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   http://www.arrl.org/contests/update/?issue=2014-01-15   
      
   The ARRL Contest Update   
      
   January 15, 2014   
   Editor: Ward Silver, NOAX   
      
   IN THIS ISSUE   
    *  Hit the Heights - ARRL January VHF Contest   
    *  Saturday Delight - NAQP Phone   
    *  National Contest Journal - New, Improved Website   
    *  Contest University - Signups are Open   
    *  Reverse Beacon Network Webinar   
    *  Worked All Germany - Results   
    *  New Ferrite Part - Not So Fast!   
    *  Transmitter Noise - The Next Frontier   
    *  Taking Inventory   
      
   NEW HF OPERATORS - THINGS TO DO   
      
   A contest made just for you comes along this weekend - the North American QSO   
   Party's Phone contest. Tim N3QE observes that NAQP is far and away the best   
   place to learn what it is like to CQ. Getting experience on the "other side"   
   of a pileup shows you how to get through when you're search-and-pouncing by   
   good timing, use of crisp phonetics, clean audio, and so forth.   
      
   BULLETINS   
      
   If you had trouble submitting your NAQP CW log via the NCJ website (browse   
   function not recognizing the log data or category erroneously reported as QRP)   
   or had team registration difficulties, contest manager Chris KL9A reports that   
   most of the problems have been identified and fixed. If necessary, resubmit   
   your log - the list of logs received is up-to-date - or email your log to   
   Chris at cwnaqpmgr@ncjweb.com.   
      
   BUSTED QSOS   
      
   The last issue appears to have been fairly accurate.   
      
   CONTEST SUMMARY   
      
   Complete information for all contests follows the Conversation section   
      
   January 18-19   
      
    *  ARRL January VHF Contest   
    *  North American QSO Party--Phone   
    *  Linc Cundall Memorial CW Contest (Jan 15)   
    *  NAQCC Monthly QRP Sprint--CW (Jan 16)   
    *  Locust QSO Party--CW (Jan 16)   
    *  LZ Open Contest--CW   
    *  International United Teenager Contest   
    *  HA DX Contest   
    *  Feld-Hell Gridloc Sprint   
    *  Run For the Bacon--CW (Jan 20)   
      
   January 25-26   
      
    *  QRP Winter Fireside SSB Sprint (Jan 23)   
    *  NAQCC Special 160M Sprint--CW   
    *  CQ WW 160 Meter Contest--CW   
    *  REF French Contest--CW   
    *  BARTG RTTY Sprint   
    *  UBA Contest--Phone   
    *  Winter Field Day   
    *  WAB Top Band Phone Contest   
    *  Classic Exchange--CW   
      
   NEWS, PRESS RELEASES, AND GENERAL INTEREST   
      
   National Contest Journal Editor, Kirk K4RO reports that the new NCJ website is   
   online with a whole new look and structure. "There is room to expand NCJ   
   contest score and record databases, plus whatever we think of in the future.   
   Contest managers and columnists can now add their own content." If clicking   
   through to the new URL results in a "page not found" error, clear your   
   browser's history cache and try again. Clearing up the old addresses from the   
   Internet's many tubes will take a bit of time. Kirk especially wishes to thank   
   his partner, Susie, for designing the site's fresh look-and-feel, and to K5TR,   
   KM3T, and WA7BNM for contributing to the transfer. Good job, folks!   
      
   How about that ARRL Centennial QSO Party? Off to a roaring start, it's like a   
   new contest every week! This week's featured states are Nebraska and Delaware,   
   two hard-to-work states at once. Plus, there is W100AW to chase and all of the   
   various stations that count for Centennial Points. If you were active during   
   the national bicentennial in 1976 when we could use special prefixes (I was an   
   ACO - woo-hoo!), you'll recognize the exuberant atmosphere. Have fun and log   
   'em all - centennials don't come around very often!   
      
