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|    The ARRL Contest Update for November 2,     |
|    02 Nov 16 11:56:16    |
      If you are having trouble reading this message, you can see the original at:       http://www.arrl.org/contests/update/?issue=2016-11-02              The ARRL Contest Update              November 2, 2016       Editor: Brian Moran, N9ADG                     IN THIS ISSUE        * New HF Operators: ARRL Sweepstakes, WAE DX RTTY, JIDX        * Bulletins: W1AW Bulletins        * Contest Summary        * News: Squeeze Keying, Playing Games to Learn the Code, Solar Minimum        Could Be Hard on 160 Meters, Too, and more        * Word to the Wise: Panadapter        * Sights and Sounds: W0AIH Goes Big on 80 Meters, Drone Helps Identify        Real World Antenna Issue, K4BAI in the News, and more        * Results: KSQP, SPTBDC, Makrothen        * Operating Tip: When to Operate Split in Contests        * Technical Topics and Information: Modular Antenna Switch, $22 Logic        Analyzer, Smarter Power Supplies, and more        * Conversation        * Contests        * Log Due Dates                     NEW HF OPERATORS -- THINGS TO DO              The ARRL Sweepstakes, CW is coming up this weekend, and that's where you'll       find a lot of domestic activity. If you have not tried Sweepstakes before,       you'll find that the exchange is a bit more challenging than many contests.       The longer Sweepstakes exchange is rooted in the National Traffic System       Message Format. The WAE DX (Worked All Europe) contests (CW, RTTY, Phone) also       have a "message handling" component, in the form of QTCs. In the popular RTTY       version of the contest on November 12, everyone can work everyone, and QTC       traffic can be sent and received between continents. You'll likely find that       your logging program can already send and receive QTCs for you, you'll just       need to know how to use the feature. Also on the weekend of November 12 is the       JIDX Phone contest, which is consistently popular with amateurs on the west       coast of the US.                            BULLETINS              W1AW bulletins containing DX or propagation information can be received over       the air, or via e-mail. You can manage subscriptions to ARRL e-mail bulletins       at http://arrl.org/bulletins. The schedule for daily digital transmission of       W1AW bulletins is also available online.                            BUSTED QSOS              QRU                            CONTEST SUMMARY              Complete information for all contests follows the Conversation section              November 3               * CWops Mini-CWT Test        * NRAU 10 Meter Activity Contest              November 4               * NCCC RTTY Sprint        * NCCC Sprint              November 5               * IPARC Contest, CW        * Ukrainian DX Contest        * RSGB International Sprint Contest, SSB        * ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, CW              November 6               * IPARC Contest, SSB        * EANET Sprint        * High Speed Club CW Contest        * DARC 10-Meter Digital Contest              November 8               * ARS Spartan Sprint              November 9               * Phone Fray        * CWops Mini-CWT Test        * RSGB 80 Meter Club Sprint, SSB              November 10               * CWops Mini-CWT Test              November 11               * NCCC RTTY Sprint        * NCCC Sprint              November 12               * WAE DX Contest, RTTY        * 10-10 Int. Fall Contest, Digital        * JIDX Phone Contest        * SKCC Weekend Sprintathon        * OK/OM DX Contest, CW        * Kentucky QSO Party        * CQ-WE Contest              November 13               * CQ-WE Contest              November 14               * CQ-WE Contest              November 16               * Phone Fray        * CWops Mini-CWT Test                            NEWS, PRESS RELEASES, AND GENERAL INTEREST              The Radio Club of Redmond's (Washington) November club newsletter had in       informative article on squeeze keying, including the differences between       various modes, and how keying has evolved over time. The author, Karl Fischer,       DJ5IL, has made the article available on his website (PDF).              Google Glass users can play a game to learn Morse code. The game buzzes dots       and dashes using the transducer built into the glasses. Though the game does       not focus on the code, nor require memorization to play successfully,       researchers found that just by playing the game, players passively learned the       code well enough to subsequently send code at 98% accuracy. (Dennis, N6KI)              Carl, K9LA, talks about how a solar minimum can be too deep, even for 160       meters, in a recent message to the TopBand reflector. "With a weak solar       magnetic field, more galactic cosmic rays will be able to get into the Earth's       atmosphere... Since galactic cosmic rays are mostly very energetic protons,       they can get down to low atmospheric altitudes, causing collisional ionization       in the D region (and lower E region). A cursory estimate using cosmic ray       ionization rates confirms more ionization in the lower atmosphere. 