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   http://www.arrl.org/contests/update/?issue=2015-05-20   
      
   The ARRL Contest Update   
      
   May 20, 2015   
   Editor: Ward Silver, NØAX   
      
   IN THIS ISSUE   
      
    *  Sprints and Ladders, Prefix, Prefix   
      
    *  Shoulders of a Giant   
      
    *  Domo arigato, Contest Roboto   
      
    *  WAS in Four Hours NBD   
      
    *  Gargoyles   
      
    *  You say Door Bell, I say Mult Bell   
      
    *  Being There   
      
   NEW HF OPERATORS - THINGS TO DO   
      
   ARRL Field day is fast approaching. For many amateurs, this event has   
   provided some of their best 'Ham Radio Memories.' If you're a member of a   
   radio club already, why not get involved in helping out in planned field day   
   activities; if you're NOT a member of a club, it's a good time to find out   
   if any of your local ones are participating, where, and how you can operate   
   HF. While it's called an 'operating event', you'll find plenty of clubs   
   treat it as they would any other contest.   
      
   BULLETINS   
      
   Are you a CW aficionado? Perhaps an opportunity to tour the station of   
   renowned contester W3LPL? You may be interested in the "North American CW   
   Weekend" in Washington, DC, June 5-7, 2015. More details may be found at   
   http://www.cwops.org/events.html   
      
   BUSTED QSOS   
      
   coming soon...   
      
   CONTEST SUMMARY   
      
   Complete information for all contests follows the Conversation section   
      
   May 20   
      
    *  CWops Mini-CWT Test   
      
   May 21   
      
    *  NAQCC CW Sprint   
    *  RSGB 80m Club Championship, CW   
      
   May 22   
      
    *  NCCC RTTY Sprint   
    *  NCCC Sprint Ladder   
      
   May 23-24   
      
    *  UN DX Contest   
    *  EU PSK DX Contest   
    *  Baltic Contest   
    *  Portugese Navy Day Contest   
      
   May 27   
      
    *  SKCC Sprint   
    *  CWops Mini-CWT Test   
    *  UKEICC 80m Contest   
      
   May 28   
      
    *  CWops Mini-CWT Test   
      
   May 29   
      
    *  NCCC RTTY Sprint   
    *  NCCC Sprint Ladder   
      
   May 30-31   
      
    *  CQ WW WPX Contest, CW   
      
   May 31   
      
    *  SARL Digital Contest   
    *  QRP ARCI Hootowl Sprint   
      
   NEWS, PRESS RELEASES, AND GENERAL INTEREST   
      
   CQ Magazine recently announced the 2015 inductees to the CQ Contest Hall of   
   Fame. Doug Grant, K1DG, and Ward Silver, NØAX, both of whom have given and   
   continue to give so much to the hobby of contesting and amateur radio in   
   general were honored at the ceremony in Dayton, Ohio last weekend.   
      
   Norway is shutting down all government-run analog FM broadcasting in two   
   years: http://radio.no/2015/04/norway-to-switch-off-fm-in-2017/. "With DAB   
   and digital radio, listeners will be provided with more radio channels and   
   greater diversity in content."   
      
   Can you imagine finally finding this RFI source? 17-Year-Old Radio Astronomy   
   Mystery Traced Back To Kitchen Microwave   
   http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-32598767   
      
   Web Site of the Week - "How to Find Old Amateur Radio Callsigns" Researching   
   the history of a call sign? There are some call books published on line   
   which may assist in this effort, and W0IS has written about them:   
   http://w0is.com/oldcallsigns/oldcalls.html (thanks to Tim K3LR)   
      
