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The ARRL Contest Update
Published by the American Radio Relay League
********************************************
January 19, 2011
Editor: Ward Silver, N0AX
==> IN THIS ISSUE
- This Rover's No Dog - ARRL January VHF Sweepstakes
- Top Band Fun For All - CQ WW 160 CW Contest
- LOTW Meets VUCC
- A Global Science Fair
- Titanic Thunderstorm Tales
- Contest Analysis by ON5ZO
- Fuses for Amplifiers
- Coping With Cycle 24
- Whither Single-Op?
NEW HF OPERATORS - THINGS TO DO
FYBO - that stands for "Freeze Your Butt Off" and it's the winter Field
Day-style event sponsored the QRP AZSQRPions
in a couple of weeks on Feb 5th. Not every
HF event is totally serious, you know! Since one of the scoring inputs
is the temperature of your operating location, the zeroes have
home-field advantage!
BULLETINS
WPX SSB log checking reports are available. If you submitted a log, you
should have received an email from WPX Contest Director K5ZD
(k5zd@charter.net).
BUSTED QSOS
The K9VV mentioned in the previous issue's story about SDR web sites
was actually N9VV. (Thanks, Dan K1TO and Art K6XT)
CONTEST SUMMARY
Complete information for all contests follows the Conversation section
January 22-23
- ARRL January VHF Sweepstakes
- NAQCC Monthly QRP Sprint--CW (Jan 20)
- Locust QSO Party--CW (Jan 20)
- YLISSB QSO Party--Phone
- BARTG RTTY Sprint
January 29-30
- CQ WW 160 Meter Contest--CW (starts Jan 28)
- REF French Contest--CW
- UBA Contest--Phone
- Winter Field Day
- WAB Top Band Phone Contest
- Classic Exchange--CW (Jan 31)
==> NEWS, PRESS RELEASES, AND GENERAL INTEREST
The big story of the past two weeks is welcome news for VHF+ contesters
as the ARRL's online Logbook of the World (LOTW) now supports VUCC
awards
. The
ARRL Web article reviews the changes and answers some of the immediate
questions about getting started. LOTW will also support the Fred Fish
Memorial Award - earned by only two
grid-chasing stations so far! The ARRL Outgoing QSL Service, for those
who prefer paper to programs, announced new rates effective this week.
While the ARRL LOTW site does have a lot of supporting instructions,
Dave, AA6YW, author of DXLab Suite, has created his own complementary
set of instructions
for adding
locations to your TQSL software configuration - a key element of
successful LOTW use. (Thanks, Peter N5UWY)
The North Coast Contesters have
announced the 19th Annual Dayton Contest Dinner
and are taking ticket orders. This is the
venue for CQ Contest Hall of Fame inductions and the keynote speaker is
always enjoyable. The dinner will be held on Friday, May 21st, at the
Crowne Plaza Hotel. (Thanks, Tim K3LR)
In discussing participation in the ARRL 10 Meter Contest by Mexican
stations, Ramon XE1KK and Hector XE2K contributed additional
information about Mexican licensing. Perhaps the clearest explanation
of the complicated process is available from Christian DL6KAC
- it applies for
both resident and visiting hams. How does this stack up to other ITU
Region 2 licensing? The comparison shows that
it's tough to be an XE licenseholder with the highest fees of any
Region 2 country! Mexican ham radio licensing rules
have been translated into
English by George XE1/N9VIU. Note that no Mexican national may allow
any other person to use his or her call sign. Both Ramon and Hector
remind us that, like in many other countries, abuse of the rules by
visitors helps keep restrictive regulations in place.
Does it seem hot in here? Only about a million, more or less. Is that F
or C? Scientists are making good use of the new solar observatory
satellites to learn just how the corona gets so hot
!
Since the corona is the source of many solar phenomena that affect
radio propagation, understanding its mechanics has a lot of practical
use right here on terra firma.
The group managing the ARRL Frequency Measuring Tests (FMT) has
announced a new format for the April 12th (April 13th UTC) exercise.
