[SFDXA] The ARRL Contest Update for September 10, 2014

Wed Sep 10 15:27:04 EDT 2014

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The ARRL Contest Update

September 10, 2014
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

  * Honey, I Shrunk the Waves! - ARRL Sep VHF and 10 GHz Contests
    <#Contests>
  * Contests Cross the Continent - SC, AR, WA QSO Parties <#Contests>
  * New Cabrillo Tag for CQ WW <#News>
  * Nine Makers Making <#Newsweek>
  * Low Band Grey Line Webinar with K9LA <#Sights>
  * New Stuff on the ARRL Contest Pages <#Results>
  * Transmitter Noises - Who's Naughty and Nice <#Tech>
  * Antenna Interactions by K3NA Now Online <#Techweek>
  * Auntie Coreen Explains Contesting - by VE9AA <#Conversation>

NEW HF OPERATORS - THINGS TO DO

Here's a brand-new contest that isn't afraid to have a little fun at the 
same time - the Pirate QSO Party 
<http://pirateqsoparty.weebly.com/rules.html>! The idea is to work the 
other "pirates" while keeping your own stack of doubloons as high as the 
crow's nest. And if you want a frequency - just put on a menacing scowl 
and tell the station to "walk the plank!" Who will prevail - pirates of 
blood-red or ocean-blue? You can acknowledge the exchange with 
"Arrrrgh!" of course. Thanks to San W6RRR for thinking this one up and 
let the QRM run in the scuppers!

BULLETINS

There are no bulletins in this issue

BUSTED QSOS

No reports of bad data in the previous issue.

CONTEST SUMMARY

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

*September 13-14*

  * */ARRL September VHF Contest/*
  * */North American Sprint--Phone/*
  * FOC QSO Party--CW
  * Straight Key Weekend Sprintathon--CW
  * Arkansas QSO Party
  * Classic Exchange--Phone
  * Run For the Bacon--CW (Sep 15)
  * NAQCC Monthly QRP Sprint--CW (Sep 18)

*September 20-21*

  * */ARRL 10 GHz Cumulative Contest/*
  * Pirate QSO Party--Phone
  * Scandinavian Activity Contest--CW
  * South Carolina QSO Party
  * Feld-Hell Hell on Wheels Sprint
  * Washington State Salmon Run
  * Classic Exchange--CW
  * BARTG Sprint 75--Digital
  * 144 MHz Fall VHF Sprint (Sep 22)

NEWS, PRESS RELEASES, AND GENERAL INTEREST

How do you make a small fortune? Start with a big one and get into ham 
radio contesting! So goes the saying - obviously we don't do this for 
the big winner's purses. Instead, certificates are a great way to enjoy 
our successes and look good up there on the wall. Not everybody wants 
them, though, so why should contest sponsors go to the considerable 
effort and expense of providing undesired wallpaper? Well, for the CQ 
World Wide Contests, they won't have to with addition of the new 
Cabrillo CERTIFICATE: tag <http://cqww.com/blog/?p=345>. A simple YES or 
NO value (the default is, of course, YES - GIMME THAT WALLPAPER!) lets 
the sponsors know whether or not to generate and mail your paper 
certificate (you'll still be able to download an electronic 
certificate). If the new tag is not used, the assumption will be that 
the certificate should be sent. (Thanks, Randy K5ZD)

Dave WV9E tried portable operation in the recent August UHF Contest - 
and had a great time! Listen for Dave in this weekend's September VHF 
Contest. (Photo by WV9E)

The 2015 edition of the ARRL's January VHF Contest will fall on the 
fourth weekend of January (24-26 January 2015), not the customary third 
weekend. The fourth weekend was chosen to avoid conflict with NFL 
playoffs and the Super Bowl. In 2016, things will probably return to 
normal. (Thanks, ARRL Contest Branch Manager, Matt W1MSW)

