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   http://www.arrl.org/contests/update/?issue=2014-11-05   
      
   The ARRL Contest Update   
      
   November 5, 2014   
   Editor: Ward Silver, NOAX   
      
   IN THIS ISSUE   
      
    *  Sweepstakes the Second Time Around   
    *  Worked All Europe Finale - RTTY   
    *  Here Comes Another One!   
    *  Tiny Indian Ocean Islands   
    *  Sights But No Sounds   
    *  A Pileup Of Logs   
    *  Techniques for Tuning   
    *  Changing Education and Reference Books   
    *  What's Next?   
      
   NEW HF OPERATORS - THINGS TO DO   
      
   A humongous station is not required to have a lot of fun in the Sweepstakes   
   - modest antennas and 100 watts will do just fine. Since only one contact   
   per station is needed and not one per band, you can stay on your best band   
   and work stations that tune by. Give the other bands a try, too, and you   
   will probably be surprised at how well you do. Here's an Operating Guide for   
   Sweepstakes - try for a Participation Pin and a Clean Sweep mug!   
      
   BULLETINS   
      
   The brand-new Russian World-Wide Multi-Mode Contest will be active at the   
   same time as the Phone weekend of ARRL November Sweepstakes. Congestion   
   ahead!   
      
   BUSTED QSOS   
      
   Log checking has cleared the previous issue.   
      
   CONTEST SUMMARY   
      
   Complete information for all contests follows the Conversation section   
      
   November 8-9   
      
    *  ARRL EME Contest   
    *  CWOps Weekly Mini-CWT Tests (Nov 6)   
    *  NS Weekly RTTY Sprint (Nov 7)   
    *  NS Weekly CW Sprint (Nov 7)   
    *  Worked All Europe DX Contest--Digital   
    *  10-10 Fall Digital QSO Party   
    *  Japan International DX Contest--Phone   
    *  OK-OM DX Contest--CW   
    *  Straight Key Weekend Sprintathon   
    *  Kentucky QSO Party   
    *  CQ WE (Western Electric)   
      
   November 15-16   
      
    *  ARRL November Sweepstakes--Phone   
    *  Russian WW Multi-Mode Contest   
    *  Feld-Hell Turkey Shoot Sprint   
    *  All Austria 160 Meter Contest--CW   
    *  Collegiate ARC Championship--Phone   
    *  RSGB Second 1.8 MHz Contest--CW   
    *  ARS HF Contest   
    *  Homebrew and Oldtime Contest--CW   
    *  Run For the Bacon--CW (Nov 17)   
      
   NEWS, PRESS RELEASES, AND GENERAL INTEREST   
      
   Spaceweather reports that an active region, AR2205, is emerging over the   
   Sun's northeastern limb (photo below), producing multiple coronal mass   
   ejections (CMEs) in the past 48 hours. So far, Earth is outside the line of   
   fire and the solar storm clouds are sailing wide of our planet. This could   
   change, however, as the sunspot turns toward Earth in the days ahead, and   
   any blast of charged particles would definitely affect the Phone Sweepstakes   
   and other contest action.   
      
   Portable power is often a challenge for casual or contest operating but how   
   about your own personal portable wind turbine? Omni3D is a Polish company   
   that specializes in 3D printing and manufacturing - they have created the   
   AirEnergy 3D turbine capable of generating up to 300 watts of power. Funded   
   as a Kickstarter program, the turbine is designed as a kit and capable of   
   being transported in a backpack.   
      
   Lance VK6DU collected a set of propagation planning resources beginning with   
   his favorite, the online version of VOACAP. "It gives you a good indication   
   of events (usually an hour behind the event but you can predict forward to   
   some degree). W6ELPROP is downloadable software and by doing a Google search   
   for W6EL, you will find more information about configuring it. For 6 meters   
   I use NASA's and the Jet Propulsion Lab's Real-Time Ionospheric Maps. When   
   you are in the red, you are cookin'!"   
      
   Dave K8CC relays word that the KB6KQ loops are again available from a   
   company called Loops-N-More located in Kansas. The company offers a 6 meter   
   model, a 2 meter/70 cm dual-bander, and a 125 cm (222 MHz) model, all of   
   which have potential for simple, low-cost rover use. Another handy VHF+   
   rover antenna recommended by Marshall K5QE is the Efactor, a dual-band,   
   single-feed line, 2 meter/70 cm loop created by David WT4E. "What I liked   
   about these antennas is that you get "automatic band switching", since there   
   is only one feed line. You just plug the coax into the 2M/432 coax outlet on   
   your IC-706/IC-7000/FT-857/FT-897 radio and you are done. Very easy to hook   
   up and very easy to use....especially for rookie rover ops."   
      
