 November 10, 2010 Editor: Ward Silver, NØAX | ||||||||||||
IN THIS ISSUE
NEW HF OPERATORS - THINGS TO DO If you have been thinking about RTTY contesting and would like to see how it plays for DX contacts, the Worked All Europe (WAE) Digital contest is this coming weekend. Check out the interesting QTC feature of this contest, too. And the following weekend - join the excitement of ARRL Sweepstake's "second half" on phone. BULLETINS Your editor is currently out of his office and pestering the inhabitants of ARRL HQ in theirs during a bi-annual visit to Newington. This cuts down on the available time for collecting and editing newsletter material, so this issue is a bit attenuated. Besides, don't you have antenna work to finish up? Don't forget that both ARRL Sweepstakes and CQ WW have moved the log due date earlier than in past years! ARRL SS logs are due 15 days after the contest (23 Nov for CW Sweepstakes) and CQ WW SSB logs are due on Nov 21. BUSTED QSOS No reported bugs or "unintended features" in the last issue! CONTEST SUMMARY Complete information for all contests follows the Conversation section Nov 13-14
Nov 20-21
Having received a number of comments about "missing calls" during last weekend's CW Sweepstakes, the ARRL Contest Branch would like to make it clear that the Sweepstakes exchange MUST contain the call sign of the transmitting station. Yes, you have to send your call along with the serial number, precedence (your category abbreviation), check and section. It is not necessary to send the call sign of the receiving station before the exchange, but it is good practice to do so when stations are very close together and it might be unclear who is the intended recipient. This will be clarified in the contest rules.
Lest you think a monster station is required to make a big Sweepstakes score, Ralph N5RZ's CW Sweepstakes log of 1421 QSOs and 79 sections was made using a TH6DXX tribander at 50', a 2-element tri-band delta loop at 50', an 80 meter inverted vee at 50', and a ground-mounted Butternut vertical. The most important part of any contest station is between the ears! The next issue of the Finnish contesting magazine PileUP! will see daylight on Jan 2, 2011. Compiled by volunteers, the editors are looking for your contributions on propagation, antennas, station accessories, international contest coordination, contesting history, your thoughts on this year's fall contest season, and humor! Contact the editors with your ideas - contributions are due by 31 Dec. (Thanks, Pileup! Editor Ilkka OH1WZ)
Another couple of post-Sweepstakes reports have appeared that folks are sending around emails trying to confirm a QSO or some part of the exchange. Um, the contest was over at 0300Z on Sunday, fellas. "Log scrubbing", in which you go back and change the log to what you think you "should" have logged, isn't OK. The time between the end of the contest - when you put your metaphorical pencils down - and the log due date is to make sure your log file is properly constructed, that you have the right category of submission and operator information, and to resolve any computer file issues - NOT to go back and change the logged information. The proper response to any such fishing for information is that you'll be glad to discuss it after the log submission deadline. Check out the ARRL's "HF Contesting Guidelines" for more information. Web Site of the Week - For a bowl full of bite-sized reading fun, try Dink N7WA's collection of the current 3830 SS CW soapbox comments from 3830 score postings. You'll find comments from Sweepstakes and other major contests, too! While you're at it, don't forget to post your photos and stories on the ARRL Soapbox page, too. WORD TO THE WISE "I can copy 45 wpm. Unfortunately I can only remember 10 wpm." (Thanks, Bill W9OL) After last weekend's head-banger of a CW Sweepstakes, the contest helmet imagined by Jeff K1NSS of Dashtoons will surely make total sense! Have you ever wondered what Sweepstakes sounds like overseas? Nick VK2DX (aka VK1AA) provides this nice snapshot of SS contest signals on the 40 meter band in urban Sydney, VK2. This was gray line propagation to the US East Coast, an hour before local sunset. WX3B (at W3LPL) and W9RE were the strongest signals, peaking well over S9. Here's another snapshot an hour after sunset. All the above signals are 12,000-15,000 km from VK2!
