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   http://www.arrl.org/contests/update/?issue=2013-12-04   
      
   The ARRL Contest Update   
      
   December 4, 2013   
   Editor: Ward Silver, NOAX   
      
   IN THIS ISSUE   
      
    *  Highs and Lows - ARRL 10 and 160 Meter Contests   
    *  Get 'Em While They're Hot - Ten Meter RTTY Contest   
    *  Single-Op Unlimited in ARRL Contests   
    *  Evaluating Antenna Systems - WWROF Webinar   
    *  CQ Worldwide Operating Videos   
    *  Records Tumble in CQ Worldwide   
    *  Illuminating Commentary on Street Lights by KB4T   
    *  Finding the Bad One   
    *  Counting Your Radio Blessings   
      
      
   NEW HF OPERATORS - THINGS TO DO   
      
   Two of the most interesting HF bands play host to contests over the next two   
   weekends: 10 meters and 160 meters. If you've listened during the week and   
   think the band is closed, you might want to try again because when there are   
   many hundreds of stations active, the bands come to life. Even if you are   
   running low power or a modest antenna system, you'll make plenty of QSOs -   
   come surprise yourself!   
      
      
   BULLETINS   
      
   It has been reported and confirmed that the world's largest amateur antenna,   
   the 3-element 160 meter Yagi at OH8X, has collapsed in a recent storm. The   
   Radio Arcala team is preparing a report that will be available in a few days.   
      
      
   BUSTED QSOS   
      
   No corrections to report this time.   
      
      
   CONTEST SUMMARY   
      
   Complete information for all contests follows the Conversation section   
      
   Dec 7-8   
      
    *  ARRL 160 Meter Contest--CW   
    *  TARA RTTY Mˆl‚e   
    *  VU International DX Contest   
    *  Top Operators Activity Contest--CW   
    *  AWA Bruce Kelly QSO Party--CW   
    *  Ten Meter RTTY Contest   
    *  Straight Key Weekend Sprintathon   
    *  Great Colorado Snowshoe Run--CW   
      
   Dec 14-15   
      
    *  ARRL 10 Meter Contest   
    *  ARS Spartan Sprint--CW (Dec 10)   
    *  Meteor Scatter Contest--Digital (Dec 11)   
    *  NAQCC Monthly QRP Sprint--CW (Dec 11)   
    *  CWops Monthly Mini-CWT Test (Dec 11)   
    *  NS Weekly Sprint--CW (Dec 13)   
    *  28 MHz SWL Contest   
    *  UBA Winter Contest   
    *  Holiday Spirits Homebrew Sprint--CW   
    *  Run For the Bacon--CW   
      
      
   NEWS, PRESS RELEASES, AND GENERAL INTEREST   
      
   Responding to many requests, the ARRL Programs & Services Committee accepted   
   the Contest Advisory Committee's (CAC) recommendation to add Single-Operator   
   Unlimited categories to the ARRL's 10 Meter, 160 Meter, RTTY Roundup, and the   
   IARU's HF Championship contests. Previously, the use of spotting information   
   placed a station in the Multioperator category. The new category takes effect   
   with the RTTY Roundup contest in January 2014. This year's 160 Meter (Dec 6-8)   
   and 10 Meter (Dec 14-15) contests are NOT affected by the change. (Thanks,   
   ARRL CAC Chair, Al KOAD)   
      
   Dave K3ZJ found an inexpensive aid to increase his BIC (Butt In Chair) time, a   
   key element of making good scores. He notes that it won't even change your   
   category to Assisted or Unlimited: "For $1.99 I picked up a "lumbar back   
   support" at the local Micro Center...it slips over any chair or car seat. I   
   didn't expect much, but it is very comfortable."   
      
