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The ARRL Contest Update
Published by the American Radio Relay League
********************************************
February 16, 2011
Editor: Ward Silver, N0AX
==> IN THIS ISSUE
- Dots of Ditstruction - ARRL CW DX
- A Touch of Typistry - NAQP Digital
- CQ WPX Cabrillo Checker
- Where Do Our Frequencies Come From?
- The Crowd on Top Band
- 10 GHz Contest Writeup
- Will the Real G5RV Please Stand Up?
- Using HFTA
- Sailin' Cross the Sea Lanes
NEW HF OPERATORS - THINGS TO DO
The ARRL DX Contest - in which all the DX
stations vie for contacts with US and Canadian stations - is a great
opportunity for Little Pistol stations to fill their logbooks (as well
as their QSL bureau envelopes and LOTW accounts) with DX QSOs from
around the world. The contest has new categories for Low Power
operation, too. This weekend features CW followed by Phone two weeks
later!
BULLETINS
Sunspot 1158 is firing off all sorts of flares - the strongest in four
years - and causing disruptions to the geomagnetic field as this issue
is being readied for distribution (Tuesday morning). Depending on how
active it remains over the next couple of days there may be significant
impact to HF propagation for the ARRL DX CW Contest this weekend. Watch
Spaceweather.com for the latest solar news!
BUSTED QSOS
None reported from last week's issue!
CONTEST SUMMARY
Complete information for all contests follows the Conversation section
Feb 19-20
- ARRL International CW DX Contest
- Semi-Automatic Key Evening (Feb 16)
- Russian WW PSK Contest (Feb 18)
- Feld-Hell Annual WAS Sprint
- AM QSO Party
- FM Simplex Contest
- CQ WW 160 Meter SSB
- Pennsylvania FM Sprint
Feb 26-27
- REF Contest
- UBA Contest CW
- Mississippi QSO Party
- North American QSO Party--Digital
- North Carolina QSO Party
- CQC Winter QSO Party (Feb 28)
==> NEWS, PRESS RELEASES, AND GENERAL INTEREST
CQ WPX Director, Randy K5ZD, continues innovating like that giant
sunspot firing off solar flares. "I am pleased to announce a new tool
to help everyone format their logs
correctly for the WPX Contest. The Cabrillo Log Check page will check
the format of your Cabrillo log file for any mode of the CQ WPX
Contest. Use this to check your log before submitting it to the robot."
The new page by Tzetzo LZ2FQ supports CQ WPX RTTY, SSB, and CW in
Cabrillo 2 or 3 formats.
More innovation in contest administration comes from the Russian DX
Contest Committee as they tighten up the requirements for winning logs
with new rules . Competitive
logs will now be required to specify frequencies with a 1-kHz
resolution and to be submitted within 36 hours. The intent is to crack
down on post-contest log editing and during-the-contest spotting
information poaching. (Thanks, Harry RA3AUU)
Ham radio was a key element of the February 2011 Scientific American
article, "Citizen Satellites on CubeSats
". The story covers
satellite standardization of design and internal structure and how it
has enabled a CubeSat "community", likened to
a cottage industry of universities and organizations that can now
launch their own satellite for less than $100,000.
So why does ham radio still have such a devoted following in the face
of modern telecommunication wizardry? This article on the Wired web
site by David
Rowan offers some opinions. As the author says, "You can tweet all you
like, but this is the way to communicate." (Thanks, Jim W4JTP and Brad
W1NT)
An article reviewing CQ WW 160 Meter CW by the YE1C team
may be
of interest to those who want to know how the noise and static crashes
affect Top Band operation in Indonesia. "For the first time ever in
Indonesia, we installed nine RX antennas but due to poor propagation on
160 meters, the QSO totals are lower than in 2010." (Thanks, Jo YC0LOW)
Speaking of Top Band, reservations and tickets are now available for
the 22nd Annual Dayton Top Band Dinner to
be held on Friday, May 20 at the Crowne Plaza in downtown Dayton, Ohio.
(Thanks, Tim K3LR)
Since the Universe now seems to be more than 250 times bigger than
observable , hams
everywhere know the answer - we need bigger antennas!
Bob N6TV made a good suggestion - the simplicity of Morse code might be
a way to communicate with someone who is incapable of speaking due to a
stroke or other injury. Does your family know about code readers and
other means of engaging via CW? If you can wiggle your fingers, the
message might be able to get through!
How much does it cost to mail something? You can find out by using the
online USPS postage calculator
. It might take a while to
lick enough stamps to mail that Collins 75A4 receiver, though.
