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   http://www.arrl.org/contests/update/?issue=2016-09-21   
      
   The ARRL Contest Update   
      
   September 21, 2016   
   Editor: Brian Moran, N9ADG   
      
      
      
   IN THIS ISSUE   
      
    *  New HF Operators: CQWW RTTY DX, California QSO Party, and more   
    *  Bulletin: ARRL Club Competition Eligibility Changes   
    *  Contest Summary   
    *  News: Lithium Ion Batteries, W4DXCC, WRTC-2014 article, and more   
    *  Word to the Wise: Packet Cluster   
    *  Sights and Sounds: K3LR interviews 2016 Hiram Percy Maxim Award Winner,   
       and more   
    *  Results: August UHF Contest Logs Received, WRTC-2018 Standings   
    *  Operating Tip: Use the Band Map during Search and Pounce   
    *  Technical Topics and Information: CQWW log check, N3FPJ Improvements,   
       Contest Recording with a K3, and more   
    *  Conversation: Poor Propagation?   
    *  Contests   
    *  Log Due Dates   
      
      
   NEW HF OPERATORS - THINGS TO DO   
      
   The CQWW DX RTTY Contest coming up this weekend is the big draw. You'll find   
   plenty of stations to work from many different countries using some well-known   
   contest calls. If you're able to be on the bands in the next couple of days   
   leading up to the contest, you'll find contest operators on the bands using   
   their own calls, getting the stations checked and ready. A good tune-up for   
   your RTTY station would be participating in the NCCC RTTY Sprint this week. As   
   it's a Sprint, make sure you also have the right messages programmed for the   
   two types of exchanges you'll use in the Sprint. The CQWW RTTY is easier in   
   this regard, as there's just one exchange format.   
      
   The Weekend of October 1, there are a variety of events to try. The California   
   QSO Party, like the state it represents, is at a larger scale than other   
   single-state QSO parties. Awards for winners include plaques, and twenty top   
   single-operator scores inside and outside California can qualify for a bottle   
   of Northern California Contest Club wine (ops 21 and over, of course). The top   
   score inside and outside California for Youth operators, YL operators, Clubs,   
   and Schools also can earn a plaque. Five other digital mode contests,   
   including one featuring SSTV, and three DX-oriented contests round out the   
   weekend's choices.   
      
      
      
   BULLETIN   
      
   ARRL Affiliated Club Competition - Club Eligibility Changes   
      
   TL;DR: Three changes: Club Rosters must be uploaded through a web page. The   
   upload deadline is BEFORE the Contest start. Six-character grid locators are   
   to be used for station location. Also: A new web page of resources to help   
   manage the ARRL Club Competition. These changes will be in effect starting   
   with the 2016 CW Sweepstakes, 2100 UTC on 5 Nov 2016.   
      
   The ARRL Club Competition consists of nine ARRL-Sponsored contests: January   
   VHF Contest, RTTY Roundup (January), International DX Contest (February and   
   March), June VHF Contest, ARRL 222 MHz and Up Distance Contest (August),   
   September VHF Contest, November Sweepstakes, 160-Meter Contest (December),   
   10-Meter Contest (December).   
      
   If your club participates in the ARRL Affiliated Club Competition, there are   
   some changes your club's coordinator (usually the club Secretary or Contest   
   Chairperson) for this activity needs to be aware of relating to how club   
   rosters are managed, and when they are due. For more details, please see the   
   Club Eligibility Changes web page.   
      
      
      
   BUSTED QSOS   
      
   If you were trying to participate in the Russian RTTY WW Contest on September   
   19th, you probably didn't have too many contacts. In 2016, the contest was   
   held on September 3rd. Thanks to Mark, K4SO, for pointing this out.   
      
