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   http://www.arrl.org/contests/update/?issue=2015-06-03   
      
   The ARRL Contest Update   
      
   June 3, 2015   
   Editor: Ward Silver, NØAX   
      
   IN THIS ISSUE   
      
    - Life after 50 (Megahertz)   
    - Kunt u een QSO te maken?   
    - Dodging Bullets   
    - What are those other guys up to?   
    - Being There   
    - Lucky 7QP   
    - To the Mesophere and Beyond!   
    - We all won   
    - Present HF Operators - A Different thing to do   
      
   NEW HF OPERATORS - THINGS TO DO   
      
   Get into an HF groove! Take advantage of the weekly competitions offered by   
   the Northern California Contest Club in the form of the RTTY Sprint or the CW   
   Sprint. These Thursday evening (UTC-08) sessions are each only 30 minutes   
   long. Right now, the CW Sprints are in "Ladder mode" - each Thursday's score   
   builds over 8 weeks, with a final ranking based on one's 6 best scores.   
      
   BULLETINS   
      
   Effective immediately, The World Wide Radio Operators Foundation (WWROF) will   
   accept donations on behalf of WRTC2018. As the WWROF is a tax-exempt   
   charitable organization, a donation to WRTC2018 through the WWROF may provide   
   certain tax advantages to US Citizens. The WWROF has also donated an initial   
   USD$15,000 to the WRTC2018 effort.   
      
   Matt, W1MSW reminds that self-spotting is allowed for ARRL VHF+ Contests (but   
   only ARRL VHF+) contests: "It was brought to our attention that some DX   
   cluster node users and administrators might not be aware that in January 2015   
   the ARRL changed the General Rules For Contests Above 50MHz to allow the use   
   of assistance for all stations regardless of category. This rule change also   
   allows the use of self-spotting in ARRL Sponsored VHF+ contests. The intention   
   of this rule change is to increase participation and activity in the VHF+   
   contests. It is certainly a major change in how entrants might use spotting   
   networks. In the past, there has been a certain level of self-policing on the   
   networks when users spot themselves and it is our understanding that some   
   systems have filters in place that prohibit self-spots. The goal of this note   
   is to help spread the word that the ARRL is allowing the practice of   
   self-spotting for the VHF+ contests that it sponsors and that the rule goes   
   into effect beginning with the upcoming June VHF contest (June 13-15, 2015).   
   We hope this will help reduce any confusion regarding the practice of   
   self-spotting in ARRL VHF+ contests and if you have any questions, please do   
   not hesitate to contact me directly."   
      
   BUSTED QSOS   
      
   NIL   
      
   CONTEST SUMMARY   
      
   Complete information for all contests follows the Conversation section   
      
   June 4   
      
    - NRAU 10m Activity Contest   
    - CWops Mini-CWT Test   
      
   June 5   
      
    - NCCC RTTY Sprint   
    - NCCC Sprint Ladder   
      
   June 6   
      
    - 10-10 International Open Season PSK Contest   
    - DigiFest   
    - VK Shires Contest   
    - Wake-Up! QRP Sprint   
    - SEANET Contest   
    - ADRAD Kayldall DMR Contest   
    - UKSMG Summer Contest   
    - Dutch Kingdom Contest   
    - IARU Region 1 Field Day, CW   
    - RSGB National Field Day   
    - Alabama QSO Party   
      
   June 10   
      
    - NAQCC CW Sprint   
    - CWops Mini-CWT Test   
    - RSGB 80m Club Championship, CW   
      
   June 11   
      
    - CWops Mini-CWT Test   
      
   June 12   
      
    - HA3NS Sprint Memorial Contest   
      
   June 13   
      
    - ARRL June VHF Contest   
    - DRCG WW RTTY Contest   
    - Asia-Pacific Sprint, SSB   
    - SKCC Weekend Sprintathon   
    - Portugal Day Contest   
    - QRP ARCI QRP Shootout   
    - GACW WWSA CW DX Contest   
    - REF DDFM 6m Contest   
      
   June 14   
      
    - QRP ARCI QRP Shootout   
    - DRCG WW RTTY Contest   
      
   June 17   
      
    - CWops Mini-CWT Test   
      
   NEWS, PRESS RELEASES, AND GENERAL INTEREST   
      
   The first ever DKARS contest is June 6-7, 2015; The object of the contest is   
   to contact as many Dutch stations as possible, whether they are in Europe   
   (PA), or on the Dutch-speaking islands (P4, PJ2, PJ4, PJ5, PJ6, PJ7) in the   
   Caribbean, or Dutch ExPats. The ExPat bonus is "secret" as determining whether   
   a worked station is an ExPat or not occurs at log scoring time. An N1MM   
   Logger+ contest file is available to make logging easier.   
      
