[SFDXA] The ARRL Contest Update for December 4, 2013

Wed Dec 4 10:34:59 EST 2013

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The ARRL Contest Update

December 4, 2013
Editor: Ward Silver, NØAX <mailto:rate-sheet at arrl.org>
/Contest Update/ Archive <http://www.arrl.org/contests/update/>
Contest Calendar <http://www.arrl.org/contests/calendar.html>
ARRL Home Page <http://www.arrl.org/>
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IN THIS ISSUE

  * Highs and Lows - ARRL 10 and 160 Meter Contests <#Contests>
  * Get 'Em While They're Hot - Ten Meter RTTY Contest <#Contests>
  * Single-Op Unlimited in ARRL Contests <#News>
  * Evaluating Antenna Systems - WWROF Webinar <#Newsweek>
  * CQ Worldwide Operating Videos <#Sights>
  * Records Tumble in CQ Worldwide <#Results>
  * Illuminating Commentary on Street Lights by KB4T <#Tech>
  * Finding the Bad One <#Techweek>
  * Counting Your Radio Blessings <#Conversation>

NEW HF OPERATORS - THINGS TO DO

Two of the most interesting HF bands play host to contests over the next 
two weekends: 10 meters and 160 meters. If you've listened during the 
week and think the band is closed, you might want to try again because 
when there are many hundreds of stations active, the bands come to life. 
Even if you are running low power or a modest antenna system, you'll 
make plenty of QSOs - come surprise yourself!

BULLETINS

It has been reported and confirmed that the world's largest amateur 
antenna, the 3-element 160 meter Yagi at OH8X, has collapsed in a recent 
storm. The Radio Arcala team is preparing a report that will be 
available in a few days.

BUSTED QSOS

No corrections to report this time.

CONTEST SUMMARY

Complete information <#Contests> for all contests follows the 
Conversation <#Conversation> section

*Dec 7-8*

  * */ARRL 160 Meter Contest--CW/*
  * TARA RTTY Mêlée
  * VU International DX Contest
  * Top Operators Activity Contest--CW
  * AWA Bruce Kelly QSO Party--CW
  * Ten Meter RTTY Contest
  * Straight Key Weekend Sprintathon
  * Great Colorado Snowshoe Run--CW

*Dec 14-15*

  * */ARRL 10 Meter Contest /*
  * ARS Spartan Sprint--CW (Dec 10)
  * Meteor Scatter Contest--Digital (Dec 11)
  * NAQCC Monthly QRP Sprint--CW (Dec 11)
  * CWops Monthly Mini-CWT Test (Dec 11)
  * NS Weekly Sprint--CW (Dec 13)
  * 28 MHz SWL Contest
  * UBA Winter Contest
  * Holiday Spirits Homebrew Sprint--CW
  * Run For the Bacon--CW

NEWS, PRESS RELEASES, AND GENERAL INTEREST

Responding to many requests, the ARRL Programs & Services Committee 
accepted the Contest Advisory Committee's (CAC) recommendation to add 
Single-Operator Unlimited categories to the ARRL's 10 Meter, 160 Meter, 
RTTY Roundup, and the IARU's HF Championship contests. Previously, the 
use of spotting information placed a station in the Multioperator 
category. The new category takes effect with the RTTY Roundup contest in 
January 2014. This year's 160 Meter (Dec 6-8) and 10 Meter (Dec 14-15) 
contests are */_NOT_/* affected by the change. (Thanks, ARRL CAC Chair, 
Al KØAD)

This is what the 10 meter band looked like during CQ WW CW on an 
Elecraft P3 spectrum display at K5TR's QTH. I'd say conditions were 
pretty good! (Thanks, K5TR)

Dave K3ZJ found an inexpensive aid to increase his BIC (Butt In Chair) 
time, a key element of making good scores. He notes that it won't even 
change your category to Assisted or Unlimited: "For $1.99 I picked up a 
"lumbar back support" at the local Micro Center...it slips over any 
chair or car seat. I didn't expect much, but it is very comfortable."

