[COham] Colorado FM Sprint

[Bob K0NR - email list]

This is a short and sweet contest on FM VHF, intended to generate some
activity, test your station and have some fun!

73, Bob K0NR

Colorado FM Sprint

Sponsored by: Colorado ARES and the Colorado VHF Group
(KØYB)
June 13, 2010

These rules are posted at http://www.qsl.net/k0yb

This contest is held concurrently with the ARRL June VHF QSO
Party, with compatible rules and operating procedures. The
purpose of this contest is:
*Promote the use of FM VHF/UHF simplex
*Provide an opportunity for radio amateurs to test the
limits of their stations using FM VHF/UHF and to
experiment with ways to improve their stations
*Practice deploying portable and mobile operation as a
means of identifying effective locations for temporary
relay stations
*Provide a simple and enjoyable radio contest experience
(“Have fun!”)

Time:
Sunday, June 13, 2010; 1200 to 1600 Mountain Time (1800 to
2200 UTC)

Objective:
To work as many stations as possible using FM simplex on the
146 MHz, 222 MHz and 440 MHz bands in as many different VHF
grids as possible.

Frequencies:
Operate on FM simplex frequencies consistent with the Colorado
Council of Amateur Radio Clubs (CCARC) band plans with special
emphasis on using ARES designated frequencies.
(Consistent with the ARRL Rules, 146.52 MHz is not allowed to
be used in the contest.)

Suggested Frequencies:
2 Meters: 146.58, 146.55, 146.49 MHz
222 MHz: 223.5 MHz
440 MHz: 446.0, 446.025, 446.100 MHz

Do not operate on repeater frequencies or 146.52 MHz, the
National Simplex Calling Frequency.

Remember to be a considerate operator and share the frequency
with other operators.

Contest Exchange
To complete a contest QSO, you and the other station must copy
each other’s callsign and 4-digit Grid Locator. You may
optionally exchange Name and ARES District.
Entry Categories:
The following entry categories are available for this contest,
consistent with the entry categories for the ARRL June QSO
Party. All categories (excluding Single Operator Portable)
operate within these power limits: (146 MHz--200 W PEP, 222
MHz 100 W PEP, 440 MHz 100 W PEP).

Single Operator – same as Single Operator Low Power in
the ARRL rules

Single Operator Portable – power limit of 10 W PEP,
operating from a fixed location using a portable power
source, portable equipment and antennas

Rover – operates from 2 or more grid squares with 1 or 2
operators, same definition as Limited Rover in the ARRL
rules. Rovers must sign “Rover” after their callsign.

Multioperator – operates with more than with operator
from a fixed location

Scoring
QSO Points: Count one point for each 146 MHz QSO and two
points for each 222 MHz and 440 MHz QSO.

Multiplier: The total number of different grid squares worked
per band. Each grid counts as one multiplier on each band it
is worked.

Final score: Multiply the total number of QSO points from all
bands operated by the total number of multipliers for final
score.

Rovers only: The final score consists of the total number of
QSO points from all bands times the sum of unique multipliers
(grid squares) worked per band (regardless of which grid
square they were made in) plus one additional multiplier for
every grid square from which they successfully completed a
contact.

Miscellaneous:
1. Use only one callsign per entry per station, except family
members who share a station.
2. A rover station may use only one callsign.
3. Soliciting contacts during the contest on repeaters, e-
mail, telephone, etc. is not allowed.
4. Final interpretation of these rules is the sole
responsibility of the contest committee.

Awards:
Certificates will be issued to top scoring entrants in each
category. Other certificates may be issued depending on the
level of competition present in the contest. Results will be
listed on the KØYB web site at http://www.qsl.net/k0yb

Log Entry:
1. Log entries must be received by June 30, 2010.
2. A log entry contains the following: Date; Time (Universal
Coordinated Time); Station Worked; Grid Locator
3. A summary contains: Your name, call, and address; entry
category; grid locator; score calculation; and this statement:
“I have observed all rules of the contest and have operated my
station in accordance with FCC rules.”
4. Entrants are strongly encouraged to submit an electronic
log in Cabrillo format, using commonly available logging
programs (configured for ARRL June QSO Party). Send electronic
logs to k0yb at qsl.net, with Cabrillo file attached and subject
line containing your callsign and the words “FM Sprint”.
5. Paper logs may be sent to: K0YB – Contest Logs, 21060
Capella Drive, Monument, CO 80132

Grid Locator Information:
Grids are 2° longitude x 1° latitude squares designated with
2-letters and 2-numbers, such as DM78. To determine which grid
you are operating from, refer to this web page:
http://www.k0nr.com/rwitte/vhf_grids.html or use a GPS
receiver that displays the location in Maidenhead (vhf grid)
format.

Here are some general guidelines that may help in case you
work someone who does not know their grid square:
A. Greater Denver is in DM79
B. Boulder is split between DM79 and DN70, so check the
location carefully.
C. Colorado Springs and Pueblo are in DM78
D. Fort Collins, Loveland and Longmont are in DN70.



Frequently Asked Questions

Why aren’t CW or SSB allowed in this contest?

This contest is focused on typical VHF/UHF ARES communication,
which tends to be centered on FM. Also, we didn’t want to have
the typical FM participant have to compete with high-powered
CW/SSB stations. If you have an interest in operating SSB or
CW, please go ahead and do that as a regular ARRL June VHF QSO
Party contestant. (You will find that SSB is much more
effective than FM!) Keep in mind that you can only work
stations once per band (except rovers) since the ARRL contest
does not give credit for working additional modes. That is,
you can’t work a station on SSB and again on FM to gain more
points.


Why are only the 146 MHz, 222 MHz and 440 MHz bands allowed?

The most common FM bands for ARES use are 146 MHz and 440 MHz.
We tossed in the 222 MHz band as a bonus since it is in
between the other two bands and some ARES districts do use it.
We chose not to expand the contest to 50 MHz and the higher
UHF bands, to keep it simple. Again, feel free to work the
other bands as a regular ARRL June QSO Party entry.


Is this a required ARES event?

No. Participation in this event is optional and anyone can
participate (not just ARES members). It is just a fun way to
test out the capability of your station on VHF/UHF FM.


What is the real purpose of this contest? Is this some sort of
secret plot to get FM operators on the air during the VHF
contest?

It could be. We are not sure. Mostly, we want to encourage
having fun on the VHF bands.


What logging software should I use?

Any contest logging program that supports the ARRL June VHF
QSO Party will work. Examples are N1MM, VHFCONT and N3FJP.


I am still confused, how does this work with regard to the
ARRL contest?

The Colorado FM Sprint is a contest within a contest. The rule
are consistent with the ARRL June VHF QSO Party but with a
much shorter duration and an FM-only restriction. You can
enter both contests if you’d like. Simply keep a log for the
entire ARRL contest duration but submit two logs (one to the
ARRL and one to the VHF sprint, which is a subset of the ARRL
log.)


Do I have to be in Colorado to enter the Colorado VHF Sprint?

No, you can be anywhere in the US or Canada. However, this is
a Colorado-sponsored contest, so most of the activity is
likely to be in Colorado and maybe adjacent states.


Where can I find the rules for the ARRL June VHF QSO Party?

On the ARRL web site: http://www.arrl.org/june-vhf-qso-party