QSO Points 50--1 pt, 144--2 pts, 222--4 pts, 432--8 pts. Score: QSO points x number of unique grid squares worked per band. For more information: http://www.ykc.com/wa5ufh/Rally/NAHSMS.htm. Logs due June 9 to wa5ufh@ykc.com. Microwave Spring Sprint, sponsored by John Kalenowsky K9JK and Steve Gilmore W4SHG from 0600 -- 1300 local, May 5. Frequencies: all amateur bands above 902 MHz. Categories: Fixed and Rover. Exchange: Grid Square. QSO Points: 1 pt/QSO. Score: QSO Points x Grid Squares. For complete information: http://www.sysadnet.com/vhfsprintrules.htm. Logs in Cabrillo format (see Web site for due dates) via http://b4h.net/cabforms, to springvhfsprints@sysadnet.com or Spring Sprints, c/o Steve Gilmore W4SHG, 11 Ryan Way, Stafford, VA 22554. SBMS 2GHz and Up World Wide Club Contest, sponsored by the San Bernardino Microwave Society from 6 AM local May 12 to 8 PM May 13. Frequencies: 2.4 GHz and higher. Exchange: 6-character grid locator. QSO Points: 1 pt/km. Score: QSO points x Band multiplier (2.4 GHz - 10 GHz x1, 24 GHz x2, 47 GHz x4, 76 GHz and up x8), sum scores from all bands. 100 bonus points for each unique call on each band. 1000 bonus points for each band activated. For more information: http://www.ham-radio.com/sbms. Logs due 60 days after the contest to SBMS Contest Committee, Pat Coker N6RMJ, 40916 179th Street, Lancaster CA 93535. 50 MHz Spring Sprint--from 2300Z May 12 - 0300Z May 13. Frequencies: 50 MHz. (see rules and Web site above) -oo --- -o - -- oo ooo ooo -o-- --- oo- o-o LOG DUE DATES - 2 MAY THROUGH 15 MAY 2007 o-oo --- --o -oo o o- -oo o-oo oo -o o ooo May 2 - FeldHell Spring Sprint, email logs to: contest@feldhellclub.org, paper logs and diskettes to: (none). Find rules at: http://www.feldhellclub.org/sprint%20spring%2007.htm May 2 - 222 MHz Spring Sprint, email logs to: springvhfsprints@sysadnet.com, paper logs and diskettes to: 222 MHz Spring Sprint, Steve Gilmore, W4SHG, 11 Ryan Way, Stafford, VA 22554, USA. Find rules at: http://www.sysadnet.com/vhfsprintrules.htm May 4 - YLRL DX-YL to NA-YL Contest, CW, email logs to: kc4iyd@yahoo.com, paper logs and diskettes to: Nancy Rabel Hall, KC4IYD, PO Box 775, North Olmsted, OH 44070, USA. Find rules at: http://www.ylrl.org/ylcontests.html May 6 - EU Spring Sprint, SSB, email logs to: eusprint@kkn.net, paper logs and diskettes to: Hrvoje Horvat, 9A6XX, 25 Rujan 4, HR-52000 Pazin, Croatia. Find rules at: http://www.eusprint.com/index.php?page=140&lang=g May 7 - Russian DX Contest, email logs to: rdxc@srr.ru, paper logs and diskettes to: Russian DX Contest, PO Box 88, 119311 Moscow, Russia. Find rules at: http://www.rdxc.org/asp/pages/rulesg.asp May 8 - ARCI Spring QSO Party, email logs to: contest@qrparci.org, paper logs and diskettes to: ARCI Spring QSO Party, c/o Jeff Hetherington, VA3JFF, 139 Elizabeth St W, Welland, Ontario L3C 4M3, Canada. Find rules at: http://www.qrparci.org/ May 8 - Missouri QSO Party, email logs to: n0aj@arrl.net, paper logs and diskettes to: N0AJ, James L Kinser, 2147 Encino Drive, Florissant, MO 63031-7627, USA. Find rules at: http://www.qsl.net/w0ma/mo_qso_party.htm May 8 - Yuri Gagarin International DX Contest, email logs to: gc@qst.ru, paper logs and diskettes to: GC Contest Committee, PO Box 2020, Moscow, 101000, Russia. Find rules at: http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/gc2007.pdf May 9 - Low Power Spring Sprint, email logs to: om3kfv@zoznam.sk, paper logs and diskettes to: Radioklub OM3KFV, PO Box 3, 038 61 Vrutky, Slovakia. Find rules at: http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/lowpowerspringsprint2006.pdf May 10 - 432 MHz Spring Sprint, email logs to: springvhfsprints@sysadnet.com, paper logs and diskettes to: 432 MHz Spring Sprint, Steve Gilmore, W4SHG, 11 Ryan Way, Stafford, VA 22554, USA. Find rules at: http://www.sysadnet.com/vhfsprintrules.htm May 11 - YLRL DX-YL to NA-YL Contest, SSB, email logs to: kc4iyd@yahoo.com, paper logs and diskettes to: Nancy Rabel Hall, KC4IYD, PO Box 775, North Olmsted, OH 44070, USA. Find rules at: http://www.ylrl.org/ylcontests.html May 11 - Georgia QSO Party, email logs to: gqp@iham.us, paper logs and diskettes to: John Laney, K4BAI, PO Box 421, Columbus, GA 31902-0421, USA. Find rules at: http://gqp.contesting.com/Rules.htm ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS & SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION The Contester's Rate Sheet wishes to acknowledge information from the following sources: WA7BNM's Contest Calendar Web page - <http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal> SM3CER's Web site - <http://www.sk3bg.se/contest> ARRL members may subscribe at no cost by editing their Member Data Page as described at <http://www.arrl.org/contests/rate-sheet>. Excel and Windows are trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation