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   http://www.arrl.org/contests/update/?issue=2015-12-30   
      
   The ARRL Contest Update   
      
   December 30, 2015   
   Editor: Brian Moran, N9ADG   
      
      
   IN THIS ISSUE   
      
    *  New HF Operators: Party hopping, ARRL RTTY, and more...   
    *  Bulletins: NPOTA event starts January 1   
    *  Contest Summary   
    *  News, PR, and General Interest: Straight Key Night, AM broadcasters   
       experience RFI, and more   
    *  Word to the wise: Bonk   
    *  Website of the week: cryptomuseum.com   
    *  Sights & Sounds: Drones, ARRL 160 QRP Expedition   
    *  Results and Records: WRTC-2018, CQWW Survey   
    *  Operating Tip: Move around   
    *  Technical Topics and Information: Tubes, Relays, and more   
    *  Conversation: Remote Operation Part 1- NK7U & K7JR   
      
      
   NEW HF OPERATORS - THINGS TO DO   
      
   You can get on 160m with a mylar balloon from your grocery store. If   
   conditions are calm, you can hoist a thin wire and fishing monofilament for a   
   temporary antenna. Don't forget at least a radial or two.   
      
   New Year's Eve, some party-hopping could be in order. You could start with the   
   AGB New Year Snowball Contest, catch one (or both) of the NCCC Sprints, make a   
   couple of Q's in the ARRL Straight Key Night, ring in your New Year locally   
   and efficiently, as the SARTG New Year RTTY Contest starts 0800 UTC January 1.   
   You can switch to the AGCW Happy New Year Contest until 1200 UTC, power nap   
   for three hours, then do the QRP ARCI New Years Sprint. Do something else for   
   a few hours, but be back at the radio on January 2, 1800 UTC for the ARRL RTTY   
   Roundup. A good way to set the pace for contesting in 2016 - sleep is for when   
   there are no contests.   
      
   The next weekend, the twelve hour NAQP CW is always a good bet as contest   
   entries are all 100 watts. Team participation can add another layer of fun to   
   the event.   
      
      
   BULLETINS   
      
   "I am proud to announce that student registration is now open for 2016 Dayton   
   Contest University ("CTU") to be held all day on Thursday May 19, 2016 at the   
   Crowne Plaza in Dayton, Ohio. http://contestuniversity.com" - Tim, K3LR   
      
   Don't forget about the National Parks on the Air operating event starting   
   January 1, 2016. It's a year-long event, and there are leader boards,   
   certificates, and so on.   
      
      
   BUSTED QSOS   
      
   Rich, K3VAT, points out that the first wave of USB 3.0 enabled products   
   appeared on the market in 2010.   
      
      
   CONTEST SUMMARY   
      
   Complete information for all contests follows the Conversation section   
      
   December 31   
      
    *  CWops Mini-CWT Test   
      
   January 1   
      
    *  AGB New Year Snowball Contest   
    *  NCCC RTTY Sprint   
    *  NCCC Sprint   
    *  SARTG New Year RTTY Contest   
    *  AGCW Happy New Year Contest   
    *  AGCW VHF/UHF Contest   
    *  QRP ARCI New Years Sprint   
      
   January 2   
      
    *  PODXS 070 Club PSKFest   
    *  WW PMC Contest   
    *  Original QRP Contest   
    *  ARRL RTTY Roundup   
    *  EUCW 160m Contest   
      
   January 3   
      
    *  EUCW 160m Contest   
    *  Kid's Day Contest   
      
   January 5   
      
    *  ARS Spartan Sprint   
      
   January 6   
      
    *  QRP Fox Hunt   
    *  Phone Fray   
    *  CWops Mini-CWT Test   
    *  UKEICC 80m Contest   
      
   January 7   
      
    *  CWops Mini-CWT Test   
      
   January 8   
      
    *  NCCC RTTY Sprint   
    *  QRP Fox Hunt   
    *  NCCC Sprint Ladder   
      
   January 9   
      
    *  Old New Year Contest   
    *  UBA PSK63 Prefix Contest   
    *  North American QSO Party, CW   
      
   January 10   
      
    *  SKCC Weekend Sprintathon   
    *  NRAU-Baltic Contest, SSB   
    *  NRAU-Baltic Contest, CW   
    *  DARC 10-Meter Contest   
    *  Midwinter Contest   
      