   You think your Field Day was an adventure? Consider doing a three-month,   
   one-man operation from the most remote location on Earth - Bouvet Island!   
   (Thanks, Phil K3UA)   
      
   The popular DX Summit website is testing a major upgrade to its capabilities   
   and display, including mobile device support. New functions include improved   
   filters and call sign monitoring, advanced propagation tools, current and   
   previous spot viewing, and a DX News section. Radio Arcala, sponsors of DX   
   Summit, is looking for beta-testers to give the new functions thorough   
   exercising before it goes live. Contact them by email if you would like to   
   participate. (Thanks, Martti OH2BH)   
      
   Web Site of the Week - With the FT4TA gang tearing it up, you might want to   
   read a couple of stories about adventures on Tromelin and sister island,   
   Juan de Nova. For National Geographic readers, the FT/J story was in the   
   April 2014 issue with the hedgehog on the cover. (Thanks, John N7TK and Jim   
   K9JF)   
      
   WORD TO THE WISE   
      
   Off time - Contests like ARRL Sweepstakes and the North American QSO Party   
   include a strategic element of not allowing full-time operation. You have to   
   choose when to "go dark" and that makes a lot of difference in the final   
   score. There is no frustration like that of running out of operating time   
   and having to listen to the contest going on while you are unable to   
   transmit! Know the rules and plan ahead.   
      
   SIGHTS AND SOUNDS   
      
   Perhaps this should be in the "Sights and No Sounds" section? Doug K1DG   
   found this animation of the October 19th X-class flare's effect on   
   propagation. He recommends the simulated global D-layer absorption starting   
   about 8 seconds into the video.   
      
   Kirk KD5FYD hosts the online program, "This Week in Radio Technology"   
   covering broadcasting and recording topics. Your editor was featured in a   
   recent program about digital transmission (also available on the GFQ   
   website) and you can also view the program's Facebook page for earlier and   
   ongoing topics.   
      
   The HamRadioNow program has begun posting talks from the recent TAPR Digital   
   Communications Conference. The DCC is a frequent launching pad for new ham   
   radio digital technology and you can also find updates on existing modes,   
   SDR technology, and other topics of the digisphere.   
      
   Bruce AA5B notes that this Astronomy Picture of the Day movie of the Sun   
   taken in visible and ultraviolet light on 22 October really hits the spot!   
      
   RESULTS AND RECORDS   
      
   Only 24 hours after the contest, the CQ World Wide committee was reporting   
   on their Facebook page that they had received 4,317 logs. By the log   
   submission deadline, 7,445 logs had been received! If you ever wonder why it   
   gets slow at the end, by 2359Z on Sunday of the contest, CQ WW Director,   
   Randy K5ZD reports they already had 981 logs submitted.   
      
   In the busy ARRL Contest Branch, 2014 RTTY Roundup Plaques are reportedly   
   out the door and headed to mailboxes across the land! (Thanks, ARRL Contest   
   Branch Manager, Matt W1MSW)   
      
   N2NC and his talented typists have been at it again. The CQ WW DX Contest   
   online score database now includes all entries from 1961 through 2013. There   
   are 164,905 entries in the SSB database and 160,292 in the CW table. It is   
   kind of hard to imagine that CQ WW 1961 had only 578 entries for SSB and   
   1130 for CW! How times have changed. Check out the log entries by year, too.   
   The all-time records are generated from the database. See all category   
   records by world, continent, and country, as well as zone records. (Thanks,   
   Randy K5ZD)   
      
   OPERATING TIP   
      
   There is no problem with working and logging duplicates in Sweepstakes -   
   they'll be removed from your log without penalty. Dupes only result in   
   penalties if they are submitted in paper logs. (See the ARRL's General Rules   
   For All ARRL Contests, Rule 7.8.) If a station calls in as a duplicate, it's   
   far simpler to work and log them. Sometimes the first QSO is bad (for them   
   or for you) and this is an easy opportunity to correct the error, saving the   
   QSO (and maybe a multiplier!) It has also been noted that some stations are   
   also trying to fill in band-modes for the Centennial QSO Party. Just work   
   it!   
      
