 June 23, 2010 Editor: Ward Silver, NØAX | |||||
IN THIS ISSUE
NEW HF OPERATORS - THINGS TO DO What else is there, but Field Day? If Field Day leaves you hungry for more, try out the Canada Day Contest sponsored by the ARRL's sister organization, RAC. BULLETINS There are no bulletins in this issue. BUSTED QSOS Arrgh - The MIT Haystack Observatory turns out to be in the hills of Westford, MA, a bit south of NH. (Thanks, Bruce WW1M and others) The correct URL for W9ZRX's files is www.k3lr.com/w9zrx/ - the final slash is required. CONTEST SUMMARY Complete information for all contests follows the Conversation section June 26 - June 28
July 1 - July 4
NEWS, PRESS RELEASES, AND GENERAL INTEREST The WRTC Organizing Committee has announced the special call signs to be used during the WRTC-2010 contest. R31A R31D R31N R31U R31X Jim K9JG writes to ask if this Wall Street Journal article on a shorthand expert "...remind(s) anyone of the articles we see about the demise of CW?" If you have trouble putting in long hours during the contest, maybe this new smart underwear could help figure out why! During this roving season, it would be cool if your logging software could link your log to a map, wouldn't it? CQ/X by Chuck NO5W can do just that - check out the Log On A Map feature in the graphic!
NASA is predicting big events on the Sun during 2013. Perhaps that might be a good year to plan a big rover expedition during the VHF+ contests. Where they use the word "devastation", we helioaters use the words "big opening"! And just what IS wrong with the Sun, anyway? Could it be the position of certain planets? (Thanks, Brian K1BRF and Steve N2IC) Mike K1MK points out that the best place to find vertex coordinates for the CIRAF (ITU) zones is probably the file Cirafz.sq which is located in the database subdirectory that comes with the VOACAP propagation prediction program. Web Site of the Week - Romeo S52RU announces the formation of the South East Europe Contest Club and invites everyone to visit their new Web site! WORD TO THE WISE Heat - it's the enemy of most electronic equipment, accelerating aging and breakdown of materials and devices. To keep your equipment keeping you on the air, keep things cool! So how hot is it? Bill W6WRT says that, "For low cost, it would be hard to beat a cook's meat thermometer." Bill mounted the all-mechanical thermometer on a piece of wood with its probe on or in the equipment for a convenient visual display, no batteries required. SIGHTS AND SOUNDS Here's another fine young operator at the mike - Yoshiki KHØUA made more than 2000 QSOs in the CQ WPX SSB contest. Best comment during the video - "Lunchtime, but can't stop the running!" (Thanks, Dave KM3T)
Now you can see QTHs for the WRTC-2010 station locations using Google Earth. The numbers 100 through 900 are the names for the clusters and sites. T1-2-3-4 etc - the meeting points. (Thanks, Harry RA3AUU) A recent AMSAT News Bulletin (ANS-164) includes links to a couple of interesting videos. The first video is of a French Over-The-Horizon (OTH) radar called Nostradamus that operates between 3 and 30 MHz. The second tackles a ham radio urban legend - the Slinky dipole - will it work? RESULTS AND RECORDS Stan EI6DX used his CQWW analyzer to download and parse the 5709 public SSB logs from 2009 CQ WW. His results show that activity in 2009 was higher than in 2008 and in 2007. There is a steady increase in total contacts year to year. 10 meter activity is up against previous years, too. The results of the 2010 7QP have been posted on the 7QP Web page. Certificates will be sent out by 6/14 and plaques should be out by the end of June. Contest Manager, Dick K4XU extends, "My special thanks to all the state clubs and individual state captains and lieutenants for all their efforts that make this event work, to K2DI for the data reduction software to produce the results, and to WS7N, our Web guru, plaque meister and host for the N7LE multi-multi." Results for the 2010 Minnesota QSO Party results are available now on the Minnesota Wireless Association's Web site. Mark WAØMHJ would like to say thank you to all of the participants for another record setting year of participation.