   CHANGE IN CONTEST UPDATE EDITORSHIP   
      
   Congratulations to Ward for his induction into the CQ Contest Hall of Fame,   
   and for piloting the contest update since 2002... these shoes he's left to   
   fill are looking mighty big! Who is this new guy? I've been interested in   
   electronics since grade school, and finally became a ham in high school.   
   Like many others in our hobby, radio and electronics led to micro-computers,   
   which led to college and a career. During much of the career building and   
   family time of life, I wasn't on the radio too much, but I still lugged my   
   TS-520S through numerous moves over 20 years, settling near Seattle. One   
   evening, this displaced 9 walked into a Western Washington DX Club meeting,   
   and shortly thereafter began to fall under the influence of some of the   
   contesters in the club. WWDXC Field Days led to Salmon Runs (WAQP), CQWW,   
   Sweepstakes, RTTY, VHF... I was learning contesting stuff from the "regular   
   club members" like N7TT, K7SS, NØAX, N6HR, K7RI, N7WA, K7WA, W7WA, K7RL...   
   sometimes you don't know how good you have it. By 2006, I had planted an 89'   
   tower with a SteppIR, and had some low-band beverages working pretty well   
   with an inverted-L. Many if not most weekends, I was on the radio. My wife   
   and two oldest kids became licensed in 2007. Participating in and hosting   
   multi-ops became a favorite of mine after being invited to be part of VP5W   
   for the CQWW-CW in 2008 with W7VV and VE7XF; Sweepstakes with the K7IR crew   
   and RTTY Contests at K7BTW have been the norm for a few years. 2013 brought   
   a family move to a closer-in suburb east of Seattle; I'm staying active by   
   travelling to multi-ops and using remote stations while I rebuild a more   
   modest setup at my new QTH.   
      
   WORD TO THE WISE   
      
   Tarpit - also known as Teergrube, the German word for tarpit... a service on   
   a computer that purposely delays incoming connections or execution of a   
   communications protocol. Applicability to contesting: "The op mumbled to   
   himself: Don't teergrube me with your "please copy" exchange!"   
      
   SIGHTS AND SOUNDS   
      
   "The contest robot has no feelings about you, personally. Do not take   
   offense if your log is rejected." - Randy, K5ZD at Dayton 2015 Contest   
   University   
      
   The hottest new music video "On the Cover the NCJ" from the Spurious   
   Emissions is up on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9B3KyhFa0c   
   Click "cc" to view the song lyrics as captions. Note the on-stage   
   performances of many previous editors of NCJ. There are additional "Spurs"   
   videos on the RAWilsonTV YouTube Channel (Note: some lyrics are PG-13)   
   (Thanks Bob N6TV).   
      
   Video of the induction of K1DG and NØAX into the CQ Contest Hall of Fame at   
   the 2015 Dayton Contest Dinner can be found here. The introductory comments   
   of K4RO, K1KP, K1AR help frame the exceptional contributions both hams have   
   made.   
      
   RESULTS AND RECORDS   
      
   The full results article, online scores, printable line scores and log   
   checking reports for the 2014 ARRL 160m Contest are now live at   
   http://www.arrl.org/contest-results-articles.   
      
   Are you on the road to WRTC2018? The current standings among competitors for   
   spots at WRTC2018 now include scores from the ARRL DX CW and CQ WPX Phone   
   contests. You can find out more about WRTC2018 at http://www.wrtc2018.de --   
   the next WRTC qualifying event is CQ WPX CW the weekend of May 30-31. -   
   (Thanks Ward NØAX )   
      
   Results of the 2014 CQ WW RTTY Contest are now available at   
   http://www.cqwwrtty.com/results.htm   
      
   Preliminary results of the February NA Phone Sprint have been posted at   
   http://ssbsprint.com/results. Five operators (N6ED, W6YX, K6LA, K7SS, KW8N)   
   achieved Worked All States in the four hours of the contest.   
      
   Final results from the EARTTY Contest 2015 are available at   
   http://concursos.ure.es/en/eartty/resultados/   
      
   The Kansas City DX Club's annual CW Pileup Competition held in Dayton was   
   won by Saty, JE1JKL. His last win in this contest was in 2005. This year's   
   competition was fierce, with FOUR contestants tied with the same number of   
   calls, however Saty copied more characters correctly overall. If you'd like   
   to practice for next year's running, check out NO5W's practice site.   
      
   OPERATING TIP   
      
   SELF- SPOTTING is now ALLOWED in ARRL VHF/UHF Contests, starting with the   
   June ARRL VHF Contest. These changes were made to encourage greater   
   participation and band utilization. For more information on these rule   
   changes, see the January 22, 2015 ARRL Letter, and the General Rules for   
   ARRL Contests Above 50 MHz (specifically, item 1.16). Note that   
   self-spotting ... "Announcements shall be limited to call sign, location,   
   band or frequency, mode and-if applicable-transmitting sequence and   
   listening direction...(and) may also be used to coordinate antenna peaking   
   prior to initiation of the contact and to explain contest rules, such as the   
   exchange required..."   
      
