IN THIS ISSUE:

• UPCOMING CONTESTS -- THINGS TO DO
• BULLETINS
• CONTEST SUMMARY
• NEWS, PRESS RELEASES, AND GENERAL INTEREST
• WORD TO THE WISE
• RESULTS AND RECORDS
• OPERATING TIP
• CONTESTS
• LOG DUE DATES

The North American QSO Party, SSB is this weekend, beginning at 1800z on January 22 and concluding at 0559z January 23. Contact stations using SSB on the 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meter bands. The exchange is the operator name and station location (state, province or country) for North American stations; operator name only for non-North American stations. Multioperator stations are required to use a single name throughout the entire contest. For full rules, see www.ncjweb.com/NAQP-Rules.pdf.

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For those contesters who are starting to feel the winter doldrums, Winter Field Day is the last full weekend of January, starting at 1900 UTC Saturday, January 29, and concluding at 1900 UTC Sunday, January 30. The use of any mode that fully supports the exchange is allowed during the contest. Operation on all bands - HF, VHF, and UHF, with the exception of 12, 17,30 and 60 meters, is allowed. For more information, visit the Winter Field Day website.

Pete Smith, N4ZR, announced that the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN) node at TI7W is up and running. The node fills a gap in the RBN network's coverage, as it is the first in Central America. Pete would like extend his thanks to Kamal Sirageldin, TI5/N3KS, who installed the node at his home in Costa Rica, and to Robert Wilson, N6TV, for technical assistance in getting the node up and running.

Complete information for all contests follows the Operating Tip section

January 20

• Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest
• NAQCC CW Sprint
• CWops Test (CWT)
• RTTYOPS Weeksprint
• EACW Meeting

January 21

• NCCC RTTY Sprint
• QRP Fox Hunt
• NCCC Sprint
• K1USN Slow Speed Test

January 22

• Marconi Club ARI Loano QSO Party Day
• BARTG RTTY Sprint
• RSGB AFS Contest, SSB
• North American QSO Party, SSB
• NA Collegiate Championship, SSB

January 23

• Classic Exchange, Phone

January 24

• K1USN Slow Speed Test
• OK1WC Memorial (MWC)

January 25

• Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest
• RTTYOPS Weeksprint

January 26

• SKCC Sprint
• QRP Fox Hunt
• Phone Weekly Test - Fray
• CWops Test (CWT)
• Mini-Test 40
• Mini-Test 80
• CWops Test (CWT)
• UKEICC 80m Contest
• AWA Linc Cundall Memorial CW Contest

January 27

• NAQCC CW Sprint
• CWops Test (CWT)
• RTTYOPS Weeksprint
• EACW Meeting

January 28

• NCCC RTTY Sprint
• QRP Fox Hunt
• NCCC Sprint
• K1USN Slow Speed Test
• CQ 160-Meter Contest, CW

January 29

• REF Contest, CW
• UBA DX Contest, SSB
• Winter Field Day

January 31

• K1USN Slow Speed Test
• QCX Challenge
• OK1WC Memorial (MWC)
• QCX Challenge

February 1

• Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest
• QCX Challenge
• RTTYOPS Weeksprint

February 2

• QRP Fox Hunt
• Phone Weekly Test - Fray
• CWops Test (CWT)
• VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest
• Mini-Test 40
• Mini-Test 80
• CWops Test (CWT)
• UKEICC 80m Contest

The Northern Arizona DX Association will hold its third Distance Challenge Special Event at Quartzfest (QF) on January 23 - 29, 2022. The idea behind the event is to see which QF attendee can make the longest-distance portable contact from the Sonoran Desert using whatever radio and antenna they can bring in and set up. Winners will each receive the unique trophy hard hat, sponsored by Cable-X-Perts. More details are on the NADXA website. -- Thanks to Distance Challenge Co-chairs Bob Wertz, NF7E, and Ron Gerlak, KG7OH

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The European Dx Contest Club has announced the second edition of the EU-DX Contest. The Contest begins at 18:00 UTC February 5, 2022 and concludes at 18:00 UTC on February 6, 2022.