We have a celebration coming up - Leo Meyerson, W0GFQ, turns 100
years old on February 24th. Leo was the founder of World Radio Labs in
Council Bluff, Iowa, and his WRL Globe and Galaxy lines of radios put a
lot of hams on the air from the 1950's through the 1970's. (Thanks,
Phil K3UA)
Web Site of the Week - In the latest IARU e-letter
, ARRL ex-president Rod W6ROD presents
an in-depth look at the International Telecommunications Union (ITU),
the international regulatory body that oversees the radio spectrum. It
makes for informative reading and W6ROD promises more articles about
international licensing and allocations in future issues.
WORD TO THE WISE
"Temporary" adj. - used by a ham radio operator in obtaining permission
to erect antennas and meaning "until I die".
==> SIGHTS AND SOUNDS
It was a little crowded in the UK early on Sunday morning during the CQ
WW 160 Meter contest as this visual display from Ian G3NRW's SDR
attests.
The Minnesota QSO Party proved to be a great training ground for Sarah
W0MSW using her school's club call sign
under the watchful video
camera of her dad, Scott K0MD. Sarah's two sisters are also licensed
and the younger brother getting into the act in the background will
soon be clamoring for rig time, as well. State QSO parties are great
introductions to radiosport!
Dan K1TO recalls climbing a 600-foot tower in Vienna, Austria during
his European trip to WRTC-2000 from which he could see HA, OE, OK, OM,
and 4U1VIC. Where else could you see a similar sight? The Wikipedia
pages on country borders
give some clues. Surprisingly, there are no "Four Corners
" in the world of
international borders.
Not exactly radio, but definitely one of the better homebuilt
accomplishments you will ever
see. (Thanks, Kirk K4RO)
==> RESULTS AND RECORDS
Don't forget the new categories in the ARRL DX Contest
- Multioperator, Single Transmitter and
Single-Operator, Assisted now have High and Low Power divisions.
Delivered by contest writeup author Bruce W9FZ, results for the 2010
ARRL 10 GHz and Up Cumulative contest are now online
. Watch for K9LA's
writeup for the 2010 IARU HF Championship contest before long. (Thanks,
ARRL Contest Branch Manager, Sean KX9X)
AA5B and KK6MC are sponsoring a major award for the top
multioperator entry in the Spring QRP-ARCI QSO Party
. "The multioperator category is a great one in
many ways and it is a shame that many QRP contests do not offer this
option and that more QRP operators do not pursue this category when
available in a contest. By offering a major award to the winners of the
multioperator category, we are hoping to encourage more participation
in the multioperator category, and perhaps to encourage more contest
organizers to include a multioperator category." (Thanks, James KK6MC)
OPERATING TIP
Pre-de-caffeinate yourself during the week before a major contest so
that when you really need that coffee kick late in the game you aren't
fighting your normal tolerance. Soak up the sleep now and save the
stimulation for after you've exhausted your regular resources.
==> TECHNICAL TOPICS AND INFORMATION
The term "G5RV antenna" is applied to lots of antennas that would be
hard for G5RV to recognize as his creation. If you want "the original
Greek", G5RV's original article
from 1958 is available online. (Thanks, Bill K4CIA)
Glenn KD0Q is a big fan of the Safety LifeLine
for climbing his AN Wireless
free-standing tower. "The sleeve that attaches to the cable also
attaches directly to the front of my harness - I use no lanyard. The
sleeve slides right along the cable with me as I climb. It really
reduces the time it takes to climb the tower compared to hooking and
unhooking two lanyards. I feel much safer as the hooking and unhooking
is eliminated and there is little slack to take up if something
happens."
If you want a reliable, rugged footswitch, follow the lead of the
tattoo artist whose customers would not care at all for incomplete body
art. Ron WW8RR - who is not a tattoo artist - recommends the Linemaster
Gem switches
.
"These are round, heavy duty, weighted, non-skid, virtually
indestructible foot switches. Since they are round it doesn't matter
which angle your foot hits the switch, it activates. The internal
design does not use any micro switch, but instead has three compression
springs, heavy brass rings, and steel plate. It is as robust as it
gets. There is really nothing in the design to wear out or fatigue."
Homebuilders and repair techs are finding that PCB-mounted pots and
controls are more likely to have 6-mm diameter shafts that won't
securely hold a knob designed for a 0.25-inch shaft. Ken WA4MNT shows
how to add a plastic sleeve over the shaft
to solve the
problem. Use the next smaller size from 3/16" and slit it to fit -
don't heat it up. Graham VE3GTC notes that some brass shim of
0.005-006" thickness will also do the job.
