[PPRAANet] Operate as W1AW/0 for the ARRL Centennial QSO Party

[Dan Scott]

W1AW/0 - Centennial QSO Party.

Have you worked the  W1AW stations for the Centennial QSO Party?
How about doing one better and  operate as the W1AW/0 Station!

The ARRL Centennial QSO Party is a year-long operating event that celebrates
hams making contacts. In the end you will have accumulated points, worked
new stations and made new friends all over the world.

The Centennial QSO Party is made-up of two main activities: (1) W1AW
operating portable in each state and most territories; and (2) The
Centennial Points Challenge which is the accumulation of points from
qualifying contacts made throughout 2014.  To have a score listed online in
the Points Challenge competition, logs must be submitted through the
Logbook of the World (LoTW) system.

For more information browse to: 

http://www.arrl.org/centennial-qso-party

If you want to be the W1AW/0 station read on..

The following is a long list of do's and don'ts.  Read through them if you
are thinking of working as W1AW/0.  If you have questions please email me:
w0ro @ me<dot>com

You do not have to be a contester to operate so you do not have to operate
in contest style.  You will have to provide a computer generated log in ADIF
format the same day you operate.

At the bottom of this long email I will go into how to register for time
slots, frequencies and modes.

To become the W1AW/0 station you can sign up for 1 hour operating slots,
maximum is 3 hours in any one band/mode.

General operating rules from the ARRL:

1,  You must schedule your operating time in advance.

2.  You must submit your log in ADIF format and then email them to
w1aw at ppraa.org  . We will be the clearing house in our area for the logs.

   -  the .adi file must be named:
      <your call>_<your county>.adi
      Example: AF0S_ELP.adi

    - Please use for a subject line of you email:  W1AW <your call> log
      Example:  Subject: W1AW W0RO Log
      This will help the PPRAA, W1AW team 

3.  Work in the General frequency range of the band as much as possible.  On
10-meters you may want to work in the technician frequency range.

4.  CW ops consider higher frequencies part of the time and QRS for newer/
slower ops on these frequencies (10 meters especially)

5.  If you have more than one band, PLEASE make it clear to those listening
when and where you will QSY.  Try to be sure that people know what you are
doing.

6. If you take a break, or are at the end of your time slot, PLEASE let the
listeners know that you are QRX or QRT - several times.

7.  Please never work a station that is calling out of turn :-)  If you send
a partial call, PLEASE complete the QSO with him before going to another
station.  This is how you would want to be treated if you were on the other
end of the pileup.

8.  Split operation may be necessary.  Announce UP often - if split, and the
split if you need to.

Software:

Any software that can export to  ADIF (.adi)  should be fine.  This includes
Win-Test, Logger 32, N1MM, and if you do not have a logging program, a good
option is to use Fast Log Entry (http://www.df3cb.com/fle/) to generate the
adi file.

Please become familiar with the software prior to your scheduled time.  N1NN
is to have a special W1AW setup, some of the others may as well.

Additional W1AW/0 CO Operating Guidelines 

These are points to be aware of while operating W1AW/0 CO, including
excerpts from the ARRL and previous W1AW/ events (thanks to W2LK from
January W1AW/2). Before reading below, refer to the complete ARRL Centennial
QSO Party rules.

Band/Modes

A.  ARRL suggested frequencies
     - Operate in General class bands when possible to maximize
accessibility
     - Out of band frequencies are for DX - listen and work in split mode
     - Watch traditional DX windows
     - Contacts using 3 modes on the same frequency are not allowed

B.  60 meters will not be used
C.  No repeater contacts
D.  Multiple W1AW0 stations will not be assigned the same band/mode
simultaneously.
     However, the following are considered separate modes:
     -  On all bands, "digital" is split into RTTY and PSK31
     - On 75, "phone" may be split into SSB and AM
     - 10 and up, "phone" may be split into SSB and FM

E.  No band/mode is assigned for EME as any operation is so unique and
unlikely to conflict, we're saying just go ahead, and coordinate amongst
yourselves.