Would you like to do some holiday shopping and support a good cause at 
the same time? How about some WRTC2014 gear? Along with the regular 
items for sale, there are now two holiday specials 
<http://www.wrtc2014.org/shop-wrtc2014-for-the-holidays/> that can be 
combined with year-end charitable, tax-exempt donations. The event is 
next July and the hosts are in the home stretch! Watch for the upcoming 
announcements of referee selections, too. (Thanks, WRTC2014 Co-Chair, 
Randy K5ZD)

Fans of the "nerd pack" (a.k.a. pocket protector) will want to sharpen 
their pencils and pay a visit the online Museum of Pocket Protectors 
<http://www.pojman.com/PP/PP.html>. (Thanks, Dan K7SS)

There is a lot of history behind the electric car. Even though they are 
touted as new technology today, they substantially outnumbered 
gasoline-powered cars at the end of the 19^th century. The EDN story, 
"Electric Vehicles -- Past, Present, and Future 
<http://www.edn.com/design/power-management/4424384/Electric-Vehicles--Past--Present-and-Future>" 
by John Santini covers a lot of mileage from the early days of 
automobiles through today's designs and on to what tomorrow may deliver.

Hal N4GG relays word of an iOS app called /ISS Spotter 
<https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/iss-spotter/id523486350?mt=8>/ that 
shows the current location of the ISS on maps. It also generates a 
forecast list for sightings from your current location, including 
inclination and azimuth for start and finish of the observation. The 
display is basically a compass with arrows pointing to the pass start 
and finish. Just take your phone outside and it tells you where to look. 
There are quite a few different satellite/ISS tracking apps as described 
in this Wikipedia list 
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_satellite_pass_predictors>.

Here's a great story - Eric K9GY, who as T6MO was a frequent QSO in the 
K3LR logs - came home from active duty in Afghanistan to join the K3LR 
team at the 10 meter position in CQ WW CW. In the process, he helped 
propel the station to a U.S. Multi-Multi record in the second of this 
season's back-to-back CQ WW contest wins, both new records. Welcome 
home, Eric! (Photo by N6TV)

In an article that could affect your choice of radios, the Daily Mail 
<http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2511979/Could-blue-lights-replace-daily-cup-coffee-Scientists-claim-effective-keeping-alert-caffeine.html> 
reports that blue lights increase your alertness. Maybe on Sunday, you 
should use a radio with a blue backlight on the display? (Thanks, Norm 
W1ITT and Mike WWØYRR)

/_Magazine Roundup_/

  * Sky and Telescope <http://www.skyandtelescope.com/> (Jan 2014) -
    "Tuning in to Radio Jupiters" - explains receiving radio noise from
    Jupiter and other extraterrestrial sources
  * Sky and Telescope <http://www.skyandtelescope.com/> (Nov 2013) -
    "Amateur Space Exploration" - an overview of the CubeSat program
    from the amateur astronomy point of view
  * Popular Science (Nov 2013) - Waffle House Yellow
    <http://www.popsci.com/article/science/how-waffle-house-became-disaster-indicator-fema>
    - shows how FEMA is using the status of individual Waffle House
    restaurants to aid in managing disaster response and recovery

PC World 
<http://www.pcworld.com/article/2068020/store-closure-marks-the-end-of-an-era-in-tokyos-akihabara.html> 
reports the end of an era as the iconic Radio Store closes up shop in 
Tokyo's world-famous Akihabara District. Founded in 1950, the store 
provided components and electronic items to shoppers for 64 years. 
(Thanks, Norman W9VQ)

*Web Site of the Week* - In the next World Wide Radio Operators 
Foundation <http://wwrof.org/> webinar, Hank Garretson W6SX will 
describe a process for evaluating your antenna situation and making 
improvements based on your circumstances. Good stuff for Little Pistols, 
Medium Guns, and Big Guns alike. You can register 
<https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/791839594> for the free webinar 
which will be held on Tuesday, Dec 10 at 9 PM EST, equivalently 0200 UTC 
on Dec 11^th . (Thanks, Ken K4ZW)