   TECHNICAL TOPICS AND INFORMATION   
      
   Getting ready for B category in Sweepstakes? Be a good neighbor and be brief   
   when tuning up that amplifier - check your drive and output adjustments   
   before the contest. Gary K4FMX contributes a couple of tips: "You should   
   always tune your amp for maximum output power for whatever drive power you   
   are using...slightly "over tuning" or (setting the) loading a little heavier   
   than maximum output so that the output drops slightly from maximum is ideal   
   as the amp will not flat-top (saturate) as easily if the speech level is   
   driven a little harder." We all know that one's voice can get a little   
   louder during a contest for some reason! Also, "When looking at your signal   
   with a scope...remember power is E2/R. When the voltage doubles that is an   
   increase of four times the power."   
      
   Han N2JFS reminds antenna builders that grounding a coax feed line shield   
   anywhere between the feed point and a choke balun will give current a path   
   to bypass the choke and defeat its purpose.   
      
   If you are looking for flooded or adhesive-lined heat shrink, Don W7WLL   
   suggests checking with ship and fishing fleet outfitters and marine stores.   
   This is a good reminder that high-volume consumer outlets often sell the   
   very same products at a significantly lower cost than in specialty   
   electronics stores. He also notes, "If you live near a port, these   
   outfitters also typically carry lots of other 'stuff' useful to hams such as   
   stainless steel hardware, fixtures, tubing, cable, corrosion and washout   
   blocking greases, etc. Many also may have qualified riggers who can   
   proficiently create high quality replacement crankup tower cables."   
      
   Delighted at finding a cool project, Dave KM3T relays a link to this   
   portable shortwave SDR. No, wait, it's a vector network analyzer! Well,   
   whatever this device considers itself, it is described as "highly hackable."   
   Game on!   
      
   While the math might be a little stiff for non-engineering students, the   
   University of California - Berkeley course, Integrated Circuits for   
   Communication, EECS 142/242A, covers a lot of familiar territory for hams,   
   and in depth! (Thanks, Jim N9GTM)   
      
   Remember when our computers started clocking faster than our transmitters?   
   Well, the transistors are now switching up in the terahertz (a   
   megamegahertz) region as described by this Gizmag story. I wonder how many   
   points that will count for in the ARRL VHF+ contests? (Thanks, Dennis N6KI)   
      
   Popular Science for November 2014 published an article about converting an   
   old broadcast radio to listen to meteor showers - with a data recorder! The   
   technique of listening to distant FM stations as they pop in and out from   
   reflection off of burns is time-honored. This new method records signal   
   bursts using Radio-Sky-Pipe II computer software.   
      
   How many repair projects get tangled up in glue? If you're like me, it's   
   pretty easy for strands of the sticky stuff to sneak off to where they   
   aren't wanted. It always seems like they're in a visible location, doesn't   
   it? At any rate, this Instructables project shows how to make disposable   
   nozzles and put the glue just and only where you want it!   
      
   Goodbye to the last vacuum tube consumer product! Solid-state technology   
   takes over one more "hollow-state" niche but it's not what you might think   
   they've got cooking.   
      
   Technical Web Site of the Week - We have a pair of EDN magazine online   
   articles to share - the first is an interview with Prof. Mark Somerville of   
   the Olin College of Engineering. He has some interesting observations and   
   suggestions on the state of engineering education. Some of what he suggests   
   - hands-on experimentation, accumulating practical experience, and   
   developing a life-long love of learning - sounds an awful lot like ham   
   radio! The second article lists some great reference books for electronics   
   enthusiasts - it's never too early to start that holiday present list!   
      
   CONVERSATION   
      
   What's Next?   
      
   As the ARRL's Centennial year comes to a close, so does the steady stream of   
   "W1AW Portable" operations that have brought so many to the HF bands in   
   2014. Folks who probably didn't see themselves doing a lot of HF operating   
   have found themselves watching propagation, building antennas, jumping into   
   pileups and generally having a great time! This series of events, shining a   
   spotlight around the continent and out into the Pacific and Caribbean, has   
   been one of the most popular ARRL programs ever.   
      