   Would you like to do some holiday shopping and support a good cause at the   
   same time? How about some WRTC2014 gear? Along with the regular items for   
   sale, there are now two holiday specials that can be combined with year-end   
   charitable, tax-exempt donations. The event is next July and the hosts are in   
   the home stretch! Watch for the upcoming announcements of referee selections,   
   too. (Thanks, WRTC2014 Co-Chair, Randy K5ZD)   
      
   Fans of the "nerd pack" (a.k.a. pocket protector) will want to sharpen their   
   pencils and pay a visit the online Museum of Pocket Protectors. (Thanks, Dan   
   K7SS)   
      
   There is a lot of history behind the electric car. Even though they are touted   
   as new technology today, they substantially outnumbered gasoline-powered cars   
   at the end of the 19th century. The EDN story, "Electric Vehicles -- Past,   
   Present, and Future" by John Santini covers a lot of mileage from the early   
   days of automobiles through today's designs and on to what tomorrow may   
   deliver.   
      
   Hal N4GG relays word of an iOS app called ISS Spotter that shows the current   
   location of the ISS on maps. It also generates a forecast list for sightings   
   from your current location, including inclination and azimuth for start and   
   finish of the observation. The display is basically a compass with arrows   
   pointing to the pass start and finish. Just take your phone outside and it   
   tells you where to look. There are quite a few different satellite/ISS   
   tracking apps as described in this Wikipedia list.   
      
   In an article that could affect your choice of radios, the Daily Mail reports   
   that blue lights increase your alertness. Maybe on Sunday, you should use a   
   radio with a blue backlight on the display? (Thanks, Norm W1ITT and Mike   
   WWOYRR)   
      
   Magazine Roundup   
      
    *  Sky and Telescope (Jan 2014) - "Tuning in to Radio Jupiters" - explains   
       receiving radio noise from Jupiter and other extraterrestrial sources   
    *  Sky and Telescope (Nov 2013) - "Amateur Space Exploration" - an overview   
       of the CubeSat program from the amateur astronomy point of view   
    *  Popular Science (Nov 2013) - Waffle House Yellow - shows how FEMA is   
       using the status of individual Waffle House restaurants to aid in   
       managing disaster response and recovery   
      
   PC World reports the end of an era as the iconic Radio Store closes up shop in   
   Tokyo's world-famous Akihabara District. Founded in 1950, the store provided   
   components and electronic items to shoppers for 64 years. (Thanks, Norman W9VQ)   
      
   Web Site of the Week - In the next World Wide Radio Operators Foundation   
   webinar, Hank Garretson W6SX will describe a process for evaluating your   
   antenna situation and making improvements based on your circumstances. Good   
   stuff for Little Pistols, Medium Guns, and Big Guns alike. You can register   
   for the free webinar which will be held on Tuesday, Dec 10 at 9 PM EST,   
   equivalently 0200 UTC on Dec 11th. (Thanks, Ken K4ZW)   
      
      
   WORD TO THE WISE   
      
   Please be sure to check any response from log-acceptance systems to be sure   
   your log is placed in the right category. For example, if an email robot   
   confirms your entry as SOHP, the reply message will show something like   
   "Single Operator, High Power". In contests without an Assisted or Unlimited   
   category, logs for Single-Op entries with the Assisted tag present will   
   usually wind up assigned to Multioperator. If this isn't your intent, be sure   
   to correct the Cabrillo header information and re-submit the log until you are   
   in agreement with the reply message...and save your confirmation number or ID!   
      
      
   SIGHTS AND SOUNDS   
      
   Fred HSOZAR/K3ZO sends a link to an excellent video of the November CQ WW CW   
   operation from the shack of Stig HSOZGD/LA7JO in Phimai, which is in   
   northeastern Thailand. The video was filmed and edited by Tony HSOZDX/G4UAV.   
   (Thanks, Dave K3ZJ)   
      
   Watch this video of the Temuco Radio Club on the air from Boroa-Chile,   
   operating as XR6T in the October CQ WW SSB contest's Multi-Two category.   
      
   There are lots of contest videos from around the world. Just browse to YouTube   
   and enter "CQ WW 2013" in the search window for lots more contest fun!   
      