December will feature a month-long Youngsters On The Air 
<http://ham-yota.eu/> activity - YOTA Month. Listen for European 
stations with YOTA suffixes, operated by hams 26 years of age or less. 
Even though North American hams won't be able to change their call 
signs, this is a great opportunity for our student and young operators 
to connect with their peers around the world. (Thanks, IARU Region I 
<http://www.iaru-r1.org/> Youth Coordinator, Lisa PA2LS)

RTTY fans - don't forget about the weekly 30-minute NS RTTY Sprint 
<http://www.ncccsprint.com/> that begins 45 minutes before the NS CW 
Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/> every Thursday evening. (0145 UTC on 
Friday) There is plenty of time to reconfigure your station for CW and 
make an appearance in both sprints. (Thanks, Ken K6MR)

It's never too early to upgrade your logging software, especially since 
there are new categories for the ARRL 10 Meter and 160 Meter contests - 
Single-Operator Unlimited. Previously, the use of spotting information 
placed a station in the Multioperator category. The new categories took 
effect beginning with the ARRL RTTY Roundup in January and their 
implementation will be complete with these two December contests.

Several mobile-device-friendly call sign server applications were 
recently discussed on the QRP-L 
<http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/qrp-l/> email list. These 
include the Android OS app /QRZDroid 
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.qrz.database.callsign&hl=en>/ 
along with the website of WM7D <http://www.wm7d.net/> and the database 
query tools developed by AE7Q <http://www.ae7q.com/pda/>. (Thanks, Joe 
N1KHB, Rick KD4PYR, Fred NC4FB, and others)

/Space Weather News <http://spaceweather.com/>/ for Aug. 31, 2014 notes 
that aurora season is now fully underway around the Arctic circle. 
Unlike lower latitudes, the Arctic does not require a full-fledged 
geomagnetic storm for aurora sightings. Here's a picture 
<http://www.nasa.gov/content/flying-through-an-aurora/#.VA9KZfldUvl> of 
what it's like to fly /through/ an aurora!

RW4LR has developed an interesting online visualization tool 
<http://maps.kosmosnimki.ru/api/index.html?LDXND> for DXCC entities, CQ 
zones, ITU zones, time zones, IOTA groups, and more. Each can be turned 
on and off as n overlay to a world map - a very interesting exercise. 
(Thanks, Zoli HA1AG)

Here's Craig K9CT explaining the ways and means of station-buildings at 
this past weekend's SMCFest gathering in Maryville, IL. Don't miss 
Craig's informative and entertaining talk at W9DXCC 
<http://www.w9dxcc.com>! (Photo by NØAX)

While rumors abound, it's good to know that the long-time W4MPY QSL 
printing business <http://www.w4mpy.com/> is still /in/ business. 
Although Wayne has had health problems, his daughter and grand-daughter 
have taken over the business and are filling orders with about a 2-week 
turnaround. The phone number is still inactive so please use the website 
if you want to get in touch with them. And our best wishes to W4MPY, as 
well. (Thanks, Fred W2AAB)

 From the 1958 CQ World Wide results writeup, we find the genesis of the 
multi-multi category: "K2GL had as many as four transmitters going at 
the same time and with the score on each band equal to the leading 
single band stations, it's small wonder that they broke the 2 million 
mark. "Is it true, Buzz, next year you are installing an electronic 
computer to keep score?" It has been suggested that we re-classify the 
multi-operator Section. Perhaps divide it into two divisions, single 
transmitter and multi-transmitter." (Thanks, John N2NC)

*Web Site of the Week* - There are some really interesting efforts going 
on out there in the DIY (do-it-yourself) community and some might find 
their way to ham radio. The latest edition of the /EDN/ blog "The 
Workbench 
<http://www.edn.com/electronics-blogs/the-workbench/4433948/9-World-Maker-Faire-makers-not-to-miss>" 
tips us off to nine World Maker Faire New York <http://makerfaire.com/> 
makers we should watch in the future. Who are our innovative ham radio 
makers?

