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   http://www.arrl.org/contests/update/?issue=2015-01-14   
      
   The ARRL Contest Update   
   January 14, 2015   
   Editor: Ward Silver, NOAX   
      
   IN THIS ISSUE   
      
     * Top Band Takes Center Stage - CQ WW 160 CW   
     * Winter At VHF and Beyond - ARRL January VHF   
     * CQ Hall of Fame Nominations Open   
     * VE3NEA Releases RTTY Skimmer   
     * The Sounds of DX   
     * WAG and ARI - Final Results   
     * Spaceweather Sm”rg†sbord   
     * Comings and Goings In the Sky   
     * Come On In!   
      
   NEW HF OPERATORS - THINGS TO DO   
      
   Are you wondering what to do now that the ARRL's Centennial QSO Party is over?   
   Try the NCJ's small-station-friendly North American QSO Party this coming   
   Saturday. Operate on phone with 100 watts or less for 10 hours out of the   
   12-hour period starting at 1800Z, exchanging your name and state or country.   
   It's big fun and you won't miss a single down of the football playoffs!   
      
   BULLETINS   
      
   If you are planning on operating in the ARRL January VHF Contest, be aware of   
   the new Single-Op Unlimited categories that are available in ARRL VHF   
   contests. For more information about the category, see the contest web page's   
   Overview section "Unlimited Categories and Spotting Assistance FAQ".   
      
   BUSTED QSOS   
      
   The NS RTTY Sprint (Thursday evenings in the U.S.) was omitted from the   
   contest listings in the previous issue. This short event precedes the usual NS   
   Ladder sprints. (Thanks, Ken K6MR)   
      
   CONTEST SUMMARY   
      
   Complete information for all contests follows the Conversation section   
      
   Jan 17-18   
      
     * North American QSO Party--Phone   
     * Linc Cundall Memorial CW Contest (Jan 14)   
     * NAQCC Special 160M Sprint--CW (Jan 16)   
     * YLISSB QSO Party--Phone   
     * LZ Open Contest--CW   
     * International United Teenager Contest   
     * HA DX Contest   
     * Feld-Hell Low-Down Sprint   
     * Classic Exchange--CW   
     * Run For the Bacon--CW (Jan 19)   
      
   Jan 24-25   
      
     * ARRL January VHF Contest   
     * Locust QSO Party--CW (Jan 21)   
     * NAQCC Monthly QRP Sprint--CW (Jan 22)   
     * CQ WW 160 Meter Contest--CW (Jan 23)   
     * REF French Contest--CW   
     * BARTG RTTY Sprint   
     * Winter Field Day   
     * WAB Top Band Phone Contest   
     * QRP Winter Fireside SSB Sprint    
      
   NEWS, PRESS RELEASES, AND GENERAL INTEREST   
      
   Do you have any nominations for the CQ Hall of Fame? CQ WW Director, Randy   
   K5ZD notes that nominations must be in by March 1 and be made by a contest or   
   DX club or a national ham radio organization. The full procedure for all of   
   the CQ Hall of Fame awards is online. Nominations from earlier years are not   
   held for future consideration so renomination is required. Two people are   
   inducted into each Hall of Fame every year.   
      
   The North Coast Contesters 23rd Annual Dayton Contest Dinner is now available   
   for ticket sales via the website (no at-the-door sales) which has been   
   provided by KA9FOX and QTH.com. The featured speaker this year is ARRL   
   President, Kay Craigie N3KN. 2015 Contest Hall of Fame inductees will be   
   announced and Icom America has donated an IC-7600 transceiver as the main door   
   prize. The dinner is held on Saturday night of the Hamvention - May 16th in   
   2015 - at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. While you're at the Crowne Plaza, take in   
   the Contest SuperSuite and all the other contest-related goings-on! (Thanks,   
   Tim K3LR)   
      
   Four years ago, Bryce K7UA wrote a series of short articles for his local DX   
   club called the "New DXer's Handbook." Bryce tells us "The original has become   
   outdated and wasn't written for a broad audience in the first place" but a   
   revised second edition is now available free of charge. (Thanks, Daily DX)   
      
   Simone MOBOX, new Contest Manager for the British Amateur Radio Teledata Group   
   (BARTG), reports that an email robot log submission system has been put in   
   place. "From the March HF Contest onwards, the entry window for all BARTG   
   contests will be reduced from 30 days to 7 days. There will be a period of 21   
   days in which I will run the logs through adjudication and email entrants with   
   any queries that are raised. Final adjudication will then take place after the   
   expiration of the 21 days query window. Logs submitted after entries close may   
   be accepted, but the entrant will need to email me to advise me of their late   
   submission as I will not otherwise redownload logs from the robot after the 7   
   day period has elapsed."   
      