More information will be printed in the March issue of QST or you can
keep an eye on FMT manager Connie K5CM's web site
for more information.
The Minnesota QSO Party
(Feb 5) is working
hard to be sure all 87 counties are activated - even roving in frigid
temperatures that would
freeze a sine wave! The MN QSO Party County Activity Map is color-coded
to show expected county activations and clicking on a county shows call
signs "signed up" to activate it. The web site will also track the
rovers in real-time via APRS as the contest progresses. Pretty cool!
(Thanks, Bob K0RC)
Alberto LU1DZ writes in with notification of a new web site for the CW
World Wide South America Contest . Results of
previous contests will be published here when they are available.
W3KM has updated his Cabrillo Log Evaluator
software - it's
very useful for contest sponsors that use the Cabrillo log format for
submissions. If your club sponsors a contest, why not encourage the use
of the standard format and make your log-checking life a bit easier?
Individual contesters may find the Cabrillo Log Checker
to be helpful in converting and
managing their logs. (Thanks, John WA2HIP and Bob N6TV)
Web Site of the Week - Science fairs are a lot of fun for the
technically-inclined student and encourages them on their way to a
career in engineering or science. Google has launched its own Global
Science Fair project for
entrants between the ages of 13 and 18. Each project is created as a
Google web site and the judges will be actual scientists and technical
professionals. Maybe that new antenna or digital protocol would catch
their eye?
WORD TO THE WISE
Endurance - this is a plus for both contesters, DXpeditioners, and
sailors. With some of our contesting compadres headed for the South
Orkneys this week, Endurance by Caroline
Alexander about the explorer Shackleford's adventures in the same area
might be a good read while waiting for them to reach the island. Says,
Rus K2UA, "So many lessons for all of us about teamwork, faith, and the
human spirit in the face of incredible adversity [that] the Southern
Ocean dishes out even in the summer."
==> SIGHTS AND SOUNDS
If it seems like the QRN from a thunderstorm is curiously strong,
perhaps it's just the echoes of matter-antimatter annihilation! It
turns out that thunderstorms can actually create antimatter and gamma
rays
like a giant particle accelerator. The NASA story has lots of
interesting graphics and animations to explain how this happens. You'll
never look at big cumulonimbii the same way!
What is it like to land on a remote Pacific atoll? Take a look at this
cockpit video
of a Gulfstream twin-engine coming in over the lagoons and reefs.
(Thanks, Katie Stadler)
The Hallicrafters SCR-299/HT-4 transmitter did yeoman's service in
World War II and was a legendary surplus item in the post-war years.
Here's a long video
looking back at a ham radio icon. (Thanks, John W7KCN)
==> RESULTS AND RECORDS
A very nice analysis of the 2010 UBA contests
with notes about logs and log checking has been posted by our Belgian
correspondent, Franki ON5ZO.
The results of the 2010 Ohio State Parks on the Air Contest
are online. (Thanks, Joe W8KNO)
SYLRA Contest 2010 Final Results
are ready online - congratulations to all the trophy winners! (Thanks,
Janne OH6LBW/OH6M)
LZ DX Contest 2010 preliminary results
are now on-line and become
official on 15 Feb. (Thanks, Wally LZ2CJ)
OPERATING TIP
How to Build A Pot, by Festus - "Most people just don't know how to
make good coffee. In the first place, they boil the water before they
put the coffee in. Any fool knows you gotta put the coffee in the cold
water and bring them both to a boil together. That way you get all of
the flavor. Worst thing they do, they throw away the old grounds after
using them once. What they don't know is that they are throwing away
the best part. You got to keep them old grounds and you add a little
fresh coffee every morning and let her boil. Shoot, you don't make a
cup, you build a pot. You don't really get a good pot until you've been
usin' it about a week. Then it's coffee!" - Festus was a memorable
character played by Ken Curtis on the Gunsmoke TV show.