   The North Coast Contesters (NCC) are proud to announce the 22nd Annual Dayton   
   Contest Dinner with tickets available exclusively via the website hosted by   
   KA9FOX and QTH.com. (No tickets at the door!) To be held on Saturday, May   
   17th, at the Crowne Plaza hotel in downtown Dayton, John K1AR will MC the   
   festive affair and Doug K1DG will be the featured speaker. 2014 CQ Contest   
   Hall of Fame inductees will be announced and atop the list of many   
   generously-donated prizes, Icom America has donated an IC-7600 transceiver!   
   The annual Contest Dinner is just part of the radiosport revelry that goes on   
   throughout the Dayton Hamvention - don't miss out on the full four nights of   
   the Contest Super Suite! (Thanks, NCC President, Tim K3LR)   
      
   WRTC2014 Co-Chair, Randy K5ZD notes "We are exactly six months away from the   
   opening ceremonies! There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes to be   
   ready for the competition." Just take a look at the volunteers at work in the   
   "tower garden"! Randy also notes, "If there is someone worthy that you feel   
   should be nominated for the CQ Contest Hall of Fame, now is the time! The   
   nominating period closes on March 1, 2014.   
      
   The science of solar study continues at ever-increasing levels of detail. The   
   upcoming NASA-ESA Solar Orbiter mission will carry the largest CMOS imaging   
   detectors for any solar mission to date. Using customized 0.18-æm technology   
   as described in this Electronic Design story, the satellite will carry four   
   imagers of 4 megapixels each for a composite 16-megapixel format.   
      
   We are sorry to report that Tokyo Hy-Power, a well-known manufacturer of   
   contest-worthy gear, has filed for bankruptcy. Their amplifiers were   
   particularly well-designed and highly regarded. Although support in the U.S.   
   is still being provided through January, there is no word about warranty or   
   other services beyond this month.   
      
   Fred K1VR reports that the brains behind the Hey, What's That? website are   
   those of Mike KC1QX. Fred also contributes this tip for determining an   
   unambiguous "where's north?" for when you are up on the tower wrestling an   
   antenna. Log on to the site, then "Set your tower height as the height above   
   ground level (instead of the default six feet). "Climb" your tower and look   
   around. Figure out what you should be able to see. Then climb your tower for   
   real and you'll know the exact direction, in degrees, of the obstruction you   
   see (if it is a hill). Even a hill five miles away will let you really nail   
   down "where's north."   
      
   I have been known to use travel time to unravel some pithy ham radio   
   propositions but not quite to the degree of Pedro LU7HZ in his recent blog   
   entry. "One afternoon I had nothing better to do while waiting for my   
   connection in an airport I found myself scribbling which mathematically is the   
   formula that determines the score in most contests." Now you know! (Thanks,   
   Steve N2IC)   
      
   The online index of the English G-QRP group magazine Sprat has been brought up   
   to date through issue 157. It's in a spreadsheet format that either Excel or   
   Open Office can read. (Thanks, Tony G4WIF)   
      
   Dave WBOIXV recommends the recently re-published Radio Monitoring: A How-To   
   Guide by Skip N2EI as a pretty good book including chapters on spectrum use,   
   antennas and grounds, safety, and propagation. The book is available under a   
   Creative Commons license for reading as a PDF file.   
      
   After announcing they were dropping repair of their older amplifiers, Alpha   
   Amplifiers has reversed course for some models. "We'll continue to fix our   
   amplifiers as long as we can. We will continue to offer repairs on the Alpha   
   91b, 99, 89 and 87A amplifiers - as long as we can get the parts. We   
   understand the microprocessor based amps are more difficult to repair without   
   the special utilities and expertise we have to assist us. You will (have to)   
   be patient if some parts (for example pin diodes on the 87A and 89) have a   
   lead time of months. You will understand that we cannot keep dozens of old   
   parts in stock and so there may be delays while they are ordered." Their   
   bulletin closes with good advice, in general, "And most important - test your   
   amp ahead of time!"   
      
   How many of you have read the "SPY vs SPY" page in Mad magazine? Your editor   
   wears his SvS tee-shirt with pride! As Phil KO6BB points out, "What many don't   
   realize is that the cartoon was created by Antonio Prohias, a Cuban refugee   
   after Castro put a price on his head Rather than sign his cartoons in words,   
   he usually used the Morse Code to do it, like this:   
   -... -.-- .--. .-. --- .... .. .- ...   
      