   January 13   
      
    *  NAQCC CW Sprint   
    *  QRP Fox Hunt   
    *  Phone Fray   
    *  CWops Mini-CWT Test   
    *  AWA Linc Cundall Memorial CW Contest   
      
      
   NEWS, PRESS RELEASES, AND GENERAL INTEREST   
      
   ARRL Straight Key Night is January 1. While not a contest, it's a fine   
   opportunity to send (and receive) CW the way it was done originally, forming   
   the dots and dashes by hand. Perhaps a hipster take on it would be "Artisanal   
   CW." The Straight Key Century Club (SKCC) promotes and preserves the straight   
   key tradition all year long, though for their purposes the definition of   
   straight key also includes bugs and sideswipers. SKCC emphasizes the correct   
   CW etiquette & protocols, and has an active mentoring program for CW skills   
   improvement. Check out their web site for their operating events, awards, and   
   all manner of key related information.   
      
   It's only fun until someone experiences RFI: AM Broadcasters affected by RFI   
   issues: AFCCE Symposium Examines AM Broadcast Band Woes . AM broadcasters are   
   calling upon the FCC to help reduce man-made RFI, which is negatively   
   impacting their businesses. (Mark, K6UFO)   
      
   Conventional wisdom has been proven wrong once again after application of   
   scientific rigor: Tin foil hats make it EASIER to receive government signals.   
   An unanticipated side effect of this research is it could be harder to   
   recognize those individuals attempting to avoid those signals. (Ward, N0AX)   
      
   It's becoming harder and harder to immediate local sources of electronics   
   parts in most areas - here is one person's observation of the current-day   
   electronic surplus store situation in Texas, with some observations of changes   
   over time . (Tim, K3HX)   
      
   Web Site of the Week - cryptomuseum.com   
      
   This site hosts a diverse assortment of information, including a section on   
   radio equipment related to military, covert, or encrypted communication. I'm a   
   better-informed hamfest shopper after reviewing some of the pictures of the   
   primarily olive-drab colored radios.   
      
      
   WORD TO THE WISE- Bonk   
      
   "Bonking" - Analogous to "hitting the wall," when one just runs out of energy   
   to continue. "I was on the 10 meter position on the 2nd night, and after CQing   
   into a dead band for the 6th straight hour, I just bonked."   
      
      
   SIGHTS AND SOUNDS   
      
   A drone might be able to help visualize your antenna and tower relationships.   
   Here's a spectacular video tour of VE6JY's antenna farm.   
      
   4O3A hosted a number of young contesters for the CQWW RTTY 2015 contest.   
   Here's an opportunity to see some of the operators you've been working.   
      
   When it comes to drones, it can take two, and a net, to catch one. Also, don't   
   forget that as of December 21, 2015, you may need to register to fly your   
   drone.   
      
   AA4XX participated in the ARRL 160m contest with a QRP entry, but it had much   
   of the excitement of a one-person DXpedition with boats, beaches, tents, and   
   tides.   
      
   As the year closes, we are reminded of the Retro Encabulator. (David, WA1OUI)   
      
      
   RESULTS AND RECORDS   
      
   WRTC-2018 Qualifier "Leader board" - Entered a contest in the last few months?   
   You may be on the list! (Ulf, DL5AXX)   
      
   The CQ WW Contest Committee did a survey in the month of September, and the   
   some of the results have been released. It's worth a look if you're interested   
   in the demographics of our hobby.   
      
      
   OPERATING TIP - Move around while operating   
      
   While "butt in chair" is the phrase used to emphasize consistent and prolonged   
   operating time, what you really need to do is stay operating, regardless of   
   your body position. You can remain operating, but stand up or move around, if   
   you get a longer headset cord, or otherwise plan ahead. By getting out of your   
   seat, you'll be reducing the chances of getting Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT),   
   and be increasing your overall alertness. Add 'getting out of your chair' or   
   'standing up' to your skillset - whether it's a couple of times an hour, each   
   time you evaluate changing bands, or in response to some other cue (every new   
   mult?). Gamify it if necessary.   
      
      
   TECHNICAL TOPICS AND INFORMATION   
      
   Vacuum tubes are still relevant, and innovation is still happening to improve   
   performance characteristics, in certain parts of the tube market. (N7SS via   
   N0AX)   
      
   Low-voltage relay driver boards are inexpensive and widely available via eBay,   
   as many Arduino projects use these. They can work great for automating various   
   pieces of equipment in your shack, such as antenna switches, filter/stub   
   switching, and the like. Search for "Arduino relay driver board" on eBay.   
      
