 April 27, 2022 Editor: Paul Bourque, N1SFE | |
In this Issue:
Upcoming Contests - Things to Do There are quite a few state QSO parties happening over the next couple of weekends. This weekend, the Florida Contest Group (FCG) is sponsoring the Florida QSO Party, which begins Saturday, April 30, from 1600 UTC through 0159 UTC and resumes Sunday, May 1, from 1200 UTC through 2159 UTC. This year marks the 25th year of FCG sponsoring this event, and there will be 25 1x1 special event call signs activated to commemorate the event. Participants can earn a Silver 25th Anniversary Special Event Award by contacting all 25 special event stations during the event. More details can be found at floridaqsoparty.org/. See the "Bulletins" section for a rule change to this year's event. The 7th Call Area QSO Party begins Saturday, May 7 at 1300 UTC and concludes Sunday, May 8 at 0700 UTC. Stations in the US 7th call area send a signal report and a five-letter state/county code. Stations outside of the 7th call area send a signal report and a two-letter state/province code, or DX if outside of the US and Canada. Full rules and information are available at 7qp.org/. Also occurring on the weekend of May 7 - 8, are the Indiana QSO Party, the Delaware QSO Party, and the New England QSO Party. Visit their respective web sites for more information, or see the "Contest Details" section below. The Central States VHF Society Spring Sprints continue with the 432 MHz Sprint on Wednesday, April 27 from 7:00 PM local time - 11:00 PM local time and the Microwave Spring Sprint is Saturday, May 7 from 8:00 local time - 2:00 PM local time. Full details and rules are available by visiting sites.google.com/site/springvhfupsprints/home/2022-information. Bulletins New Categories Added to ARRL June VHF Contest Participants in the Single Operator categories for the June VHF Contest can now enter in All Mode (which includes all digital modes) or Analog-Only (CW and SSB/FM) subcategories. The ARRL Programs and Services Committee, with guidance from the Contest Advisory Committee, has approved this rule change in response to the survey that was sent to participants of ARRL VHF contests late last year. For full rules and details, visit www.arrl.org/june-vhf. Rules Changes for 2022 Florida QSO Party Chris Blake, NX4N, notes of a change in the rules for this year's Florida QSO Party this weekend. Distributed Multi-Operator Fixed entries will no longer be allowed. The FQP runs Saturday, April 30 from 1600 UTC through 0159 UTC and resumes Sunday, May 1 from 1200 UTC through 2159 UTC. Full rules are at floridaqsoparty.org/rules/. 2022 Dayton Contest University News Tim Duffy, K3LR, has announced that the 2022 Dayton Contest University (CTU) Course Outline is now posted online, at www.contestuniversity.com/course-outline/. In addition, on Friday, May 20 and Saturday, May 21, there will be a shuttle bus traveling to and from the main entrance to the Hope Hotel that will take hams to the front area of Hamvention. The bus will return to the Hope Hotel for additional passengers. The service will start at 7:00 AM end at 5:00 PM each day, with the last bus leaving from Hamvention. The shuttle bus service is provided by Hamvention and CTU. Tim also announced that tickets are still available for the Contest Dinner at the Hope Hotel on Saturday, May 21, with Keynote Speaker Joe Rudi, NK7U. Visit contestdinner.com to purchase tickets. Contest Summary See the "Contests" section below for complete contest information. April 28 April 29 April 30
May 1 May 2 May 3 May 4
May 5
May 6 May 7
May 8 May 9
May 10 May 11 News, Press Releases and Special Interest The Canadian Prairies QSO Party is coming up in May The inaugural Canadian Prairies QSO Party will take place from 1700 UTC Saturday, May 14, to 0300 UTC Sunday, May 15, 2022 (10 hours). The event is open to all licensed amateurs worldwide. The objective is for amateurs in the three provinces to contact other ham operators across North America and the world. Please visit cpqp.ve6hams.ca/ for more information. -Thanks to Ed Richardson, VE4VT ARRL International Digital Contest Log 1.0 Software Released Scott Davis, N3FJP, has announced that ARRL International Digital Contest Log 1.0 is now available. The new addition to the N3FJP Software suite will support the recently announced ARRL International Digital Contest, which will occur on