George K5TR has posted a number of interesting high-rate contest audio recordings online. For example, during a 359 contact hour, he has posted WAV files of the fastest 10 minutes and the entire hour. Here's an MP3 of a 179 contact clock hour in ARRL Phone Sweepstakes. Jose CT1BOH has some very cool recordings of him doing some CW contests, including a few from P4ØE. (He is using two radios, so you will hear the audio from both.) And if you have ever wondered what it sounds like to be on the other end of one of those big DXpedition pileups, here is 9V1YC operating on 20 meters from VP8GEO. The wideband noise you hear in this recording is the 20 meter SSB station's phase noise. ARRL Contest Branch Manager, Sean KX9X, announces that Field Day results are online and the extended online version of the August UHF report by John K9JK will be posted on the ARRL Contest results Web page in the next few days when supporting items such as Log Checking Reports are finished. Certificates for the 2009 ARRL 160 Meter Contest have been mailed and should be appearing in mailboxes across the land.
Nearly seven days after loading the 9482-QSO CQ WW SSB K3LR log into the ARRL's Logbook Of the World, eQSL, and the CQ WW email robot, what's the result? LOTW confirmations totaled 1743 confirmations or 18.9% based on net QSOs, with eQSL confirmations at 1356 or 14.7%. With international postage approaching $1, plus return postage, the card itself, and an envelope, the savings are substantial, to say nothing of the time savings. "Very cool," says Tim. OPERATING TIP With the long exchange of Phone Sweepstakes coming up - remember to breathe! Before giving your exchange, inhale so that you can say it all smoothly without interruption. Leave out the unnecessary and time-consuming phrases ("please copy" and "you are" come to mind) and give out the information in the same order every time. A regular breathing rhythm actually has a calming effect, helps minimize confusion, and fights off the dreaded "Uh..." panic attacks. Sound calm, cool, and collected like a veteran! (And don't forget to give your call in the exchange as required.) From the online QST "Way-back machine" of searchable archives, Brad AA1IP contributed this outstanding example of the ham's proclivity for reuse in the July 1965 issue. "Try using the lid from a toothpaste tube as an attractive knob. Select a rubber grommet with an outside diameter that will fit tightly inside the toothpaste lid and at the same time will fit tightly over the control shaft, so that the combination will not slip. There are many styles, shapes and colors of toothpaste lids available." Brad wonders if that would still work on equipment containing a cavity magnetron. Arnie CO2KK chimed in with the observation that the wheels from broken toy cars and trucks also make great controls!
The daily LF through 6 meter propagation forecasts by Thomas NZ4O are back after a ten month period of illness. Welcome back, Thomas! The popular software package of calculators HAMCALC by George VE3ERP cannot drive printers connected to computer USB ports, but there is a solution in the form of DOS2USB. The trial version can be used for 15 days for free and converted to a permanent license for a small fee. Technical Web Site of the Week - With the 160 meter contest season looming, dreams of full-size verticals supported by balloons take shape in the minds of the antenna-challenged. Brian N9ADG has done just that and shares his pictures thereof - give it a try! Sights for Sore Eyes
Due to the nature of this busy-ness trip, you're spared from my editorial ramblings this time and get to view some extra photos of contest activity around the bands in recent weeks. Enjoy! 10 Nov through 23 Nov 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
CWops Mini-CWT Test--CW, from Nov 10, 1100Z to Nov 11, 0400Z. Bands (MHz): 3.5-14. Frequencies: Monthly on the second Wednesday, 18 to 28 kHz above band edge, multiple operating periods. Exchange: Name and member number or S/P/C. Logs due: 2 days. Rules Worked All Europe DX Contest--Digital, from Nov 13, 0000Z to Nov 14, 2400Z. Bands (MHz): 3.5-28. Exchange: RST and serial (see Web for QTC rules). Logs due: Nov 29. Rules
Japan International DX Contest--Phone, from Nov 13, 0700Z to Nov 14, 1300Z. Bands (MHz): 3.5-28. Exchange: RST and JA prefecture or CQ Zone. Logs due: Dec 31. Rules OK-OM DX Contest--CW, from Nov 13, 1200Z to Nov 14, 1200Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28. Exchange: RST and serial or OK/OM district. Logs due: Dec 1. Rules Kentucky QSO Party--Phone,CW, from Nov 13, 1400Z to Nov 14, 0200Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28, 50, Frequencies: CW--1.815, 3.550, 7.050, 14.050, 21.050, 28.050, 50.090; SSB--1.855, 3.820, 7.240, 14.280, 21.390, 28.390, 50.190. Exchange: RST and KY county or S/P/C. Logs due: Dec 31. Rules
CQ WE (Western Electric)--Phone,CW,Digital, from Nov 13, 1900Z to Nov 15, 0500Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28, 50-440. Exchange: Call, name, Bell QTH, yrs of svc (see Web). Logs due: Dec 1. Rules Straight Key Weekend Sprint--CW, from Nov 14, 0000Z to Nov 14, 2359Z. Bands (MHz): 3.5-28. Frequencies: Monthly on the second Sunday. Exchange: RST, S/P/C, SKCC nr or power. Logs due: 5 days. Rules Homebrew and Oldtime Contest--CW, from Nov 21, 1300Z to Nov 21, 1700Z. Bands (MHz): 3.5-7. Exchange: RST, serial, and category. Logs due: Dec 21. Rules Mongolia DX Contest--Phone,CW, from Nov 20, 0000Z to Nov 21, 2359Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28. Exchange: RS(T) and CQ Zone. Logs due: Dec 31.