   Digital cameras of the future may not need lenses, or look much like today's   
   cameras, given Rice University's research into "FlatCams." Surfaces (curved or   
   flat) can be covered in a sensor film, and images are 'computed' from the data   
   collected by the sensor. It is similar to a light field camera, and analogous   
   to capturing a wide swath of RF bandwidth and detecting the signals of   
   interest after the fact.   
      
   A recent New York Times article mentions "Computational Photography" and   
   explains how the photographic process is changing.   
      
   Many of the manufacturers of the devices we use every day don't want us to be   
   able to fix the devices ourselves, and use specialized fasteners, sealers, and   
   other mechanisms to keep us out of them. Here are some of the techniques and   
   tools you might need to get into your device.   
      
      
   CONVERSATION   
      
   Remote Operation for Contesting, Part 1   
      
   Remote operation of an Amateur Radio station has become more common in the   
   last few years. Remote operation solves problems that some hams have with   
   antenna restrictions, high local RF noise levels, physical challenges, and   
   allow people to be on the air when they otherwise wouldn't. The availability   
   of an always-on link via the Internet, ever faster and cheaper computers and   
   hardware, and more control and communications functionality built into our   
   gear has made it almost trivial to set up for common scenarios. Early remote   
   stations ("remote bases") used microwave and/or telephone links to support   
   control and communication, and involved custom equipment, challenging setup,   
   and sometimes variable reliability. Today, it is possible to set up and use a   
   remote equipped with just a ham license and a credit card.   
      
   Individual operator opinions on the use of remotes are varied, and it's easy   
   to find many email and forum messages expounding on how the widespread   
   availability has, is about to, or may affect general ham radio positively,   
   negatively, or neutrally.   
      
   Contesting is always looking for new ways to find stations to work faster,   
   attain higher rates, make bigger scores, participate in more contests. Any   
   technique or technology that can help attain those goals is evaluated, then   
   kept or discarded.   
      
   If you read the post-contest ("soapbox") contest score comments (as you should   
   to mine nuggets of information that can help in your contesting efforts), the   
   word "remote" is being used more frequently, especially in the last year.   
      
   I've asked some of the contest operators noting remote operation to comment on   
   why they're setting up remotes, what they expect to get out of it, how they   
   expect it will affect their contest participation. And if they've had some   
   major contest experiences already via remote, what happened that they didn't   
   expect.   
      
   In future issues of the Contest Update, I'll continue to present remote   
   contesting related comments here.   
      
   Multi-operator use demands care through all aspects of planning, building, and   
   maintenance. Now add in remote capability... as the crew of the K7JR / Snake   
   River Remote Contesters Club did recently as they remoted the al   
   eady-highly-capable station of Joe Rudi, NK7U located in Baker City, Oregon.   
   Scott Tuthill, K7ZO, was generous in his explanation of what they did, and why:   
      
   "Joe, NK7U has had a multioperator capable contest station at his various   
   QTH's in Baker City Oregon since the late 1970's. Joe has always liked the   
   challenges of building such a station and the camaraderie that multi-operator   
   contesting brings. It is the contesting experience that most closely has the   
   team feeling that Joe enjoys. Over the past 10 years though it has become   
   increasingly harder to assemble a team in Baker City. Most importantly NK7U   
   himself has started spending a good portion of the year, during key contest   
   months, down south to escape the cold Baker City winters.   
   This more than anything has been the driving impetus to develop a   
   multi-operator remote contest station. Also by creating a remote environment   
   it has allowed us to bring in new members and retain old ones who just don't   
   have the time to make the trip to Baker City for a contest weekend. Thus was   
   born the Snake River Remote Contesters Club (SRRCC) using the callsign, K7JR.   
      