160 meters       is not very tolerant of more absorption, so we may see an adverse effect of       the weakened solar magnetic field." (via TopBand reflector)              2100 UTC November 5 is the deadline for contest clubs to submit "Eligibility       Lists" in time for the ARRL CW Sweepstakes Contest. See the ARRL Contest Club       Eligibility Lists website for more information.              It's always good to do a little CW in preparation for contest season, but how       about exercises for tuning up your voice? A recent Wall Street Journal article       describes how our voices age, and some exercises that may help delay them from       inevitably becoming softer and scratchier. (Dennis, N6KI)              Look for call signs containing "YOTA" (Youngsters on the Air) during the month       of December. During the entire month, activity will take place with younger       hams at the radio.              NOAA has made available some tools to help with regional prediction of space       weather events. The intent is to be able to warn utilities and space satellite       companies ahead of events having the potential to disrupt their operations.       The footprint of the regional forecasts is approximately 350 square miles,       with a lead time of up to 45 minutes. Researchers from the University of       Michigan and Rice University developed the tools necessary to make this       possible.                            WORD TO THE WISE              Panadapter              A panadapter is a device or rig feature that provides a graphical display of a       slice of RF spectrum. Among its many uses in contesting or Amateur Radio, it       can enable finding an empty frequency more quickly, determining where a DX       station is listening by watching for the responding station, or increasing       situational awareness. Examples of panadapters include the Elecraft P3,       SmartSDR from Flexradio, Telepost's LP-PAN, or roll-your-own using an RTL-SDR.                            SIGHTS AND SOUNDS              Another new antenna for Paul, W0AIH. Even for a guy that has lost count of how       many towers he has, this 75-meter beam ought to stand out. N9QIP's drone video       captures the scale. For a general tour of W0AIH, here's a video from two years       ago. (Jim, K7WA)              When a 25 kW broadcast FM radio antenna was having a problem, a hobby drone       was outfitted with a FLIR Infrared camera, and sent to examine the feedline       and antenna. The test flight turned out to be all they needed to find the       problem! Here's a video. (Dennis, N6KI)              Well-known contester and 30-year U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge John Laney III,       K4BAI was featured in an article in the Columbus, Georgia Ledger-Enquirer. The       article describes his integrity, and the intensity with which he attacks his       caseload.                            RESULTS AND RECORDS              "The final results for the 2016 Kansas QSO Party are out on the KSQP website.       We had a record year, with 325 submitted logs. All 105 counties were collected       by N6MU for the county Sweep and the US SOLP win. Forty-five 1x1 call signs       spelling KANSAS, QSOPARTY, and SUNFLOWER were active, with N8II putting 44 of       them in his log on the way to winning US SOHP. We even had a Thursday Night       Contesting NS competition, won by W4OC. Put the last weekend in August on your       calendar for the 2017 edition of the KSQP to see what happens next!" - Bob,       W0BH, KSQP Coordinator                     Dan, K7SS, alerted me to this: "Received this cool plaque with mounted actual       RADIO related stamps, from Bob, W0BH, in KS. Bob decided to celebrate his 50th       year in amateur radio, by sponsoring a special event in the KSQP this year,       tied into the NS Thursday night Sprint, and sent out these Radio stamp       plaques." I reached out to Bob, and he pointed me to the original       announcement, portions of which are excerpted here: "Finally QCWA x 2! In all       these years, my two favorite ham radio things to do are NCCC Sprints/NA       Sprints and mobile contesting. I wouldn't be where I am today in contesting       without the Thursday NS competition. So how about a party!" As coordinator of       the Kansas QSO Party, Bob had the opportunity to sponsor a conte       t-within-two-contests, and so he did. He provided very handsome certificates       to those who worked him during the Sprint and the Kansas QSO Party while he       was mobile.                     As logs are sent in, the results of the "Pre-Stew Perry" 160-meter contest are       updated and available. Tree, N6TR, is still accepting logs at tb       c@contesting.com.                     The Makrothen RTTY Contest has a new home with the PL259 Gang. The results for       2016 are available on the website.                     