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   http://www.arrl.org/contests/update/?issue=2015-09-23   
      
   The ARRL Contest Update   
      
   September 23, 2015   
   Editor: Brian Moran, N9ADG   
      
      
   IN THIS ISSUE   
      
   ú CQWW RTTY   
   ú QSO Gold Rush   
   ú No one re-mains neutral over grounding issues   
   ú Norman Rockwell's teenage neighbors   
   ú The LU say!   
   ú ARRL DX and RTTY results are ready   
   ú Growly RFI   
   ú Stub the line   
   ú Adaptation   
      
      
   NEW HF OPERATORS - THINGS TO DO   
      
   For a total-immersion contest weekend, the 48-hour CQWW RTTY contest   
   (September 26) is your target. If you put in a significant effort, you'll   
   likely be hearing phantom RTTY signals in your head for a few hours after the   
   contest. During the contest you'll hear RTTY signals throughout the RTTY/data   
   sub-band on most bands, which can crowd CW into lowest band segments. Be   
   mindful of the RTTY/data sub-band upper edges to make sure you stay legal.   
      
   In these days of declining sunspots, there is always the chance that ten   
   meters could be open next week. If it is, NRAU has a ten-meter m   
   de-stravaganza to explore.   
      
   The California QSO Party is on October 3. There will be an abundance of   
   activity, with 58 California counties providing some of the multipliers. It's   
   good training for the November ARRL Sweepstakes, as the exchange is similar.   
      
      
   BULLETINS   
      
   Dave, NN1N informs: "Matt Wilhelm, W1MSW, has moved-on from the position of   
   Contest Branch Manager at ARRL to pursue other opportunities. Matt gave us an   
   excellent 17 months - catching us up all the way to current, which was   
   not an easy task. He recruited Frandy Johnson, N1FJ to assist as well, and I   
   want to thank both Matt and Frandy for their work. The Contest Manager's job   
   is not easy and relies on the good work of many to produce results. We will be   
   evaluating the position's requirements and responsibilities in the near term   
   before moving ahead. Dan, N1ND, Ward, N0AX, and Dave, NN1N will keep the   
   workflow going in the meantime.   
      
   Randy, K5ZD recently noted "The CQ WW DX Contest Committee is conducting a   
   survey to gather feedback from participants about the contest. An invitation   
   email with a link to the survey has been sent to everyone who submitted a log   
   in the 2014 SSB and CW contests. The responses will help us improve the   
   contest and make important decisions about the rules. Please see the blog post   
   with the details. The number of responses has slowed to the point that we are   
   going to move up the end date of the survey to September 25, 2015 (next   
   Friday). If you would like to respond please do so now. If you have already   
   responded, thank you."   
      
      
   BUSTED QSOS   
      
   Hmm, log from last time must not be scored yet.   
      
      
   CONTEST SUMMARY   
      
   Complete information for all contests follows the Conversation section   
      
   September 24   
      
    *  CWops Mini-CWT Test   
    *  RSGB 80m Club Sprint, CW   
      
   September 25   
      
    *  NCCC RTTY Sprint Ladder   
    *  NCCC Sprint   
      
   September 26   
      
    *  CQ Worldwide DX Contest, RTTY   
    *  Maine QSO Party   
    *  Texas QSO Party   
    *  AGCW VHF/UHF Contest   
      
   September 27   
      
    *  Texas QSO Party   
    *  UBA ON Contest, 6m   
    *  Classic Exchange, Phone   
    *  Peanut Power QRP Sprint   
      
   September 29   
      
    *  Classic Exchange, Phone   
    *  220 MHz Fall Sprint   
      
   September 30   
      
    *  Phone Fray   
    *  CWops Mini-CWT Test   
    *  UKEICC 80m Contest   
      
   October 1   
      
    *  CWops Mini-CWT Test   
    *  NRAU 10m Activity Contest   
    *  SARL 80m QSO Party   
      