LZ DX Contest--Phone,CW, from Nov 20, 1200Z to Nov 21, 1200Z. Bands (MHz): 3.5-28. Exchange: RST and ITU Zone or LZ district. Logs due: 30 days. Rules All Austria 160 Meter Contest--CW, from Nov 20, 1600Z to Nov 21, 0700Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8. Exchange: RST, serial, OE district. Logs due: Dec 31. Rules ARRL November Sweepstakes--Phone, from Nov 20, 2100Z to Nov 22, 0300Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28. Exchange: Serial, category, call, check, ARRL sec. Logs due: Dec 8. Rules Collegiate ARC Championship--Phone, from Nov 20, 2100Z to Nov 22, 0300Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28. Exchange: See ARRL Sweepstakes. Logs due: Dec 8. Rules
RSGB 1.8MHz Contest--CW, from Nov 20, 2100Z to Nov 21, 0100Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8. Exchange: RST, serial, UK district. Logs due: 16 days. Rules Run For the Bacon--CW, from Nov 22, 0200Z to Nov 22, 0400Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28. Frequencies: Monthly on the third Sunday local time. Exchange: RST, S/P/C, Flying Pig nr or power. Rules VHF+ CONTESTS Kentucky QSO Party--Phone,CW, from Nov 13, 1400Z to Nov 14, 0200Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28, 50, Frequencies: CW--1.815, 3.550, 7.050, 14.050, 21.050, 28.050, 50.090; SSB--1.855, 3.820, 7.240, 14.280, 21.390, 28.390, 50.190. Exchange: RST and KY county or S/P/C. Logs due: Dec 31. Rules LOG DUE DATES 10 Nov through 23 Nov November 10 - Oceania DX Contest, CW November 10 - CQ SA SSB Contest November 15 - 10-10 Int. Fall Contest, Digital November 15 - Pennsylvania QSO Party November 15 - Makrothen RTTY Contest November 16 - PODXS 070 Club 160m Great Pumpkin Sprint November 16 - Microwave Fall Sprint November 17 - ARCI Fall QSO Party November 18 - Illinois QSO Party November 21 - CQ Worldwide DX Contest, SSB November 21 - ARRL School Club Roundup November 23 - Stew Perry Topband Challenge November 23 - ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, CW November 23 - NA Collegiate ARC Championship, CW ARRL Information Click here to advertise in this newsletter. Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information ARRL membership includes QST, Amateur Radio's most popular and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month. Subscribe to NCJ - the National Contest Journal. Published bimonthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and QSO Parties. Subscribe to QEX - A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published bimonthly, features technical articles, construction projects, columns and other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals. Free of charge to ARRL members: Subscribe to The ARRL Letter (weekly digest of news and information), the ARES E-Letter (monthly public service and emergency communications news), Division and Section news -- and much more! ARRL offers a wide array of products to enhance your enjoyment of Amateur Radio. Visit the site often for new publications, specials and sales. Donate to the fund of your choice -- support programs not funded by member dues! ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ARRL Contest Update wishes to acknowledge information from WA7BNM's Contest Calendar and SM3CER's Contest Calendar. | ||||||||||||
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