   Initial experiments with remote access to the NK7U station began in late 2007.   
   Scott, K7ZO hooked up a TS-480 to one side of the Six-Pack antenna matrix in   
   Baker, controlling it with TRX-Manager, Skype, and various remote desktop   
   solutions. This was fine for his casual DX-ing and the random single operator   
   low power contest operations. In the last few years as NK7U started travelling   
   more, and also wanted access, he was looking for a more traditional physical   
   Front Panel user interface. About this time a couple other things came   
   together. Kevin, K7ZS came onto the scene with his increased level of   
   technical expertise. And, vendors started introducing important building   
   blocks from which to build a remote station. In our case the Elecraft K3 &   
   K3/0 Mini, RemoteRig RRC-1258, and Hamation station control. With these   
   building blocks, and a lot of hard work by K7ZS, we had a single op remote   
   station up and running in late 2014 and by CQWW SSB 2015 a complete M/2 or M/S   
   capable remote contest station at the NK7U site. The SRRCC team made a M/2   
   entry in the 2015 CQWW SSB as K7JR. We have had several other multi-operator   
   and single operator activations since then in SSB, CW, and RTTY modes."   
      
   What were the reasons that caused you to remote now?   
      
   "Though the reasons have been building for years, the one that really caused   
   the push was Joe, NK7U spending winters down south. That and the technical   
   solutions became available and we had someone, K7ZS, who could put it all   
   together."   
      
   How do you anticipate having remote operation will affect your contest efforts?   
      
   "I would say we are still learning this. For sure it has allowed us to   
   participate more frequently in contests because it eliminates the travel   
   requirement to Baker City. And, remember the distances out west are long. The   
   closest operator lives two and a half hours away, most live five hours away,   
   and another nine. And, during contest high season winter weather frequently   
   closes roads and/or makes travel unsafe. The technology provides us with a SO,   
   M/S, or M/2 environment just like being in Baker, that is not a limiting   
   factor. (Other than we have to substitute on-line chat for being able to yell   
   at someone across the room.) What is different is that by not traveling to the   
   contest station, and being dedicated to the event for the weekend, it seems   
   like it is harder to create a full bore entry. By operating from home,   
   operators are subjected to the normal daily distractions and interruptions.   
   Whereas the challenge of a contest in Baker was to make sure all the operators   
   got enough and equal time on the air, in a remote setting is it making sure we   
   can get the station staffed for the contest hours. Maintaining and operating   
   the remote station also requires a whole new set of documentation, standard   
   operating procedures, etc. This is both because of the added level of   
   complexity to be part of the remote network but also that operators are not as   
   familiar with the station itself. We have one operator who has never been to   
   the actual QTH. And many of the operators have never met. So, the   
   interpersonal side of the contest team is   
   becoming the interesting one to sort out."   
      
   What benefit do you expect to get from enabling remote operation?   
      
   "The K7JR, SRRCC team, fully expects to be on the air in more contests as a   
   result of the remote capabilities. The NK7U station will be used and generate   
   contest QSOs where it would not before. There is no question about that. Where   
   we go seems to be more driven now by the interests, motivations, and desires   
   of the team members than the technology itself. That is a monumental change   
   from probably only three years ago."   
      
   Any other thoughts?   
      
   "Relative to your observations on technology facilitation for remote stations   
   and contesting:   
      
    *  Internet has been good enough for many, 5+, years   
    *  Computers have been good enough for even longer, 10+, years   
    *  Control and communications functionality built into (radio) gear have   
       been good enough for 15+ years - with the exception of being able to   
       actually turn a piece of gear on and off - which has been a barrier more   
       than once to our efforts. The concept of separate radio front panels has   
       also been a facilitator.   
      
   What has really come together in the last three years are the "glue" pieces in   
   relatively easy to implement building blocks - meaning you don't have to do   
   your own design, assembly, and programming of fairly low level hardware   
   control. For instance:   
      
    *  Software rotor control - like pstRotator   
    *  Software antenna matrix control - band selection, stack control, RX   
       antenna, SteppIR tuning, etc.   
    *  Separating the front panel of the radio from the guts, or providing the   
       capability of a separate front panel - TS-480, K3, etc.   
    *  "Plug and Play" integration of Audio, Control, CW Keying etc from the   
       Control Site to the Radio Site - RemoteRig."   
      
   Thanks Scott!   
      
   Happy New Year!   
      
   Brian N9ADG   
      
      
   CONTESTS   
      
   DATE   
      
   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 , Dec 30, 1300z to Dec 30, 1400z, Dec 30, 1900z to Dec 30,   
   2000z, Dec 31, 0300z to Dec 31, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m;   
   Member: Name + Member No., non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs   
   due: January 2.   
      