   October 2   
      
    *  NCCC Sprint   
    *  YLRL DX/NA YL Anniversary Contest   
      
   October 3   
      
    *  TARA PSK Rumble Contest   
    *  15-Meter SSTV Dash Contest   
    *  German Telegraphy Contest   
    *  Oceania DX Contest, Phone   
    *  TRC DX Contest   
    *  Russian WW Digital Contest   
    *  International HELL-Contest   
    *  California QSO Party   
    *  4 State 4x4 QRP Sprint   
    *  FISTS Fall Slow Speed Sprint   
    *  WAB HF Phone   
      
   October 4   
      
    *  International HELL-Contest   
    *  UBA ON Contest, SSB   
    *  RSGB 21/28 MHz Contest   
      
   October 6   
      
    *  ARS Spartan Sprint   
      
   October 7   
      
    *  Phone Fray   
    *  CWops Mini-CWT Test   
    *  432 MHz Fall Sprint   
    *  UKEICC 80m Contest   
      
      
   NEWS, PRESS RELEASES, AND GENERAL INTEREST   
      
   In discussions of shack layout and construction, issues of where and how to   
   run electrical power inevitably crop up. The History of Residential Electrical   
   Wiring in the US paints the picture of how electrical standards in the US have   
   evolved, and can help illustrate why there has been such variety over time in   
   something as mundane as a 220v branch circuit.   
      
   An article in the Wall Street Journal recently discussed how repairing   
   electronic goods is better than throwing them away, and how the practice   
   should be more mainstream. The author of the article found that manufacturer   
   policies and lack of technical information to enable repairs introduce   
   obstacles. Why does it cost $200 to fix something with a 69 cent part?   
   Overhead! Someone has to be available to diagnose the problem, sometimes using   
   complex, expensive, equipment, and information that may be expensive to   
   produce and maintain. The repair facility rent isn't free; stocking parts   
   requires infrastructure... (Charles Mount)   
      
   The WWROF is sponsoring a webinar entitled "WRTC 2018 Update" on Sunday,   
   October 4, 2015 @ 1900 UTC. Topics include an overview of WRTC 2018, recent   
   news, rules, and a discussion of the new Worked All Germany contest as a   
   qualifying event.   
      
   According to a recent article in Scientific American, people are more likely   
   to cheat at the end of a competitive activity. One of the causes cited is that   
   some of the test subjects anticipated regretting a missed opportunity to cheat   
   the system.   
      
   Jay Allen, VY1JA, has been stalwart in bringing the Yukon to the airwaves over   
   the past 70 years. To help Jay continue to do so, but also reduce the   
   technical and operational demands placed on Jay, a number of amateurs are   
   collaborating to upgrade VY1JA to be fully accessible remotely. Most recently,   
   Gerry, W1VE, set up a gofundme page to raise additional funds to accelerate   
   the effort and build on early successes, and it's inspiring to see the   
   donations and comments made by the donors. As of this writing, their initial   
   funding goal was been surpassed in just 10 days!   
      
   While searching the 'net for a low-cost GPS source for use in his reverse   
   beacon network node, Bill Hein, CEO of Force 12 Antennas, came across some GPS   
   references made by Leo Bodnar, M0XER. These units are used in professional   
   auto racing applications. Bill Hein bought one for his node, and also obtained   
   US distribution rights for the units... the first ones will have landed by   
   now, and he's able to take pre-orders.   
      
   ARES/RACES volunteers have activated in support of the response the California   
   wildfires; the devastation to property and lives is extensive. At least one   
   resident amateur radio operator was a victim, and the wildfires have claimed   
   the American Museum of Telephony in Mountain Ranch, California, as a casualty.   
      
   If you're dealing with rig signals from a K3, you might find a "DB15 D-SUB VGA   
   male plug 15pin port Terminal Breakout PCB Board" search on eBay will give you   
   an interesting way to quickly connect into some of the lines. Winford.com also   
   has a number of breakout-type boards that could help with interfacing needs.   
   (Ralph N5RZ)   
      
   "I can't hear you now." - EMI levels can be so great that modern, every-day   
   devices like cellular phones are affected... which can be an impetus to   
   getting the underlying cause fixed. (Mark K6UFO)   
      
   If you use a standing desk, you may have spent long hours fretting over the   
   choice of the right clothes to wear while standing at it. You are not alone.   
      
