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   http://www.arrl.org/contests/update/?issue=2014-07-16   
      
   The ARRL Contest Update   
      
   July 16, 2014   
   Editor: Ward Silver, NOAX   
      
   IN THIS ISSUE   
    *  All Hams Are On Islands - IOTA Contest   
    *  144 MHz Digital EME and CQ VHF Contests   
    *  WRTC2014 Winners - USA and Europe 1-2-3   
    *  Looking At the Sun   
    *  WRTC2014 in Pictures by N6TV   
    *  WRTC2014 Horse Race   
    *  Dump that Ballast RFI   
    *  Grounding Inside the Box   
    *  To Those Who Strive   
      
   NEW HF OPERATORS - THINGS TO DO   
      
   The annual Islands On the Air contest is a lot of fun with its 24-hour   
   format and interesting geography - we all like to contact islands! For the   
   thrill of the hunt low-power-style, chase down the bees in the Adventure   
   Radio Society's Flight of the Bumblebees contest for portable stations.   
      
   BULLETINS   
      
   The County Hunters CW Contest (July 26-27) is a late addition to the contest   
   roster.   
      
   BUSTED QSOS   
      
   No penalties were extracted from the last issue.   
      
   CONTEST SUMMARY   
      
   Complete information for all contests follows the Conversation section   
      
   July 19-20   
      
    *  North American QSO Party RTTY   
    *  NAQCC Monthly QRP Sprint--CW (Jul 17)   
    *  144 MHz Digital EME Championship   
    *  DMC RTTY Contest   
    *  Feld-Hell High Road Sprint   
    *  CQ WW VHF Contest   
    *  RSBG Low Power Contest--CW   
    *  Run For the Bacon--CW (Jul 21)   
      
   July 26-27   
      
    *  RSGB IOTA Contest   
    *  County Hunters CW Contest   
    *  Flight of the Bumblebees--CW   
      
   NEWS, PRESS RELEASES, AND GENERAL INTEREST   
      
   At last! After four years of preparation and hard work by organizers and   
   competitors, WRTC2014 is now in the history books, having gone off without a   
   visible hitch. Building on the traditions of six prior events and WRTC2010's   
   most-level-playing-field-ever, the WRTC2014 team can all be proud of their   
   accomplishments - the world-wide radiosport community tips its collective   
   cap to you! From the previous organizing committees, thanks, hvala, kiitos,   
   obrigado, and spacibo!   
      
   Medal winners   
      
    *  Gold: K1A (N6MJ/KL9A): 7,184,844 points, 4572 QSOs, and 436 multipliers   
    *  Silver: W1L (OM3BH/OM3GI): 6,816,144 points, 4508 QSOs, and 422   
       multipliers   
    *  Bronze: W1P (DJ5MW/DL1IAO): 6,421,383 points, 4347 QSOs, and 417   
       multipliers   
      
   Remember - these scores were made with a station comprising two 100-watt   
   transceivers sharing a tribander and a pair of inverted Vees for 40 and 80   
   meters. All teams exceeded 3100 QSOs - quite an accomplishment that attests   
   to the quality of the operators.   
      
   Special awards   
      
   Special awards were also given to the two teams having the highest SSB and   
   CW QSO totals with at least 35% of their QSOs on the remaining mode:   
      
    *  SSB - K1M (IK1HJS/I4UFH) with 2063 SSB QSOs and 1233 CW QSOs   
    *  CW - N1S (LX2A/YO3JR) with 2391 CW SSB QSOs and 1302 SSB QSOs   
      
   The team with the highest number of multipliers was the overall winner, K1A,   
   with 436, and the most accurate was the Bronze medal team, W1P, with a 1.0%   
   error rate. If you're keeping score, the total number of CW QSOs logged by   
   the 59 teams in 24 hours was 178,720 and there were 53,360 QSOs on SSB.   
      
   Thanks also to everyone who hustled and sent in a log immediately after the   
   contest. More than 3300 logs were submitted before the 1800 UTC deadline for   
   use by the WRTC log-checking committee, enabling more than 60% of the QSOs   
   to be cross-checked. (More than 4000 logs are in the database as this issue   
   is being prepared.)   
      