   In reference to the news item in the last issue about rediscovered Apollo   
   Guidance Computer code in some surplus core memory, Fred, K6DGW, points out   
   that NASA used the same guidance computer software, with customizations for   
   particular missions, over many years. It's likely that code was likely not   
   really "lost," but probably wasn't "neatly and precisely archived." To this   
   point the Apollo 11 source code for the command and lunar modules were posted   
   to Github recently. "The AGC was probably the first operationally deployed   
   computer to use 'real' IC's. The Block II versions (manned missions) were   
   comprised of 5600 3-input NOR gates fabricated in 2800 dual packs (2 gates on   
   one substrate) by Fairchild Semiconductor. It had 32K of read-only core   
   memory, and 2K of read-write core. It was a 1's complement machine. The   
   machine and its machine code assembler were conceived and designed at MIT. MIT   
   wrote all the code. The ROM (read only memory) was 'programmed' by hard-wiring   
   the bits, which were bundled together into 'ropes.' Rick, N6XI, was a student   
   at MIT then and has a lot of 'close to the action' info too."   
      
      
      
   CONTEST SUMMARY   
      
   Complete information for all contests follows the Conversation section   
      
   September 22   
      
    *  CWops Mini-CWT Test   
    *  NAQCC CW Sprint   
      
   September 23   
      
    *  NCCC RTTY Sprint   
    *  NCCC Sprint   
      
   September 24   
      
    *  ARRL EME Contest   
    *  CQ Worldwide DX Contest, RTTY   
    *  Maine QSO Party   
    *  Texas QSO Party   
    *  AGCW VHF/UHF Contest   
    *  RSGB International Sprint Contest, CW   
      
   September 25   
      
    *  Texas QSO Party   
    *  UBA ON Contest, 6m   
    *  Classic Exchange, Phone   
    *  Peanut Power QRP Sprint   
      
   September 27   
      
    *  Classic Exchange, Phone   
    *  220 MHz Fall Sprint   
      
   September 28   
      
    *  SKCC Sprint   
    *  Phone Fray   
    *  CWops Mini-CWT Test   
    *  UKEICC 80m Contest   
      
   September 29   
      
    *  CWops Mini-CWT Test   
    *  RSGB 80m Club Sprint, CW   
      
   September 30   
      
    *  NCCC RTTY Sprint   
    *  NCCC Sprint   
    *  YLRL DX/NA YL Anniversary Contest   
      
   October 1   
      
    *  TARA PSK Rumble Contest   
    *  15-Meter SSTV Dash Contest   
    *  Oceania DX Contest, Phone   
    *  WAB HF Phone   
    *  TRC DX Contest   
    *  GTC CW Cup   
    *  Russian WW Digital Contest   
    *  International HELL-Contest   
    *  California QSO Party   
    *  FISTS Fall Slow Speed Sprint   
      
   October 2   
      
    *  International HELL-Contest   
    *  UBA ON Contest, SSB   
    *  RSGB International DX Contest   
      
   October 3   
      
    *  German Telegraphy Contest   
      
   October 4   
      
    *  ARS Spartan Sprint   
      
   October 5   
      
    *  Phone Fray   
    *  CWops Mini-CWT Test   
    *  432 MHz Fall Sprint   
    *  UKEICC 80m Contest   
      
      
   NEWS, PRESS RELEASES, AND GENERAL INTEREST   
      
   Lithium Ion batteries were in the news over the last two weeks with the recall   
   by Samsung of millions of phones which could be prone to overheat and   
   potentially combust. It serves as a reminder to always be careful with   
   portable equipment which may contain these types of cells, and that you should   
   expect greater scrutiny if travelling by air with your equipment.   
      
   Pigeon Forge, Tennessee will be the site of the W4DXCC DX and Contest   
   Convention September 23-24. Some of the explicitly contest-related activities   
   include "Contest Tips and Tricks" by Ward, N0AX, and "Single Operator   
   Contesting Strategies" by Kirk, K4RO. Many of the other presentations on RFI,   
   Propagation, DX Beacons, and DXpeditions can yield information useful to any   
   type of operation and station building.   
      
   Amateur Radio Contesting, with a focus on WRTC-2014, was the subject of a   
   recent article in the Epoch Times. The author of the article, Linda   
   Wiegenfeld, worked with Jim, N3BB, author of the book Contact Sport, in   
   developing the article.   
      