Exchange

A.  When working as W1AW/0, always, ALWAYS use the portable designator '/0'
B.  Minimum sent/received exchange is signal report. 
     - Interestingly, the League only requires us to report the call sign
     - Report and location are optional, and they suggest only seeking fills
for callsigns
     - "Colorado" need not be mentioned in all contacts
          o. League said "we like it," and it's good practice
C.  Exchanges need not be contest style - your choice, and your responses
may vary according to the station you're working
D.  Stations may request your county/grid - easiest is just to provide it
E.  Centennial Points Challenge
     - This is a simultaneous but separate event. 
        *  In addition to working W1AW/n for WAS, during the year any
station can work any other station at any time, and if the operator of the
station worked is an ARRL member, or even better, holds an ARRL appointment
or is an officer or on staff, that station is worth points depending on the
position.
        *  For our event, the ARRL says providing appointment info is
optional. 
        *  If you are an ARRL appointee, and choose to do so, or to do so
when asked, see the information for this event.

QSLs

W1AW/0 QSLs will be provided automatically to all stations by the League via
the QSL Bureau. Stations must sign up online to request them. (Site still
TBD by ARRL)

Logging

1.  Your logging program must be able to export an ADI (ADIF) file.

2.  If you don't computer log, you must make arrangements to create an
online log that exports to ADIF.

3.  For the station information that your ADI (ADIF) file must contain, we
are preparing an setup guide for N1MM that would be an example for any other
logger. You'll be notified on the RDXA W1AW list when it's available.

4.  Submitting your log

Export your W1AW/0 log file as an ADI (ADIF) file named with your call (the
call of the station used if you're a guest op) and the county it's in. 
For example, N0HF_BOU.adi will be a log from Boulder county. 

Use the 3 character CO county abbreviations found in the CO
(http://ppraa.org/downloads/coqp/CO%20Counties%202-2.pdf) QSO Party rules,
or spell out the whole name of the county as above.

E-mail your log as an attachment to your point contact with Subject same as
file name.    (SEE notes above)

Send your log as soon as you complete all your reserved time slots, but no
later than the end of each operating day

The W1AW/0 team will submit your log on your behalf to the ARRL.

Operating notes

If you cannot be on for your reserved time, please let K8ZTT know or email
W1AW at ppraa.org

Be ready to operate ahead of time. It would be helpful to run the 'Cluster,
as the station preceding you is likely spotted. If you can't, attempt to
locate them, and get on that frequency to get the sense of the band and the
stations calling.

Not all stations have 'Cluster access so can't spot themselves (which is
allowed for this event by the way). If you use the 'Cluster and find/work
one of our W1AW/0 stations, please spot them if they're not already.

W1AW/2 in NY will be on this same week. Allow some bandwidth between you and
them. Also make sure it's clear that you're /0 in CO  in your CQs and
exchanges.

Also watch for and respect nets - the callsign is W1AW

Announce any need to QSY to those who may be listening so they can follow
you

You will likely have pileups to manage. Remember, it's you they're chasing,
and you're in control. Slow down as needed. Pick a few letters of a strong
signal, then only respond to that call. If you stay in charge, the pile will
follow suit.

Operate split as the situation warrants, both for DX that can't come up to
our frequency, or even to manage a pileup. If you haven't done split, give
yourself some practice into a dummy load, or with club members.

Completely ignore the few rude ops that may show up. They'll go away - the
pile will force them out by continually returning to you

Bottom line, operate professionally, even though we're referred to as
amateurs. Your operating reflects on you, your club, W1AW/ARRL, and Amateur
Radio.

 

Best of luck to each of you over the entire week! Have a ball

 

How to sign up for time slots:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AiZ_tMgZmyefdHhDWVZCYUluZlVOMVB
kWlFNdlhwU1E
<https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AiZ_tMgZmyefdHhDWVZCYUluZlVOMV
BkWlFNdlhwU1E&usp=sharing> &usp=sharing

Find an open band, mode, and time slot you would like to sign up for

Send you request to W1AW at ppraa.org

 

73,

dan

W0RO