   Web Site of the Week - Carl and Jerry Stories   
      
   Reading them on paper only enhances the charm of the Carl and Jerry stories   
   that John Frye wrote for Popular Electronics between 1954 and 1964. Yes,   
   they're dated, but they're also a heck of lot of fun to read, as the duo get   
   involved in situations that always require some application of electronics,   
   but ultimately are about humanity. A number of the stories are available to   
   read online, but reading the book collections is a great way to spend a winter   
   afternoon.   
      
      
   WORD TO THE WISE - Galling   
      
   Galling is wear or damage occurring when two materials exhibit friction and/or   
   adhesion between each other. Metals that depend on their oxides to inhibit   
   corrosion, for example aluminum and titanium, as well as some softer steels,   
   are prone to galling. If you're doing tower work with stainless steel   
   hardware, it's recommended that you use some type of anti-seize compound on   
   the threads to reduce the potential for galling.   
      
   Galling can also be the description of the experience of not placing in a   
   top-ten spot because you forgot to send in your log.   
      
      
   SIGHTS AND SOUNDS   
      
   On September 5, the LU Group Contest celebrated its 15th anniversary at a get   
   together in the city of Villa Mar¡a, C¢rdoba. One hundred and ten amateurs,   
   many of them contesters, were present and included the participation of Radio   
   Club Villa Maria LU1HYW, AMSAT Argentina and ICOM. The event drew from all   
   parts of Argentina and colleagues from Uruguay, Chile and Brazil.   
      
   There were 12 presentations given by LU1BJW, LU1CGB, LU1DCX, LU1DZL, LU1FAM,   
   LU1FP, LU3HY, LU7HZ LU8ADX, LU9EFO, M6SEJ / ZZ5JKL, along with a display of   
   DXCC QSL cards and certificates assembled by LU3HBO. (Diego, LU8ADX)   
      
   Like Vinyl LP Records, Audio Cassettes are enjoying a bit of a renaissance.   
   Here's a nice video on what it is like running and being in the last audio   
   cassette factory.   
      
      
   RESULTS AND RECORDS   
      
   The full results Results article (PDF) for 2015 ARRL DX CW is now online; The   
   Top Ten History for the ARRL DX Phone Contest has also been added to the ARRL   
   contest results web site.   
      
   Worth waiting for! The full 2015 RTTY Roundup results article is now online at   
   www.arrl.org/contest-results-articles. There are opportunities for interested   
   parties to sponsor RTTY Roundup plaques in future contests - contact Jeff,   
   WK6I if you're interested.   
      
   Kevin, W9GKA, informs that the Distance Scoring Working Group has   
   'back-tested' different distance scoring models on the Top 10 SOHP logs from   
   the September 2010 VHF QSO Party, and some results look promising. If you're   
   interested in the effort, you can join view the public web site, and see some   
   preliminary results.   
      
   August 2015 NAQP SSB contest preliminary results have been posted to the NCJ   
   web site. If you entered the contest, check your results and let the contest   
   manager Bill, AC0W, know if you find something that doesn't seem right   
   before September 26. You should verify your category, and make note if there's   
   a large QSO count or score change from what you submitted. "Reminder these are   
   just preliminary results, the final results may have some minor score   
   adjustments."   
      
      
   OPERATING TIP - Signal reports during contests   
      
   Unless a contest sponsor says they are going to actually check signal reports   
   as part of the exchange, it's generally a waste of effort to provide any   
   report other than 59 or 5NN. During contests, the signal report is in reality   
   used to frame the useful portions of the exchange. In marginal signal   
   conditions, using anything other than 59 or 5NN may hinder the effective   
   copying of the other useful parts of the exchange. Also, if you use 5NN for   
   the signal report on RTTY, you are sending at minimum four 5-bit characters   
   instead of the optimum three.   
      