   Kirk K4RO found a set of Pace Company electronics rework training videos on   
   YouTube. He says it's especially helpful for those of us who are not trained   
   technicians. The material may be fairly dated as far as current manufacturing   
   technology but is representative of and useful for many home and shack repair   
   jobs.   
      
   Learn Morse the Army way in Part 1 and Part 2 of this training film. It will   
   help you get that "swinging kind of rhythm" so important to successful Morse   
   operation. Don't forget to rest your elbow on the table! (Thanks, Howard N7SO)   
      
      
   RESULTS AND RECORDS   
      
   Records fell like ten-pins in the recent CQ WW CW contest according to the Raw   
   Scores on the CQ WW website. (Remember that these are scores were calculated   
   before log checking.) It sure looks like this was an African year in the   
   Multioperator category!   
      
   World   
      
   M/S: CN2AA with 35M vs 27M (old record)   
   M/2: CR3L with 37.4M vs 37.2M   
   M/M: D4C with 72M vs 70M   
   SOAB-LP: V26K with 10.5M vs 10.2M   
   SOA-LP: P4OW with 10.9M vs 6.2M   
      
   U.S.   
      
   M/2: K1LZ with 26.5M vs 21.5M   
   M/M: K3LR with 35.2M (and W3LPL) vs 33.2M   
   SOAB-HP: NN1N with 10.9M (and KODQ/K3CR/K5ZD) vs 10.1M   
   SOAB-LP: N1UR with 5.1M (and W3EF) vs 4.5M   
   SOAB-QRP: K1TO with 2.8M vs 1.7M   
   SOA-HP: K3WW with 10.6M vs 10.5M   
   SOA-LP: KS1J with 4.4M vs 3.2M   
      
   Just 8 days after the 2013 CQ WW CW Contest the Contest Director, Randy K5ZD   
   reports the committee has already received 7,187 logs! The raw scores offer an   
   early indication of the results, but final scores could easily change by 5-15%   
   (or more). Please send any feedback or corrections to questions@cqww.com.   
      
   Dan K1TO points out that the 1-2 finishers in the CQ WW CW World Single-Op   
   Assisted, High Power, All-Band category are separated by less than a QSO's   
   worth of points!   
      
   EF8U...........13,932,261   
   (EA8RM, op)   
   EF9O...........13,931,484   
   (EA5BM, op)   
      
   It looks like this race will be decided in the log checking.   
      
   With thanks to Dima RW3FO, the latest EU Sprint results are online. Contest   
   Manager, Dave G4BUO reports a problem with the EU Sprint web site right now,   
   but things are being repaired.   
      
   SCC Contest Manager, Robert S57AW reports that official results for EU HF   
   Championship 2013 are now ready, verified by the SCC Contest Committee, and   
   published on the SCC web page. All UBN reports are publicly available as usual   
   and everyone can print his or her own certificate online directly from the   
   results.   
      
   DX results of the 2013 ARI International DX Contest have been published. On   
   the ARI web page, select HF -> Contest -> ARI International -> DX Results or   
   access the results directly as a PDF file. (Thanks, ARI HF Contest Manager,   
   Bob I2WIJ)   
      
   Results for the 2013 CW Open have been posted. Please use the link near the   
   top of the page to see the analysis, box scores and soapbox. Log checking   
   reports are available by sending the committee an email. Worldwide activity   
   was excellent in each of the three sessions and several records were broken by   
   some of the best ops in the world. ICOM America continues the tradition of   
   strong support for the CW Open and the organizers are extremely grateful for   
   their sponsorship. (Thanks, CWO Manager, Dean NW2K)   
      
      
   OPERATING TIP   
      
   During the upcoming ARRL 10 Meter contest, the band looks like it will be open   
   quite a bit if conditions hold up. The very short skip that allows you to work   
   nearby stations beyond ground wave range may not be available, however. To   
   work those stations, you'll need to use scatter modes. While scatter isn't   
   usually an option for QRP stations, LP and HP stations might be able to make a   
   contact if both stations are beaming in the same direction, preferably in the   
   direction in which the band is open for long skip. Don't forget the skew path   
   openings which are generally toward the magnetic equator from the direct path   
   bearing! (Thanks, Bob KORC and Barry W2UP)   
      