the first weekend of June. The software is available at www.n3fjp.com/arrldigital.html. Word to the Wise Band Map A graphical, real time display of stations arranged by frequency presented by most popular contest software. The map is either Results and Records The final results for the 2022 EU-DX Contest are now available at eudxcc.altervista.org/results-2022/. A total of 1,266 logs were received for this year's event. The organizers would like to thank all the participants and congratulate all the winners. -Thanks to Francesco Giancola, IK6QON 2021 ARRL November Sweepstakes - SSB Results Available The results for the 2021 ARRL November Sweepstakes - SSB are available at contests.arrl.org/ssph/. The results article by Bruce Draper, AA5B and Scott Davis, K5TA; line scores; club competition scores, and log-checking reports are also available on the website. Click on "Articles/Line Scores" on the left side of the page to view results. Downloadable certificates are available by clicking on the "Certificates" tab at the top of the page. Technical Topics and Discussion As the amateur allocation of the 3.45 - 3.5 GHz segment of the 9-centimeter band has been sunset, effective April 14, 2022, technical notes for converting existing amateur gear to be able operate lower in the band have been released. Operations are permitted to continue indefinitely in the remainder of the band, between 3.3 - 3.45 GHz, as a secondary allocation, pending future FCC proceedings. Terry Price, W8ZN, of Directive Systems and Engineering, has documented modifications of his DB6NT transverter to operate at 3.4 GHz. The modifications are detailed on his website under the "Tech Notes" section on his website. Steve Kostro, N2CEI, of Down East Microwave, has also released tech notes on moving the DEMI transverters from 3.45 GHz to 3.40 GHz. They are all found in the "Design Notes" section of their website at downeastmicrowave.com/. That's all for this time. Get out there and get on the air! 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. Contests April 28 - May 11, 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 CWops Test (CWT), Apr 28, 0300z to Apr 28, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Apr 30. CWops Test (CWT), Apr 28, 0700z to Apr 28, 0800z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Apr 30. RTTYOPS Weeksprint, Apr 28, 1700z to Apr 28, 1900z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20; [other station's call] + [your call] + [serial no.] + [your name]; Logs due: May 5. RSGB 80m Club Championship, Data, Apr 28, 1900z to Apr 28, 2030z; RTTY, PSK; Bands: 80; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Apr 29. EACW Meeting, Apr 28, 1900z to Apr 28, 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: Apr 30. NCCC RTTY Sprint, Apr 29, 0145z to Apr 29, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: May 1. NCCC Sprint, Apr 29, 0230z to Apr 29, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: May 1. K1USN Slow Speed Test, Apr 29, 2000z to Apr 29, 2100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: May 1. Feld Hell Sprint, Apr 30, 0000z to Apr 30, 2359z; Feld Hell; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; (see rules); Logs due: May 4. Russian WW MultiMode Contest, Apr 30, 1200z to May 1, 1159z; CW, SSB, RTTY, BPSK63; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; UA: RST(Q) + 2-character oblast, non-UA: RST(Q) + QSO No.; Logs due: May 6. UK/EI DX Contest, CW, Apr 30, 1200z to May 1, 1200z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; UK/EI: RST + Serial No. + District Code, DX: RST + Serial No.; Logs due: May 2. Florida QSO Party, Apr 30, 1600z to May 1, 2159z; CW, Phone; Bands: 40, 20, 15, 10; FL: RS(T) + county, W/VE: RS(T) + (state/province), DX: RS(T) + DXCC prefix; Logs due: May 16. AGCW QRP/QRP Party, May 1, 1300z to May 1, 1900z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + QSO No. + "/" + Class ID (A/B); Logs due: May 15. K1USN Slow Speed Test, May 2, 0000z to May 2, 0100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: May 4. ICWC Medium Speed Test, May 2, 1300z to May 2, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: May 5. OK1WC Memorial (MWC), May 2, 1630z to May 2, 1729z; CW; Bands: 80, 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: May 6. ICWC Medium Speed Test, May 2, 1900z to May 2, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: May 5. ARS Spartan Sprint, May 3, 0100z to May 3, 0300z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + (state/province/country) + Power; Logs due: May 5. Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest, May 3, 0100z to May 3, 0159z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; RS + age group (OM, YL, Youth YL or Youth); Logs due: May 4. ICWC Medium Speed Test, May 3, 0300z to May 3, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: May 5. RTTYOPS Weeksprint, May 3, 1700z to May 3, 1900z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20; [other station's call] + [your call] + [serial no.] + [your name]; Logs due: May 10. Phone Weekly Test, May 4, 0230z to May 4, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15; NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: May 6. A1Club AWT, May 4, 1200z to May 4, 1300z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: RST + Name; Logs due: May 9. CWops Test (CWT), May 4, 1300z to May 4, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: May 7. Mini-Test 40, May 4, 1700z to May 4, 1759z; CW; Bands: 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: May 6. Mini-Test 80, May 4, 1800z to May 4, 1859z; CW; Bands: 80; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: May 6. CWops Test (CWT), May 4, 1900z to May 4, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: May 7. MIE 33 Contest, May 4, 2300z to May 5, 0300z; CW, Phone; Bands: All, except WARC; Mie: RS(T) + age + "ME", non-Mie JA: RS(T) + age + "MEJ", non-Mie non-JA: RS(T) + age; Logs due: May 31. Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest, May 5, 0000z to May 6, 0300z; CW; Bands: 40; Maximum 13 wpm, RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (Member No./power); Logs due: May 12. CWops Test (CWT), May 5, 0300z to May 5, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: May 7. CWops Test (CWT), May 5, 0700z to May 5, 0800z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: May 7. NRAU 10m Activity Contest, May 5, 1700z to May 5, 2100z; CW, SSB, FM, Digital; Bands: 10; RS(T) + 6-character grid square; Logs due: May 19. RTTYOPS Weeksprint, May 5, 1700z to May 5, 1900z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20; [other station's call] + [your call] + [serial no.] + [your name]; Logs due: May 12. SKCC Sprint Europe, May 5, 1900z to May 5, 2100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (SKCC No./"NONE"); Logs due: May 12. EACW Meeting, May 5, 1900z to May 5, 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: May 7. NCCC RTTY Sprint, May 6, 0145z to May 6, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: May 8. NCCC Sprint, May 6, 0230z to May 6, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: May 8. K1USN Slow Speed Test, May 6, 2000z to May 6, 2100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: May 8. 10-10 Int. Spring Contest, CW, May 7, 0001z to May 8, 2359z; CW; Bands: 10; 10-10 Member: Name + 10-10 number + (state/province/country), Non-Member: Name + 0 + (state/province/country); Logs due: May 16. RCC Cup, May 7, 0300z to May 7, 0859z; CW, SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RCC Members: RS(T) + "RCC" + member number, Non-Members: RS(T) + ITU Zone; Logs due: May 14. ARI International DX Contest, May 7, 1200z to May 8, 1159z; Phone, CW, RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; I: RS(T) + 2-letter province, non-I: RS(T) + Serial No.; Logs due: May 13. SKCC Weekend Sprintathon, May 7, 1200z to May 8, 2359z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (SKCC No./"NONE"); Logs due: May 15. F9AA Cup, Digi,May 7, 1200z to May 8, 1200z; Digital; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 2; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Jun 8. 7th Call Area QSO Party, May 7, 1300z to May 8, 0700z; CW, Phone, Digital (no FT8); Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; 7th Area: RS(T) + 5-letter state/county code, non-7th Area: RS(T) + (state/province/DX); Logs due: May 18. Indiana QSO Party, May 7, 1500z to May 8, 0300z; Phone, CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; IN: RS(T) + county, non-IN: W/VE: RS(T) + (state/province), DX: RS(T) + "DX"; Logs due: Jun 1. Delaware QSO Party, May 7, 1700z to May 8, 2359z; CW, Phone, Digital/RTTY; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, VHF; DE: RS(T) + County, non-DE: RS(T) + (state/province/"DX"); Logs due: Jun 7. New England QSO Party, May 7, 2000z to May 8, 2359z; Phone, CW/Digital; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; CT,ME,MA,NH,RI,VT: RS(T) + county + state, non-NE: RS(T) + (state/province/"DX"); Logs due: Jun 7. WAB 7 MHz Phone, May 8, 1000z to May 8, 1400z; SSB; Bands: 40; British Isles: RS + serial no. + WAB square, Other: RS + serial no. + country; Logs due: May 18. 