   If you're having a "failure to communicate" with your rig, it's always wise to   
   verify that you have the latest version of drivers for your hardware, or that   
   perhaps your driver was affected because of an automated operating system   
   update. HA1AG recently noticed timeouts when WinTest was being used with a   
   TS-590's USB interface. The cure was to update the USB driver to that of the   
   manufacturer (Silicon Labs). (Thanks HA1AG).   
      
   In a similar vein, if you're recently having trouble using your FTDI-based USB   
   serial port's handshaking lines on Apple OS X, e.g. for keying, controlling   
   your amp, or PTT, make sure you're using FTDI's driver instead of the   
   Apple-provided one. (Thanks Rockwell WW1X and RemoteHamRadio.com)   
      
   Web Site of the Week - Checking out the "competition?" The Northern California   
   Contest Club has a large online collection of past club newsletters that are   
   simply wonderful to read. NCCC members contest with great gusto, travel, build   
   things, solve problems, get other people excited about contesting, and then   
   write about it!   
      
   WORD TO THE WISE   
      
   Grid Square - An alphanumeric geographical coordinate system (usually four or   
   six characters), based on the Maidenhead Locator System developed by VHF   
   enthusiasts in 1980, in which the entire globe is divided into equal-sized   
   rectangles denoted by alphanumeric codes. Grid squares are increasingly   
   popular as contest exchanges, as they offer a challenge for successfully   
   completing contest QSOs with accuracy, providing universal location   
   information for all countries/states, and underpinning distance based scoring   
   criteria. Some contests in which Grid Squares are used: ARRL VHF, UHF, 10 GHz+   
   Contests; Stew Perry Top Band Distance Challenge, Makrothen RTTY Contest,   
   DigiFest, UKSMG Summer Contest, REF DDFM Summer Contest.   
      
   SIGHTS AND SOUNDS   
      
   Here's what's on the OTHER end: W2NAF, Nathaniel, gives a YouTube tour of the   
   KC4USV station located at McMurdo Station, Antarctica.   
      
   W7DRA makes a 160m contact during the 2015 WPX CW. ARC-5 VFO, W7RM 833   
   amplifier, manual switching, paper logging, straight key...   
      
   RESULTS AND RECORDS   
      
   Results of the 2015 7QP (7th area QSO Party) are available at ht   
   p://www.7QP.org. According to the sponsors, the 7QP is now the second largest   
   QSO party after the California QSO Party. The results were made available ten   
   days after the log deadline. (Dick, K4XU)   
      
   OPERATING TIP   
      
   Don't let mobile ham gear become projectiles - make sure your equipment is   
   secure. If you need a removable but robust solution, you might try a hook and   
   loop fastener. According to Rich, W6RS, who extensively tested a number of   
   brands for a large municipality, Gator Grip was recommended: "Once the two   
   materials were mated you literally had to use a flat blade screw drive to   
   separate them. Needless to say hard mounting is the first choice, but if   
   that's impossible then this is a viable alternative." (Rich W6RS)   
      
   TECHNICAL TOPICS AND INFORMATION   
      
   A new type of Cloud propagation? Every summer, radar reflections from   
   altitudes between 80 and 90km are detected. These reflections seem to be   
   coincident with the altitude and occasional observations of "Noctilucent   
   Clouds." Recently, these were observed (and photographed) over Scotland (See:   
   "RADAR ECHOES FROM THE NOCTILUCENT ZONE"). One theory is that the clouds   
   consist of charged ice particles, which are good reflectors of VHF and above.   
   (W7WKR through PNWVHFS)   
      
   There's still time to put up a VHF antenna before the June VHF Contest - but   
   which one? VE7BQH has a done a comparison of some commercial antennas. Build   
   your own? Check out a list of ARRL Articles on making your own VHF Beams.   
      
   Some of the best-attended presentations at ham gatherings are those about   
   radio performance testing. VA7OJ recently talked about considerations   
   necessary when testing modern receiver architectures, and performing Noise   
   Power Ratio testing of receivers. (Thanks W7LFA)   
      
   Have some ferrite binocular cores you'd like to use for a beverage   
   transformer? Need to "guesstimate" the material they're made out of? Tom W8JI   
   suggests using an antenna analyzer (in impedance mode) with a single loop   
   through the core to determine the frequency where R=X; If that occurs at   
   around 2 MHz, it's type 73 material. "The Q=1 frequency, where R=X or where   
   loss tangent crosses reactance, tells you the material better than anything   
   else you can do." (Tom W8JI via Topband List)   
      
   National Instruments and Mouser have teamed up to provide MultiSIM BLUE, a   
   tool in which you can draw your schematic, simulate its behavior, lay out a PC   
   board, built the BOM, and order parts (from Mouser, of course). (Thanks Doug   
   W5DET)   
      