WORD TO THE WISE

Please be sure to check any response from log-acceptance systems to be 
sure your log is placed in the right category. For example, if an email 
robot confirms your entry as SOHP, the reply message will show something 
like "Single Operator, High Power". In contests without an Assisted or 
Unlimited category, logs for Single-Op entries with the Assisted tag 
present will usually wind up assigned to Multioperator. If this isn't 
your intent, be sure to correct the Cabrillo header information and 
re-submit the log until you are in agreement with the reply 
message...and save your confirmation number or ID!

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SIGHTS AND SOUNDS

Fred HSØZAR/K3ZO sends a link to an excellent video 
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvtL8EksTqE> of the November CQ WW CW 
operation from the shack of Stig HSØZGD/LA7JO in Phimai, which is in 
northeastern Thailand. The video was filmed and edited by Tony 
HSØZDX/G4UAV. (Thanks, Dave K3ZJ)

Watch this video 
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCRg5LwxGBI&feature=youtu.be> of the 
Temuco Radio Club on the air from Boroa-Chile, operating as XR6T in the 
October CQ WW SSB contest's Multi-Two category.

K2AXX (L) and N2MG were busy on 80 meters at the W2FU station competing 
in the Multi-Multi category during CQ WW CW. (Photo by K2UA)

There are lots of contest videos from around the world. Just browse to 
YouTube <http://youtube.com/> and enter "CQ WW 2013" in the search 
window for lots more contest fun!

Kirk K4RO found a set of Pace Company electronics rework training videos 
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKX-GBe_lUI> on YouTube. He says it's 
especially helpful for those of us who are not trained technicians. The 
material may be fairly dated as far as current manufacturing technology 
but is representative of and useful for many home and shack repair jobs.

Learn Morse the Army way in Part 1 
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li8Hiwbc664&NR=1> and Part 2 
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNLlaE56I6Q&NR=1> of this training film. 
It will help you get that "swinging kind of rhythm" so important to 
successful Morse operation. Don't forget to rest your elbow on the 
table! (Thanks, Howard N7SO)

RESULTS AND RECORDS

Records fell like ten-pins in the recent CQ WW CW contest according to 
the Raw Scores on the CQ WW <http://cqww.com/> website. (Remember that 
these are scores were calculated before log checking.) It sure looks 
like this was an African year in the Multioperator category!

*World*

M/S: CN2AA with 35M vs 27M (old record)
M/2: CR3L with 37.4M vs 37.2M
M/M: D4C with 72M vs 70M
SOAB-LP: V26K with 10.5M vs 10.2M
SOA-LP: P4ØW with 10.9M vs 6.2M

*U.S.*

M/2: K1LZ with 26.5M vs 21.5M
M/M: K3LR with 35.2M (and W3LPL) vs 33.2M
SOAB-HP: NN1N with 10.9M (and KØDQ/K3CR/K5ZD) vs 10.1M
SOAB-LP: N1UR with 5.1M (and W3EF) vs 4.5M
SOAB-QRP: K1TO with 2.8M vs 1.7M
SOA-HP: K3WW with 10.6M vs 10.5M
SOA-LP: KS1J with 4.4M vs 3.2M

Just 8 days after the 2013 CQ WW CW Contest the Contest Director, Randy 
K5ZD reports the committee has already received 7,187 logs! The raw 
scores offer an early indication of the results, but final scores could 
easily change by 5-15% (or more). Please send any feedback or 
corrections to questions at cqww.com <mailto:questions at cqww.com>.

More multi-op action in the CQ WW CW Multi-Single category from K8AZ 
with W3YQ in the foreground bagging a multiplier on 40. Clockwise around 
the room are K8NZ, W8CAR, and K8BL. (Photo by K8AZ)

Dan K1TO points out that the 1-2 finishers in the CQ WW CW World 
Single-Op Assisted, High Power, All-Band category are separated by less 
than a QSO's worth of points!