The CalculatorEdge is another great
web page with tons of engineering calculators for just about any kind
of technical problem. (Thanks, Russ KD0EIA)
KL7RA asked if the Data Shark coax trimming tool mentioned in the
previous issue might nick the inner conductor of RG-213, so I asked
N4ZR about it. "I made the original statement based on the diameters of
the outer jackets, but wondered about the inner conductor myself, so I
tried it. To my pleased surprise, even with no skill involved, it did
not touch the inner conductor. In the event of slight variations in
RG-213, perhaps a caution would be in order - you'll hear the blade cut
the braid, then silence while it goes through the dielectric. If you
don't hear it at the end, then it hasn't hit the inner conductor. If it
has, back out, try again, and stop a little short of the point where it
starts to sound off. Not much skill required."
When using steel conduit for running coax cables, Roger K8RI points
out, "Carefully de-burr the ends of the conduit as a tiny burr can peel
the jacket right off a piece of coax. Leave no rough edges that can
contact the coax." Ends of conduit need to be fully seated into
couplers and fittings, too. "If not fully seated [the edge] will form a
squared-off edge of 1/4 to nearly 3/8"" on which cables can catch. If
need be, bevel the inside of the male end to a 60-degree angle so there
is no lip." Roger also recommends the use of two 45-degree "sweeps" to
make a 90-degree turn as they put a lot less stress on the cable when
pulling it through. And use lots of inexpensive wire soap, too!
For someone with a few years of antenna work ahead of them and an
interest in welding, check out your local school system's nighttime
adult education classes. (Thanks, Gene W2LU)
Pat KC0ZIW recommends an outstanding tool for finding the correct beam
heading and distance
for DX countries that's also a good prefix reference. Just follow the
instructions on the web page.
Technical Web Site of the Week - For information on how to use HFTA by
Dean N6BV and what it can do for your station take a look at the Yankee
Clipper Contest Club's website
for presentations by Dean. You can also find webinars on HFTA and other
resources on the Potomac Valley Radio Club and
Northern California Contest Club websites as well.
(Thanks, Jim K7WA)
==> CONVERSATION
Sailin' Cross the Sea Lanes
The VP8ORK team has returned to continental land, having successfully
crossed the rough seas of the Drake Passage after 60,000+ QSOs from the
South Orkneys. With the team including many call signs very familiar in
the world of radiosport, I thought a song might be appropriate with a
nod to Rich KL7RA for providing the initial seed of inspiration. Thanks
for the strong work, fellows!
73, Ward N0AX
Sailin' Cross the Sea Lanes
Pirated from Peter, Paul, and Mary's "Leavin' On a Jet Plane"
by Captain Beldarrrgh
My Pelican's packed, I'm ready to go
Standing here on this foreign shore
I think that must be salt spray in my eyes
But the dawn is breakin', it's early morn
The Braveheart's waitin', they're blowin' the horn
Already I'm so seasick I could die
So work me and spot for me
Tell me that you'll tune for me
Call me with your final tubes aglow
'Cause I'm sailin' cross the sea lanes
I'm all too sure that I'll get wet again
Oh, man, I love radio
There's so many times I've worn you down
With small antennas near the ground
I'll tell you now, they can't hear a thing
Every place I go, I listen for you
Every Q I make, I hope it's you
When I come back the logbooks I will bring
So work me and spot for me
Tell me that you'll tune for me
Call me with your final tubes aglow
'Cause I'm sailin' cross the sea lanes
I'm all too sure that I'll get wet again
Oh, man, I love radio
Now the time has come to leave, to
Don my patch and find a close loo
Hoist the anchor, we'll be under way
Dream of dinner talks to come
Entertaining everyone
Until the time when I'll no longer say...
So work me and spot for me
Tell me that you'll tune for me
Call me with your final tubes aglow
'Cause I'm sailin' cross the sea lanes
I'm all too sure that I'll get wet again
Oh, man, I love radio
I really must love radio
I really, really, really love radio...
==> CONTESTS
16 February through 1 March
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
Semi-Automatic Key Evening--CW, from Feb 16, 1900Z to Feb 16, 2030Z.
Bands (MHz): 3.5. Exchange: RST, serial, first year of bug use. Logs
due: Mar 15. Rules
Russian WW PSK Contest--Digital, from Feb 18, 2100Z to Feb 19, 2100Z.
Bands (MHz): 1.8-28. Exchange: RST and oblast code or serial. Logs due:
15 days. Rules
ARRL Int'l CW DX Contest--CW, from Feb 19, 0000Z to Feb 20, 2400Z.
Bands (MHz): 1.8-28. Exchange: RST, state/province or power. Logs due:
Mar 21. Rules
Feld-Hell Annual WAS Sprint--Digital, from Feb 19, 2000Z to Feb 19,
2200Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28. Frequencies: Monthly on 3rd Saturday.