   Here's a thought: Wi-Fi connections via phones and video conferencing software   
   are good enough nowadays so that your monthly radio or contesting club could   
   "host" guest speakers without the expense and burden of travelling. You could   
   conversely stream your club meetings so that those club members who cannot   
   make it can still watch and potentially participate.   
      
   Ranko, 4O3A, through his company Sky Sat Communications, has released a new   
   version of the Antenna Genius firmware and a Microsoft Windows based   
   application as free downloads. The Antenna Genius product line features 8x1   
   and 8x2 coax switches with built-in TCP/IP networking and intelligence. Now in   
   their third version, multiple Antenna Genius 8x2 Plus units can now be   
   combined to provide 16, 24, or 32 antennas to 2 port switching capabilities,   
   and expanded with up to 16 switched relays using optional Output Modules,   
   available separately. All Antenna Genius models have three additional   
   user-programmable bands, and programmable amateur band edges. Antenna Genius   
   claims best-in-class minimum port-to-port isolation of 75dB, 3 kW power   
   handling, and support for legacy BCD or pin-to-port switching. FlexRadio users   
   will appreciate Antenna Genius's support for the SmartSDR API providing direct   
   control of the switch via a local area network. In the US, Antenna Genius and   
   other 4O3A products are available via Force 12, or via the FlexRadio online   
   store.   
      
   In the last issue Rob, N7QT, talked about things to think about when planning   
   to operate a contest from another country. The FCC has just updated the some   
   of the paperwork that you'll need to carry in CEPT countries - see this   
   article for more information.   
      
      
      
   WORD TO THE WISE   
      
   Packet Cluster   
      
   A packet cluster is a server that you can connect with to primarily obtain   
   'spot' information -- reports of stations operating on a particular frequency.   
   If named today it might be called a "spot server," but it originated in the   
   days when digital communication for Amateur Radio was accomplished using   
   UHF/VHF radios and the AX.25 protocol. Connections to a cluster are usually   
   via the Internet, but packet radio can still be used with some nodes. Packet   
   clusters exchange information with other packet clusters, and also distribute   
   spots to logging programs, packet cluster clients, web front ends (e.g.   
   DXSummit) or other programs. Spots originate from individual operators via   
   logging programs or web front ends, or are automatically generated by CW and   
   RTTY Skimmer programs. Popular packet cluster server software includes   
   AR-Cluster and CC Cluster, and DX Spider.   
      
      
      
   SIGHTS AND SOUNDS   
      
   The ARRL's Hiram Percy Maxim Award is annually given to an Amateur Radio   
   operator and ARRL member under the age of 21 demonstrating "accomplishments   
   and contributions to both the community of Amateur Radio and the local   
   community ... of the most exemplary nature." This year's award winner is   
   Christopher Brault, KD8YVJ, who is active in a wide range Amateur   
   Radio-related activities, including antenna building and bicycle mobile   
   operation, recruiting and training of new amateurs, and other radio related   
   volunteer activities. Tim Duffy, K3LR, had the opportunity to interview Chris,   
   where the discussion ranged from how school impacts operating time to HOA   
   restrictions impeding the ability to operate HF.   
      
      
   For the first time ever, the origin of solar wind has been determined with   
   certainty. NASA's Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory, or STEREO,   
   collected observations which allowed scientists to determine that while   
   normally the magnetic forces of the sun confine its plasma to its atmosphere   
   along the magnetic field lines, in the outer fringes of the solar atmosphere,   
   the force of corona particles emanating from the sun exceed the magnetic   
   force's ability to contain it, and the particles diffuse like a gas. At a   
   distance of 20 million miles, observations were made by STEREO, and then   
   processed to remove extraneous background radiation in the visible and   
   non-visible spectra. The corona is visible as it disperses into the solar wind.   
      
      
   The Russian "Woodpecker" over the horizon RADAR is featured in a new YouTube   
   video. Though it was one of the scourges of the ham bands back then, hearing   
   it again in the video makes me almost sad for its near 30 year absence.   
   Almost. (Chris, ZS6EZ)   
      
      
      
      
   RESULTS AND RECORDS   
      
   A list of logs received, along with claimed scores, for the 39th August UHF   
   Contest have been posted. The list includes those received via Cabrillo file   
   submission.   
      