   W6PQL and others have designed high-power amplifiers based on LDMOS   
   transistors like the NXP BLF578XR and BLF188XR. These devices are appealing as   
   they can handle high power levels, and are robust in the face of adverse   
   operating conditions. Now, NXP will sell its RF Power business to JAC   
   Holdings. The sale is being made in part to raise cash to help NXP to acquire   
   Freescale semiconductor, and to appease potential regulator objections in   
   regards to that purchase. (EETimes)   
      
   Also in transition - Traffie Technology, maker of Hex Beams, announces plans   
   to discontinue making Hex Beams. (via QRZ.com)   
      
   Will your heirs know what your treasures are worth? Someone donated a rare   
   Apple I computer last week, likely not knowing its value, historical or   
   otherwise. The search is on for the donor, who is entitled to half of the   
   estimated $200,000 value.   
      
   Technical Web Site of the Week - Moore's Law at 50 - Intel has provided an   
   interview with Gordon Moore: http://newsroom.intel.com/docs/DOC-6429#videos   
      
   CONVERSATION   
      
   You "don't do VHF?"   
      
   Many modern transceivers have coverage for 6 meters. Why not try that band in   
   the June VHF+ Contest? Try making a simple dipole for the band if your current   
   antennas don't cover it. If you try listening on 50.125 USB (the calling   
   frequency), you'll likely hear locals announcing that they're listing (and   
   likely calling CQ) at some other frequency, like 50.145. Don't like phone? Try   
   CW just below 50.100 for domestic contacts. As VHF+ antennas are relatively   
   small, you could also try a portable operation from a hilltop or other   
   elevated location. Be safe, have fun!   
      
   73, Brian N9ADG   
      
   CONTESTS   
      
   4 June Through 17 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   
      
   NRAU 10m Activity Contest, CW: June 4 1700Z-1800Z, SSB: June 4 1800Z-1900Z;   
   June 4 1900Z-2000Z; FM: June 4 1900-2000Z, Digital: June 4 2000Z-2100Z; CW,   
   SSB, FM, Digital; Bands: 28MHz only; RS(T)+6-character grid square; Logs Due:   
   June 18, 2015.   
      
   CWops Mini-CWT Test, June 4 0300z-0400z; CW; Bands: 1.8-28MHz;Member: Name +   
   Member No., non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs Due: June 6,   
   2015 0400z.   
      
   NCCC RTTY Sprint, June 5 0145Z-0215Z; RTTY; Bands: see rules; Serial No. +   
   Name + QTH;Logs Due: June 7, 2015.   
      
   NCCC Sprint Ladder, June 5 0230Z-0300Z; CW; Bands: 1.8-50MHz; Serial No. +   
   Name + QTH; Logs Due: June 7, 2015.   
      
   10-10 International Open Season PSK Contest, June 6 0000z - June 7 2400z; PSK;   
   Bands: 28MHz only; Name + (state/province/country) + organization membership   
   numbers; Logs Due: June 23, 2015.   
      
   DigiFest, June 6 0400Z-1200Z, June 6 2000Z-June 7 0400z, June 7 1200Z-2000Z;   
   RTTY75, BPSK63, MFSK16, HELLSCHREIBER, OLIVIA; Bands: 3.5-28MHz; RST +   
   4-character grid square; Logs Due: June 14, 2015   
      
   VK Shires Contest, June 6 0600z-June 7 0600z;CW, SSB;Bands: 3.5-28 MHz; VK:   
   RS(T) + Shire, non-VK: RS(T) + CQ Zone; Logs Due: July 1, 2015   
      
   Wake-Up! QRP Sprint, June 6 0600Z-0629Z, June 6 0630Z-0659Z, June 6   
   0700Z-0729Z, June 6 0730Z-0800Z; CW; Bands 7MHz,14MHz; RST + Serial No. +   
   suffix of previous QSO ("QRP" for 1st QSO);Logs Due: June 13, 2015   
      
   SEANET Contest, June 6 1200z - June 7 1200z; CW, SSB; Bands: 3.5-28MHz; RS(T)   
   + Serial No.; Logs Due: June 20, 2015   
      
   ADRAD Kayldall DMR Contest, June 6 1300z-1900z; DMR; Bands: 433MHz;   
   6-Character Grid Square; Logs Due: June 21, 2015   
      
   Dutch Kingdom Contest, June 6 1500z - June 7 1500z; CW, SSB; Bands: 7 - 50MHz;   
   RS(T) + Serial No.; Logs Due: 2359Z June 14, 2015   
      
   IARU Region 1 Field Day, CW, See your national radio society's web site.   
      