The objective is to make as many contacts as possible between radio amateurs around the world and radio amateurs in the European Union countries. For more info, visit the EU DX Contest Rules page at eudxcc.altervista.org/eu-dx-contest/. --- Thanks to Francesco Giancola, IK6QON

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Stan, K4SBZ, announced that the State QSO Party website has been updated to include the following items:

• 2022 Rules for SQP Challenge and Worked All QSP Parties (WAQP)
• 2022 SQP Calendar
• 2021 Challenge Results
• 2021 WAQP Results
• Updated 2022 WAQP Submission Form

Additionally, the Quebec QSO Party has been added to the approved list of QSO parties.-- Thanks to Stan Zawrotny, K4SBZ

Exchange

The information to be transmitted and received over the air in a contest. Each contest has its own specific exchange that must be included in the log submitted to the contest's sponsor. The exchange often includes your call sign, but often includes a sequence number, general location indicator, or signal report. It's always best to check the rules of the specific contest to make sure you know what the exchange is.

The results for the 2021 ARRL September VHF Contest have been published at contests.arrl.org. In addition to the full results article by Ralph "Gator" Bowen, N5RZ, full line scores, log checking reports, and downloadable certificates are available.

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The YOTA (Youngsters on the Air) Contest Committee have released the claimed scores for the third round of the 2021 YOTA Contest at www.ham-yota.com/contest/.

Bob Witte, K0NR, shared an article on his web site - What is a Valid QSO? The article begins by explaining what makes up the elements required for a valid QSO. The article then looks into specific contest, weak signal, and digital mode QSOs and the challenges that each present in acknowledging that the QSO information has been properly exchanged.

Until next time, be sure to stay warm!. Remember to send contesting-related stories, book reviews, tips, techniques, press releases, errata, schematics, club information, pictures, stories, blog links, and predictions to contest-update@arrl.org.

73, Paul, N1SFE

January 20 - February 2, 2022

An expanded, downloadable version of QST's Contest Corral is available as a PDF. Check the sponsors' website for information on operating time restrictions and other instructions.

HF CONTESTS

Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest, Jan 20, 0000z to Jan 21, 0300z; CW; Bands: 20; Maximum 13 wpm, RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (Member No./power); Logs due: Jan 27.

NAQCC CW Sprint, Jan 20, 0130z to Jan 20, 0330z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20; RST + (state/province/country) + (NAQCC No./power); Logs due: Jan 23.

CWops Test (CWT), Jan 20, 0300z to Jan 20, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jan 22.

CWops Test (CWT), Jan 20, 0700z to Jan 20, 0800z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jan 22.

RTTYOPS Weeksprint, Jan 20, 1700z to Jan 20, 1900z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20; [other station's call] + [your call] + [serial no.] + [your name]; Logs due: Jan 27.

EACW Meeting, Jan 20, 1900z to Jan 20, 2000z; CW; Bands: 80, 40; EACW Member: RST + Member No. + Nickname, EA non-Member: RST + Nickname + EA province, non-EA: RST + Nickname + DXCC prefix; Logs due: Jan 22.

NCCC RTTY Sprint, Jan 21, 0145z to Jan 21, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: Jan 23.

QRP Fox Hunt, Jan 21, 0200z to Jan 21, 0330z; CW; Bands: 20; RST + (state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: Jan 22.

NCCC Sprint, Jan 21, 0230z to Jan 21, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: Jan 23.

K1USN Slow Speed Test, Jan 21, 2000z to Jan 21, 2100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jan 23.

Marconi Club ARI Loano QSO Party Day, Jan 22, 0700z to Jan 22, 1800z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20; Member: RST + Member No., Non-Member: RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Jan 29.

BARTG RTTY Sprint, Jan 22, 1200z to Jan 23, 1200z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Serial No. (no signal report); Logs due: Jan 30.

RSGB AFS Contest, SSB, Jan 22, 1300z to Jan 22, 1700z; SSB; Bands: 80, 40; RS + Serial No.; Logs due: Jan 23.

North American QSO Party, SSB, Jan 22, 1800z to Jan 23, 0559z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Logs due: Jan 30.

NA Collegiate Championship, SSB, Jan 22, 1800z to Jan 23, 0559z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; NA: Name + (state/DC/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: Jan 30.

Classic Exchange, Phone, Jan 23, 1400z to Jan 26, 0800z; AM, SSB, FM; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6, 2; Name + RS + (state/province/country) + rcvr/xmtr manuf/model; Logs due: Feb 28.