Some are saying band conditions weren't so wonderful during the CQWW Phone       Contest last weekend. Soapbox phrases like, "Wow, tough conditions,"       "Character-building conditions," "Conditions were terrible here in G," and       "Wow, talk about a slog!" may be the new normal.                            OPERATING TIP              Operating Split during a Contest              Generally, in one word, don't. Using two or more frequencies is not fair to       other contest participants, and is so uncommon that most callers will never       even think of calling you on any frequency other than the one you are using to       transmit. You'll spend time announcing where you are listening, and that       doesn't help your rate. However, there is a specific instance where split       should be used during a contest:              If you're transmitting in the US Phone band, but listening outside the US       Phone band for callers. An example is 40 meter SSB - a US station could       transmit on 7.210 MHz, but be listening on that frequency and on 7.087 MHz for       stations in ITU Regions 1 and 3, where SSB is allowed on that frequency. A       station running like this may say, "CQ contest, W1AW listening this frequency       and 7087." In DX phone contests, don't forget to listen for DX stations       transmitting in the low end of 40 meters, too. If you call them, make sure       you're transmitting where you are legal, and not interfering with other       domestic communications.                            TECHNICAL TOPICS AND INFORMATION              RemoteQTH.com has announced an open-source hardware and software modular       antenna switch. By combining modules in different ways, you can build up to a       12 x 4 antenna switch. Since the design documentation is provided, you can       modify it to suit your needs.                     If you're building amateur gear using Arduinos, Raspberry Pis, or Beaglebones,       you may find a logic analyzer could help you examine digital timing       relationships. Using SUMP2 from Black Mesa Labs with a $22 FPGA stick, you       could be capturing 96 million samples per second (MSPS). It could be just the       thing to debug your homebrew preamp sequencer. (EE Times)                     Switching power supplies continue to improve in the watt-per-cubic inch metric       as innovations are made in magnetics and semiconductors. As switching       frequencies and semiconductor voltage ratings increase, we should see the       benefit in smaller solid-state linear amplifiers. AM enthusiasts have enjoyed       a renaissance through the use of Class E amplifier topologies along with these       technology improvements. (Elektor)                     Pasternack Enterprises has introduced a 2.4 GHz RADAR demonstration kit, with       the intended use for training and classroom experimentation. The kit permits       experiments with different modulation types, as well as experimenting with       filtering. Courseware is provided for use in a teaching environment. In 2017,       MIT has a 5-day build-your-own synthetic aperture radar course during which       participants learn communications and RADAR theory, design and simulate       various systems, and go home with a kit designed by MIT's Lincoln       Laboratories. According to a past class description, "You       do not have to be a RADAR engineer but it helps if you are interested in any       of the following; electronics, amateur radio, physics, or electromagnetics."       The 2.4 GHz amateur band is shared with unlicensed users.                     There's a new BeagleBone shield that may find use in Skimmer-type operation:       the KiwiSDR. Another use could be as a universal panadater - BeagleBone LCD       screens are relatively inexpensive, and the open-source software for the       KiwiSDR could be a good basis for the panadapter functionality of your dreams.                     Researchers from Cambridge University describe some really low-power       transistors that could enable devices that work for years without battery       power. The transistors can scavenge power from their environment by taking       advantage of characteristics, like leakage, that have previously been viewed       as flaws.                            CONVERSATION              Contest Consumables              Contest season is definitely here, even though it appears the ionosphere       didn't get the memo. The essentials like rigs, antennas, and amplifiers have       probably been checked, and are at the ready. Other items now bubble up in       importance. How are your station ergonomics? If your shoulders or neck hurts       after a few hours at the rig, it's time to evaluate why, and remedy the       situation, before it leads to other long-term problems. Good sleep before a       serious contest effort is important. Getting enough sleep can help minimize       the chances of catching and keeping a cold or flu before contest weekend, and       operating when tired just makes everything more difficult.              