   AGB New Year Snowball Contest , Jan 1, 0000z to Jan 1, 0100z; CW, SSB,   
   Digital; Bands: 80m Only; AGB Member: RST + QSO No. + Member No., non-Member:   
   RST + QSO No.; Logs due: January 22.   
      
   NCCC RTTY Sprint , Jan 1, 0145z to Jan 1, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules);   
   Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: January 3.   
      
   NCCC Sprint , Jan 1, 0230z to Jan 1, 0300z; (see rules); Bands: (see rules);   
   Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: January 3.   
      
   SARTG New Year RTTY Contest , Jan 1, 0800z to Jan 1, 1100z; RTTY; Bands: 80,   
   40m; RST + QSO No. + name + happy new year (native language); Logs due:   
   January 31.   
      
   AGCW Happy New Year Contest , Jan 1, 0900z to Jan 1, 1200z; CW; Bands: 80, 40,   
   20m; AGCW: RST + Serial No. + "/" + Member No., non-AGCW: RST + Serial No.;   
   Logs due: January 31.   
      
   QRP ARCI New Years Sprint , Jan 1, 1500z to Jan 1, 1800z; CW; Bands: 160, 80,   
   40, 20, 15, 10m; RST + (state/province/country) + (ARCI number/power); Logs   
   due: January 8.   
      
   PODXS 070 Club PSKFest , Jan 2, 0000z to Jan 3, 0000z; PSK31; Bands: 80, 40,   
   20, 15, 10m; RST + (state/province/country); Logs due: January 16.   
      
   WW PMC Contest , Jan 2, 1200z to Jan 3, 1200z; CW, SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15,   
   10m; PMC: RS(T) + PMC abbreviation, World: RS(T) + CQ Zone; Logs due: January   
   10.   
      
   Original QRP Contest , Jan 2, 1500z to Jan 3, 1500z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20m;   
   RST + Serial No. + "/" + Power category; Logs due: January 31.   
      
   ARRL RTTY Roundup , Jan 2, 1800z to Jan 4, 0000z; RTTY, Digital; Bands: 80,   
   40, 20, 15, 10m; W/VE: RST + (state/province), non-W/VE: RST + Serial No.;   
   Logs due: February 2.   
      
   EUCW 160m Contest , Jan 2, 2000z to Jan 2, 2300z, Jan 3, 0400z to Jan 3,   
   0700z; CW; Bands: 160m Only; Affiliated Club Member: RST + name + club +   
   membership no., Other: RST + name + "NM"; Logs due: February 8.   
      
   Kid's Day Contest , Jan 3, 1800z to Jan 3, 2359z; SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 17,   
   15, 12, 10, 2m repeaters; name + age + QTH + favorite color; Logs due:   
   February 2.   
      
   ARS Spartan Sprint , Jan 5, 0200z to Jan 5, 0400z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15,   
   10m; RST + (state/province/country) + Power; Logs due: January 7.   
      
   QRP Fox Hunt , Jan 6, 0200z to Jan 6, 0330z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; RST +   
   (state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: January 7.   
      
   Phone Fray , Jan 6, 0230z to Jan 6, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15m;   
   NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: January 8.   
      
   CWops Mini-CWT Test , Jan 6, 1300z to Jan 6, 1400z, Jan 6, 1900z to Jan 6,   
   2000z, Jan 7, 0300z to Jan 7, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m;   
   Member: Name + Member No., non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs   
   due: January 8.   
      
   UKEICC 80m Contest , Jan 6, 2000z to Jan 6, 2100z; CW; Bands: 80m Only;   
   4-Character grid square; Logs due: January 6.   
      
   NCCC RTTY Sprint , Jan 8, 0145z to Jan 8, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules);   
   Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: January 10.   
      
   QRP Fox Hunt , Jan 8, 0200z to Jan 8, 0330z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; RST +   
   (state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: January 15.   
      
   NCCC Sprint Ladder , Jan 8, 0230z to Jan 8, 0300z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20,   
   15, 10, 6m; Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: January 10.   
      
   Old New Year Contest , Jan 9, 0500z to Jan 9, 0900z; CW, SSB; Bands: 80, 40,   
   20, 15, 10m; RST + sum of operator age and years on the air; Logs due: January   
   24.   
      