   RSGB National Field Day, June 6 1500z - June 7 1500z; CW; Bands: 1.8 - 28MHz;   
   RST + Serial No.; Logs Due: June 23, 2015   
      
   Alabama QSO Party, June 6 1600z - June 7 0400z; CW, SSB; Bands: 1.8-28MHz; AL:   
   RS(T) + County, non-AL: RS(T) + (state/province/"DX"); Logs Due:July 6, 2015   
      
   NAQCC CW Sprint, June 10 0030Z-0230Z; CW; Bands 3.5-14MHz; RST +   
   (state/province/country) + (NAQCC No./power); Logs due: 2359Z June 13, 2015   
      
   CWops Mini-CWT Test, June 10 1300Z-1400Z, June 10 1900Z-2000Z, June 11   
   0300Z-0400Z; Bands: 1.8-28MHz; CWOps Member: Name + Member Number, non-Member:   
   Name + (state/province/country); Logs Due: 0400Z June 13, 2015   
      
   RSGB 80m Club Championship, CW, June 10 1900Z-2030Z; CW; Bands: 3.5MHz; RST +   
   Serial No.; Logs due: 2359Z June 17, 2015   
      
   HA3NS Sprint Memorial Contest, 40m: June 12 1900Z-1929Z, 80m: June 13   
   1930Z-1959Z; CW; Bands: 3.5MHz, 7MHz; HACWG Members: RST + Membership No.,   
   non-Members: RST + NM; Logs due:June 27, 2015   
      
   DRCG WW RTTY Contest, June 13 0000Z-0759Z, June 13 1600Z-2359Z, June 14   
   0800Z-1559Z; RTTY; Bands: 3.5-28MHz; RST + CQ Zone; Logs due: June 21, 2015.   
      
   Asia-Pacific Sprint, SSB, June 13 1100Z-1300Z; SSB; Bands: 14, 21 MHz; RS(T) +   
   Serial No.;   
      
   Logs due: June 20, 2015   
      
   SKCC Weekend Sprintathon, June 13 1200z- June 14 2400z; CW; Bands: 1.8-50MHz;   
   RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (SKCC No./"NONE"); Logs due: June 21,   
   2015   
      
   Portugal Day Contest, June 13 1200z-June 14 1200z; CW, SSB; Bands: 3.5-28MHz;   
   CT: RS(T) + District, non-CT: RS(T) + Serial No.; Logs due:September 1, 2015   
      
   QRP ARCI QRP Shootout, SSB: June 13 1500Z-2100Z, CW: June 14 1500Z-2100Z; CW,   
   SSB; Bands: 1.8 - 28MHz; ARCI: RS(T) + (state/province/country) + ARCI No.,   
   non-ARCI: RS(T) + (state/province/country) + power out; Logs due: July 1, 2015   
      
   GACW WWSA CW DX Contest, June 13 1500z - June 14 1500z;CW; 3.5-28 MHz;RST + CQ   
   Zone No.; Logs due: July 30, 2015.   
      
   VHF+ CONTESTS   
      
   ARRL June VHF Contest, June 13 1800z - June 14 0259z; All modes; 50MHz & up; 4   
   character grid square; Logs due: 0300Z July 15, 2015   
      
   REF DDFM 6m Contest, June 13, 1600z - June 14 1600z; CW,SSB, FM; 50 MHz; RS(T)   
   + Serial No. + 4-character grid square; Logs due: July 14, 2015   
      
   UKSMG Summer Contest, June 6 1300z - June 7 1300z (see rules); Bands: 50MHz   
   only; CW, SSB; see rules; Logs Due: July 1, 2015   
      
   LOG DUE DATES   
      
   June 4   
      
    - ARS Spartan Sprint   
      
   June 5   
      
    - CQ WW WPX   
      
   June 6   
      
    - CWops Mini-CWT Test   
      
   June 7   
      
    - SARL Digital Contest   
    - WAB 7 MHz Phone   
    - NCCC RTTY Sprint   
    - NCCC Sprint Ladder   
    - UN DX Contest   
      
   June 8   
      
    - FISTS Spring Unlimited Sprint   
    - RSGB 80m Club Championship, Data   
      
   June 9   
      
    - F9AA Cup, PSK   
      
   June 10   
      
    - CQ-M International DX Contest   
    - Baltic Contest   
      
   June 12   
      
    - Portuguese Navy Day Contest, Digital   
      
   June 13   
      
    - Wake-Up! QRP Sprint   
      
   June 14   
      
    - QRP ARCI Hootowl Sprint   
      
   DigiFest   
      
    - Dutch Kingdom Contest   
      
   June 15   
      
    - HPC World Wide DX Contest   
    - Aegean RTTY Contest   
      
   June 17   
      
    - UA2 QSO Party   
      
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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   
      
   ... The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it.   
   ---   
    * Origin:  (1:3634/12.73)