      
   TECHNICAL TOPICS AND INFORMATION   
      
   In a recent discussion of coax stubs on the TowerTalk reflector, Frank, W3LPL,   
   explained why harmonics of your transmit frequency may sound "growly" in a   
   nearby receiver:   
      
   Those "growly" signals you're hearing are harmonics of your transmitted signal   
   generated by unintentional radiators, especially switching power supplies.   
   This type of RFI -- sometimes called "flooding" -- is caused by solid state   
   devices flooded by intense RF fields (your transmitted signal) in which they   
   were not intended to operate. The unintentional radiator produces harmonics of   
   your transmitted signal mixed with the AC power line or digital signals that   
   are normally present in the unintentional radiator.   
      
   Common unintentional radiators of harmonics of your transmitted signal include   
   many of the newer compact "wall wart" DC power supplies and susceptible power   
   supplies in devices such as antenna rotators.   
      
   The control box for the Ham series and T2X rotator is a well-known source of   
   re-radiated "growly" harmonics. Smart phone chargers are among the most common   
   unintentional radiators of your harmonics in your home and neighborhood.   
      
   As you rotate your transmitting and receiving antennas you will notice a   
   considerable variation in the signal strength of the "growly" harmonics you've   
   observed. It's likely that your harmonics will be free of "growly" signals in   
   some directions.   
      
   Another tool for pulling signals out of the noise -- you can build a   
   mechanical audio filter for CW listening, in the form of a tuned speaker   
   enclosure resonating at your rig's CW center frequency (KD1JV)   
      
   You may not see it on late night TV, however here's a list of the top 10   
   algorithms of the 20th Century and why they're considered such.   
      
   Communication is about transmitting information between two points. The actual   
   recording or changing of a single bit of information takes a theoretical   
   minimum amount of energy - Landauer's principle proposes a lower bound for   
   this amount of energy. At room temperature, this is about 0.0172 eV.   
      
   Topband season is here in the northern hemisphere! K1LZ has some practical   
   beverage antenna advice: www.qsl.net/k1fz/beverage_antenna.html (K1LZ via   
   Topband)   
      
   Though the intended use is for a camera, a low-band vertical could in theory   
   be used with the Fotokite. The Fotokite is a tethered drone with a camera. The   
   drone part, powered through the tether, could stay up for a long time.   
      
   When a transistor fails, but there are no direct replacements available, you   
   may be able to find your own substitute using this guide from EDN. The article   
   may help you understand the characteristics that matter for the circuit in   
   question. (Jeff, AD6MX via QRP-L)   
      
   If you need an oscilloscope or signal generator in the audio range, your smart   
   phone may have an app for that. Don't forget that your laptop can also do this   
   with appropriate sound input/outputs, and there are plenty of open   
   source or free applications to generate or manipulate waveforms (for example,   
   Audacity).   
      
   Audacity is also useful to prepare your voice macros for your contesting   
   logging program.   
      
   EDN has a nice article on how MOSFETs can be used modulator applications. More   
   generally, their application as on-off switches have wide modulation   
   applicability from DC through RF. (Ward, N0AX)   
      
   The Class E Radio web site describes an abundance of amateur experimenter   
   activity - MOSFETs are used extensively throughout the transmitter and   
   modulator designs described on the site. QST also featured a construction   
   article for a CW Class E amplifier a number of years ago.   
      