WORD TO THE WISE

 From Tim K3LR, a ham who should know about putting up towers and 
antennas, comes this piece of advice for everyone who puts up a tower. 
"It doesn't matter how high the tower is - PLEASE USE THE RIGHT STUFF! 
If anyone uses the wrong tower hardware and does not have problems or 
does not get killed, I call that "luck". Do you want to bet your life on 
luck? Use the EXACT product that is specifically designed for tower 
applications. Do not take short cuts! Pay attention to the tower, guy 
wire, and antenna manufacturer's instructions. What is your life or one 
of your friend's lives worth? PLEASE BE SAFE."

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SIGHTS AND SOUNDS

The World Wide Radio Operators Foundation <http://wwrof.org/> (WWROF) is 
hosting a new webinar <https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/582697442> 
on September 11^th at 9 PM EDT titled, "A Long Overdue Review of Gray 
Line Propagation on the Low Bands" with Carl Luetzelschwab K9LA. Carl 
will trace the origin of gray line propagation and show that there is a 
problem with the current explanation that propagation along the 
terminator is efficient. He will then provide an alternative explanation 
for gray line that satisfies both observations and ionospheric physics." 
(Thanks, Ken K4ZW)

And another webinar <https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/381716898> 
follows a week later at 9 PM EDT on September 17^th , - "What is Radio 
Scouting and What Does it Mean to Me?" The webinar is presented by Jim 
Wilson K5ND, chairman of the Boy Scouts of America's Radio Scouting 
Committee, President of the K2BSA Amateur Radio Association, and member 
of the World Scouting JOTA-JOTI Team. Tune in to this webinar to learn 
more about Jamboree On the Air, catch up with all the amazing activities 
within Radio Scouting, and learn what it means to you and to Amateur 
Radio. (Thanks, Keith WAØTJT)

The 10 GHz Cumulative Contest's first weekend was a lot of fun for these 
'wavers making QSOs across Lake Erie at sunset. (Photo by WA3TTS)

Slides from the talks given at the 2014 Dayton Hamvention Antenna Forum 
are now posted under "DAYTON ANTENNA SUMMARY" at the K3LR website 
<http://www.k3lr.com/>. Material all the way back to 2004 is available 
thanks to K5TR, K8MNJ, and K8CX. (Thanks, Tim K3LR)

This synchronous pendulum video 
<https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YhMiuzyU1ag> is striking and will bowl 
you over as you're pinned to the screen - if you can spare a minute to 
watch. (Thanks, Tom K1KI)

Key lectures from Europe's big Friedrichshafen hamvention are now 
available. Dokumentationsarchiv Funk <http://www.dokufunk.org/>, a 
"Documentary Archive Radio Communications" in Vienna, Austria has both 
audio and video files from this year's convention, including one in 
German by DK7ZB on Yagis and Quads, "The Enigma and Other Famous Cipher 
Machines" by W1TP, and KØIR's presentation on FT5ZM, Amsterdam 
Island.(Thanks, /Daily DX/ <http://dailydx.com>)

What was the Internet like 21 years ago? It's hard to recall a time when 
"online" usually referred to laundry and fish but this Tour Of the 
Internet <http://mentalfloss.com/article/58766/tour-internet-1993> will 
refresh your not-so-dynamic RAM. (Thanks, Bill Saltzstein)

RESULTS AND RECORDS

ARRL Contest Branch Manager, Matt W1MSW, has been a busy boy lately, 
sending out awards and posting long-awaited scores and reports. Here are 
his latest accomplishments:

  * August UHF Contest Logs Received <http://www.arrl.org/logs-received>
    are posted - please be sure that you are happy with the category to
    which your log was assigned.
  * The Contest Results <http://arrl.org/contest-results-articles> have
    been updated with Line Scores for RTTY Roundup, ARRL DX CW, and ARRL
    DX Phone.
  * PDF versions of the /QST/ results articles are now caught up through
    both modes of ARRL DX.
  * Log Checking Reports (LCRs) are now available for RTTY Roundup and
    both modes of ARRL DX.
  * Searchable databases <http://www.arrl.org/results-database> are now
    available for RTTY Roundup and ARRL DX Phone.
  * Certificates have been mailed for the 2013 ARRL September VHF
    Contest - watch your mailbox!