EF8U...........13,932,261
(EA8RM, op)
EF9O...........13,931,484
(EA5BM, op)

It looks like this race will be decided in the log checking.

With thanks to Dima RW3FO, the latest EU Sprint results 
<http://www.rk3awl.ru/eusprint> are online. Contest Manager, Dave G4BUO 
reports a problem with the EU Sprint web site right now, but things are 
being repaired.

SCC Contest Manager, Robert S57AW reports that official results for EU 
HF Championship 2013 are now ready, verified by the SCC Contest 
Committee, and published on the SCC web page 
<http://lea.hamradio.si/scc/euhf/euhfc.htm>. All UBN reports are 
publicly available as usual and everyone can print his or her own 
certificate online directly from the results.

DX results of the 2013 ARI International DX Contest <http://www.ari.it/> 
have been published. On the ARI web page, select HF -> Contest -> ARI 
International -> DX Results or access the results directly 
<http://www.ari.it/images/stories/ContestHF/ARIDX-2013-DX-RESULTS.pdf> 
as a PDF file. (Thanks, ARI HF Contest Manager, Bob I2WIJ)

Results for the 2013 CW Open <http://www.cwops.org/cwopen.html> have 
been posted. Please use the link near the top of the page to see the 
analysis, box scores and soapbox. Log checking reports are available by 
sending the committee an email <mailto:cwo at cwops.org>. Worldwide 
activity was excellent in each of the three sessions and several records 
were broken by some of the best ops in the world. ICOM America continues 
the tradition of strong support for the CW Open and the organizers are 
extremely grateful for their sponsorship. (Thanks, CWO Manager, Dean NW2K)

OPERATING TIP

During the upcoming ARRL 10 Meter contest, the band looks like it will 
be open quite a bit if conditions hold up. The very short skip that 
allows you to work nearby stations beyond ground wave range may not be 
available, however. To work those stations, you'll need to use scatter 
modes. While scatter isn't usually an option for QRP stations, LP and HP 
stations might be able to make a contact if both stations are beaming in 
the same direction, preferably in the direction in which the band is 
open for long skip. Don't forget the skew path openings which are 
generally toward the magnetic equator from the direct path bearing! 
(Thanks, Bob KØRC and Barry W2UP)

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TECHNICAL TOPICS AND INFORMATION

The following is a discussion from the RFI reflector 
<http://www.contesting.com/FAQ/rfi> on finding RFI from street lights by 
Frank Haas KB4T, a utility RFI investigator in Florida. With these RFI 
sources being a common irritant to the active contester, Frank's 
explanations and suggestions are good information:

"As a Utility Interference Investigator, I run into bad street lights 
all the time. The most common failures are cycling and constant 
"invisible" RFI. Listening with a radio tuned to a quiet spot (or 1710) 
on the broadcast band, you can usually hear the repetitive street light 
symphony. Sometimes the RFI produced by these failed cycling lights can 
be heard as high as 325 MHz.

Hard at work on the PJ4Q team are Peter PJ4NX (foreground) on 10 meters 
and Scott W4PA on 15. PJ4Q entered in the Multi-Two category in CQ WW 
CW. (Photo by NØAX)

"In my region, the cycling street lights can produce the following 
sounds in a receiver. As the bulb first dimly lights, the RFI begins. In 
the receiver a broadband buzzing modulation can be heard that seems to 
have a low pitch. As the street light bulb increases in brightness, the 
pitch of the modulated RFI increases in lock step with the bulb's 
brightness. At full brightness the RFI's modulation reaches its highest 
pitch and greatest loudness. When the bulb goes out about 10 seconds 
later, the RFI stops. In 30 seconds to a minute, the process repeats.