   Need to learn a new skill, have some time? Perhaps this TED talk video by   
   Josh Kaufman can help: The First 20 Hours - How to Learn Anything: Josh   
   Kaufman at TEDxCSU   
      
   TECHNICAL TOPICS AND INFORMATION   
      
   In a presentation at the International DX Convention in Visalia, California,   
   NX1P suggested using inexpensive Wi-Fi Routers with Gargoyle firmware to   
   address multi-station networking scenarios typically occurring on   
   DXpeditions. Some of the problems solved are the same as those one would   
   encounter networking contest stations in a temporary multi-op or field-day   
   situation. http://www.nx1p.net/files/20150327VisaliaNX1PYear2-1.pptx   
      
   Too many low-band receive antennas and no way to switch them? Used or   
   surplus 75 ohm video switches can be had inexpensively on eBay and other   
   sources, and many models work all the way to DC. (Tom W8JI, Herb KV4FZ via   
   the Topband email list)   
      
   Version 6.0 of EZNEC has been released by W7EL. He was on hand at Dayton to   
   explain some of the new capabilities, including faster calculations,   
   graphical wire modification, split wires, enhanced scaling, correction for   
   loaded and trapped Yagis. Capacities have been increased - version 6.0 can   
   handle 2000 segments, automatic catenary generation for wire antennas, and   
   can output Touchstone files.   
      
   SDR on a $35 computer? Here's an article on using a Raspberry Pi B with GNU   
   Radio as an SDR to receive and decode digital information using a DVB USB   
   dongle:http://www.rs-online.com/designspark/electronics/eng/blog   
   taking-the-raspberry-pi-2-for-a-test-drive-with-gnu-radio-2   
      
   Rick, KUØW, found the website and book "Cool Tools" at his library. It is a   
   curated list of a variety of very specialized tools of all sorts, and could   
   make great coffee table reading. In the book, a QRC code is provided for   
   each tool, for quick and easy web lookup. (Thanks Rick)   
      
   Technical Web Site of the Week -   
      
   Here's how you can use an SDR receiver, and open source software to do some   
   RF sleuthing of a 433 MHz wireless doorbell - the techniques described,   
   based on open source software, are applicable to all sorts of wireless   
   devices: https://goo.gl/MCmwZW (link points to a PDF file). The author   
   designs and constructs a receiver by arranging and connecting functional   
   blocks which comprise the various functions for amplifying, mixing,   
   demodulating, etc.   
      
   CONVERSATION   
      
   Watching where the Action is, from Afar   
      
   If you were unable to attend Dayton this year, you could have taken   
   advantage of the live video streams provided on Hamvention.org by the Dayton   
   Amateur Radio Association, via ICOM's live video stream, or W5KUB's   
   broadcasts. Some vendors had their own video streams for new product   
   introductions, and in some cases the presenters could be asked questions   
   posed by remote watchers via audience members.   
      
   On Thursday and Friday, sessions from Contest University were being   
   streamed, with excellent audio and video. Past CTU videos are available for   
   your viewing pleasure on the CTU Website.   
      
   As folks return from Dayton, there will be even more information to glean as   
   it gets posted and reposted over the next few weeks.   
      
   Why not try a new "mode" in getting information about contesting or ham   
   radio? Watch a contest video, follow a DXpedition on Twitter or Facebook,   
   join an IRC Channel or web chat -- then get on the air and try something   
   new? It's never been easier to find information about the hobby you love,   
   and it's all at your fingertips.   
      
   73, Brian N9ADG   
      
   CONTESTS   
      
   20 May Through 3 June 2015   
      
   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   
      
   CWops Mini-CWT Test, May 20 1300Z-1400Z, 1900Z-2000Z; May 21 0300Z-0400Z;   
   CW; Bands: 1.8-28 MHz; CWOps Member: Name + Member Number, non-Member: Name   
   + (state/province/country); Logs Due: May 23.   
      
   NAQCC CW Sprint, May 21, 2015 0030Z-0230Z; CW; Bands: 3.5-14 MHz;   
   RST+(state/province/country) + (NAQCC Number/power); Logs Due: May 24.   
      
   RSGB 80m Club Championship, CW, May 21 1900Z-2030Z; CW; Bands: 3.5 MHz only;   
   RST + Serial Number; Logs Due: 2359Z May 28   
      
   NCCC RTTY Sprint, May 22, 0145Z-0215Z; RTTY; Bands: see rules; Serial Number   
   + Name + QTH ; Logs Due: May 24.   
      
   NCCC Sprint Ladder, May 22, 0230Z-0300Z; CW; 1.8-50 Mhz; Serial Number +   
   Name + QTH; Logs Due: May 24.   
      