==> TECHNICAL TOPICS AND INFORMATION
Amplifier fuses may not be the usual glass-cartridge style. If yours
uses ceramic cartridge fuses, you can often find them as "microwave
oven fuses". They are also available from electronic suppliers, such as
Mouser Electronics . Don't substitute glass
fuses as they are not rated to handle or interrupt the same current and
voltage. (Thanks, Jim W7RY and Vic K2VCO)
Looking up the connections of a microphone can be maddening - there
are so many, the manufacturers all use different conventions, signal
names are different. Ugh. To the rescue rides Roy, G4WPW with his
amazing compilation of microphone connector wiring and schematics
. Three cheers for the
compilers of information among us!
Speaking of (or into) microphones, if you are the type that enjoys
putting the end of a vacuum cleaner hose next to the cat and making
growly noises into the other end, you might enjoy learning that a
toilet paper tube placed over certain microphones can have interesting
effects on the resulting transmitted audio. This was a regular
"enhancement" for the Kenwood MC-60 desk mike, for example. Will it
improve your score? The reply is somewhat hazy!
If you have a Pelican hard-shell equipment case, but need foam inserts
for cushioning
equipment, Dan KI4YZE recommends Foamerica.com as having a complete
selection.
Here's a way to evenly space any number of radials around an antenna
base. First, find the circumference of the circle that contains the
shortest radial: C = 2*pi*r, where r is the length of the shortest
radial. Divide C by the number of radials. This is the distance between
the radials as they cross the circle. Using this method, even an
irregular area can be covered with evenly-spaced radials. (Thanks, Rod
WN8R)
At the other end, to what do you connect the radials? There are all
sorts of suggestions from pre-drilled and threaded radial connection
plates to scavenging bent aluminum wheel rims from an auto body shop.
Dave AB7E reminds us that while it looks pretty, the electrons don't
care if the radial attachment is made in a circle - you can use short
lengths of bus bar or flashing strip around the antenna to make several
radial connections as a strip or with the ends connected together
forming a polygon.
Reminder - call before you dig! No matter where you live in the U.S.
there is a phone number you can call to check for buried cables and
pipes before the first shovel of dirt is turned. Call your local
utility to find out who does the job in your area.
Technical Web Site of the Week - Are you suffering through the
oh-so-slow beginnings of solar cycle 24? Paul VE1DX offers some
Cassidic-inspired wisdom featuring the Palos Verdes Sundancers
.
If you want something to occupy you until the cycle has progressed a
little farther, read this interesting paper
about orbital resonances of the
outer planets and their effects on the Sun. (Thanks, Rich KL7RA)
==> CONVERSATION
Whither, Single-Op?
In the last issue, I discussed how radio is changing from a
one-at-a-time to everybody-at-once. ("Parallel to Serial", 5 Jan 2011)
That makes a big difference in how we think of what we do and how we
compete. Another big game-changer is the ability of software to compete
with the "wet-ware" between our ears. Just this past week, in a
practice round Watson, the IBM-designed supercomputer, beat the
all-time Jeopardy champs at their own game
.
Does the relentless advance of computers put our own game in jeopardy?
No more than the advent of steam-power eliminated sailing competitions.
Nor has technology relegated sailing to the back-benches of
re-enactment hobbies. Read through the reporting on the America's Cup
sailing yacht races and you will find competition as intense as any
cutting-edge sport. Yet, it is important to clearly identify what
technological apples are being compared. Indeed, a race of the sailing
against engine-powered vessels would not be much of a draw. We need to
make the same set of distinctions in radiosport. As always, definitions
are important.
First, let's start with the word "assisted" as it is found in category
definitions. Although contest rules for "Single-Op Assisted" categories
are clear, there is lots of confusion. The only thing to which the term
"assisted" applies is to receiving information about other contest
operation from outside your station boundary and via something else
than the contest bands and modes. It does not apply to devices or
persons that help you make a bigger score. This was once clear and
understood by pretty much everybody, but there is that word with all
its superfluous connotations. It really needs to be changed.