4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint, May 9, 0000z to May 9, 0200z; CW, SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: RS(T) + (State/Province/Country) + Member No., Non-member: RS(T) + (State/Province/Country) + Power; Logs due: May 11. K1USN Slow Speed Test, May 9, 0000z to May 9, 0100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: May 11. ICWC Medium Speed Test, May 9, 1300z to May 9, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: May 12. OK1WC Memorial (MWC), May 9, 1630z to May 9, 1729z; CW; Bands: 80, 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: May 13. RSGB 80m Club Championship, SSB, May 9, 1900z to May 9, 2030z; SSB; Bands: 80; RS + Serial No.; Logs due: May 10. ICWC Medium Speed Test, May 9, 1900z to May 9, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: May 12. Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest, May 10, 0100z to May 10, 0159z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; RS + age group (OM, YL, Youth YL or Youth); Logs due: May 11. ICWC Medium Speed Test, May 10, 0300z to May 10, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: May 12. RTTYOPS Weeksprint, May 10, 1700z to May 10, 1900z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20; [other station's call] + [your call] + [serial no.] + [your name]; Logs due: May 17. Phone Weekly Test, May 11, 0230z to May 11, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15; NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: May 13. A1Club AWT, May 11, 1200z to May 11, 1300z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: RST + Name; Logs due: May 16. CWops Test (CWT), May 11, 1300z to May 11, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: May 14. VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest, May 11, 1700z to May 11, 2000z; FT8; Bands: 432 MHz; 4-character grid square; Logs due: May 16. Mini-Test 40, May 11, 1700z to May 11, 1759z; CW; Bands: 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: May 13. Mini-Test 80, May 11, 1800z to May 11, 1859z; CW; Bands: 80; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: May 13. VHF+ CONTESTS SBMS 2.3 GHz and Up Contest and Club Challenge, Apr 30, 0600z to May 1, 2359z; Any; Bands: 2.3 GHz and up; 6-character Maidenhead locator; Logs due: May 22. VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest, May 4, 1700z to May 4, 2000z; FT8; Bands: 144 MHz; 4-character grid square; Logs due: May 9. Microwave Spring Sprint, May 7, 0800z to May 7, 1400z; not specified; Bands: All above 902 MHz; 6-character grid square; Logs due: May 21. See also: Feld Hell Sprint, SKCC Sprint Europe, Delaware QSO Party, Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest Log Due Dates April 28 April 29
April 30 May 1
May 2 May 3 May 4 May 5 May 6 May 7 May 8 May 9 May 10 May 11
ARRL Information Click here to advertise in this newsletter; space subject to availability. Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information ARRL membership includes a choice of one print magazine: QST, the monthly membership journal, or On the Air, ARRL's new bimonthly publication for beginner and intermediate hams. All ARRL members can access all four ARRL magazines - QST, On the Air, NCJ, and QEX - digitally. Subscribe to NCJ - the National Contest Journal. Published bimonthly, it features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint, and QSO Parties. Subscribe to QEX - A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published bimonthly, it 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 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! Reprint permission can be obtained by emailing permission@arrl.org with a description of the material and the reprint publication. Acknowledgements ARRL Contest Update wishes to acknowledge information from WA7BNM's Contest Calendar and Patrick Barkey, N9RV. | |
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