The results for the 2009 Manchester Mineira All America CW Contest - the 25th anniversary of the contest - have been posted online and very nice results booklet mailed to all participants. Next year's contest will extend to a world-wide format. (Thanks, CWJF President, Ed PY4WAS) OPERATING TIP Clipped Dits - Take a look at the log checking report (LCR) from a major CW contest and look for the mistakes others have made in copying your call sign. If there are lot of first-character or last-character errors, perhaps your transmitter and/or amplifier have a problem turning on or off at the right times. TECHNICAL TOPICS AND INFORMATION The past couple of issues of the Mount Airy VHF Radio Club's newsletter, "Cheese Bits", include an article by John KB3XG on converting a TV transmitter's driver amplifier to ham use. They don't say anything about what happened to the final stages... Uh-oh! You dutifully cleaned off all of your vacuum tubes to make them shiny and the numbers came off with the dirt! Pat AA6EG saves the day - "Put the tube in the refrigerator, cool it down, then bring it into a warm room temperature environment. There will be moisture condensing on the glass envelope, sometimes leav[ing] a readable outline of the tube numbers."
John WØUN notes that the Velleman K8090 interface kit has a USB interface that may be easier to use than the K8056 serial-interface kit. The K8061 is an extended USB interface kit. HamCalc users will be glad to know that version 122 of this collection of handy calculators and programs was released for free downloads on June 17th. (Thanks, author George, VE3ERP) Super-low-power (QRSLP) is just around the corner if this recent EE Times article about being able to use transistors while they're off is any clue. Maybe they could work something out for linear amplifiers, too! And run them off of potato-power (QRPP)! Larry W1DYJ recommends this Directive Systems article about stacking Yagis. The article uses VHF antennas, but the ideas apply to stacking, in general. There are several good "App Notes" on the site. Technical Web Site of the Week - David G3YNH's Web site "From Transmitter to Antenna" bills itself as "...a collection of scientific articles on the subject of impedance, impedance matching and high-frequency power transmission." And that it is - dig in and enjoy! (Thanks, Brad AA1IP) CONVERSATION Where Does It Go Next? As WRTC-2010 approaches the question arises, as it always does, of "Where does WRTC go next?" While our primary focus needs to remain on enjoying and supporting WRTC-2010, it is encouraging to note the interest of the international community in the future of World Radiosport Team Championship. How is the WRTC flame passed from group to group? How is the application made? Who makes the decision? Answering the last question first, the WRTC Sanctioning Committee (WRTC-SC) is made up of representatives from the preceding WRTC sponsors and host committees, led by WRTC-2000 committee chair, Tine Brajnik S5ØA. The Sanctioning Committee is responsible for evaluating applications from potential sponsors. The rights to host the event as a WRTC are then awarded to the selected group. The WRTC-SC is only responsible for awarding hosting rights and is not a "steering committee" in charge of rules or procedures - those details are left to the hosts. The application process begins with a query to the WRTC-SC by an interested person or group who then receives a set of WRTC goals, requirements, and guidelines. The potential sponsors must agree to meet the requirements and pledge a good faith effort to conduct the event so as to further WRTC goals and follow the WRTC guidelines. An introduction to the sponsoring organization and its leadership team should be provided along with a broad description of the proposed event. It is not necessary to submit a detailed proposal for the event at this early date. There follows a sequence of communications and meetings with the applying group. This refines the event proposal, clarifies requirements to the applicants, and further demonstrates to the WRTC-SC the capabilities of the potential sponsors. At the conclusion of this process, the WRTC-SC is confident that the sponsors are willing