      
   TECHNICAL TOPICS AND INFORMATION   
      
   The following is a discussion from the RFI reflector on finding RFI from   
   street lights by Frank Haas KB4T, a utility RFI investigator in Florida. With   
   these RFI sources being a common irritant to the active contester, Frank's   
   explanations and suggestions are good information:   
      
   "As a Utility Interference Investigator, I run into bad street lights all the   
   time. The most common failures are cycling and constant "invisible" RFI.   
   Listening with a radio tuned to a quiet spot (or 1710) on the broadcast band,   
   you can usually hear the repetitive street light symphony. Sometimes the RFI   
   produced by these failed cycling lights can be heard as high as 325 MHz.   
      
   "In my region, the cycling street lights can produce the following sounds in a   
   receiver. As the bulb first dimly lights, the RFI begins. In the receiver a   
   broadband buzzing modulation can be heard that seems to have a low pitch. As   
   the street light bulb increases in brightness, the pitch of the modulated RFI   
   increases in lock step with the bulb's brightness. At full brightness the   
   RFI's modulation reaches its highest pitch and greatest loudness. When the   
   bulb goes out about 10 seconds later, the RFI stops. In 30 seconds to a   
   minute, the process repeats.   
      
   "When a street light produces constant, unchanging RFI, it can be heard   
   strongest at low frequencies. Only 50% of the time have I been able to detect   
   a street light producing constant RFI at frequencies above 50 MHz. The light   
   DOES NOT need to be illuminated to produce this constant RFI. However, it's   
   usually very easy to pinpoint the offending light...either the photocell or   
   ballast are bad.   
      
   "Like any other RFI source, finding a bad street light requires a   
   portable/mobile receiver with RF Gain control, signal level indicator and   
   directional antenna (or sensible technique based on signal strength). Not all   
   street light RFI manifests itself as visible light. However, it can always be   
   heard. Good DFing tools and technique will get the problem located promptly so   
   repairs can be ordered."   
      
   Fellow investigator, Mike Martin K3RFI, notes "The cycling lights are High   
   Pressure Sodium (HPS) type and if cycling only at night the photocell is   
   functioning properly. If the light cycles 24/7 the photocell is also bad. It's   
   more common to be 24/7. The defective photocell causes the lights to fail   
   earlier than normal. HPS bulbs are a common source of RFI on 40 and 80 meters   
   and is (observed as) a single spike when using a scope. The cycling is caused   
   by the element in the bulb opening when it gets hot. During the noise cycle   
   the bulbs usually illuminate. This makes them easier to locate in the dark."   
      
   Technical Web Site of the Week - As the designated electronic repair person in   
   most households, you will enjoy this collection of helpful test hints for   
   debugging that holiday hoo-doo, the bad light string. May this help you   
   complete the job and get back to operating, watching football, raiding the   
   fridge, or whatever you'd rather be doing!   
      
      
   CONVERSATION   
      
   Count Your Radio Blessings   
      
   I certainly hope a lot of my readers were able to get on the air for at least   
   one of the recent contests since the re-awakening of Cycle 24 in mid-October.   
   CQ World Wide SSB turned out to be just the first of a so-far-unbroken string   
   of great contests. Both weekends of Sweepstakes were great and if you were on   
   for the weekend of CQ World Wide CW, you know that was a spectacular contest,   
   too, as the bands from 10 meters to 160 meters were jumping with activity   
   around the world. If the dourer of the predictions about Cycle 25 and beyond   
   come true, we may be talking about this contest season for a long time!   
      
   Certainly, there have been seasons with higher solar flux on average but this   
   year the bands seem so incredibly full and contesters so happy (or maybe   
   relieved is a better word). Participation has been on a steady upward trend   
   for years and when the curtains part, the depth and breadth of the openings   
   become apparent. Radiosport truly is a global hobby.   
      