   The WRTC-2018 qualifying standings continue to be updated with the scores of   
   recent contests.   
      
      
      
   OPERATING TIP   
      
   Use the Bandmap When Searching and Pouncing   
      
   If you're tuning up or down the band, enter each station you copy or work into   
   your logging program's bandmap. When you revisit a frequency later, the   
   bandmap will help you more quickly determine whether you've worked the station   
   before. Even in a casual contest operation, it will reduce frustration and   
   increase your rate. It's also a good way to develop that skill. Many loggers   
   have a setting for the time interval after which an entry in the bandmap   
   'expires' and disappears. This is sometimes called the 'packet spot timeout,'   
   but it applies to calls that you enter by logging or   
   inserting into the bandmap by typing them, even when you're not using packet   
   cluster spots. You'll likely have to change this interval based on a   
   particular contest and conditions, and how you are operating. In a single-band   
   contest for say 160 meters, stations may not move around too much in the   
   middle of the contest, and you may want to use a longer timeout. If   
   propagation is rapidly changing and stations are prone to move around a bit, a   
   shorter interval would be in order. For example, for a sprint-format contest,   
   the N1MM logger documentation suggests setting it to 1 minute, as stations   
   don't really have run frequencies.   
      
      
      
   TECHNICAL TOPICS AND INFORMATION   
      
   You can check the format of your log for the CQWW contests before submitting   
   it by using the CQWW Log Check page. Note that you still have to submit your   
   log after using this tool. (Ed, W0YK, via CQ-Contest)   
      
   Scott, N3FJP, has been working with Dave, W1HKJ, author of Fldigi, and Jeff,   
   N7YG, author of PSK Express and Digital Engine, to provide greater integration   
   between those programs and Scott's software. Scott made some changes to his   
   API, and has re-released versions of his Amateur Contact Log and CQWW DX RTTY   
   programs.   
      
   In related news, the new release of Win4K3Suite supports direct logging into   
   N3FJP's Amateur Contact Log and Contest logs from Win4K3's terminal mode. In   
   terminal mode, CW, FSK-D and PSK-D contacts can be made using the built-in   
   keyer and decoding capabilities of the K3/K3S, KX3, and KX2.   
      
   If you're trying to record contest audio with an Elecraft K3/K3S, you'll want   
   to check out the "Recording Contest Audio" article by Bob Wolbert, K6XX, in   
   the Northern California Contest Club's JUG newsletter for August, 2016. It   
   makes mention of a recent firmware update that Elecraft made so that transmit   
   audio will be routed to the Line Output at a fixed level.   
      
   When adding extra circuits for the ham shack, you should understand the   
   electrical codes that apply to your situation. Choosing the right conduit size   
   is more than just making the wires fit. There's an app for sizing electrical   
   conduit based on conductor capacity, appropriately called "Conduit Fill   
   Calculator" and available for your iPhone. You can also use this one from a   
   web browser. Check your local codes for the appropriate percentage of fill   
   allowed. (Chuck, WA7BRL via WWDXC email reflector)   
      
   The ESP8266 chip is at the heart of many low-cost electronics projects that   
   have wireless capability. The follow-on chip, ESP32, has just been released,   
   and the expanded capabilities are looking promising for the next few years of   
   wirelessly-connected projects.   
      
   Spots that have originated from the Reverse Beacon Network (ReverseBeacon.net)   
   are usually turned OFF as the default setting when you log into a packet   
   cluster from your logging program. In CW and RTTY Contests, you're missing out   
   on a lot of spots if you're not using them if your operating category allows.   
   The usual incantation to turn them on is SET/SKIMMER or a variation of that   
   command. During major contests, you may get more spots than your logging   
   computer can handle, depending on the age and capabilities of your computer   
   hardware. Symptoms will be your logging program becoming unresponsive, or the   
   inability to send CW without delay. Cut down on the local processing burden by   
   setting up appropriate filters to get rid of spots you can't use at your   
   cluster node, before your computer gets them. Depending on the software used   
   by the packet cluster you are connected to, SET/FILTER or SET/FILTERS will   
   help you.   
      