   The complete results are available on the WRTC2014 website. Note that the   
   final live scoreboard lists the raw scores before log checking.   
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
   WRTC2014 wasn't the only radiosport championship taking place in the Boston   
   area recently. The 14th USA National Championships of Amateur Radio   
   Direction Finding (ARDF) took place over the weekend of June 5-8. As noted   
   in this ARRL news article, this year there were two new events, both on 80   
   meters: a sprint over a shortened course with 10 transmitters and a   
   faster-than-usual transmitter cycle. Foxoring is a combination of   
   orienteering and foxhunting, in which competitors receive maps marked with   
   the approximate locations of a dozen very low power transmitters to find.   
   Competitors for all events are divided into age categories, six for men,   
   five for women, with medals awarded to the winners in each category. Imagine   
   that - a sprint contest in which the participants actually, you know,   
   sprint!   
      
   Plaque sponsorships are still available for the 2014 CQ WPX RTTY Contest at   
   $65.00 each. 2013 plaque sponsors have until July 23 to reserve plaques in   
   their categories after which sponsorships will be available on a first come,   
   first served basis. Contact the plaque manager, Ray ND8L, for more   
   information.   
      
   Scott TI3/W7RI didn't benefit from the recent 6 meter propagation, but he   
   noted an interesting article about signals and ion trails from fireballs in   
   the sky. (From ARRL Propagation Bulletin ARLP028)   
      
   The "Youth DX Adventure" and N6JRL, were in Curacao from July 14-18   
   operating PJ2T in the IARU HF Championship. Started in 2010, the annual   
   operation takes young operators to DX locations for crash courses in pileup   
   handling. This year, four youthful ops from 11 to 17 years old, two of their   
   parents, and group leaders all converged at the PJ2T station. The original   
   host, TI5KD, was sidelined by a stroke in 2012 but WOCG and the PJ2T group   
   stepped in to help out as hosts.   
      
   Another opportunity to contact young operators is coming - Scout Camp OH1AS   
   will be on the air from 22-30 July from camp Piiru14 in Hameenlinna,   
   Finland. The station will be operated by licensed volunteer operators with   
   the help of radioscouts. The 9-day event has approximately 3500 campers,   
   some of whom will be busy making contacts as second operators. Scout   
   frequencies are 3.690 & 3.740 MHz, 7.090 & 7.190 MHz, 14.267 & 14.290 MHz,   
   and 28.390 MHz ñ QRM. CW and digital modes will be activated when possible.   
   Get on and be part of a youngster's first ham radio experience! (Thanks,   
   Daily DX)   
      
   This is an interesting article about using cell tower-to-tower microwave   
   links to assess the weather. By monitoring the signal strength at each end   
   of the link and comparing it with measurements made during clear, dry   
   conditions, meteorologists can determine the extent of fog, rain, hail, snow   
   and other precipitation between the towers in real-time.   
      
   Web Site of the Week - Scientific American is running another article on a   
   citizen science project in which volunteers are asked to look at a series of   
   pairs of sunspot images, and decide which of each two are more complex. I   
   know your mother told you not to look directly at the Sun but this is for a   
   good cause! (From ARRL Propagation Bulletin ARLP027)   
      
   WORD TO THE WISE   
      
   SPG - Single-point ground is a lightning protection practice that physically   
   binds all of the entry wiring into a house/shack to a single ground -- e.g.,   
   RF, AC power, water pipes, telephone. (From the Contest University Contest   
   Glossary by N9RV)   
      
   SIGHTS AND SOUNDS   
      
   Bob N6TV has published a treasure trove of WRTC2014 photo albums from all   
   phases of the event. Well done, Bob! Watch for other albums to be made   
   public and the WRTC2014 website is collecting photos if you were there and   
   took some you'd like to share!   
      
   Globetrotter and photographer, Nigel G3TXF, has posted some photos from this   
   past weekend's "Ham Radio" convention in Friedrichshafen. (Thanks, Daily DX)   
      
   When your feed line insulators have to be supported by ceramic insulators   
   more than a foot long, you are running some serious power. (Thanks, Rick   
   WOPC)   
      
   RESULTS AND RECORDS   
      
   If you were keeping an eye on the WRTC2014 Live Scoreboard, it was not a   
   surprise who would be declared the final winners. The K1A team of Dan N6MJ   
   and Chris KL9A led virtually from the start - a "wireless-to-wireless"   
   victory. There was considerable tension, however, in resolving which teams   
   would wear silver and bronze. While K1A jumped out to an early lead, W1L,   
   the Slovakian team of OM3BH/OM3GI, and W1Z, the North American Team 5 of   
   N5DX and N2IC, were neck and neck throughout the contest after a few hours.   
   W1L pulled ever so slightly ahead at the end but what about the German team   
   in fourth place? DJ5MW and DL1IAO were right behind W1Z. The final places   
   were determined by log-checking and the contest-high accuracy of W1P was   
   enough to nudge them ever-so-slightly ahead of W1Z. In fact, the margin was   
   so close that less than a minute's worth of operating separated the two   
   teams - such was the level of competition! Are you dreaming of a WRTC chair   
   someday? Work on your logging accuracy!   
      