Exchange: RST, QTH, Feld-Hell number. Rules
AM QSO Party--Phone, from Feb 19, 2300Z to Feb 20, 2300Z. Bands (MHz):
3.5-14. Exchange: RS, name, and S/P/C. Logs due: 4 weeks. Rules
CQ WW 160 Meter SSB--Phone, from Feb 25, 2200Z to Feb 27, 2200Z. Bands
(MHz): 1.8. Exchange: RST and state/province or CQ zone. Logs due: Mar
31. Rules
REF Contest--Phone,CW, from Feb 26, 0600Z to Feb 27, 1800Z. Bands
(MHz): 3.5-28. Exchange: RS and French dept or serial. Logs due: 30
days. Rules
UBA Contest--CW, from Feb 26, 1300Z to Feb 27, 1300Z. Bands (MHz):
3.5-28. Exchange: RS, serial, and ON province. Logs due: 2 weeks. Rules
Mississippi QSO Party--Phone,CW, from Feb 26, 1500Z to Feb 27, 0300Z.
Bands (MHz): 3.5-28, 50-432, Frequencies: CW 3.545,7.045,14.045,21.045,
28.045;Phone 3.857-862-867,7.238,14.275,21.375,28.375;VHF
50.13,144.22,146.55,446. Exchange: RS(T) and MS county or S/P/C. Logs
due: Mar 31. Rules
North American QSO Party--Digital, from Feb 26, 1800Z to Feb 27, 0600Z.
Bands (MHz): 3.5-28. Exchange: Name and S/P/C. Logs due: 14 days. Rules
North Carolina QSO Party--Phone,CW, from Feb 27, 1700Z to Feb 28,
0300Z. Bands (MHz): 3.5-28. Frequencies: CW
3.54,3.74,7.04,7.14,14.04,21.04,21.14,28.04,28.14, Phone
3.86,7.26,14.26,21.36,28.36. Exchange: RS(T) and NC county or S/P/C.
Logs due: Apr 1. Rules
CQC Winter QSO Party--Phone,CW, from Feb 28, 0100Z to Feb 28, 0259Z.
Bands (MHz): 3.5-14. Frequencies: 3.560, 7.040, 14.060. Exchange:
RS(T), S/P/C, name, CQC nr or power. Logs due: 30 days. Rules
YL CW Party--CW, from Mar 1, 1900Z to Mar 1, 2100Z. Bands (MHz): 3.5.
Exchange: RST, serial, if YL "YL," name. Logs due: Mar 31. Rules
VHF+ CONTESTS
FM Simplex Contest--Phone, from Feb 20, 1900Z to Feb 20, 2130Z. Bands
(MHz): 50-440. Exchange: Call sign and grid square. Logs due: Mar 20.
Rules
Pennsylvania FM Sprint--Phone, from Feb 26, 7 PM to Feb 26, 11 PM.
Bands (MHz): 50-440. Exchange: Call sign, serial, and 5-digit Zip code.
Logs due: Mar 18. Rules
Mississippi QSO Party--Phone,CW, from Feb 26, 1500Z to Feb 27, 0300Z.
Bands (MHz): 3.5-28, 50-432, Frequencies: CW 3.545,7.045,14.045,21.045,
28.045;Phone 3.857-862-867,7.238,14.275,21.375,28.375;VHF
50.13,144.22,146.55,446. Exchange: RS(T) and MS county or S/P/C. Logs
due: Mar 31. Rules
==> LOG DUE DATES
16 February through 1 March
February 18 - SKCC Weekend Sprint
February 19 - Asia-Pacific Spring Sprint, CW
February 19 - WAB 1.8 MHz Phone
February 19 - North American Sprint, SSB
February 20 - SARL Field Day Contest
February 21 - 10-10 Int. Winter Contest, SSB
February 23 - ARRL January VHF Sweepstakes
February 28 - CQ 160-Meter Contest, CW
February 28 - SPAR Winter Field Day
February 28 - Hunting Lions in the Air Contest
February 28 - AGCW Straight Key Party
February 28 - RSGB 1st 1.8 MHz Contest
March 1 - BARTG RTTY Sprint
March 1 - AWA Linc Cundall Memorial CW Contest
March 1 - REF Contest, CW
March 1 - CQ WW RTTY WPX 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 .
The ARRL Contest Update is published every other Wednesday (26 times
each year). ARRL members may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by
editing their Member Data Page as described at
http://www.arrl.org/contests/update/.
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.
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* Origin: (1:116/901)
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