   UN DX Contest, May 23, 0600Z-2100Z; CW, SSB; 3.5-28 MHz; Kazakhstan: RS(T) +   
   District Code, non-Kazakhstan: RS(T) + QSO Number; Logs Due: June 7.   
      
   Portuguese Navy Day Contest, Digital, May 23, 0800Z-2359Z; 3.5-28 MHz; NRA   
   Club: Member Number + CQ Zone, non-member: QSO Number + CQ Zone; Logs Due:   
   June 12.   
      
   EU PSK DX Contest, May 23, 1200z to May 24, 1200z; BPSK63; 3.5-28 MHz; EU:   
   RST + EU area code, non-EU: RST + QSO Number; Logs Due: May 29.   
      
   Baltic Contest, May 23, 2100z to May 24, 0200z; CW, SSB; 3.5 MHz only; see   
   rules; Logs Due: June 10.   
      
   SKCC Sprint, May 27, 0000z to 0200z; CW; RST + (state/province/country) +   
   Name + (SKCC No./power); 1.8 - 28 MHz; Logs Due: May 29.   
      
   CWops Mini-CWT Test, May 27 1900Z-2000Z; CW; Bands: 1.8 - 28 MHz; CWOps   
   Member: Name + Member Number, non-Member: Name + (state/province/country);   
   Logs Due: May 23.   
      
   UKEICC 80m Contest, May 27, 2000z-2100z; SSB; Bands: 3.5 MHz only;   
   4-Character grid square; Logs Due: May 27.   
      
   NCCC RTTY Sprint, May 29, 0145z-0215z; RTTY; see rules; Serial No. + Name +   
   QTH; Logs Due: May 31.   
      
   NCCC Sprint Ladder, May 29, 0230z-0300z; CW; 1.8MHz - 50MHz; Serial No. +   
   Name + QTH; Logs Due: May 31.   
      
   CQ WW WPX Contest, CW, May 30, 0000z- May 31, 2359z; CW; 1.8-28 MHz; RST +   
   Serial No.; Logs Due: June 5.   
      
   SARL Digital Contest, May 31, 1300z-1600z; PSK, RTTY; 3.5-14 MHz; RST + QSO   
   Number; Logs Due: June 7.   
      
   QRP ARCI Hootowl Sprint, May 31, 2000 local-2400 local; CW; 1.8-28 MHz; RST   
   + (state/province/country) + (ARCI no./power); Logs due June 14.   
      
   RSGB 80m Club Championship, Data, June 1, 1900z-2030z; RTTY, PSK; 3.5 MHz   
   only; RST + Serial No.; Logs Due: June 8.   
      
   ARS Spartan Sprint, June 2, 0100z-0300z; CW; 3.5-28 MHz; RST +   
   (state/province/country) + Power; Logs Due: June 4.   
      
   CWops Mini-CWT Test, June 3, 1300Z-1400Z and June 3 1900Z-2000Z; CW; Bands:   
   1.8-28 MHz; CWOps Member: Name + Member Number, non-Member: Name +   
   (state/province/country); Logs Due: June 6.   
      
   VHF+ CONTESTS   
      
   (Some of the HF Contests during this period include 6 meters! ARRL June VHF   
   is coming up!)   
      
   LOG DUE DATES   
      
   20 May through 3 June 2015   
      
    *  May 20 - RSGB 80m Club Championship, Data   
    *  May 21 - NRAU 10m Activity Contest   
    *  May 23 - 50 MHz Spring Sprint   
    *  May 24 - Run for the Bacon QRP Contest   
    *  May 24 - NCCC RTTY Sprint   
    *  May 24 - NAQCC CW Sprint   
    *  May 24 - NCCC Sprint Ladder   
    *  May 26 - Florida QSO Party   
    *  May 28 - QRP Minimal Art Session   
    *  May 28 - RSGB 80m Club Championship, CW   
    *  May 29 - EU PSK DX Contest   
    *  May 30 - Portuguese Navy Day Contest   
    *  May 31 - Holyland DX Contest   
    *  May 31 - AGCW QRP/QRP Party   
    *  May 31 - MIE 33 Contest   
    *  May 31 - VOLTA WW RTTY Contest   
    *  June 1 - Indiana QSO Party   
    *  June 1 - QRP to the Field   
    *  June 1 - His Majesty King of Spain Contest, CW   
    *  June 1 - FISTS Spring Slow Speed Sprint   
    *  June 2 - Delaware QSO Party   
    *  June 2 - New England QSO Party   
    *  June 3 - SBMS 2.3 GHz and Up Contest and Club Challenge   
      
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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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