   Bob N6TV has published a number of very interesting presentations on the use   
   of SDR and other tools in your favorite radiosport events. This is a great way   
   to get up to speed - thanks, Bob!   
      
     * Using Waterfall Displays as a Contesting Advantage, presented at 2014   
   Dayton Contest University (CTU)   
     * CW Skimmers, DX Clusters, and The Reverse Beacon Network, presented at   
   2014 Dayton CTU   
     * CW Skimmers, DX Clusters, and The Reverse Beacon Network, presented at   
   2013 Dayton CTU   
     * Using The Reverse Beacon Network as a Contesting Advantage, presented at   
   2012 Dayton Hamvention, Contest Forum   
     * Using Waterfall Displays as a Contesting Advantage, presented at the 2011   
   Visalia DX Convention, NCCC Contest Academy   
     * Adding a Software Defined Radio (SDR) to an SO2R station   
      
   Japan has a new band plan, published by the Japanese Amateur Radio League   
   (JARL). The JA allocations on 160 and 80/75 meters are somewhat fragmented so   
   it is important for DX contesters to have the latest information! (Thanks,   
   Daily DX)   
      
   The group sponsoring the non-NCJ SSB Sprint contest has their website up and   
   running. The next edition of the contest will start at 0000Z on Feb 1st. Rules   
   for the 2015 NCJ NAQP and Sprint contests are now available online, as well.   
   (Thanks, Mike W9RE and Kirk K4RO)   
      
   Did you know that there were originally 20 of Maxwell's equations? True! Jim   
   AJ3K has written a wonderful article in the December 2014 issue of IEEE   
   Spectrum, "The Long Road to Maxwell's Equations" explaining how they came to   
   be and then took their final form as the four we use today.   
      
   Al K2UYH publishes a monthly EME newsletter, 432 and Above, which is available   
   online and free, including archived back copies. You can also subscribe to   
   receive a copy by email each month. If you are interested in moonbounce at UHF   
   and microwave, this is a must-read publication. Weak-signal VHF+ DXers and   
   contesters will find a lot of useful material, too.   
      
   Web Site of the Week - If your computer is powerful enough and you have a QS1R   
   SDR, you can now auto-spot both RTTY and CW stations on multiple bands using   
   Alex VE3NEA's latest software creation, RTTY Skimmer Server. (Thanks, Bob N6TV)   
      
   WORD TO THE WISE   
      
   Bob K2DRH, has written an excellent FAQ on VHF+ contesting with plenty to   
   offer any VHF+ operator. It's published by the Society of Midwest Contesters   
   along with lots of other useful how-to information, such as the FAQs for   
   Getting Started in Contesting, Antennas, and RTTY, among others. (Thanks, Chad   
   WE9V)   
      
   SIGHTS AND SOUNDS   
      
   What does rare DX sound like? Tom K8CX has posted 152 MP3 sound clips of   
   various rare DX stations at his Ohio station during the past year. Tom is also   
   looking for pre-1998 sound clips to add to the site. If you have some old   
   recordings of "the greats,", operators and expeditions alike, putting them   
   online would be a great way to preserve these sounds for everyone to hear into   
   the future. (From Daily DX)   
      
   Here's a short highlight of the great 10 Meter Contest from an Australian   
   perspective! Peter VK2PV recorded this video from the VK2GGC station. When   
   we're in the next solar minimum, it will be fun to pull this up and listen to   
   what will then be the "good old days!"   
      
   David WA1OUI found a video showing how the explosive splicing technique   
   featured in the previous issue actually works. This takes the concept of   
   "crimp connector" to an entirely new level!   
      