   UBA PSK63 Prefix Contest , Jan 9, 1200z to Jan 10, 1200z; BPSK63; Bands: 80,   
   40, 20, 15, 10m; RSQ + Serial No. (starting with 1001); Logs due: January 17.   
      
   SKCC Weekend Sprintathon , Jan 10, 1200z to Jan 12, 0000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80,   
   40, 20, 15, 10, 6m; RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (SKCC No./"NONE");   
   Logs due: January 17.   
      
   North American QSO Party, CW , Jan 9, 1800z to Jan 10, 0559z; CW; Bands: 160,   
   80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs   
   due: January 17.   
      
   NRAU-Baltic Contest, SSB , Jan 10, 0630z to Jan 10, 0830z; SSB; Bands: 80,   
   40m; RS + Serial No. + 2-letter region; Logs due: January 17.   
      
   NRAU-Baltic Contest, CW , Jan 10, 0900z to Jan 10, 1100z; CW; Bands: 80, 40m;   
   RST + Serial No. + 2-letter region; Logs due: January 17.   
      
   DARC 10-Meter Contest , Jan 10, 0900z to Jan 10, 1059z; CW, SSB; Bands: 10m   
   Only; DL: RS(T) + QSO No. + DOK, non-DL: RS(T) + QSO No.; Logs due: January 25.   
      
   Midwinter Contest , Jan 10, 1000z to Jan 10, 1400z; CW, SSB; Bands: 80, 40,   
   20, 15, 10m; YLs: RST + Serial No. (beginning with 2001), OMs: RST + Serial   
   No. (beginning with 001); Logs due: see rules.   
      
   NAQCC CW Sprint , Jan 13, 0130z to Jan 13, 0330z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20m; RST   
   + (state/province/country) + (NAQCC No./power); Logs due: January 16.   
      
   QRP Fox Hunt , Jan 13, 0200z to Jan 13, 0330z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; RST +   
   (state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: January 15.   
      
   Phone Fray , Jan 13, 0230z to Jan 13, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15m;   
   NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: January 14.   
      
   CWops Mini-CWT Test , Jan 13, 1300z to Jan 13, 1400z, Jan 13, 1900z to Jan 13,   
   2000z, Jan 14, 0300z to Jan 14, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m;   
   Member: Name + Member No., non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs   
   due: January 16.   
      
   AWA Linc Cundall Memorial CW Contest , Jan 13, 2300z to Jan 14, 2300z, Jan 16,   
   2300z to Jan 17, 2300z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40m; RST + Eqpt Year + Input Power   
   (see rules for format); Logs due: February 14.   
      
   VHF+ CONTESTS   
      
   AGCW VHF/UHF Contest , Jan 1, 1400z to Jan 1, 1700z (144), Jan 1, 1700z to Jan   
   1, 1800z (432); CW; Bands: 144 MHz, 432 MHz; RST + "/" + Serial No. + "/"   
   Power class + "/" + 6-character grid locator; Logs due: January 18.   
      
   LOG DUE DATES   
      
   31 Dec 2015 - 13 Jan 2016   
      
   December 31, 2015   
      
    *  Kentucky QSO Party   
    *  All Austrian 160-Meter Contest   
    *  IPARC Contest, CW   
    *  IPARC Contest, SSB   
    *  TARA RTTY Melee   
      
   January 1, 2016   
      
    *  Phone Fray   
    *  ARRL EME Contest   
      
   January 2, 2016   
      
    *  OK DX RTTY Contest   
    *  Russian 160-Meter Contest   
    *  CWops Mini-CWT Test   
      
   January 5, 2016   
      
    *  CQC Great Colorado Snowshoe Run   
    *  ARRL 160-Meter Contest   
      
   January 10, 2016   
      
    *  AWA Bruce Kelley 1929 QSO Party   
      
   January 11, 2016   
      
    *  Stew Perry Topband Challenge   
    *  DARC Christmas Contest   
      
   January 12, 2016   
      
    *  ARRL 10-Meter 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   
      
   "So let me ask you a question about this brave new world of yours. When you've   
   killed all the bad guys, and when it's all perfect, and just and fair, and   
   when you have finally got it exactly the way you want it, what are you going   
   to do with the people like you? The trouble makers. How are you going to   
   protect your glorious revolution from the next one?" - The twelfth Doctor   
      
   ... The devil can quote statistics to prove his purpose.  Sam'l Clemens   
   ---   
    * Origin:  (1:3634/12.73)