   You can use a good network analyzer and a belt sander to adjust phasing lines   
   on the higher (VHF, UHF) frequencies, according to Dave, K1WHS. (via the   
   Elecraft mailing list)   
      
      
   Bob, N6TV, writes:   
      
   "I've just completed a large update to VE3NEA's Rig Definition files for   
   modern Icom radios supported by his Omni-Rig universal radio control program,   
   which is used by Win-Test, Ham Radio Deluxe, Faros, and many other programs.   
   The update includes new and updated files for the following Icom models and   
   firmware versions:   
      
   IC-7000   
   IC-7000v2   
   IC-7100   
   IC-7100e4   
   IC-7200   
   IC-7200v2   
   IC-7410v2   
   IC-7600   
   IC-7600v2   
   IC-7700   
   IC-7700v2   
   IC-7800   
   IC-7800v3   
   IC-7850   
   IC-7851   
   IC-9100v2   
      
   Among other improvements, the latest Icom firmware for the "high end" models   
   (IC-7600 and above), now support reading and setting VFO B directly from   
   contest software, clearing the RIT, and using the radio's built-in USB sound   
   card as a voice keyer. The new rig definition files also automatically set   
   Icom CI-V Transceive OFF, eliminating the requirement to do that manually to   
   use OmniRig.   
      
   Win-Test users can also use the radio's sound card for voice keying, as well   
   as the internal CW keyer and Morse generator, using custom LUA Script   
   extensions I've written and posted to my web site, http://bit.ly/wtscripts."   
      
      
   N3FJP reminds that his N3FJP WAE contest logging program provides QTC   
   management.   
      
   N1MM Logger+'s version 12.03.00 and later requires certain ICOM radios (e.g.   
   IC-7600, IC-7700, IC-7800, IC-9100, this list may not be exhaustive) to use   
   more recent versions of the ICOM firmware which include a get-split command.   
   If you recently updated N1MM Logger+ and your radio is no longer recognized,   
   check N1MM Logger+ release notes to see if your radio model has such a   
   requirement, and that your radio is up to date.   
      
      
   The NRAO published some pointers on electric fence construction and   
   maintenance to minimize RFI.   
      
   Rigetti, a quantum computing startup, is looking for a RF/Microwave design   
   engineer with (from reading the job listing) practical design and build   
   experience. The desired qualifications are interesting reading.   
      
      
   Technical Web Site(s) of the Week - Stubs!   
      
   While operating W7DX in the Salmon Run contest last weekend, members of our   
   team were discussing inter-station interference and coax stubs. A quick   
   internet search turned up Jim, K9YC's Q&A for coax and coax stubs (PDF). In   
   addition to an explanation of the important quality characteristics of coax   
   and a summarization of the theory behind the use of stubs, Jim has provided a   
   nice collection of pointers to information so that you can go as deep as you   
   like.   
      
   N3RR completed a big project to add stubs to his station, and was kind enough   
   to share his project details with everyone (PDF). This 46 page PDF serves as   
   his own station documentation, but also shows the thought and work that goes   
   into a project like this.   
      
      
   CONVERSATION   
      
   Adaptation   
      
   My contest season started last weekend as I joined Dick, K7BTW and Adam, K7EDX   
   for a multi-op at K7BTW's station near Olympia, Washington. Our mission was to   
   make W7DX, the Washington State Salmon Run bonus station, well represented   
   with CW and Phone on the bands. As the first contest of the season, it's also   
   an opportunity for a shack shakedown to make sure we're ready for the rest of   
   the season.   
      
   As we've worked together before, last weekend's effort came together easily   
   enough over the summer with just a few discussions at the end of our monthly   
   WWDXC club meetings, and some additional day-before emails.   
      
   As a group, we've tried different Salmon Run operations over the years: in the   
   beginning a home station with one radio and three ops, other years included a   
   beach cabin field-day style with 5+ ops and three stations, a home station   
   with two transmitters in one location with digital in another over the   
   internet with multiple ops, and even tent camping field day style low power   
   with 2 ops on an island. We had a 'friendly heavy competition phase' over a   
   number of years with Nick, K7MO and Harry, K7LAZ pulling off ever more   
   elaborate (weekend) expeditions to Washington's less populous counties to   
   provide a rare mult. Nick and Harry beat us every time as I recall, but we all   
   had a fun time and it inspired everyone to try harder.   
      
   The last few years, we've joined up with Nick for some contests, and this year   
   he and Valerie, K7VAP, were the digital side of W7DX located in nearby Tacoma.   
      