   If it startles you to hear a mobile phone ringing like an old desk model from   
   Ma Bell, you'll probably enjoy visiting the Museum of Endangered Sounds.   
   There's a related thread on the Slashdot website, "Sounds We Don't Hear Any   
   More" that is full of interesting comments, as well.   
      
   RESULTS AND RECORDS   
      
   The results of 2014 Worked All Germany Contest are final. Besides the scores   
   there is a detailed web report with pictures and audio clips, along with   
   activity overviews and band-by-band breakdowns. (Thanks, WAG Manager, Chris   
   DL8MBS)   
      
   DX results of the 2014 ARI International DX Contest have been published.   
   Participants will also receive an email with a UBN file (log checking report)   
   attached. (Thanks, ARI Manager, Bob I2WIJ)   
      
   OPERATING TIP   
      
   Call CQ - They can't work you if they can't hear you! Classic and timeless   
   advice from the Mt Airy VHF Club Cheese Bits.   
      
   TECHNICAL TOPICS AND INFORMATION   
      
   Have you been watching NOAA's new five-graph solar weather chart? Mike WOBTU   
   is a big fan, "I'm beginning to realize that chart was a real stroke of   
   genius...you have to watch and study it for a few weeks and you'll see what I   
   mean. When that "fuzz" (all those dots) turned into almost a straight line the   
   other day, the conditions on 80 meters really improved! Same for 20 meters."   
   Mike also recommends the Space Weather Enthusiasts page which includes radio   
   blackout information. Victor US5WE notes that a similar site from Russia is   
   available, too. We should tip our caps to pages by NW7US and CT1BOH which have   
   supplied similar material to hams for quite some time.   
      
   Just the right thing for your portable toolkit and a use for that   
   finger-friendly old mechanical pencil, too - a solder-filled dispensing pen!   
      
   Note this important precaution from Roger K8RI about working on metal with   
   rotating tools: When the shavings start peeling off never, ever try to brush   
   them away by hand. They are sharp and if the bit (or whatever) grabs them at   
   the same time you do, those shavings can remove finger(s) so quickly and   
   cleanly you won't know it happened at the moment. Grant KZ1W provides a   
   related warning: NEVER wear gloves! Glove material can catch on the drill bit,   
   lathe chuck, mill chuck etc. The glove finger then grips the finger too   
   tightly to get out of quickly and the resulting injury can be quite serious.   
   The chips and swarf in drilling, milling, and turning operations should be   
   managed with a chip hook about 12 to 18" long, coolant flushing, or air blast.   
   Better yet, "peck drill" so that short chips are made.   
      
   An interesting resolution for the New Year would be to cobble together a   
   transmitter from a design published the year you were born. (Thanks to the   
   QRP-L community for the idea)   
      
   For many years a treadmill in Don WD8DSB's house caused strong interference on   
   160 meters when it was in use but he has been able to completely eliminate the   
   RFI using a combination of two different filters (a commercial line filter   
   that provides both common-mode and differential-mode filtering, and 14 turns   
   of the power cord on a 2.4" OD Fair-Rite #31 mix toroid core. You can review   
   his tests and filters for your own problem RFI solutions, too.   
      
   A good source of practical information on how to select a station site can be   
   found in NBS Technical Note 139, Siting Criteria for HF Communication Centers   
   by William Utlat. Dating from 1962, it's still quite useful today. (Thanks,   
   Sinisa, YT1NT/VE3EA)   
      
   From the EDN "Design Ideas" column - the professional EE equivalent of Hints   
   and Kinks - comes this useful op-amp design for a notch filter. While you're   
   looking at those miraculous triangles of gain, do you know how they achieve   
   it? Similar to the kit showing how the 555 timer chip's internal electronics   
   do what they do, the XL741 kit does the same for the venerable 741 op-amp.   
      
   Technical Web Site of the Week - This fascinating video shows the SBSpectrum   
   software capturing the shifts in frequency for a signal propagating through   
   the ionosphere. The time-lapse video compresses hours of recording time into a   
   few minutes. You can see the ionosphere's individual layers come and go, rise   
   and fall, and do all sorts of interesting things to the signal. This is a big   
   part of why HF digital communication is so hard! (Thanks, Dennis N6KI and Bob   
   W6VR)   
   CONVERSATION   
      
   Come On In!   
      