   Having been at this a while - like about a year (cough-cough) before I got my   
   ham radio license and could be my own control operator - whether tuning the   
   band or holding a frequency, to me contesting is a giant homecoming party of   
   meeting one familiar call sign after another. Often a face flits into memory   
   as the call is recognized. A quick handshake and off we go to the next QSO.   
      
   I remember explaining at WRTC-1990 that I'd known many of the visiting hams   
   for 20 years or more, realizing as I said it that my total cumulative   
   interaction on the air during that time with some of them wasn't much more   
   than a few minutes. Yet I felt like they were all members in the big radio   
   family we all share.   
      
   This is an important part of the story we need to emphasize to non-hams, new   
   hams, and, yes, to each other. Ham radio is almost unique in that it demands a   
   connection to exist. Regardless of whether your contact is over the poles on   
   HF, via the Moon on UHF, or across the parking lot at millimeter wavelengths,   
   it takes two to tango. Thus each of us, no matter what our operating or   
   technical preferences, has much in common with every other ham.   
      
   During this era of wide and deep technological and social changes to our   
   landscape, we must remember that the fundamentals underlying ham radio -   
   summarized in the Basis and Purpose of FCC Part 97.1 - serve to unite us and   
   remind us where the Good Arrow points. Those fundamentals are what we will   
   carry into the future, through solar maxima and minimum, as digital and analog   
   signals, at all frequencies and in all directions.   
      
   In the face of change, let's not nit-pick things to death. The endless   
   arguments about the most pure and true will never be resolved and only serve   
   to divide us. Remember our accomplishments but use them as a guide to future   
   exploration and successes. Don't let them be an anchor to the past. Instead of   
   looking for things to complain about, count your ham radio blessings as   
   reasons to share your enthusiasm, celebrating this exceptional hobby and our   
   places within it.   
      
   73, Ward NOAX   
      
      
   CONTESTS   
      
   4 December through 17 December   
      
   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 160 Meter Contest--CW, from Dec 6, 2200Z to Dec 8, 1600Z. Bands (MHz):   
   1.8. Exchange: RST and ARRL/RAC section if US/VE. Logs due: Jan 1.   
      
   ARRL 10 Meter Contest--Phone,CW, from Dec 14, 0000Z to Dec 15, 2359Z. Bands   
   (MHz): 28. Exchange: RS(T) and State/Prov or serial. Logs due: Jan 9.   
      
   TARA RTTY Mˆl‚e--Digital, from Dec 7, 0000Z to Dec 7, 2359Z. Bands (MHz):   
   1.8-28. Exchange: RST and State/Province or serial. Logs due: Jan 1.   
      
   VU International DX Contest--Phone,CW, from Dec 7, 1200Z to Dec 8, 1200Z.   
   Bands (MHz): 3.5-28. Exchange: RS(T) and Indian state or prefix. Logs due: Dec   
   26.   
      
   Top Operators Activity Contest--CW, from Dec 7, 1600Z to Dec 8, 1559Z. Bands   
   (MHz): 3.5-28. Exchange: RST, serial, and TOPS/PRO number. Logs due: Dec 31.   
      
   AWA Bruce Kelly QSO Party--CW, from Dec 7, 2300Z - See website. Multiple time   
   periods. Bands (MHz): 3.5,7. Exchange: RST, Xmtr type, power, name. Logs due:   
   30 days.   
      
   Ten Meter RTTY Contest--Digital, from Dec 8, 0000Z to Dec 8, 2359Z. Bands   
   (MHz): 28. Exchange: RST and state or province or serial. Logs due: 7 days.   
      
   Straight Key Weekend Sprintathon--CW, from Dec 8, 1200Z to Dec 8, 2359Z. Bands   
   (MHz): 3.5-28. Monthly beginning on the second Saturday local time. Exchange:   
   RST, S/P/C, SKCC nr or power. Logs due: 5 days.   
      