Keeping yourself nourished should also be part of the operating plan. If you       have special dietary requirements, make sure you're not ignoring them just       because you're participating in a contest. If you really are attempting long       stints in the operating chair, you want what you eat to help you accomplish       that goal. I like to have a mix of foods that can be prepared with minimal       effort and eaten at any hour, prioritizing protein, then fats, and lastly,       sugars. For example, I've made chili, BBQ ribs, and chicken wings ahead of       time, so they could be microwaved when needed, adding a bag salad or vegetable       plate for a small amount of variety and fiber. Too many calories can lead to       grogginess... I find eating a little bit, frequently, works well for me.              Lastly, don't forget to get up every now and again and move around. It can       enhance alertness, and may assist in avoiding issues related to physical       inactivity, such as DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis).              Check your station, and take care of your body to make sure all systems are go       for the contest.              That's all for this time. Remember to send contesting related stories, flea       market pictures, book reviews, tips, techniques, press releases, errata,       schematics, club information, pictures, stories, blog links, and predictions       to contest_update@arrl.org              73, Brian N9ADG                                   CONTESTS              3 Nov - 16 Nov 2016              An expanded, downloadable version of QST's Contest Corral in PDF format is       available. Check the sponsor's website for information on operating time       restrictions and other instructions.                     HF CONTESTS              CWops Mini-CWT Test, Nov 2, 1300z to Nov 2, 1400z, Nov 2, 1900z to Nov 2,       2000z, Nov 3, 0300z to Nov 3, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m;       Member: Name + Member No., non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs       due: November 5.              NRAU 10m Activity Contest, Nov 3, 1800z to Nov 3, 1900z (CW), Nov 3, 1900z to       Nov 3, 2000z (SSB), Nov 3, 2000z to Nov 3, 2100z (FM), Nov 3, 2100z to Nov 3,       2200z (Dig); CW, SSB, FM, Digital; Bands: 10m Only; RS(T) + 6-character grid       square; Logs due: November 17.              NCCC RTTY Sprint, Nov 4, 0145z to Nov 4, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules);       Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: November 6.              NCCC Sprint, Nov 4, 0230z to Nov 4, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial No.       + Name + QTH; Logs due: November 6.              IPARC Contest, CW, Nov 5, 0600z to Nov 5, 1000z, Nov 5, 1400z to Nov 5, 1800z;       CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; USA IPA Members: RST + Serial No. + "IPA" +       State, non-USA IPA Members: RST + Serial No. + "IPA", non-IPA Members: RST +       Serial No.; Logs due: December 31.              Ukrainian DX Contest, Nov 5, 1200z to Nov 6, 1200z; CW, SSB; Bands: 160, 80,       40, 20, 15, 10m; Ukraine: RS(T) + 2-letter oblast, non-Ukraine: RS(T) + Serial       No.; Logs due: December 6.              RSGB International Sprint Contest, SSB, Nov 5, 1700z to Nov 5, 2100z; SSB;       Bands: 80, 40, 20m; [your call sign] + [other station's call sign] + Serial       No. + Name; Logs due: November 12.              ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, CW, Nov 5, 2100z to Nov 7, 0300z; CW; Bands: 160,       80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Serial No. + Precedence (Q/A/B/U/M/S) + [your call sign]       + Check + ARRL/RAC Section; Logs due: November 22.              IPARC Contest, SSB, Nov 6, 0600z to Nov 6, 1000z, Nov 6, 1400z to Nov 6,       1800z; SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; USA IPA Members: RS + Serial No. +       "IPA" + State, non-USA IPA Members: RS + Serial No. + "IPA", non-IPA Members:       RS + Serial No.; Logs due: December 31.              EANET Sprint, Nov 6, 0800z to Nov 6, 1200z; Any; Bands: Any; RS(T); Logs due:       November 20.              High Speed Club CW Contest, Nov 6, 0900z to Nov 6, 1100z, Nov 6, 1500z to Nov       6, 1700z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Members: RST + HSC No., non-Members:       RST + "NM"; Logs due: November 27.              DARC 10-Meter Digital Contest, Nov 6, 1100z to Nov 6, 1700z; RTTY, Amtor,       Clover, PSK31, Pactor; Bands: 10m Only; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: November       21.              ARS Spartan Sprint, Nov 8, 0200z to Nov 8, 0400z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15,       10m; RST + (state/province/country) + Power; Logs due: November 10.              Phone Fray, Nov 9, 0230z to Nov 9, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15m;       NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: November 11.              