   (Thanks also to Joe KJ8O)   
      
   Two new and regrettable Silent Key announcements must be published this week,   
   for Jerry K8RA and Jack W6ISQ. Tom K8AZ remembers Jerry, saying, "I am   
   fortunate to have owned, for more than 20 years, the 8877 amp that Jerry   
   designed and built more than 30 years ago (Ham Radio, January 1981) and the   
   amplifier that Bill Orr asked him to build around the then-new 3CX1200A7 tube   
   (Ham Radio, August 1985). They are a great legacy to a man whose skill at   
   designing and building things was surpassed only by his warmth and humanity."   
   Jack W6ISQ is also remembered in this ARRL Web story and by Rusty W6OAT. "As   
   impressive as were all his radio achievements, even more so was Jack   
   himself...He was the consummate gentleman. Jack was known for his quick wit   
   and encyclopedic knowledge of amateur radio history." Your editor's favorite   
   Troster piece in QST is "Antenna Ranchero" from the January 1966 issue. ARRL   
   members can easily find it in the online archive along with all of Jack's   
   myriad contributions - both technical and humorous.   
      
   The Contest Update had nudged its circulation count past the 26,000-subscriber   
   level by the end of 2013. That's a lot of eyeballs but there are plenty of   
   folks out there who are unaware they can easily receive this free publication.   
   Let your club members know how easy it is to sign up via their Member   
   Profile's "Edit Email Subscriptions" function on the ARRL website. Check the   
   box and you're in! There are several other bulletins and publications to   
   receive as well!   
      
   Web Site of the Week -Student registration is now open for eighth Dayton   
   ConTest University (CTU) to be held all day on Thursday May 15, 2014 at the   
   Crowne Plaza in Dayton, Ohio. Over 3000 students have attended CTUs in seven   
   countries with more than 70 CTU professors sharing their contesting   
   experiences. The professor lineup is always outstanding and there is a   
   discount available if you've given a talk about contesting to a club. (Thanks,   
   CTU Chairman, Tim K3LR)   
      
   WORD TO THE WISE   
      
   Rich KL7RA offers some good advice about tuning a crowded band, "The radios   
   today have excellent filters so everyone is packed tight. When I called   
   someone I got answers on either side of the station I was calling giving me a   
   report as well - once three stations sent me a report!" Be aware of who thinks   
   they are working you! Send the station's call with your exchange to avoid NILs   
   (Not-In-Log) if you think there may be some confusion.   
      
   Ad   
   SIGHTS AND SOUNDS   
      
   The World Wide Radio Operators Foundation (WWROF) is pleased to host a webinar   
   presentation by Pete Smith, N4ZR, as he shows us how to use the Reverse Beacon   
   Network for spots, antenna testing, and real-time HFpropagation information.   
   The webinar will be held on Saturday, February 1 at 2000Z. (Thanks, Ken K4ZW)   
      
   Fred K3ZO reports that the first two logbooks of JY1 (King Hussein of Jordan,   
   SK) have been scanned and are now available on K8CX's Hamgallery. N2OO will   
   soon become the new JY1 QSL Manager for any who don't have JY1 confirmations   
   yet.   
      
   You have to admire the "Make It Work!" spirit of Mike W7DRA pounding out   
   straight-key CW from his homebrew and converted-surplus tube-gear station   
   during the recent Stew Perry 160 meter contest! (Thanks, Rich KL7RA)   
      
   While the narrator is speaking Russian, I am confident you will enjoy this   
   video about Monk Apollo, better known on the air as SV2ASP/A. Everybody   
   understands a rotating beam! (Thanks, Tim K3LR)   
      
   Don VE6JY and crew operated as VE6RAC for the RAC Winter Contest. Here's a   
   short video by Barry VA6DX including shots of some up-and-coming young ops at   
   this big station on the plains of Alberta.   
      
   Brian KCOBS was recorded giving this fine interview, "Exploring Ham Radio in a   
   Digital World," on KCUR, a non-commercial FM station in Kansas City, Missouri.   
   (Thanks, Daily DX)   
      
   If you are a swinging CW cat, check out the song "Dot Dot Dot," the seventh   
   track on an album of the same name by Chaise Lounge! (Thanks, Bill W7II)   
      
   RESULTS AND RECORDS   
      
   The final results of the 2013 Worked All Germany Contest 2013 have been   
   published. The Twitter-link on the site (does not require a Twitter account)   
   will keep you up to date with more info and figures yet to be published.   
   (Thanks, WAG Contest Manager, Chris DL8MBS)   
      
   ARI HF Contest Manager, Bob I2WIJ reports, "I am glad to inform you that the   
   DX results for the 2013 edition of the ARI International DX Contest are   
   available. Next year will feature the introduction of new Low Power   
   categories."   
      