   Year to year individual participation and commitment ebbs and flows from   
   real-life concerns intruding into our hobby, like health issues that preclude   
   staying up all night, spousal commitments on the 2nd day, medications that   
   could be incompatible with tower climbing, moving into town ... the list is   
   infinite. We adapt. We get more operators involved so each of us can lose less   
   sleep over the weekend. Salads appear on the contest weekend food menus. We   
   operate at others' QTHs. No matter what the obstacle, we adapt. Well, except   
   decaf. Never decaf. What I have come to appreciate more and more about radio   
   contesting is that individually, we can mold our efforts in any contest to   
   balance our resources and capabilities.   
      
   73, Brian N9ADG   
      
      
   CONTESTS   
      
   24 Sep - 7 Oct 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, Sep 23, 1300z to Sep 23, 1400z, Sep 23, 1900z to Sep 23,   
   2000z, Sep 24, 0300z to Sep 24, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m;   
   Member: Name + Member No., non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs   
   due: September 26.   
      
   RSGB 80m Club Sprint, CW, Sep 24, 1900z to Sep 24, 2000z; CW; Bands: 80m Only;   
   [other station's call] + [your call] + [serial no.] + [your name]; Logs due:   
   October 1.   
      
   NCCC RTTY Sprint Ladder, Sep 25, 0145z to Sep 25, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: 160, 80,   
   40, 20, 15m; Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: September 7.   
      
   NCCC Sprint, Sep 25, 0230z to Sep 25, 0300z; (see rules); Bands: (see rules);   
   Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: September 27.   
      
   CQ Worldwide DX Contest, RTTY, Sep 26, 0000z to Sep 28, 0000z; RTTY; Bands:   
   80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; 48 States/Canada: RST + CQ Zone + (state/VE area), All   
   Others: RST + CQ Zone; Logs due: October 2.   
      
   Maine QSO Party, Sep 26, 1200z to Sep 27, 1200z; CW, Phone; Bands: 160, 80,   
   40, 20, 15, 10m; ME: RS(T) + county, non-ME: RS(T) + (state/province/"DX");   
   Logs due: October 12.   
      
   Texas QSO Party, Sep 26, 1400z to Sep 27, 0200z, Sep 27, 1400z to Sep 27,   
   2000z; All; Bands: All, except WARC; TX: RS(T) + County, non-TX: RS(T) +   
   (state/province/country/MM region); Logs due: October 31.   
      
   Classic Exchange, Phone, Sep 27, 1300z to Sep 28, 0700z, Sep 29, 1300z to Sep   
   30, 0700z; AM, SSB, FM; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6, 2m; Name + RS +   
   (state/province/country) + rcvr/xmtr manuf/model; Logs due: November 30.   
      
   Peanut Power QRP Sprint, Sep 27, 2000z to Sep 27, 2200z; CW, SSB; Bands: 40,   
   20, 15m; RS(T) + (state/province/country) + (peanut no./power output); Logs   
   due: October 15.   
      
   Phone Fray, Sep 30, 0230z to Sep 30, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15m;   
   NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: September 25.   
      
   CWops Mini-CWT Test, Sep 30, 1300z to Sep 30, 1400z, Sep 30, 1900z to Sep 30,   
   2000z, Oct 1, 0300z to Oct 1, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m;   
   Member: Name + Member No., non-Member: Name + (state/province/country);   
   Logs due: September 26.   
      
   UKEICC 80m Contest, Sep 30, 2000z to Sep 30, 2100z; CW; Bands: 80m Only;   
   4-Character grid square; Logs due: September 30.   
      
   NRAU 10m Activity Contest, Oct 1, 1700z to Oct 1, 1800z (CW), Oct 1, 1800z to   
   Oct 1, 1900z (SSB), Oct 1, 1900z to Oct 1, 2000z (FM), Oct 1, 2000z to Oct 1,   
   2100z (Dig); CW, SSB, FM, Digital; Bands: 10m Only; RS(T) + 6-character grid   
   square; Logs due: October 15.   
      