   At this weekend's memorial gathering for Carl AI6V, a common theme among the   
   memories and stories shared by friends was his ability to reach out and   
   instantly make someone new to ham radio (or auto racing, his other avocation)   
   feel a part of the tribe. I can count such an experience with Carl in my   
   history and I can tell you that it had a positive impact on me.   
      
   It doesn't matter whether we are talking about a contesting legend like Carl   
   or a senior in a high-school club, having someone you respect make the effort   
   to include you in a group is an important ingredient for success and enjoyment   
   in ham radio. In an activity that by definition cannot be performed alone,   
   being part of the team makes all the difference in the world.   
      
   Professionals recognize that mentoring is critical to success and provide   
   training in doing just that. The ham community can take many cues from these   
   programs. It is not enough to help a person pass their test then expect them   
   to sink or swim on their own. Very few of us took the solo route - there was   
   an Elmer or a peer group or a club to make us part of the ham family.   
      
   At your next club meeting or even a group hanging around a hamfest table, keep   
   a watchful eye for the person who wants to join in but needs an invitation or   
   might be waiting for the right moment. Take the initiative and extend that   
   invitation or make that moment. That's your job as someone in the group, to   
   expand the group. What have you got to lose? Nothing - you'll gain a friend   
   and maybe launch a lifetime ham.   
      
   Numbers of hams are at all-time highs here in the United States but there are   
   an awful lot of tickets that won't be renewed, even after all that effort was   
   made to pass the test. Will we be able to hold on to our newest members? Not   
   if they don't feel like part of the grand family of hams! Without a personal   
   connection, we will lose them forever. The most powerful words you may ever   
   say to another ham are probably not technical advice or some secret operating   
   tip, they are "Come on in!"   
      
   73, Ward NOAX   
      
   CONTESTS   
      
   14 January through 27 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 17, 1800Z to Jan 18, 0559Z. Bands   
   (MHz): 1.8-28. Exchange: Name and S/P/C. Logs due: 7 days. Rules   
      
   Linc Cundall Memorial CW Contest--CW, from Jan 14, 2300Z - See website.   
   Multiple time periods. Bands (MHz): 1.8-7. Exchange: See website. Logs due: 30   
   days. Rules   
      
   NAQCC Special 160M Sprint--CW, from Jan 16, 0130Z to Jan 16, 0330Z. Bands   
   (MHz): 1.8. Exchange: RST, S/P/C, and NAQCC mbr nr or power. Logs due: 4 days.   
   Rules   
      
   YLISSB QSO Party--Phone, from Jan 17, 0000Z to Jan 18, 2359Z. Bands (MHz):   
   1.8-28. Exchange: Call sign, RS(T), ISSB number. Logs due: Mar 20. Rules   
      
   LZ Open Contest--CW, from Jan 17, 0000Z to Jan 17, 0400Z. Bands (MHz): 3.5, 7.   
   Exchange: 6-digit serial and serial from previous QSO. Logs due: 30 days. Rules   
      
   International United Teenager Contest--Phone,CW, from Jan 17, 0600Z to Jan 17,   
   1400Z. Bands (MHz): 3.5-28. Exchange: RS(T) and age or "RT". Logs due: 30   
   days. Rules   
      
   HA DX Contest--Phone,CW, from Jan 17, 1200Z to Jan 18, 1200Z. Bands (MHz):   
   1.8-28. Exchange: RS(T) and serial or HADXC member nr or HA county. Logs due:   
   30 days. Rules   
      
   Feld-Hell Low-Down Sprint--Digital, from Jan 17, 2000Z - See website. Multiple   
   time periods. Bands (MHz): 1.8-7. Time period depends on location - see   
   website. Exchange: RST, S/P/C, Feld-Hell member nr. Logs due: 7 days. Rules   
      
   Classic Exchange--CW, from Jan 18, 1400Z to Jan 19, 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.   
   Rules   
      