"When a street light produces constant, unchanging RFI, it can be heard 
strongest at low frequencies. Only 50% of the time have I been able to 
detect a street light producing constant RFI at frequencies above 50 
MHz. The light DOES NOT need to be illuminated to produce this constant 
RFI. However, it's usually very easy to pinpoint the offending 
light...either the photocell or ballast are bad.

"Like any other RFI source, finding a bad street light requires a 
portable/mobile receiver with RF Gain control, signal level indicator 
and directional antenna (or sensible technique based on signal 
strength). Not all street light RFI manifests itself as visible light. 
However, it can always be heard. Good DFing tools and technique will get 
the problem located promptly so repairs can be ordered."

Fellow investigator, Mike Martin K3RFI, notes "The cycling lights are 
High Pressure Sodium (HPS) type and if cycling only at night the 
photocell is functioning properly. If the light cycles 24/7 the 
photocell is also bad. It's more common to be 24/7. The defective 
photocell causes the lights to fail earlier than normal. HPS bulbs are a 
common source of RFI on 40 and 80 meters and is (observed as) a single 
spike when using a scope. The cycling is caused by the element in the 
bulb opening when it gets hot. During the noise cycle the bulbs usually 
illuminate. This makes them easier to locate in the dark."

*Technical Web Site of the Week* - As the designated electronic repair 
person in most households, you will enjoy this collection of helpful 
test hints 
<http://www.edn.com/design/test-and-measurement/4359491/Simple-tester-checks-Christmas-tree-lights> 
for debugging that holiday hoo-doo, the bad light string. May this help 
you complete the job and get back to operating, watching football, 
raiding the fridge, or whatever you'd rather be doing!

CONVERSATION

Count Your Radio Blessings

I certainly hope a lot of my readers were able to get on the air for at 
least one of the recent contests since the re-awakening of Cycle 24 in 
mid-October. CQ World Wide SSB turned out to be just the first of a 
so-far-unbroken string of great contests. Both weekends of Sweepstakes 
were great and if you were on for the weekend of CQ World Wide CW, you 
know that was a spectacular contest, too, as the bands from 10 meters to 
160 meters were jumping with activity around the world. If the dourer of 
the predictions about Cycle 25 and beyond come true, we may be talking 
about this contest season for a long time!

Getting ready for the CQ WW CW, the PJ4 teams shared a pre-contest 
dinner at the famous but now-closed City Cafe on Bonaire. This part of 
the PJ4A group is (L-R) Dennis W1UE, George NG7A, and Paul K1XM. (Photo 
by NØAX)

Certainly, there have been seasons with higher solar flux on average but 
this year the bands seem so incredibly full and contesters so happy (or 
maybe relieved is a better word). Participation has been on a steady 
upward trend for years and when the curtains part, the depth and breadth 
of the openings become apparent. Radiosport truly is a global hobby.

Having been at this a while - like about a year (cough-cough) before I 
got my ham radio license and could be my own control operator - whether 
tuning the band or holding a frequency, to me contesting is a giant 
homecoming party of meeting one familiar call sign after another. Often 
a face flits into memory as the call is recognized. A quick handshake 
and off we go to the next QSO.

I remember explaining at WRTC-1990 that I'd known many of the visiting 
hams for 20 years or more, realizing as I said it that my total 
cumulative interaction on the air during that time with some of them 
wasn't much more than a few minutes. Yet I felt like they were all 
members in the big radio family we all share.

This is an important part of the story we need to emphasize to non-hams, 
new hams, and, yes, to each other. Ham radio is almost unique in that it 
demands a connection to exist. Regardless of whether your contact is 
over the poles on HF, via the Moon on UHF, or across the parking lot at 
millimeter wavelengths, it takes two to tango. Thus each of us, no 
matter what our operating or technical preferences, has much in common 
with every other ham.