   SARL 80m QSO Party, Oct 1, 1700z to Oct 1, 2000z; SSB; Bands: 80m Only; RS +   
   Serial No. + Grid Locator or QTH; Logs due: October 8.   
      
   NCCC Sprint, Oct 2, 0230z to Oct 2, 0300z; (see rules); Bands: (see rules);   
   Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: September 27.   
      
   YLRL DX/NA YL Anniversary Contest, Oct 2, 1400z to Oct 4, 0200z; CW, SSB,   
   Digital; Bands: Any; Serial No. + RS(T) + (ARRL Section/province/country);   
   Logs due: November 2.   
      
   TARA PSK Rumble Contest, Oct 3, 0000z to Oct 4, 0000z; PSK; Bands: 160, 80,   
   40, 20, 15, 10, 6m; W/VE/JA/VK: Name + Call Area, Other: Name + Country; Logs   
   due: October 31.   
      
   15-Meter SSTV Dash Contest, Oct 3, 0000z to Oct 4, 2359z; SSTV; Bands: 15m   
   Only; WSSTVC-Member: RSV + "W" + 4-digit member no., non-Members: RSV + Serial   
   No.; Logs due: October 19.   
      
   German Telegraphy Contest, Oct 3, 0700z to Oct 3, 1000z; CW; Bands: 80, 40m;   
   DL: RST + LDK, non-DL: RST; Logs due: October 17.   
      
   Oceania DX Contest, Phone, Oct 3, 0800z to Oct 4, 0800z; Phone; Bands: 160,   
   80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; RS + Serial No.; Logs due: October 31.   
      
   TRC DX Contest, Oct 3, 1200z to Oct 4, 1200z; CW, SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15,   
   10m; TRC Members: RST + "TRC", non-TRC Members: RST + ITU Zone No.; Logs due:   
   October 11.   
      
   Russian WW Digital Contest, Oct 3, 1200z to Oct 4, 1159z; BPSK63, RTTY; Bands:   
   160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; UA: RST(Q) + 2-character oblast code, non-UA: RST(Q)   
   + QSO No.; Logs due: October 9.   
      
   International HELL-Contest, Oct 3, 1600z to Oct 3, 1800z (80m), Oct 4, 0900z   
   to Oct 4, 1100z (40m); Hell; Bands: 80, 40m; RST + QSO No.; Logs due: October   
   18.   
      
   California QSO Party, Oct 3, 1600z to Oct 4, 2200z; CW, Phone; Bands: 160, 80,   
   40, 20, 15, 10, 6, 2m; CA: Serial No. + County, non-CA: Serial No. + (state/VE   
   area/country); Logs due: October 31.   
      
   4 State 4x4 QRP Sprint, Oct 3, 1700z to Oct 3, 2100z; Any; Bands: 160, 80, 40,   
   20, 15, 10m; 4SQRP Members: RST + (state/province/country) + 4x4, Non-Members:   
   RST + (state/province/country) + power; Logs due: October 15.   
      
   FISTS Fall Slow Speed Sprint, Oct 3, 1700z to Oct 3, 2100z; CW; Bands: 80, 40,   
   20, 15, 10m; FISTS: RST + (state/province/country) + first name + FISTS No.,   
   non-FISTS: RST + (state/province/country) + first name + power; Logs   
   due: November 2.   
      
   WAB HF Phone, Oct 3, 1900z to Oct 4, 1900z; Phone; Bands: 20, 15, 10m; British   
   Isles: RS + serial no. + WAB square, Other: RS + serial no. + country; Logs   
   due: October 25.   
      
   UBA ON Contest, SSB, Oct 4, 0600z to Oct 4, 1000z; SSB; Bands: 80m Only; ON:   
   RS + Serial No. + ON Section, non-ON: RS + Serial No.; Logs due: October 25.   
      
   RSGB 21/28 MHz Contest, Oct 4, 0700z to Oct 4, 1900z; CW, SSB; Bands: 15, 10m;   
   UK: RS(T) + Serial No. + UK District Code, non-UK: RS(T) + Serial No.; Logs   
   due: October 19.   
      