The discussion about "assisted" categories and "assistance" actually
covers two completely distinct things; the first is the use of
information I just described, usually from what is referred to as a
"spotting network." (This is still called "packet", although the use of
actual packet radio links to carry the information is rapidly
disappearing in favor of Internet links.) The information itself
consists of any data about the operation of another contest station,
such as frequency, time, exchange, or call sign. The second thing is
the use of non-human devices in support of one's operating. Mixing
these two different topics in one category definition is guaranteed to
make for a difficult conversation. (The additional consideration of
single- versus multi-operator, I'll leave for another column.)
Confusion about the first topic can be defused by using a more
appropriate title for the category. For example, "Single-Operator with
Spotting Network" (SO-SN). Say what you mean and mean what you say. If
an operator uses information from the spotting network, that is an
SO-SN entry. If we want to be completely general and refer to the
information alone - a better definition - then a more appropriate name
for the category might be "Single-Operator - Connected" although the
inevitable "connected to what?" arises. Nevertheless, in this category
the operator is allowed to use information about the operation of other
stations received from sources outside the station boundary.
Defining "assistance" from non-human devices is not quite as
straightforward. After all, electronic keyers were a huge leap forward
when they were introduced. A clever layout of paper dupe sheets was
certainly helpful - isn't the ARRL's version, after all, called
"Operating Aid Number Six"? (What happened to aids one through five and
was there a seventh?) And what about computer logging?
Having been immersed in this argument for some time, it is apparent to
me that the crux of the argument is technology that replaces a crucial
human function - that of turning an audio stream into the information
required to make a record of a contest contact. i.e. automated decoding
or "copy". (Realize that the rest of this discussion must necessarily
exclude radiosport using digital modes since humans are not capable of
copying digital transmissions. Yes, we all have heard the story about
the RTTY operator who could recognize call signs...)
At present, with the exception of CW Skimmer and the occasional code
reader, there is no device in the amateur shack that turns Morse code's
on-off patterns of audio tones into characters. Similarly, there is no
device (outside of certain large government agencies) that reliably
translates the audio of human speech into characters. Thus, we have a
key, well-defined "bottleneck" through which all operation can be
constrained to pass in order to qualify for a specific category. If
"copy" is defined as translating audio into alphanumeric characters,
then "manual copy" is a human performing the copying function. An
appropriate category name for such operation might be "Single-Operator,
Manual Copy" (SO-MC) and one for which copying devices are allowed,
"Single-Operator, Automated Copy" (SO-AC)
So now we have three potential categories; SO-MC, SO-AC, and SO-SN. Do
we really need all three? Not really, in my opinion. The trend in
contest operating is clearly to add more technology and more
information. In the face of such upheaval, it's important to provide an
entry category for "sail-powered radio" and the savvy salts that steer
them. Almost equally important, the category names should not make
value judgments about the style of operating - we're all very good at
doing that ourselves, thanks. I propose the following two names for our
categories: Single-Operator, Manual Class (SO-MC) and Single-Operator,
Cyber Class (SO-CC).
SO-MC consists of a single human operator, receiving no information
from outside a physical station boundary except on the bands and modes
permitted for contest contacts and using no devices that translate the
information carried by transmitted signals into the characters required
for a record of the contact. Band scopes and spectrum analyzers are
fine. Code readers, CW Skimmers and other automated decoders in any
mode that extracts and evaluates a signal's information, speech-to-text
translators, and so forth are excluded. SO-CC consists of a single
human operator but no limits are placed on the information that can be
used or its sources. I'm sure contest sponsors would need to refine
those definitions but they are a start.
The wind-sailor and motor-boater have managed to get along for nearly
200 years, sharing waterways and devising rules of navigation that
allow all to share the rights of way. Competitions are enjoyed by all
for what they are. Surely we can do the same.
73, Ward N0AX
==> CONTESTS
19 January to 1 February
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 Jan 20, 0130Z to Jan 20, 0330Z.