   Results for the 2013 Canada Day contest are posted on the Radio Amateurs of   
   Canada (RAC) website. Work on the certificates and plaques will start in the   
   coming weeks and certificates will be sent out via email as in the last few   
   years. (Thanks, RAC Canada Day Contest Manager, Bart VE5CPU)   
      
   Preliminary results of the Stew Perry Contest are now available. Cabrillo logs   
   are due by January 15th (today!) to tbdc@contest.com. (Thanks, Tree N6TR)   
      
   New York QSO Party participants, the results are on the Rochester DX   
      
   Association website. You can also view the Plaque winners, scores and   
   certificates. (Thanks, NYQP Sponsors, Brent KC2QLJ and Paul K2DB)   
      
   Pete N4ZR reports that "Once again, Bob, N6TV has produced statistics from the   
   RBN's output during the CQWW CW contest. Check out which RBN Skimmers produced   
   the most spots, and which stations were spotted the most on each band and   
   mode. An addition this year, probably of most interest to RBN contributors, is   
   data on the lowest and highest frequencies reported on each band by each   
   Skimmer. With CW going well beyond the normal limits in big contests, these   
   results may give you ideas on tuning further up the band!   
      
   Newcomer to contesting, San KK6GMH, reported 72 QSOs and 26 multipliers in   
   December's CW edition of the ARRL Rookie Roundup. This is 1st-place in the W6   
   district and 3rd overall. San overcame some computer problems, the usual slow   
   periods, some chores, and did well. "Given all the issues that I had, as well   
   as the fact that I was the least experienced entrant (3.5 months licensed), I   
   am really quite surprised by my ranking! Thank you to the NCCC members who   
   worked me, every QSO definitely helped." Good show, San - see you in the   
   pileups! (Thanks, Bob K6XX)   
      
   OPERATING TIP   
      
   Turn on your filters! No, not those filters in the IF, the filters in your   
   spotting network information feed. Without filtering of the spots, you'll   
   quickly find out why the "assisted" categories are often called "Single-Op,   
   Distracted"! Learn how to use the filters available on the network host you   
   use to restrict the spots to those you are likely to be able to work during   
   the contest. Don't be too restrictive - it's also useful just knowing what   
   stations are active, even if you can't hear them at that instant. Finding the   
   right balance is an important aspect of station management.   
      
   Ad   
   TECHNICAL TOPICS AND INFORMATION   
      
   The new Fair-Rite clamp-on cores discussed in the 18 December issue turned out   
   to be something other than advertised, according to Jim K9YC. The part number   
   2631181381 is only one-half of a split core and there is no plastic   
   snap-together assembly. Without the other half of the core and without a   
   secure positioning method, the cost and performance advantage evaporates. Thus   
   the recommendation of this part is withdrawn. If a full core with plastic   
   housing becomes available, we'll report it here.   
      
   Rudy N6LF has been doing a lot of research on ground radials over the past few   
   years with some papers online, some in the ARRL Antenna Book, and some in QEX.   
   Rudy has compiled a series of articles on his experiments that are   
   downloadable for reading as a set. Good stuff! (Thanks, Eddy VE3CUI)   
      
   If you need a light-gauge burial control cable, the boys on Guam (KH2L and   
   NH2T) have discovered sprinkler control cable. Available with various numbers   
   of #18 AWG solid conductors, it's rated for direct-bury, cheap, and is   
   available at local hardware stores or online.   
      
   John WV8H recommends an iOS application called Electronic Toolbox Pro that   
   only costs $5.99. It has 57 applications that are very handy for all kinds of   
   electronic calculations and design tasks. No Android version yet, but we can   
   hope!   
      
   Another useful article from Electronic Design gets into the details of   
   understanding the IF bandwidth of RF signal analyzers. In fact, that's the   
   title! There are a lot of quality lab instruments finding their way into the   
   amateur's workshop these days and this is an important performance   
   characteristic. Elsewhere on the web is an article about the latest in   
   miniature USB spectrum analyzers from EDN magazine - this one goes to 35 GHz!   
      