More of the PJ4A team was having fun on the other side of the table: 
(R-L) Jeff KU8E, Hans PJ4LS, and Brad WF7T. (Photo by NØAX)

During this era of wide and deep technological and social changes to our 
landscape, we must remember that the fundamentals underlying ham radio - 
summarized in the Basis and Purpose of FCC Part 97.1 - serve to unite us 
and remind us where the Good Arrow points. Those fundamentals are what 
we will carry into the future, through solar maxima and minimum, as 
digital and analog signals, at all frequencies and in all directions.

In the face of change, let's not nit-pick things to death. The endless 
arguments about the most pure and true will never be resolved and only 
serve to divide us. Remember our accomplishments but use them as a guide 
to future exploration and successes. Don't let them be an anchor to the 
past. Instead of looking for things to complain about, count your ham 
radio blessings as reasons to share your enthusiasm, celebrating this 
exceptional hobby and our places within it.

73, Ward NØAX

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CONTESTS

*4 December through 17 December*

An expanded, downloadable version of QST's Contest Corral in PDF format 
<http://www.arrl.org/contest-calendar> is available. Check the sponsor's 
Web site for information on operating time restrictions and other 
instructions.

*HF CONTESTS*

ARRL 160 Meter Contest--CW, from Dec 6, 2200Z to Dec 8, 1600Z. Bands 
(MHz): 1.8. Exchange: RST and ARRL/RAC section if US/VE. Logs due: Jan 
1. Rules <http://www.arrl.org/contests>

ARRL 10 Meter Contest--Phone,CW, from Dec 14, 0000Z to Dec 15, 2359Z. 
Bands (MHz): 28. Exchange: RS(T) and State/Prov or serial. Logs due: Jan 
9. Rules <http://www.arrl.org/contests>

TARA RTTY Mêlée--Digital, from Dec 7, 0000Z to Dec 7, 2359Z. Bands 
(MHz): 1.8-28. Exchange: RST and State/Province or serial. Logs due: Jan 
1. Rules <http://www.n2ty.org/seasons/tara_melee_rules.html>

VU International DX Contest--Phone,CW, from Dec 7, 1200Z to Dec 8, 
1200Z. Bands (MHz): 3.5-28. Exchange: RS(T) and Indian state or prefix. 
Logs due: Dec 26. Rules <http://www.arsi.info/contests/international>

Top Operators Activity Contest--CW, from Dec 7, 1600Z to Dec 8, 1559Z. 
Bands (MHz): 3.5-28. Exchange: RST, serial, and TOPS/PRO number. Logs 
due: Dec 31. Rules <http://www.procwclub.ro/TAC%20Rules.html>

AWA Bruce Kelly QSO Party--CW, from Dec 7, 2300Z - See website. Multiple 
time periods. Bands (MHz): 3.5,7. Exchange: RST, Xmtr type, power, name. 
Logs due: 30 days. Rules <http://www.antiquewireless.org/>

Ten Meter RTTY Contest--Digital, from Dec 8, 0000Z to Dec 8, 2359Z. 
Bands (MHz): 28. Exchange: RST and state or province or serial. Logs 
due: 7 days. Rules 
<http://www.rttycontesting.com/tenmeterrttycontest/rules.html>

Straight Key Weekend Sprintathon--CW, from Dec 8, 1200Z to Dec 8, 2359Z. 
Bands (MHz): 3.5-28. Monthly beginning on the second Saturday local 
time. Exchange: RST, S/P/C, SKCC nr or power. Logs due: 5 days. Rules 
<http://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/weekend_sprintathon/>

Great Colorado Snowshoe Run--CW, from Dec 8, 2100Z to Dec 8, 2259Z. 
Bands (MHz): 14. Exchange: RST, S/P/C, class, CQC number or power. Logs 
due: 30 days. Rules <http://www.cqc.org/contests>

ARS Spartan Sprint--CW, from Dec 10, 0200Z to Dec 10, 0400Z. Bands 
(MHz): 3.5-28. Monthly on the first Monday evening local time. Exchange: 
RST, S/P/C, and power. Logs due: 2 days. Rules 
<http://www.arsqrp.blogspot.com/>