   Run For the Bacon--CW, from Jan 19, 0200Z to Jan 19, 0400Z. Bands (MHz):   
   1.8-28. Monthly on 3rd Sunday night (local). Exchange: RST, S/P/C, Flying Pig   
   nr or power. Rules   
      
   Locust QSO Party--CW, from Jan 21, 0200Z to Jan 21, 0256Z. Bands (MHz): 3.5-7.   
   3.550, 7.050 MHz. Exchange: Name, state or province or 'DX'. Logs due: Jan 31.   
   Rules   
      
   NAQCC Monthly QRP Sprint--CW, from Jan 22, 0130Z to Jan 22, 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. Rules   
      
   CQ WW 160 Meter Contest--CW, from Jan 23, 2200Z to Jan 25, 2200Z. Bands (MHz):   
   1.8. Exchange: RST and S/P/C. Logs due: 5 days. Rules   
      
   REF French Contest--CW, from Jan 24, 0600Z to Jan 25, 1800Z. Bands (MHz):   
   3.5-28. Exchange: RST and serial or department ID. Logs due: 15 days. Rules   
      
   BARTG RTTY Sprint--Digital, from Jan 24, 1200Z to Jan 25, 1200Z. Bands (MHz):   
   3.5-28. Exchange: Serial. Logs due: Mar 1. Rules   
      
   Winter Field Day--Phone,CW,Digital, from Jan 24, 1700Z to Jan 25, 1700Z. Bands   
   (MHz): 1.8-28, 50+. Exchange: Category, ARRL section, local temp. Logs due:   
   Feb 28. Rules   
      
   WAB Top Band Phone Contest--Phone, from Jan 24, 1900Z to Jan 24, 2300Z. Bands   
   (MHz): 1.8. Exchange: See website. Logs due: 21 days. Rules   
      
   QRP Winter Fireside SSB Sprint--Phone, from Jan 25, 2000Z to Jan 25, 2359Z.   
   Bands (MHz): 3.5-28. QRP calling frequencies. Exchange: RS, S/P/C, QRP ARCI   
   number or power. Logs due: 14 days. Rules   
      
   VHF+ CONTESTS   
      
   ARRL January VHF Contest--Phone,CW, from Jan 24, 1900Z to Jan 26, 0359Z .   
   Bands (MHz): 50+. Exchange: 4-char grid square. Logs due: Feb 25. Rules   
      
   Classic Exchange--CW, from Jan 18, 1400Z to Jan 19, 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.   
   Rules   
      
   Winter Field Day--Phone,CW,Digital, from Jan 24, 1700Z to Jan 25, 1700Z. Bands   
   (MHz): 1.8-28, 50+. Exchange: Category, ARRL section, local temp. Logs due:   
   Feb 28. Rules   
      
   LOG DUE DATES   
      
   14 January through 27 January   
      
     * January 15 - AWA Bruce Kelley 1929 QSO Party   
     * January 15 - NRAU 10m Activity Contest   
     * January 15 - QRP Fox Hunt   
     * January 16 - AGB-Party Contest   
     * January 17 - PODXS 070 Club PSKFest   
     * January 17 - QRP Fox Hunt   
     * January 17 - CWops Mini-CWT Test   
     * January 18 - NCCC Sprint Ladder   
     * January 18 - NCCC RTTY Sprint   
     * January 18 - NRAU-Baltic Contest   
     * January 18 - SKCC Weekend Sprintathon   
     * January 18 - UBA PSK63 Prefix Contest   
     * January 18 - North American QSO Party, CW   
     * January 19 - NAQCC CW Sprint   
     * January 20 - Croatian CW Contest   
     * January 21 - AGCW VHF/UHF Contest   
     * January 22 - AGB New Year Snowball Contest   
     * January 24 - Feld Hell Sprint   
     * January 25 - Old New Year Contest   
     * January 25 - Run for the Bacon QRP Contest   
     * January 25 - North American QSO Party, SSB   
     * January 26 - DARC 10-Meter Contest   
     * January 27 - RAEM Contest   
     * January 27 - LZ Open Contest   
      
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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   
      
   If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until   
   you hire an amateur.   
      
   --- FMail/Win32 1.60   
    * Origin:  (1:3634/12.71)