   Great Colorado Snowshoe Run--CW, from Dec 8, 2100Z to Dec 8, 2259Z. Bands   
   (MHz): 14. Exchange: RST, S/P/C, class, CQC number or power. Logs due: 30 days.   
      
   ARS Spartan Sprint--CW, from Dec 10, 0200Z to Dec 10, 0400Z. Bands (MHz):   
   3.5-28. Monthly on the first Monday evening local time. Exchange: RST, S/P/C,   
   and power. Logs due: 2 days.   
      
   NAQCC Monthly QRP Sprint--CW, from Dec 11, 0130Z to Dec 11, 0330Z. Bands   
   (MHz): 3.5-14. Monthly on 2nd Tuesday or 3rd Wednesday local time   
   (alternating). Exchange: RST, S/P/C, and NAQCC mbr nr or power. Logs due: 4   
   days.   
      
   CWops Monthly Mini-CWT Test--CW, from Dec 11, 1300Z - See website. Multiple   
   time periods. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28. Twice monthly on 2nd and 4th Wed, 18 to 28   
   kHz above band edge. Exchange: Name and member number or S/P/C. Logs due: 2   
   days.   
      
   NS Weekly Sprint--CW, from Dec 13, 0230Z to Dec 13, 0300Z. Bands (MHz):   
   1.8-14. Weekly on Thursday evenings local time. Exchange: Serial, name, and   
   S/P/C. Logs due: 2 days.   
      
   28 MHz SWL Contest--Phone,CW, from Dec 14, 0000Z to Dec 15, 2359Z. Bands   
   (MHz): 28. Exchange: Log ARRL 10 Meter Contest QSOs. Logs due: Jan 31.   
      
   UBA Winter Contest--Phone,CW,Digital, from Dec 14, 1700Z - See website.   
   Multiple time periods. Bands (MHz): 1.8-7. Exchange: RS(T) and UBA section or   
   serial. Logs due: 3 weeks.   
      
   Holiday Spirits Homebrew Sprint--CW, from Dec 15, 2000Z to Dec 15, 2359Z.   
   Bands (MHz): 1.8-28. Exchange: RST, S/P/C, ARCI number or Power. Logs due: 14   
   days.   
      
   Run For the Bacon--CW, from Dec 16, 0200Z to Dec 16, 0400Z. Bands (MHz):   
   1.8-28. Monthly on 3rd Sunday night (local). Exchange: RST, S/P/C, Flying Pig   
   nr or power.   
      
   VHF+ CONTESTS   
      
   Meteor Scatter Contest--Digital, from Dec 11, 0000Z to Dec 17, 0200Z. Bands   
   (MHz): 50-222. Exchange: Both calls, grid square, acknowledgement. Logs due:   
   Jan 15.   
      
      
   LOG DUE DATES   
      
   4 December through 17 December   
      
    *  December 5 - ARS Spartan Sprint   
    *  December 5 - RSGB 80m Club Sprint, CW   
    *  December 5 - QRP Fox Hunt   
    *  December 7 - Feld Hell Sprint   
    *  December 7 - QRP Fox Hunt   
    *  December 8 - SARL Digital Contest   
    *  December 8 - NCCC Sprint   
    *  December 10 - JIDX Phone Contest   
    *  December 12 - QRP ARCI Topband Sprint   
    *  December 14 - Wake-Up! QRP Sprint   
    *  December 15 - SKCC Weekend Sprintathon   
    *  December 15 - Ten-Meter RTTY Contest   
    *  December 17 - LZ DX Contest   
      
   ARRL Information   
      
   ARRL membership includes QST, Amateur Radio's most popular and informative   
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   Reprint permission can be obtained by sending email to 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 SM3CER's Contest Calendar.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
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   )\/(ark   
      
   Not only is the Universe stranger than we think, it is stranger than we can   
   think. - Werner Heisenberg   
      
   --- FMail/Win32 1.60   
    * Origin:  (1:3634/12.71)