   Metalworking always seems to be the hardest part of project construction for   
   your editor - I'm a spark-maker, not a tin-bender! So I like articles that   
   show me how to get good results without having to buy a garage full of   
   machinery. This Instructables how-to shows one way to bend metal easily and   
   cleanly. If that metal gets rusty, another how-to shows you the way to remove   
   it with a mild acid.   
      
   The GOMRF 144 MHz filtered pre-amp kit from AMSAT-UK contains all the parts   
   and hardware necessary to build a complete preamp. The connectors supplied are   
   a high quality PTFE-insulated reduced-flange N-type for the connection to the   
   antenna and a chassis-mounted female BNC for the RF output to the receiver.   
   Operating power (dc) is provided by an external bias tee or radio through the   
   receiver connection. Performance information and construction notes are   
   available on the AMSAT-UK website. (From AMSAT bulletin ANS-363)   
      
   Al KOAD has written an article in the Twin Cities DX Association newsletter   
   about using a triplexer and switchable filters to support his SO2R (single-op,   
   two-radio) setup. How happy is he? "As a low power contester with a single   
   4-band Yagi, it's almost like adding two additional Yagis to my station."   
      
   Paul N4LCD has published a web page showing just how to use a rotary hammer to   
   put in a ground rod. This method is lots easier than pounding 'em in with a   
   sledgehammer! (Thanks, Tom N4NW)   
      
   While the surplus market for analog meters has been dried up for some time,   
   Paul WD7S recommends Instrument Meter Specialties for their fair pricing of   
   new meters and the largest selection he has seen. Don't forget Tonne   
   Software's Meter and Meter Basic software for creating professional-quality   
   meter scales, too!   
      
   Technical Web Site of the Week - Leif SM5BSZ has written an interesting   
   article about transmitter output noise as the "next frontier" of radio   
   performance. After all, why spend big bucks on a super-linear receiver if all   
   you're going to hear is intermodulation products, phase noise, and spurious   
   emissions from transmitter outputs? Some of this is unavoidable with "12-volt"   
   radios, so maybe it's time to start the discussion of how best to clean up our   
   output signals so that we can hear the weak ones!   
      
   CONVERSATION   
      
   Taking Inventory   
      
   The New Year is always a time of resolutions and resolve...and maybe a bucket   
   list or two. The January issue of the Mt Airy VHF Radio Club's Cheese Bits   
   newsletter contained a gem of a resolution by John W3HMS - taking inventory of   
   your shack equipment. As John explains in this issue's Conversation piece,   
   reprinted with the permission of the Pack Rats, it's not hard and you'll be   
   glad you did. 73, Ward NOAX   
      
   Your Easy New Year's Resolution: A Simple Ham Shack Inventory by John W3HMS   
      
   There are many reasons to have an inventory and so very many reasons NOT to do   
   it. One point to consider is that this is not the "good old days" when a   
   friend sells THE radio of an SK but rather a time when a ham station has A LOT   
   of gear in it and it may be very messy!!!!   
      
   The Contest Update wishes to thank the Pack Rats for their many contributions   
   to this newsletter and to VHF+ contesting over their long and storied history.   
      
   Because my inventory is built in Excel it can and has been refined over time.   
   Buying new gear is easy...you can add to it almost 100% from memory at the   
   time when the gear is received. Sales or disposal is equally easy as "Sold VOM   
   to W1XYZ for $25 on 1 Nov 13".   
      
   The key is to keep it simple remembering that you will miss some items but   
   they can be added as/when you desire. Price is the purchase price (a fact at   
   the time the item is bought), and NOT a current valuation. The latter is easy   
   to obtain...set aside 15 hours per day for constant Ebay inquiries...yea,   
   right, HI!!   
      
   The easy entry and sorting features of Excel and its widespread availability   
   means you can enter items randomly then sequence like items together and sort   
   as you desire later on. You can easily create additional rows and columns plus   
   select the columns to print or email. Here is what I record: Description,   
   Purchase Date, Purchase Price and Notes. One column per category, one row per   
   item.   
      
   As you can see, I DO keep it simple. I could put in serial numbers if I want   
   to research more than 200 items but that takes time and it could kill the   
   project. I could try and find the current selling price and encounter the same   
   issues. I try and put the item keyword first so like items sort together, e.g.   
   transceiver, transmitter, SWR meter, antenna matcher, etc. For items like   
   tools, I put in one lot valued at a low price...you may have big ticket power   
   tools and desire to enter key items individually.   
      