   So what happens on January 1st when W1AW/something disappears from the   
   airwaves and returns to its little brick building at 225 Main Street in   
   Newington, Connecticut under the watchful portrait of The Old Man? We'll all   
   have pileup withdrawal, that's what! I haven't heard of any follow-up   
   program and I think the several million contacts will take some time to   
   confirm, but still, mike-button thumbs, keyboard fingertips, and key-tapping   
   digits will be eager for activity in 2015.   
      
   This is your opportunity to guide new HF operators in building on their   
   success through award programs and contests. These are always available and   
   with a year's worth of experience chasing W1AW, our new operators will find   
   easy success as they fill their logs with DX, rare counties, and hours of   
   contacts. Now is the time to schedule a late-December or January club   
   program about operating in contests or chasing awards like DXCC or CQ's WPX.   
      
   Show them how to keep an envelope on file at the QSL bureau - and maybe even   
   volunteer to sort a letter or two. If they're not on Logbook Of the World,   
   why not explain how that works. Present a survey of some of the awards   
   within their reach. The K1BV Awards Directory is free and lists more the   
   3,300 awards for accomplishments small, large, and...strange!   
      
   Those of us who have been around for a while tend to forget how thrilling it   
   was to complete Worked All Continents. Or maybe that first time you   
   experienced a solid over-the-pole or long-path opening during a contest,   
   filling the log with call signs you never expected to hear, much less log.   
   Hey, pass it on! Be a radiosport Elmer and have a ready answer when asked,   
   "What is there to do now?"   
      
   73, Ward NOAX   
      
   CONTESTS   
      
   5 November through 18 November   
      
   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 November Sweepstakes--Phone, from Nov 15, 2100Z to Nov 17, 0300Z. Bands   
   (MHz): 1.8-28. Exchange: Serial, category, call, check, ARRL/RAC sec. Logs   
   due: Dec 2. Rules   
      
   CWOps Weekly Mini-CWT Tests--CW, from Nov 6, 1300Z - See website. Multiple   
   time periods. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28. Weekly on Wednesday, 28 to 38 kHz above   
   band edge. Exchange: Name and member number or S/P/C. Logs due: 2 days.   
   Rules   
      
   NS Weekly RTTY Sprint--Digital, from Nov 7, 0145Z to Nov 7, 0215Z. Bands   
   (MHz): 3.5-14. Weekly on Thursday evenings local time. Exchange: Serial,   
   name, and S/P/C. Logs due: 2 days. Rules   
      
   NS Weekly CW Sprint--CW, from Nov 7, 0230Z to Nov 7, 0300Z. Bands (MHz):   
   1.8-14. Weekly on Thursday evenings local time. Exchange: Serial, name, and   
   S/P/C. Logs due: 2 days. Rules   
      
   Worked All Europe DX Contest--Digital, from Nov 8, 0000Z to Nov 9, 2400Z.   
   Bands (MHz): 3.5-28. Exchange: RST and serial (see web for QTC rules). Logs   
   due: 2 weeks. Rules   
      
   10-10 Fall Digital QSO Party--Digital, from Nov 8, 0001Z to Nov 9, 2359Z.   
   Bands (MHz): 28. Exchange: Call, name, 10-10 number, S/P/C. Logs due: Nov   
   25. Rules   
      
   Japan International DX Contest--Phone, from Nov 8, 0700Z to Nov 9, 1300Z.   
   Bands (MHz): 3.5-28. Exchange: RST and JA prefecture or CQ Zone. Logs due:   
   30 days. Rules   
      
   OK-OM DX Contest--CW, from Nov 8, 1200Z to Nov 9, 1200Z. Bands (MHz):   
   1.8-28. Exchange: RST and serial or OK/OM district. Logs due: Dec 1. Rules   
      
   Straight Key Weekend Sprintathon--CW, from Nov 8, 1200Z to Nov 9, 2359Z.   
   Bands (MHz): 3.5-28. Monthly beginning on the second Saturday local time.   
   Exchange: RST, S/P/C, name, SKCC nr or "none". Logs due: 5 days. Rules   
      
   Kentucky QSO Party--Phone,CW,Digital, from Nov 8, 1400Z to Nov 9, 0200Z.   
   Bands (MHz): 1.8-28, 50, CW--1.815, 3.550, 7.050, 14.050, 21.050, 28.050,   
   50.090; SSB--1.855, 3.820, 7.240, 14.280, 21.390, 28.390, 50.190 MHz.   
   Exchange: RST and KY county or S/P/C. Logs due: Dec 31. Rules   
      