   Full results for the 2014 ARRL International DX Contest, both CW and SSB,   
   have been published on the ARRL Contest Results web page. Line scores for   
   the 2014 January VHF Contest are now available, as well, and in a new   
   expanded format created by John K9JK.   
      
   Results for the 2013 running of the Arizona QSO Party are now online. 2014   
   Arizona QSO Party announcements will be made at and following the Williams   
   (AZ) Hamfest. (Thanks, Gary KE7DX)   
      
   July's monthly Adventure Radio Society Spartan Sprint - Monday evening, July   
   8 - had a great turnout and good conditions were reported from many regions.   
   Twenty meters seems to have been the most productive band. (Thanks, Richard   
   KI6SN)   
      
   OPERATING TIP   
      
   Accuracy is not optional as evidenced by the razor-thin margin separating   
   third and fourth places at WRTC2014. Don't rely on databases and spots to   
   substitute for what you should be copying on your own. If you want to reach   
   the top levels of radiosport (or traffic handling, for that matter), quick   
   and accurate exchanges of information are something to which every operator   
   should aspire.   
      
   TECHNICAL TOPICS AND INFORMATION   
      
   Recent problems with electronic ballasts, such as for "grow lights," has   
   been studied by Tom WOIVJ and he has written an article about it that will   
   be published in the November issue of QST. Tom has developed a filter for   
   these lights that you can see on his website. Larry WOQE has also   
   contributed some useful material on RFI from electronic ballasts. (Thanks,   
   ARRL RFI Specialist, Mike W1MG)   
      
   Do you have a tower base that needs to be removed? Dexpan will do it at a   
   cost of about $85.00 for an 11-lb bag. It's well worth the money after   
   considering the effort required to do it with a sledge hammer or rent a   
   pneumatic jackhammer. Drill, pour, and watch! (Thanks, Tom N4NW)   
      
   The Findchips website's name implies that it is for finding ICs only, but it   
   will find sources and prices for virtually any electronic part number. Enter   
   only the part number and not the manufacturer. Try it, you'll like it!   
   (Thanks, Bill W6WRT)   
      
   After tuning around the bands in this weekend's IARU HF Championship   
   tumultuary, I longed for some of that "white space" the cognitive radio   
   boffins are always talking about. The closest I could get was "light gray!"   
   Read this Electronic Design article and see what they have planned!   
      
   I enjoy wandering through a department store and imagining all the   
   alternative radio uses for the many household, automotive, and craft   
   products! (OK, so I need a hobby...) Patrick KM5L must as well - he suggests   
   using this perforated stainless steel grill saver as a dandy radial   
   attachment plate!   
      
   Scott N7SS has discovered that pedals for electric keyboards make dandy   
   footswitches. They are heavy and made not to slip around under your foot!   
      
   Technical Web Site of the Week - We talk a lot about grounding outside our   
   radios but how about grounding and wiring inside them? This four-part series   
   from EDN is good stuff for designers and builders of all sorts. Part 1   
   begins a look at grounding: when to consider it, how chassis materials   
   affect it, and the problem of ground loops. Part 2 discusses power supply   
   returns and I/O signal grounding. Part 3 covers inter-board interface   
   signals, star grounding, and shielding. Part 4 covers safety grounding and   
   wiring.   
      
   CONVERSATION   
      
   To Those Who Strive   
      
   In honor of WRTC2014, Brian K1LI and your editor decided to do a little   
   paraphrasing of Teddy Roosevelt's speech "Citizenship In A Republic"   
   delivered at the Sorbonne, in Paris, France on 23 April, 1910. This is   
   dedicated to the competitors and the hundreds of volunteers who made the   
   event such a success.   
      
   "It is not the jammer that counts. Not the critic who snorts when the strong   
   fist stumbles, or who points out the workers of pileups could have done   
   better. The credit goes to the hams who are actually in the arena, whose   
   ears are jarred with static and overload and QRM. Who strive tirelessly to   
   improve the art, though they err and come short again and again. Who are   
   enthusiastic about the great devotions and champions of amateur radio and   
   spend themselves to aid a worthy cause. Who, at their best, by constantly   
   raising their standards, know the triumph of high achievement. And who, at   
   their worst, if they fail, at least fail while daring greatly, so their   
   place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither   
   victory nor defeat."   
      
   Well done, everyone! Who's next?   
      