      
      
      
   CONVERSATION   
      
   Poor Propagation? I ain't got poor propagation... I just ain't workin'   
   anything!   
      
   My apologies to Yogi Berra. During our Washington State Salmon Run   
   two-transmitter effort last weekend, I got on the "not-open band" radio and I   
   needed to make something happen. During the middle of the day there were no   
   stations to work in the bandmap, so I tuned across 15 meters, but didn't hear   
   anything except a JT-65 signal. Huh. I turned on skimmer spots by typing   
   SET/SKIMMER into N1MM+ Logger's packet window, and CQed away. I watched as the   
   skimmer spots rolled in: 21dB in Ohio. 27dB in Massachusetts. 32 dB in   
   Pennsylvania. 31dB in New York. These readings were subjective, but indicated   
   that if anyone was listening in those locations, they should have been able to   
   hear me. I kept at it for nearly five minutes without a caller, wondering if   
   anyone else was on 15 or watching skimmer spots. Finally, I started to get   
   some callers, and eventually ended up with nearly 70 contacts on that band. I   
   scanned around the band a bit on the 2nd VFO after I started working people -   
   others were finally noticing that the band was open and were making contacts   
   as well.   
      
   Lately it's been easy to ignore certain bands because we all know the   
   conditions are just terrible. I'm glad I reminded myself early in this year's   
   fall contest season to base my in-contest decisions with hard data and   
   persevere in CQing into a quiet, but ultimately open, band.   
      
   That's all for this time. Remember to send contesting result announcements,   
   contest related stories, flea market pictures, book reviews, tips, techniques,   
   press releases, errata, pictures, stories, blog links, and predictions, to   
   contest-update@arrl.org   
      
   73, Brian N9ADG   
      
      
      
      
   CONTESTS   
      
   22 Sep - 5 Oct 2016   
      
   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 21, 1300z to Sep 21, 1400z, Sep 21, 1900z to Sep 21,   
   2000z, Sep 22, 0300z to Sep 22, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m;   
   Member: Name + Member No., non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs   
   due: September 24.   
      
   NAQCC CW Sprint, Sep 22, 0030z to Sep 22, 0230z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20m; RST +   
   (state/province/country) + (NAQCC No./power); Logs due: September 26.   
      
   NCCC RTTY Sprint, Sep 23, 0145z to Sep 23, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules);   
   Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: September 25.   
      
   NCCC Sprint, Sep 23, 0230z to Sep 23, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial   
   No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: September 25.   
      
   CQ Worldwide DX Contest, RTTY, Sep 24, 0000z to Sep 26, 0000z; RTTY; Bands:   
   80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; 48 States/Canada: RST + CQ Zone + (state/VE area), All   
   Others: RST + CQ Zone; Logs due: September 30.   
      
   Maine QSO Party, Sep 24, 1200z to Sep 25, 1200z; CW, Phone; Bands: 160, 80,   
   40, 20, 15, 10m; ME: RS(T) + county, non-ME: RS(T) + (state/province/"DX");   
   Logs due: October 10.   
      
   Texas QSO Party, Sep 24, 1400z to Sep 25, 0200z, Sep 25, 1400z to Sep 25,   
   2000z; All; Bands: All, except WARC; TX: RS(T) + County, non-TX: RS(T) +   
   (state/province/country/MM region); Logs due: October 31.   
      
   RSGB International Sprint Contest, CW, Sep 24, 1700z to Sep 24, 2100z; CW;   
   Bands: 80, 40, 20m; [your call sign] + [other station's call sign] + Serial   
   No. + Name; Logs due: October 1.   
      
   Classic Exchange, Phone, Sep 25, 1300z to Sep 26, 0800z, Sep 27, 1300z to Sep   
   28, 0800z; AM, SSB, FM; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6, 2m; Name + RS +   
   (state/province/country) + rcvr/xmtr manuf/model; Logs due: December 31.   
      
   Peanut Power QRP Sprint, Sep 25, 2000z to Sep 25, 2200z; CW, SSB; Bands: 40,   
   20, 15m; RS(T) + (state/province/country) + (peanut no./power output); Logs   
   due: October 15.   
      