   For homebrew gear or unknown gear, I use $1.00. You could start your entry   
   process by entering the most expensive gear first as this follows a good   
   business principle of putting effort on the most important gear. Don't forget   
   your antennas and all outside towers, equipment, and gear in the car, boat,   
   Rolls-Royce, etc .   
      
   On small parts of unknown value, just citing one lot at $1. 00 will help   
   ensure that this category is not missed at the time of your trip to "the big   
   QTH in the sky". If you have big expensive spares, then individual inventory   
   entry seems most desirable. You could set a dollar value for what to enter,   
   but I feel that any piece of equipment I might want to sell is worth entry.   
      
   So what do you have when you are finished or close to it? Well, you have an   
   accurate record to discuss with your insurance agent if you feel you may want   
   additional QTH insurance.   
      
   It seems to me it is just a good practice to record your radio assets. If you   
   feel the inventory process is tough for you, imagine how tough it would be for   
   your widow and/or friends who have not the same knowledge as you do of the   
   equipment by function and value?   
      
   I think you may well be surprised at the dollar value you have tied up in your   
   equipment. You also have a file that can easily be stored on your PC,   
   safeguarded in a vault, and sent via email.   
      
   When needed, the inventory can be used to insert asking prices for estate   
   sales and simplify so much the effort to be provided by friends and your XYL.   
   So, if you are sure you will live forever, please put off starting your   
   equipment inventory, HI!! If you are mortal, may I wish you good luck in   
   starting with the big stuff and working down the value scale.   
      
   73, John W3HMS   
      
   CONTESTS   
      
   15 January through 28 January   
      
   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   
      
   North American QSO Party--Phone, from Jan 18, 1800Z to Jan 19, 0559Z. Bands   
   (MHz): 1.8-28. Exchange: Name and S/P/C. Logs due: 7 days.   
      
   Linc Cundall Memorial CW Contest--CW, from Jan 15, 2300Z - See website.   
   Multiple time periods. Bands (MHz): 1.8-7. Exchange: See Web site. Logs due:   
   30 days.   
      
   NAQCC Monthly QRP Sprint--CW, from Jan 16, 0130Z to Jan 16, 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.   
      
   Locust QSO Party--CW, from Jan 16, 0200Z to Jan 16, 0256Z. Bands (MHz): 3.5-7.   
   3.556, 7.056 MHz. Exchange: Name, state or province or 'DX'. Logs due: Jan 31.   
      
   LZ Open Contest--CW, from Jan 18, 0000Z to Jan 18, 0400Z. Bands (MHz): 3.5, 7.   
   Exchange: 6-digit serial and serial from previous QSO. Logs due: 30 days.   
      
   International United Teenager Contest--Phone,CW, from Jan 18, 0600Z to Jan 18,   
   1400Z. Bands (MHz): 3.5-28. Exchange: RS(T) and age or "RT". Logs due: 30 days.   
      
   HA DX Contest--Phone,CW, from Jan 18, 1200Z to Jan 19, 1200Z. Bands (MHz):   
   1.8-28. Exchange: RS(T) and serial. Logs due: 30 days. http://www.ha-dx.com   
      
   Feld-Hell Gridloc Sprint--Digital, from Jan 18, 1600Z to Jan 18, 1800Z. Bands   
   (MHz): 1.8-28. Exchange: RST, S/P/C, Feld-Hell member nr. Logs due: 7 days.   
      
   Run For the Bacon--CW, from Jan 20, 0200Z to Jan 20, 0400Z. Bands (MHz):   
   1.8-28. Monthly on 3rd Sunday night (local). Exchange: RST, S/P/C, Flying Pig   
   nr or power.   
      
   QRP Winter Fireside SSB Sprint--Phone, from Jan 23, 2000Z to Jan 23, 2359Z.   
   Bands (MHz): 3.5-28. QRP calling frequencies. Exchange: RS, S/P/C, QRP ARCI   
   number or power. Logs due: 14 days.   
      
   NAQCC Special 160M Sprint--CW, from Jan 24, 0130Z to Jan 24, 0330Z. Bands   
   (MHz): 1.8. Exchange: RST, S/P/C, and NAQCC mbr nr or power. Logs due: 4 days.   
      