Bands (MHz): 3.5-14. Frequencies: Monthly on 2nd Tuesday or 3rd
Wednesday (alternating). Exchange: RST, S/P/C, and NAQCC mbr nr or
power. Logs due: 4 days. Rules
Locust QSO Party--CW, from Jan 20, 0200Z to Jan 20, 0300Z. Bands (MHz):
3.5-7. Frequencies: 3.553, 7.053. Exchange: Name, state or province or
'DX'. Logs due: Jan 31. Rules
YLISSB QSO Party--Phone, from Jan 22, 0000Z to Jan 23, 2359Z. Bands
(MHz): 1.8-28. Exchange: Call sign, RS(T), ISSB number. Logs due: Mar
18. Rules
BARTG RTTY Sprint--Digital, from Jan 22, 1200Z to Jan 23, 1200Z. Bands
(MHz): 3.5-28. Exchange: Serial. Logs due: Mar 1. Rules
CQ WW 160 Meter Contest--CW, from Jan 28, 2200Z to Jan 30, 2200Z. Bands
(MHz): 1.8. Exchange: RST and S/P/C. Logs due: Feb 28. Rules
REF French Contest--CW, from Jan 29, 0600Z to Jan 30, 1800Z. Bands
(MHz): 3.5-28. Exchange: RST and serial or department ID. Logs due: 30
days. Rules
UBA Contest--Phone, from Jan 29, 1300Z to Jan 30, 1300Z. Bands (MHz):
3.5-28. Exchange: RS, serial, and ON province. Logs due: 2 weeks. Rules
Winter Field Day--Phone,CW,Digital, from Jan 29, 1700Z to Jan 30,
1700Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28, 50+. Exchange: Call sign, RS(T), category,
local temp. Logs due: Feb 28. Rules
WAB Top Band Phone Contest--Phone, from Jan 29, 1900Z to Jan 29, 2300Z.
Bands (MHz): 1.8. Exchange: See Web site. Logs due: 21 days. Rules
Classic Exchange--CW, from Jan 31, 1400Z to Feb 1, 0800Z. Bands (MHz):
1.8-28, 50, 144, Frequencies: CW 1.810, 3.545, 7.045, 14.045, 21.135,
28.050, 50.100, 144.100 . Exchange: RST, QTH, model of rcvr and xmtr.
Logs due: 30 days. Rules
VHF+ CONTESTS
ARRL January VHF Sweepstakes--Phone,CW, from Jan 22, 1900Z to Jan 24,
0400Z. Bands (MHz): 50+. Exchange: Grid square. Logs due: Feb 24. Rules
Winter Field Day--Phone,CW,Digital, from Jan 29, 1700Z to Jan 30,
1700Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28, 50+. Exchange: Call sign, RS(T), category,
local temp. Logs due: Feb 28. Rules
==> LOG DUE DATES
19 January to 1 February
January 19 - ARCI Holiday Spirits Homebrew Sprint
January 19 - RSGB 80m Club Championship, SSB
January 22 - AGB New Year Snowball Contest
January 22 - North American QSO Party, CW
January 23 - Run for the Bacon QRP Contest
January 24 - DARC 10-Meter Contest
January 25 - RAEM Contest
January 25 - LZ Open Contest
January 29 - North American QSO Party, SSB
January 31 - Stew Perry Topband Challenge
January 31 - Lighthouse Christmas Lights QSO Party
January 31 - Original QRP Contest
January 31 - RAC Winter Contest
January 31 - AGCW Happy New Year Contest
January 31 - NRAU-Baltic Contest, CW and SSB
January 31 - SARTG New Year RTTY Contest
February 1 - International Naval Contest
February 1 - Feld Hell Sprint
February 1 - Kid's Day 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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Copyright (c) 2011 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All
Rights Reserved
the ARRL COntest UPdate posted to the ls_arrl echo via
Radio REscue NEt operations BBS, 1:116/901 thanks to Daryl
Stout, n5vlz, sysop of the THunderbolt BBS, 1:382/33.
Address all comments and questions to the editor as described in this
electronic newsletter.
---
* Origin: (1:116/901)
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