CWops Mini-CWT Test, Nov 9, 1300z to Nov 9, 1400z, Nov 9, 1900z to Nov 9,       2000z, Nov 10, 0300z to Nov 10, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m;       Member: Name + Member No., non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs       due: November 12.              RSGB 80m Club Sprint, SSB, Nov 9, 2000z to Nov 9, 2100z; SSB; Bands: 80m Only;       [other station's call] + [your call] + [serial no.] + [your name]; Logs due:       November 16.              NCCC RTTY Sprint, Nov 11, 0145z to Nov 11, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules);       Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: November 13.              NCCC Sprint, Nov 11, 0230z to Nov 11, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial       No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: November 13.              WAE DX Contest, RTTY, Nov 12, 0000z to Nov 13, 2359z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20,       15, 10m; RS + Serial No.; Logs due: November 28.              10-10 Int. Fall Contest, Digital, Nov 12, 0001z to Nov 13, 2359z; Digital;       Bands: 10m Only; 10-10 Member: Name + 10-10 number + (state/province/country),       Non-Member: Name + 0 + (state/province/country); Logs due: November 28.              JIDX Phone Contest, Nov 12, 0700z to Nov 13, 1300z; SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20,       15, 10m; JA: RST + Prefecture No., non-JA: RST + CQ Zone No.; Logs due:       December 13.              SKCC Weekend Sprintathon, Nov 12, 1200z to Nov 14, 0000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80,       40, 20, 15, 10, 6m; RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (SKCC No./"NONE");       Logs due: November 20.              OK/OM DX Contest, CW, Nov 12, 1200z to Nov 13, 1200z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40,       20, 15, 10m; OK/OM: RST + 3-letter district code, non-OK/OM: RST + Serial No.;       Logs due: November 20.              Kentucky QSO Party, Nov 12, 1400z to Nov 13, 0200z; CW, SSB, Digital; Bands:       160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6m; KY: RS(T) + county, non-KY: RS(T) +       (state/province/country); Logs due: December 31.              CQ-WE Contest, Nov 12, 1900z to Nov 12, 2300z (CW/Digital), Nov 13, 0100z to       Nov 13, 0500z (Phone), Nov 13, 1900z to Nov 13, 2300z (Phone), Nov 14, 0100z       to Nov 14, 0500z (CW/Digital); CW, Phone, Digital; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15,       10, 6, 2, 432 MHz; Name + Location Code (see rules) + Years of Service (see       rules); Logs due: December 1.              Phone Fray, Nov 16, 0230z to Nov 16, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15m;       NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: November 18.              CWops Mini-CWT Test, Nov 16, 1300z to Nov 16, 1400z, Nov 16, 1900z to Nov 16,       2000z, Nov 17, 0300z to Nov 17, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m;       Member: Name + Member No., non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs       due: November 19.                     VHF+ CONTESTS              See Kentucky QSO Party, CQ-WE Contest, and SKCC Weekend Sprintathon, above.                     LOG DUE DATES              3 Nov - 16 Nov 2016              November 3, 2016               * RSGB 80 Meter Club Sprint, SSB              November 4, 2016               * Phone Fray        * CQ Worldwide DX Contest, SSB              November 5, 2016               * ARRL School Club Roundup        * MCG Autumn Sprint        * CWops Mini-CWT Test              November 6, 2016               * UBA ON Contest, 2 Meters        * NCCC RTTY Sprint        * NCCC Sprint              November 7, 2016               * Stew Perry Topband Challenge        * FISTS Fall Unlimited Sprint              November 14, 2016               * South Dakota QSO Party              November 15, 2016               * Iowa QSO Party        * Pennsylvania QSO Party                            ARRL Information              Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information              Join or Renew Today!              ARRL membership includes QST, Amateur Radio's most popular and informative       journal, delivered to your mailbox each month.              Subscribe to NCJ - the National Contest Journal. Published bimonthly, features       articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint, and       QSO parties.              Subscribe to QEX - A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published       bimonthly, features technical articles, construction projects, columns and       other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals.              Free of charge to ARRL members: Subscribe to The ARRL Letter (weekly digest of       news and information), the ARES E-Letter (monthly public service and emergency       communications news), Division and Section news -- and much more!              ARRL offers a wide array of products to enhance your enjoyment of Amateur       Radio. 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