   CQ WE (Western Electric)--Phone,CW,Digital, from Nov 8, 1900Z to Nov 10,   
   0500Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28, 50-440, Send "ZZ" for Bell QTH if not a Bell   
   System ham. Exchange: Call, name, Bell QTH, yrs of service pt . Logs due:   
   Dec 1. Rules   
      
   Russian WW Multi-Mode Contest--Phone,CW,Digital, from Nov 15, 1200Z to Nov   
   16, 1159Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28. Exchange: RST and serial or 2-char oblast   
   code. Logs due: 14 days. Rules   
      
   Feld-Hell Turkey Shoot Sprint--Digital, from Nov 15, 1600Z to Nov 15, 1800Z.   
   Bands (MHz): 3.5-28. Monthly on 3rd Saturday. Exchange: RST, S/P/C,   
   Feld-Hell member nr. Logs due: 7 days. Rules   
      
   All Austria 160 Meter Contest--CW, from Nov 15, 1600Z to Nov 16, 0700Z.   
   Bands (MHz): 1.8. Exchange: RST, serial, OE district. Logs due: Dec 31.   
   Rules   
      
   Collegiate ARC Championship--Phone, from Nov 15, 2100Z to Nov 17, 0300Z.   
   Bands (MHz): 1.8-28. Exchange: See ARRL Sweepstakes. Rules   
      
   RSGB Second 1.8 MHz Contest--CW, from Nov 15, 2100Z to Nov 16, 0100Z. Bands   
   (MHz): 1.8. Exchange: RST, serial, UK district. Logs due: 16 days. Rules   
      
   ARS HF Contest--Phone,CW,Digital, from Nov 16, 0000Z to Nov 16, 2359Z. Bands   
   (MHz): 1.8-28. Exchange: RS(T). Logs due: 15 days. Rules   
      
   Homebrew and Oldtime Contest--CW, from Nov 16, 1300Z to Nov 16, 1700Z. Bands   
   (MHz): 3.5-7. Exchange: RST, serial, and category. Logs due: Dec 18. Rules   
      
   Run For the Bacon--CW, from Nov 17, 0200Z to Nov 17, 0400Z. Bands (MHz):   
   1.8-28. Monthly on 3rd Sunday night (local). Exchange: RST, S/P/C, Flying   
   Pig nr or power. Rules   
      
   VHF+ CONTESTS   
      
   ARRL EME Contest--Phone,CW,Digital, from Nov 8, 0000Z to Nov 9, 2359Z. Bands   
   (MHz): 50-1296. Exchange: Call signs, signal report, acknowledgement. Logs   
   due: Jan 1. Rules   
      
   Kentucky QSO Party--Phone,CW,Digital, from Nov 8, 1400Z to Nov 9, 0200Z.   
   Bands (MHz): 1.8-28, 50, CW--1.815, 3.550, 7.050, 14.050, 21.050, 28.050,   
   50.090; SSB--1.855, 3.820, 7.240, 14.280, 21.390, 28.390, 50.190 MHz.   
   Exchange: RST and KY county or S/P/C. Logs due: Dec 31. Rules   
      
   CQ WE (Western Electric)--Phone,CW,Digital, from Nov 8, 1900Z to Nov 10,   
   0500Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28, 50-440, Send "ZZ" for Bell QTH if not a Bell   
   System ham. Exchange: Call, name, Bell QTH, yrs of service pt . Logs due:   
   Dec 1. Rules   
      
   LOG DUE DATES   
      
   5 November through 18 November   
      
    *  November 5 - MCG Autumn Sprint   
    *  November 6 - ARS Spartan Sprint   
    *  November 8 - ARRL School Club Roundup   
    *  November 8 - CWops Mini-CWT Test   
    *  November 9 - UBA ON Contest, 2m   
    *  November 9 - NCCC RTTY Sprint   
    *  November 10 - FISTS Fall Sprint   
    *  November 15 - South Dakota QSO Party   
    *  November 15 - Makrothen RTTY Contest   
    *  November 15 - Pennsylvania QSO Party   
    *  November 16 - DARC 10-Meter Digital Contest   
    *  November 16 - Iowa QSO Party   
    *  November 16 - SKCC Weekend Sprintathon   
    *  November 18 - ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, CW   
    *  November 18 - NA Collegiate ARC Championship, CW   
      
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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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