NAQCC Monthly QRP Sprint--CW, from Dec 11, 0130Z to Dec 11, 0330Z. Bands 
(MHz): 3.5-14. Monthly on 2nd Tuesday or 3rd Wednesday local time 
(alternating). Exchange: RST, S/P/C, and NAQCC mbr nr or power. Logs 
due: 4 days. Rules <http://naqcc.info/>

CWops Monthly Mini-CWT Test--CW, from Dec 11, 1300Z - See website. 
Multiple time periods. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28. Twice monthly on 2nd and 4th 
Wed, 18 to 28 kHz above band edge. Exchange: Name and member number or 
S/P/C. Logs due: 2 days. Rules <http://www.cwops.org/onair.html>

NS Weekly Sprint--CW, from Dec 13, 0230Z to Dec 13, 0300Z. Bands (MHz): 
1.8-14. Weekly on Thursday evenings local time. Exchange: Serial, name, 
and S/P/C. Logs due: 2 days. Rules <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rules.html>

28 MHz SWL Contest--Phone,CW, from Dec 14, 0000Z to Dec 15, 2359Z. Bands 
(MHz): 28. Exchange: Log ARRL 10 Meter Contest QSOs. Logs due: Jan 31. 
Rules <http://swl.veron.nl/swlcontest.htm>

UBA Winter Contest--Phone,CW,Digital, from Dec 14, 1700Z - See website. 
Multiple time periods. Bands (MHz): 1.8-7. Exchange: RS(T) and UBA 
section or serial. Logs due: 3 weeks. Rules 
<http://www.uba.be/en/hf/contest-rules>

Holiday Spirits Homebrew Sprint--CW, from Dec 15, 2000Z to Dec 15, 
2359Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28. Exchange: RST, S/P/C, ARCI number or Power. 
Logs due: 14 days. Rules 
<http://www.qrparci.org/contests/qrp-arci-contests/138-topbandsprint>

Run For the Bacon--CW, from Dec 16, 0200Z to Dec 16, 0400Z. Bands (MHz): 
1.8-28. Monthly on 3rd Sunday night (local). Exchange: RST, S/P/C, 
Flying Pig nr or power. Rules <http://www.fpqrp.org/>

*VHF+ CONTESTS*

Meteor Scatter Contest--Digital, from Dec 11, 0000Z to Dec 17, 0200Z. 
Bands (MHz): 50-222. Exchange: Both calls, grid square, acknowledgement. 
Logs due: Jan 15. Rules <http://www.meteorscatter.org/>

LOG DUE DATES

*4 December through 17 December*

  * December 5 - ARS Spartan Sprint <http://www.arsqrp.blogspot.com/>
  * December 5 - RSGB 80m Club Sprint, CW
    <http://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2013/rsprint.shtml>
  * December 5 - QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm>
  * December 7 - Feld Hell Sprint
    <https://sites.google.com/site/feldhellclub/Home/contests/sprint-rules>
  * December 7 - QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm>
  * December 8 - SARL Digital Contest
    <http://www.sarl.org.za/Documents/SARL_Contest_Manual_2013_Issue_11.pdf>
  * December 8 - NCCC Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rules.html>
  * December 10 - JIDX Phone Contest <http://www.jidx.org/jidxrule-e.html>
  * December 12 - QRP ARCI Topband Sprint
    <http://www.qrparci.org/contests/qrp-arci-contests/138-topbandsprint>
  * December 14 - Wake-Up! QRP Sprint
    <http://qrp.ru/contest/wakeup/333-wakeup-eng>
  * December 15 - SKCC Weekend Sprintathon
    <http://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/weekend_sprintathon/>
  * December 15 - Ten-Meter RTTY Contest
    <http://www.rttycontesting.com/tenmeterrttycontest/rules.html>
  * December 17 - LZ DX Contest <http://lzdx.bfra.org/rulesen.html>

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ARRL Contest Update wishes to acknowledge information from WA7BNM's 
Contest Calendar <http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal> and SM3CER's 
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