   SKCC Sprint, Sep 28, 0000z to Sep 28, 0200z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15,   
   10m; RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (SKCC No./power); Logs due:   
   September 30.   
      
   Phone Fray, Sep 28, 0230z to Sep 28, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15m;   
   NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: September 30.   
      
   CWops Mini-CWT Test, Sep 28, 1300z to Sep 28, 1400z, Sep 28, 1900z to Sep 28,   
   2000z, Sep 29, 0300z to Sep 29, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m;   
   Member: Name + Member No., non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs   
   due: October 1.   
      
   UKEICC 80m Contest, Sep 28, 2000z to Sep 28, 2100z; CW; Bands: 80m Only;   
   4-Character grid square; Logs due: September 28.   
      
   RSGB 80m Club Sprint, CW, Sep 29, 1900z to Sep 29, 2000z; CW; Bands: 80m Only;   
   [other station's call] + [your call] + [serial no.] + [your name]; Logs due:   
   October 6.   
      
   NCCC RTTY Sprint, Sep 30, 0145z to Sep 30, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules);   
   Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: October 2.   
      
   NCCC Sprint, Sep 30, 0230z to Sep 30, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial   
   No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: October 2.   
      
   YLRL DX/NA YL Anniversary Contest, Sep 30, 1400z to Oct 2, 0200z; CW, SSB,   
   Digital; Bands: Any; Serial No. + RS(T) + (ARRL Section/province/country);   
   Logs due: October 31.   
      
   TARA PSK Rumble Contest, Oct 1, 0000z to Oct 2, 0000z; PSK; Bands: 160, 80,   
   40, 20, 15, 10, 6m; W/VE/JA/VK: Name + Call Area, Other: Name + Country; Logs   
   due: October 29.   
      
   15-Meter SSTV Dash Contest, Oct 1, 0000z to Oct 2, 2359z; SSTV; Bands: 15m   
   Only; WSSTVC-Member: RSV + "W" + 4-digit member no., non-Members: RSV + Serial   
   No.; Logs due: October 17.   
      
   Oceania DX Contest, Phone, Oct 1, 0800z to Oct 2, 0800z; Phone; Bands: 160,   
   80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; RS + Serial No.; Logs due: October 31.   
      
   WAB HF Phone, Oct 1, 1200z to Oct 2, 1200z; Phone; Bands: 20, 15, 10m; British   
   Isles: RS + serial no. + WAB square, Other: RS + serial no. + country; Logs   
   due: October 23.   
      
   TRC DX Contest, Oct 1, 1200z to Oct 2, 1200z; CW, SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15,   
   10m; TRC Members: RST + "TRC", non-TRC Members: RST + ITU Zone No.; Logs due:   
   October 9.   
      
   GTC CW Cup, Oct 1, 1200z to Oct 2, 1200z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; GTC   
   Members: RST + "GTC" + 3-digit member number, non-GTC: RST + "NM"; Logs due:   
   October 30.   
      
   Russian WW Digital Contest, Oct 1, 1200z to Oct 2, 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 7.   
      
   International HELL-Contest, Oct 1, 1600z to Oct 1, 1800z (80m), Oct 2, 0900z   
   to Oct 2, 1100z (40m); Hell; Bands: 80, 40m; RST + QSO No.; Logs due: October   
   16.   
      
   California QSO Party, Oct 1, 1600z to Oct 2, 2200z; CW, Phone; Bands: 160, 80,   
   40, 20, 15, 10m; CA: Serial No. + County, non-CA: Serial No. + (state/VE   
   area/country); Logs due: October 17.   
      
   FISTS Fall Slow Speed Sprint, Oct 1, 1700z to Oct 1, 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:   
   October 31.   
      
   UBA ON Contest, SSB, Oct 2, 0600z to Oct 2, 1000z; SSB; Bands: 80m Only; ON:   
   RS + Serial No. + ON Section, non-ON: RS + Serial No.; Logs due: October 23.   
      
   RSGB International DX Contest, Oct 2, 0700z to Oct 2, 1900z; CW, SSB; Bands:   
   20, 15, 10m; RS(T) + Serial No.; Logs due: October 9.   
      