   ARS Spartan Sprint, Oct 6, 0100z to Oct 6, 0300z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15,   
   10m; RST + (state/province/country) + Power; Logs due: October 8.   
      
   Phone Fray, Oct 7, 0230z to Oct 7, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15m;   
   NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: September 25.   
      
   CWops Mini-CWT Test, Oct 7, 1300z to Oct 7, 1400z, Oct 7, 1900z to Oct 7,   
   2000z, Oct 8, 0300z to Oct 8, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m;   
   Member: Name + Member No., non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs   
   due: September 26.   
      
   UKEICC 80m Contest, Oct 7, 2000z to Oct 7, 2100z; CW; Bands: 80m Only;   
   4-Character grid square; Logs due: September 30.   
      
   VHF+ CONTESTS   
      
   AGCW VHF/UHF Contest, Sep 26, 1400z to Sep 26, 1700z (144), Sep 26, 1700z to   
   Sep 26, 1800z (432); CW; Bands: 144 MHz, 432 MHz; RST + "/" + Serial No. + "/"   
   Power class + "/" + 6-character grid locator; Logs due: October 12.   
      
   UBA ON Contest, 6m, Sep 27, 0700z to Sep 27, 1000z; CW, Phone; Bands: 6m Only;   
   ON: RS(T) + Serial No. + ON Section, non-ON: RS(T) + Serial No.; Logs due:   
   October 18.   
      
   220 MHz Fall Sprint, Sep 29, 1900z to Sep 29, 2300z; not specified; Bands: 222   
   MHz; 4-character grid square; Logs due: October 13.   
      
   432 MHz Fall Sprint, Oct 7, 1900z to Oct 7, 2300z; not specified; Bands: 432   
   MHz; 6-character grid square; Logs due: October 21.   
      
   LOG DUE DATES   
      
   24 Sep - 7 Oct 2015   
      
   September 25, 2015   
      
    *  Phone Fray   
    *  SKCC Sprint   
      
   September 26, 2015   
      
    *  Arkansas QSO Party   
    *  FOC QSO Party   
    *  Feld Hell Sprint   
    *  Ohio State Parks on the Air   
    *  CWops Mini-CWT Test   
      
   September 27, 2015   
      
    *  NCCC Sprint   
    *  BARTG Sprint 75   
    *  Kulikovo Polye Contest   
    *  Run for the Bacon QRP Contest   
    *  Scandinavian Activity Contest, CW   
    *  WAB 144 MHz QRO Phone   
    *  SARL Field Day Contest   
    *  North American Sprint, RTTY   
      
   September 28, 2015   
      
    *  SARL VHF/UHF Analogue/Digital Contest   
    *  WAE DX Contest, SSB   
      
   September 29, 2015   
      
    *  YO DX HF Contest   
      
   September 30, 2015   
      
    *  AGCW Straight Key Party   
    *  Hawaii QSO Party   
    *  ALARA Contest   
    *  IARU Region 1 Field Day, SSB   
    *  Pirate QSO Party   
      
   October 1, 2015   
      
    *  Kansas QSO Party   
    *  New Jersey QSO Party   
    *  RSGB 80m Club Sprint, CW   
      
   October 3, 2015   
      
    *  Colorado QSO Party   
      
   October 4, 2015   
      
    *  Washington State Salmon Run   
      
   October 5, 2015   
      
    *  144 MHz Fall Sprint   
      
   October 6, 2015   
      
    *  G3ZQS Memorial Straight Key Contest   
      
   October 7, 2015   
      
    *  All Asian DX Contest, Phone   
    *  Tennessee QSO Party   
      
      
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   ARRL Contest Update wishes to acknowledge information from WA7BNM's Contest   
   Calendar and SM3CER's Contest Calendar.   
      
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   )\/(ark   
      
   ... Peace.  By overwhelming military & economic superiority..   
   ---   
    * Origin:  (1:3634/12.73)