and able to take on the job of conducting a WRTC and makes the announcement of the award. Once the award is made, the WRTC-SC is available to assist the sponsoring committee, but promoting and conducting the WRTC is up to the new hosts. Sponsors for the 1996 and 2000 events in California and Slovenia were announced after the previous event was over. At the conclusion of each WRTC since 2000, the home of the next WRTC - Finland, Brazil, Russia - has been announced to applause and gratitude from the assembled hosts, competitors, judges, and spectators. Will there be a similar announcement in Moscow for WRTC-2014? We shall see! While interest has been expressed in hosting WRTC-2014, the Sanctioning Committee has not yet received a formal application and is therefore anxiously waiting to hear from a group wishing to organize the next great worldwide event. In order that we might discuss it before WRTC-2010, the WRTC-SC should receive the request by the end of June. Please contact any of the members of the WRTC SC listed below. Brothers and sisters - enjoy WRTC-2010 and the hospitality of its hosts! Acknowledge the years of work undertaken on behalf of all of us. Consider what they have accomplished, as well as the preceding five WRTC hosts of the past two decades, in establishing a tradition of competition among friends. What better way to support that tradition than by insuring it continues? For the World Radiosport Sanctioning Committee, 73, Tine Brajnik, S5ØA - President (WRTC-2000) CONTESTS 23 June through 6 July An expanded, downloadable version of QST's Contest Corral in PDF format is available. Check the sponsor's Web site for information on operating time restrictions and other instructions. HF CONTESTS ARRL Field Day--Phone,CW,Digital, from Jun 26, 1800Z to Jun 27, 2100Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28, 50+. Exchange: Category, ARRL/RAC section or DX. Logs due: Jul 27. Rules His Majesty King of Spain--Phone, from Jun 26, 1200Z to Jun 27, 1200Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28. Exchange: RS, serial or EA province. Logs due: Jul 15. Rules Marconi Memorial HF Contest--CW, from Jun 26, 1400Z to Jun 27, 1400Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28. Exchange: RST and serial number. Logs due: 30 days. Rules QRP ARCI Milliwatt Field Day--Phone,CW,Digital, from Jun 26, 1800Z to Jun 27, 2100Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28, 50+. Exchange: Category, ARRL/RAC section or DX. Logs due: Jul 27. Rules SARL Digital Contest--Digital, from Jun 27, 1300Z to Jun 27, 1600Z. Bands (MHz): 7, 144. Exchange: RST and serial number. Logs due: 15 days. Rules Ten-Ten Spirit of 76 QSO Party--Phone,CW,Digital, from Jun 28, 0000Z to Jul 4, 2400Z. Bands (MHz): 28. Exchange: Call, name, member number, S/P/C. Logs due: 15 days. Rules Canada Day Contest--Phone,CW, from Jul 1, 0000Z to Jul 1, 2359Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28, 50-144. Exchange: RS(T), Province/Territory or serial. Logs due: Jul 31. Rules NS Weekly Sprint--CW, from Jul 2, 0230Z to Jul 25, 0300Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-14. Exchange: Serial, name, and S/P/C. Logs due: 2 days. Rules 070 Club Firecracker PSK31 Sprint--Digital, from Jul 3, 8 PM to Jul 4, 2 AM. Bands (MHz): 7. Exchange: RST and S/P/C. Logs due: Aug 3. Rules Venezuelan Indep Day Contest--Phone,CW, from Jul 3, 0000Z to Jul 4, 2400Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28. Exchange: RS(T) and serial. Logs due: Aug 31. Rules DL DX RTTY Contest--Digital, from Jul 3, 1100Z to Jul 4, 1059Z. Bands (MHz): 3.5-28. Exchange: RST and serial. Logs due: Aug 10. Rules DARC 10-Meter Digital Corona--Digital, from Jul 4, 1100Z to Jul 4, 1700Z. Bands (MHz): 28. Exchange: RST, serial. Logs due: 14 days. Rules MI QRP July 4th Sprint--CW, from Jul 4, 2300Z to Jul 5, 0300Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28, 50. Exchange: RST, S/P/C, and QRPMI number or power. Logs due: 30 days. Rules VHF+ CONTESTS ARRL Field Day--Phone,CW,Digital, from Jun 26, 1800Z to Jun 27, 2100Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28, 50+. Exchange: Category, ARRL/RAC section or DX. Logs due: Jul 27. Rules QRP ARCI Milliwatt Field