   CQ WW 160 Meter Contest--CW, from Jan 24, 2200Z to Jan 26, 2200Z. Bands (MHz):   
   1.8. Exchange: RST and S/P/C. Logs due: Feb 28.   
      
   REF French Contest--CW, from Jan 25, 0600Z to Jan 26, 1800Z. Bands (MHz):   
   3.5-28. Exchange: RST and serial or department ID. Logs due: 15 days.   
      
   BARTG RTTY Sprint--Digital, from Jan 25, 1200Z to Jan 26, 1200Z. Bands (MHz):   
   3.5-28. Exchange: Serial. Logs due: Mar 1.   
      
   UBA Contest--Phone, from Jan 25, 1300Z to Jan 26, 1300Z. Bands (MHz): 3.5-28.   
   Exchange: RS, serial, and ON province. Logs due: 2 weeks.   
      
   Winter Field Day--Phone,CW,Digital, from Jan 25, 1700Z to Jan 26, 1700Z. Bands   
   (MHz): 1.8-28, 50+. Exchange: Call sign, RS(T), category, local temp. Logs   
   due: Feb 28.   
      
   WAB Top Band Phone Contest--Phone, from Jan 25, 1900Z to Jan 25, 2300Z. Bands   
   (MHz): 1.8. Exchange: See Web site. Logs due: 21 days.   
      
   Classic Exchange--CW, from Jan 26, 1400Z to Jan 27, 0800Z. Bands (MHz):   
   1.8-28, 50, 144, CW 1.810, 3.545, 7.045, 14.045, 21.135, 28.050, 50.100,   
   144.100 MHz. Exchange: RST, QTH, model of rcvr and xmtr. Logs due: 30 days.   
      
   VHF+ CONTESTS   
      
   ARRL January VHF Contest--Phone,CW, from Jan 18, 1900Z to Jan 20, 2359Z. Bands   
   (MHz): 50+. Exchange: Grid square. Logs due: Feb 19.   
      
   Winter Field Day--Phone,CW,Digital, from Jan 25, 1700Z to Jan 26, 1700Z. Bands   
   (MHz): 1.8-28, 50+. Exchange: Call sign, RS(T), category, local temp. Logs   
   due: Feb 28.   
      
   Classic Exchange--CW, from Jan 26, 1400Z to Jan 27, 0800Z. Bands (MHz):   
   1.8-28, 50, 144, CW 1.810, 3.545, 7.045, 14.045, 21.135, 28.050, 50.100,   
   144.100 MHz. Exchange: RST, QTH, model of rcvr and xmtr. Logs due: 30 days.   
      
   LOG DUE DATES   
    *  January 15 through January 28   
    *  January 15 - AWA Bruce Kelley 1929 QSO Party   
    *  January 16 - QRP Fox Hunt   
    *  January 17 - AGB-Party Contest   
    *  January 17 - UK DX BPSK63 Contest   
    *  January 18 - PODXS 070 Club PSKFest   
    *  January 18 - QRP ARCI Pet Rock Sprint   
    *  January 18 - QRP Fox Hunt   
    *  January 19 - NCCC Sprint Ladder   
    *  January 19 - NRAU-Baltic Contest   
    *  January 19 - SKCC Weekend Sprintathon   
    *  January 19 - North American QSO Party, CW   
    *  January 19 - NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint   
    *  January 21 - Croatian CW Contest   
    *  January 21 - AGCW VHF/UHF Contest   
    *  January 22 - AGB New Year Snowball Contest   
    *  January 25 - Feld Hell Sprint   
    *  January 26 - MI QRP January CW Contest   
    *  January 26 - Old New Year Contest   
    *  January 26 - Run for the Bacon QRP Contest   
    *  January 26 - North American QSO Party, SSB   
    *  January 27 - DARC 10-Meter Contest   
    *  January 28 - RAEM Contest   
    *  January 28 - LZ Open Contest   
      
   ARRL Information   
      
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   ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS   
      
   ARRL Contest Update wishes to acknowledge information from WA7BNM's Contest   
   Calendar and SM3CER's Contest Calendar.   
      
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   )\/(ark   
      
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    * Origin:  (1:3634/12.71)