K1USN Slow Speed Test, Jan 24, 0000z to Jan 24, 0100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jan 26.

OK1WC Memorial (MWC), Jan 24, 1630z to Jan 24, 1729z; CW; Bands: 80, 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Jan 25.

Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest, Jan 25, 0100z to Jan 25, 0159z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; RS + age group (OM, YL, Youth YL or Youth); Logs due: Jan 26.

RTTYOPS Weeksprint, Jan 25, 1700z to Jan 25, 1900z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20; [other station's call] + [your call] + [serial no.] + [your name]; Logs due: Feb 1.

SKCC Sprint, Jan 26, 0000z to Jan 26, 0200z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (SKCC No./"NONE"); Logs due: Jan 28.

QRP Fox Hunt, Jan 26, 0200z to Jan 26, 0330z; CW; Bands: 20; RST + (state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: Jan 27.

Phone Weekly Test - Fray, Jan 26, 0230z to Jan 26, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15; NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: Jan 28.

CWops Test (CWT), Jan 26, 1300z to Jan 26, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jan 29.

Mini-Test 40, Jan 26, 1700z to Jan 26, 1759z; CW; Bands: 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Jan 28.

Mini-Test 80, Jan 26, 1800z to Jan 26, 1859z; CW; Bands: 80; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Jan 28.

CWops Test (CWT), Jan 26, 1900z to Jan 26, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jan 29.

UKEICC 80m Contest, Jan 26, 2000z to Jan 26, 2100z; CW; Bands: 80; 6-Character grid square; Logs due: Jan 26.

AWA Linc Cundall Memorial CW Contest, Jan 26, 2300z to Jan 30, 2300z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40; RST + Eqpt Year + Input Power (see rules for format); Logs due: Feb 11.

NAQCC CW Sprint, Jan 27, 0130z to Jan 27, 0330z; CW; Bands: 160; RST + (state/province/country) + (NAQCC No./power); Logs due: Jan 30.

CWops Test (CWT), Jan 27, 0300z to Jan 27, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jan 29.

CWops Test (CWT), Jan 27, 0700z to Jan 27, 0800z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jan 29.

RTTYOPS Weeksprint, Jan 27, 1700z to Jan 27, 1900z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20; [other station's call] + [your call] + [serial no.] + [your name]; Logs due: Feb 3.

EACW Meeting, Jan 27, 1900z to Jan 27, 2000z; CW; Bands: 80, 40; EACW Member: RST + Member No. + Nickname, EA non-Member: RST + Nickname + EA province, non-EA: RST + Nickname + DXCC prefix; Logs due: Jan 29.

NCCC RTTY Sprint, Jan 28, 0145z to Jan 28, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: Jan 30.

QRP Fox Hunt, Jan 28, 0200z to Jan 28, 0330z; CW; Bands: 20; RST + (state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: Jan 29.

NCCC Sprint, Jan 28, 0230z to Jan 28, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: Jan 30.

K1USN Slow Speed Test, Jan 28, 2000z to Jan 28, 2100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jan 30.

CQ 160-Meter Contest, CW, Jan 28, 2200z to Jan 30, 2200z; CW; Bands: 160; W/VE: RST + (state/province), DX: RST + CQ Zone; Logs due: Feb 4.

REF Contest, CW, Jan 29, 0600z to Jan 30, 1800z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; French: RST + Department/Prefix, non-French: RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Feb 7.

UBA DX Contest, SSB, Jan 29, 1300z to Jan 30, 1300z; SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; ON: RST + Serial No. + section, non-ON: RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Feb 13.

Winter Field Day, Jan 29, 1900z to Jan 30, 1900z; Any (see rules for exceptions); Bands: All, except WARC; Category + ARRL Section (or DX); Logs due: Feb 28.

K1USN Slow Speed Test, Jan 31, 0000z to Jan 31, 0100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Feb 2.

QCX Challenge, Jan 31, 1300z to Jan 31, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + Name + (state/province/country) + Rig; Logs due: Feb 6.

OK1WC Memorial (MWC), Jan 31, 1630z to Jan 31, 1729z; CW; Bands: 80, 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Feb 4.