Day--Phone,CW,Digital, from Jun 26, 1800Z to Jun 27, 2100Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28, 50+. Exchange: Category, ARRL/RAC section or DX. Logs due: Jul 27. Rules SARL Digital Contest--Digital, from Jun 27, 1300Z to Jun 27, 1600Z. Bands (MHz): 7, 144. Exchange: RST and serial number. Logs due: 15 days. Rules Canada Day Contest--Phone,CW, from Jul 1, 0000Z to Jul 1, 2359Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28, 50-144. Exchange: RS(T), Province/Territory or serial. Logs due: Jul 31. Rules MI QRP July 4th Sprint--CW, from Jul 4, 2300Z to Jul 5, 0300Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28, 50. Exchange: RST, S/P/C, and QRPMI number or power. Logs due: 30 days. Rules LOG DUE DATES 23 June through 6 July June 23 - RSGB 80m Club Championship, CW, upload log, paper logs and diskettes to: (none). Rules June 24 - UN DX Contest, Email logs to: contest@cqun.kz, paper logs and diskettes to: UN DX Contest, P.O. Box 88, 010000 Astana, Kazakhstan. Rules June 26 - Bill Windle QSO Party, E-mail log summary to: bwqp@firstclasscw.org, paper logs and diskettes to: (none). Rules June 27 - Run for the Bacon QRP Contest, Email logs to: (none), upload log, paper logs and diskettes to: (none). Rules June 27 - CQ WW WPX Contest, CW, Email logs to: cw@cqwpx.com, paper logs and diskettes to: CW WPX Contest, CQ Magazine, 25 Newbridge Rd, Suite 405, Hicksville NY 11801, USA. Rules June 30 - EUCW Fraternizing CW QSO Party, Email logs to: eucwfp@agcw.de, paper logs and diskettes to: Werner Jochem, DK7VW, Wendelsborn 34, D-66606 St.Wendel, Germany. Rules June 30 - ARCI Hootowl Sprint, Email logs to: contest@qrparci.org, paper logs and diskettes to: ARCI Hoot Owl Sprint, c/o Jeff Hetherington, VA3JFF, 139 Elizabeth St. W., Welland, Ontario L3C 4M3, Canada. Rules June 30 - VOLTA WW RTTY Contest, Email logs to: log2010@contestvolta.it, paper logs and diskettes to: (none). Rules June 30 - BARTG Sprint 75, Email logs to: ska@bartg.org.uk, paper logs and diskettes to: (none). Rules June 30 - IARU Region 1 Field Day, CW, Email logs to: (see your national society rules), paper logs and diskettes to: Your national society. Rules on your national society web site July 1 - Feld Hell Sprint, Email logs to: (none), Post log, paper logs and diskettes to: (none). Rules July 1 - SARL Youth Day Sprint, Email logs to: zs3tg@vodamail.co.za, paper logs and diskettes to: SARL Youth Day Sprint, PO Box 1049, Kathu 8446, South Africa. Rules July 1 - Baltic Contest, Email logs to: lrsf@lrsf.lt, paper logs and diskettes to: Baltic Contest, P.O. Box 210, LT-44003Kaunas, Lithuania. Rules July 1 - MI QRP Memorial Day CW Sprint, Email logs to: n8xx@arrl.org, paper logs and diskettes to: Hank Greeb, N8XX, 5727 11 Mile Rd NE, Rockford, MI 49341, USA. Rules July 1 - SBMS 2 GHz and Up WW Club Contest, Email logs to: (none), paper logs and diskettes to: William A. Burns, WA6QYR, 247 Rebel Road, Ridgecrest, CA 93555, USA. Rules July 1 - UKSMG Summer Contest, Email logs to: m5ade@uksmg.org, paper logs and diskettes to: Adrian Deane, M5ADE, 5 Osbourne Terrace, London Rd, Thrupp, Stroud, Glos., GL5 2BJ, UK. Rules July 3 - VK/Trans-Tasman 160m Contest, Phone, Email logs to: VK: vktasman@hotmail.com, ZL: vktasman@robglassey.com, paper logs and diskettes to: VK:, VK/trans-Tasman Contest, 28 Crampton Crescent, Rosanna, VIC 3084, Australia, , ZL:, VK/trans-Tasman Contest, P.O. Box 21-363, Christchurch 8143, New Zealand. Rules July 4 - WAB 50 MHz Phone, Email logs to: aebbooks@ntlworld.com, paper logs and diskettes to: Tony Beardsley, G3XKT, 14 York Avenue, Sandiacre, Nottingham NG10 5HB, United Kingdom. Rules July 5 - AGCW VHF/UHF Contest, Email logs to: vhf-uhf@agcw.de, paper logs and diskettes to: Manfred Busch, DK7ZH, Ebachstr. 13, D-35716 Dietzhoelztal-Mandeln, Germany. Rules July 5 - Alabama QSO Party, Email logs to: logs@alabamaqsoparty.org, paper logs and diskettes to: Jim Johnson, KC4HW, 6274 South CR 49, Slocomb, Al 36375-5528, USA. Rules ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ARRL Contest Update wishes to acknowledge information from WA7BNM's Contest Calendar and SM3CER's Contest Calendar. | |||||
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