   73, Ward NOAX   
      
   CONTESTS   
      
   July 16 through July 29   
      
   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   
      
   NAQCC Monthly QRP Sprint--CW, from Jul 17, 0030Z to Jul 17, 0230Z. 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. Rules   
      
   DMC RTTY Contest--Digital, from Jul 19, 1200Z to Jul 20, 1200Z. Bands (MHz):   
   3.5-28. Exchange: RST and serial. Logs due: Aug 14. Rules   
      
   Feld-Hell High Road Sprint--Digital, from Jul 19, 1600Z to Jul 19, 1800Z.   
   Bands (MHz): 21, 28, 50, Monthly on 3rd Saturday. Exchange: RST, S/P/C,   
   Feld-Hell member nr. Logs due: 7 days. Rules   
      
   North American QSO Party RTTY--Digital, from Jul 19, 1800Z to Jul 20, 0600Z.   
   Bands (MHz): 3.5-28. Exchange: Name and S/P/C. Logs due: 7 days. Rules   
      
   RSBG Low Power Contest--CW, from Jul 20, 0900Z - See website. Multiple time   
   periods. Bands (MHz): 3.5-7. Exchange: RST, serial, power. Logs due: Jul 30.   
   Rules   
      
   Run For the Bacon--CW, from Jul 21, 0100Z to Jul 21, 0300Z. Bands (MHz):   
   1.8-28. Monthly on 3rd Sunday night (local). Exchange: RST, S/P/C, Flying   
   Pig nr or power. Rules   
      
   RSGB IOTA Contest--Phone,CW, from Jul 26, 1200Z to Jul 27, 1200Z. Bands   
   (MHz): 3.5-28. Exchange: RS(T), serial, IOTA number if island. Logs due: 3   
   weeks. Rules   
      
   County Hunters CW Contest--CW, from Jul 26, 1400Z - See website. Multiple   
   time periods. Bands (MHz): 3.5-28. 3.550, 7.050, 14.050, 21.050, 28.050.   
   Exchange: RST, state/county or "DX". Logs due: Aug 31. Rules   
      
   Flight of the Bumblebees--CW, from Jul 27, 1700Z to Jul 27, 2100Z. Bands   
   (MHz): 7-28. Exchange: RST, S/P/C, Bumblebee nr or power. Logs due: Aug 12.   
   Rules   
      
   VHF+ CONTESTS   
      
   144 MHz Digital EME Championship--Digital, from Jul 19, 0000Z to Jul 20,   
   2400Z. Bands (MHz): 144. Exchange: TMO or RST and R. Logs due: 14 days.   
   Rules   
      
   Feld-Hell High Road Sprint--Digital, from Jul 19, 1600Z to Jul 19, 1800Z.   
   Bands (MHz): 21, 28, 50, Monthly on 3rd Saturday. Exchange: RST, S/P/C,   
   Feld-Hell member nr. Logs due: 7 days. Rules   
      
   CQ WW VHF Contest--Phone,CW,Digital, from Jul 19, 1800Z to Jul 20, 2100Z.   
   Bands (MHz): 50,144. Exchange: 4-char grid square. Logs due: Aug 4. Rules   
      
   LOG DUE DATES   
      
   July 16 through July 29   
      
    *  July 16 - ARRL June VHF Contest   
    *  July 17 - NRAU 10m Activity Contest   
    *  July 18 - QRP Fox Hunt   
    *  July 19 - PODXS 070 Club 40m Firecracker Sprint   
    *  July 19 - CWops Mini-CWT Test   
    *  July 19 - Russian Radio Team Championship   
    *  July 20 - West Virginia QSO Party   
    *  July 20 - QRP ARCI Summer Homebrew Sprint   
    *  July 20 - SKCC Weekend Sprintathon   
    *  July 20 - NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint   
    *  July 21 - Kid's Day Contest   
    *  July 21 - DARC 10-Meter Digital Contest   
    *  July 21 - 10-10 Int. Spirit of 76 QSO Party   
    *  July 23 - RSGB 80m Club Championship, SSB   
    *  July 26 - Feld Hell Sprint   
    *  July 27 - Run for the Bacon QRP Contest   
    *  July 27 - North American QSO Party, RTTY   
    *  July 28 - RSGB Low Power Contest   
    *  July 29 - Ukrainian DX DIGI Contest   
    *  July 29 - ARRL Field Day   
      
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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   
      
   One of the great tragedies of life is the murder of a beautiful theory by a   
   gang of brutal facts. --Benjamin Franklin   
      
   --- FMail/Win32 1.60   
    * Origin:  (1:3634/12.71)