QCX Challenge, Jan 31, 1900z to Jan 31, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + Name + (state/province/country) + Rig; Logs due: Feb 6.

Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest, Feb 1, 0100z to Feb 1, 0159z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; RS + age group (OM, YL, Youth YL or Youth); Logs due: Feb 2.

QCX Challenge, Feb 1, 0300z to Feb 1, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + Name + (state/province/country) + Rig; Logs due: Feb 6.

RTTYOPS Weeksprint, Feb 1, 1700z to Feb 1, 1900z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20; [other station's call] + [your call] + [serial no.] + [your name]; Logs due: Feb 8.

QRP Fox Hunt, Feb 2, 0200z to Feb 2, 0330z; CW; Bands: 20; RST + (state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: Feb 3.

Phone Weekly Test - Fray, Feb 2, 0230z to Feb 2, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15; NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: Feb 4.

CWops Test (CWT), Feb 2, 1300z to Feb 2, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Feb 5.

Mini-Test 40, Feb 2, 1700z to Feb 2, 1759z; CW; Bands: 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Feb 4.

Mini-Test 80, Feb 2, 1800z to Feb 2, 1859z; CW; Bands: 80; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Feb 4.

CWops Test (CWT), Feb 2, 1900z to Feb 2, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Feb 5.

UKEICC 80m Contest, Feb 2, 2000z to Feb 2, 2100z; SSB; Bands: 80; 6-Character grid square; Logs due: Feb 2.

CWops Mini-CWT Test, Jan 19, 1900z to Jan 19, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jan 22.

UKEICC 80m Contest, Feb 2, 2000z to Feb 2, 2100z; SSB; Bands: 80; 6-Character grid square; Logs due: Feb 2.

VHF+ CONTESTS

VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest, Feb 2, 1700z to Feb 2, 2000z; FT8; Bands: 144 MHz; 4-character grid square; Logs due: Feb 7.

See also: Classic Exchange, Phone, Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest, Winter Field Day

January 20

• NRAU 10m Activity Contest
• QRP Fox Hunt
• RTTYOPS Weeksprint

January 21

• Mini-Test 40
• Mini-Test 80
• Phone Weekly Test - Fray
• OK1WC Memorial (MWC)
• Hungarian DX Contest

January 22

• Feld Hell Sprint
• AGB New Year Snowball Contest
• QRP Fox Hunt
• CWops Test (CWT)
• CWops Test (CWT)
• CWops Test (CWT)
• CWops Test (CWT)
• EACW Meeting

January 23

• NCCC Sprint
• Old New Year Contest
• Run for the Bacon QRP Contest
• NCCC RTTY Sprint
• UBA PSK63 Prefix Contest
• North American QSO Party, CW
• PRO Digi Contest
• RSGB AFS Contest, SSB
• Malaysia DX Contest
• K1USN Slow Speed Test
• NAQCC CW Sprint

January 24

• VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest

January 25

• WAB 1.8 MHz Phone
• OK1WC Memorial (MWC)
• RTTYOPS Weeksprint

January 26

• Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest
• UKEICC 80m Contest
• K1USN Slow Speed Test

January 27

• Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest
• QRP Fox Hunt
• ARRL January VHF Contest
• RTTYOPS Weeksprint

January 28

• Mini-Test 40
• Mini-Test 80
• Phone Weekly Test - Fray
• SKCC Sprint

January 29

• Marconi Club ARI Loano QSO Party Day
• QRP Fox Hunt
• CWops Test (CWT)
• CWops Test (CWT)
• CWops Test (CWT)
• CWops Test (CWT)
• EACW Meeting

January 30

• NCCC Sprint
• BARTG RTTY Sprint
• NCCC RTTY Sprint
• North American QSO Party, SSB
• NA Collegiate Championship, SSB
• K1USN Slow Speed Test
• NAQCC CW Sprint

January 31

• Bogor Old and New Contest
• RAC Winter Contest
• ARRL Kids Day
• SARTG New Year RTTY Contest
• Original QRP Contest

February 1

• RTTYOPS Weeksprint

February 2

• Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest
• QCX Challenge
• UKEICC 80m Contest
• K1USN Slow Speed Test

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ARRL Contest Update wishes to acknowledge information from WA7BNM's Contest Calendar, and Rick Lindquist, WW1ME.