   German Telegraphy Contest, Oct 3, 0700z to Oct 3, 1000z; CW; Bands: 80, 40m;   
   DL: RST + LDK, non-DL: RST; Logs due: October 17.   
      
   ARS Spartan Sprint, Oct 4, 0100z to Oct 4, 0300z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15,   
   10m; RST + (state/province/country) + Power; Logs due: October 6.   
      
   Phone Fray, Oct 5, 0230z to Oct 5, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15m;   
   NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: October 7.   
      
   CWops Mini-CWT Test, Oct 5, 1300z to Oct 5, 1400z, Oct 5, 1900z to Oct 5,   
   2000z, Oct 6, 0300z to Oct 6, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m;   
   Member: Name + Member No., non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs   
   due: October 8.   
      
   UKEICC 80m Contest, Oct 5, 2000z to Oct 5, 2100z; CW; Bands: 80m Only;   
   4-Character grid square; Logs due: October 5.   
      
      
      
   VHF+ CONTESTS   
      
   AGCW VHF/UHF Contest, Sep 24, 1400z to Sep 24, 1700z (144), Sep 24, 1700z to   
   Sep 24, 1800z (432); CW; Bands: 144 MHz, 432 MHz; RST + "/" + Serial No. + "/"   
   Power class + "/" + 6-character grid locator; Logs due: October 10.   
      
   UBA ON Contest, 6m, Sep 25, 0700z to Sep 25, 1000z; CW, Phone; Bands: 6m Only;   
   ON: RS(T) + Serial No. + ON Section, non-ON: RS(T) + Serial No.; Logs due:   
   October 16.   
      
   ARRL EME Contest, Sep 24, 0000z to Sep 25, 2359z; CW, Phone, Digital; Bands:   
   50-1296 MHz; Signal report; Logs due: December 21.   
      
   220 MHz Fall Sprint, Sep 27, 1900z to Sep 27, 2300z; not specified; Bands: 222   
   MHz; 4-character grid square; Logs due: October 11.   
      
   432 MHz Fall Sprint, Oct 5, 1900z to Oct 5, 2300z; not specified; Bands: 432   
   MHz; 6-character grid square; Logs due: October 19.   
      
   Also, see Texas QSO Party, Classic Exchange, Tara PSK Rumble, above.   
      
      
      
   LOG DUE DATES   
      
   September 23, 2016   
      
    *  Phone Fray   
      
   September 24, 2016   
      
    *  FOC QSO Party   
    *  Ohio State Parks on the Air   
    *  CWops Mini-CWT Test   
      
   September 25, 2016   
      
    *  BARTG Sprint 75   
    *  WAB 144 MHz QRO Phone   
    *  NCCC RTTY Sprint   
    *  NCCC Sprint   
    *  Kulikovo Polye Contest   
    *  Run for the Bacon QRP Contest   
    *  Scandinavian Activity Contest, CW   
    *  North American Sprint, RTTY   
      
   September 26, 2016   
      
    *  Ohio QSO Party   
    *  WAE DX Contest, SSB   
    *  NAQCC CW Sprint   
      
   September 27, 2016   
      
    *  YO DX HF Contest   
      
   September 29, 2016   
      
    *  Keyman's Club of Japan Contest   
      
   September 30, 2016   
      
    *  AGCW Straight Key Party   
    *  Himalayan Contest   
    *  ALARA Contest   
    *  IARU Region 1 Field Day, SSB   
      
   October 1, 2016   
      
    *  New Jersey QSO Party   
    *  Colorado QSO Party   
    *  Hawaii QSO Party   
    *  Kansas QSO Party   
      
   October 2, 2016   
      
    *  SARL VHF/UHF Analogue/Digital Contest   
    *  Washington State Salmon Run   
      
   October 3, 2016   
      
    *  All Africa International DX Contest   
    *  144 MHz Fall Sprint   
      
   October 4, 2016   
      
    *  G3ZQS Memorial Straight Key Contest   
      
   October 5, 2016   
      
    *  All Asian DX Contest, Phone   
    *  Tennessee 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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