    These are the VHF+ beacon antennas (Lowe's Loops) at WA3TTS making a
    nice sculpture on 50 through 432 MHz. (Photo by WA3TTS)

Section-level records for the ARRL September VHF Contest have been 
updated through 2013 and are now up on the ARRL Contest Records 
<http://www.arrl.org/contest-records> web page. (Thanks, Curt K9AKS)

The line scores and tables of top scores from the 2014 CQWW WPX SSB 
contest 
<http://www.cq-amateur-radio.com/cq_contests/cq_ww_wpx_contest/cq_ww_wpx_ssb_contest/2014_cq_ww_wpx_ssb_contest/2014_cq_ww_wpx_ssb_tables_b.pdf> 
are now available online as a downloadable PDF document. (Thanks, Terry 
N4TZ)

The Alabama Contest Group announces the results for the 2014 Alabama QSO 
Party <http://www.alabamaqsoparty.org/> are online. Information about 
plaques and certifications will be forthcoming. (Thanks, Jim KC4HW)

CQ WW Director, Randy K5ZD, reports, "N2NC and his team of typists have 
added two more years, 1969 and 1970, to the CQ WW Online Score database 
<http://www.cqww.com/score_db.htm>. Hard to believe now, but the CQWW in 
1969 only had 1,376 logs on SSB and 1,628 on CW. The world high winner 
in that year (both modes!) was Jim Neiger (now N6TJ) operating as 
9Y4AA." Jim N6TJ responds, "My "killer station" was comprised of a 
Collins S-Line and a 30L-1 amplifier - never pushing the four 811A's 
past 600 watts out. Antennas were a Hygain TH6 tribander, Hygain 14AVQ 
vertical for 40, andinverted V for 80. No 160. Of course, no computer. 
No memory keyer. Paper and pencil, with eraser. As I seem to recall, I 
did 48 hours straight, both modes, having just moved from ZD8Z three 
months earlier, where 48-straight was a must. Oh to be young(er) again."

Steve N8BJQ <mailto:sbolia at woh.rr.com> will be doing the writeup for the 
2014 CQ VHF contest in the next few weeks. If you would like to 
contribute a short piece on your operation (fixed/portable/rover) and/or 
some pictures they would be most welcome. Microsoft /Word/ or a text 
file are fine - pictures should be high-res JPEG or TIFF.

OPERATING TIP

In a RTTY contest, to help get your call and exchange through noise and 
QRM, including a space at the end of your exchange or call helps keep 
the FSK decoder from appending an extraneous letter at the end due to 
interference. Also make sure that your audio levels for AFSK are 
properly adjusted. (Thanks, Mark N2QT)

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TECHNICAL TOPICS AND INFORMATION

Jim K9YC has generated another interesting publication 
<http://k9yc.com/TXNoise.pdf>, this time on the noise emissions from 
transmitters, both close to the carrier (such as during CW operation) 
and over a wide bandwidth. The analysis and graphs are based on data 
measured by the ARRL Lab as part of their product review evaluations and 
published in /QST/. A companion presentation 
<http://k9yc.com/K6XXAmpTalk.pdf> by Bob K6XX is also available, showing 
how to configure and operate so as to produce a cleaner signal. With 
receivers so good they can hear a pin drop at the antipodes, it's now 
time to start working on cleaning up our transmitted signals so they 
don't cover up those weak signals or clobber the station on the next 
channel (or band!).

What the heck is that? It's a radial plow attachment for a tractor 
brought to SMCFest by Sam K9SD! Don't mess with the business end of that 
- but it will help you cut through those low-band pileups. (Photo by NØAX)

VE7BQH has just released an updated spreadsheet 
<http://www.bigskyspaces.com/w7gj/6mTable.htm> comparing the gain, 
bandwidth and showing proper stacking distances for various popular VHF+ 
antennas. (Thanks, Lance W7GJ)

Pulleys or blocks used to support wire antennas must be chosen to 
support the halyard holding the antenna without abrading it. Rick N6RK 
recommends the Harken blocks that are available from many sources, 
including marine supply stores, McMaster-Carr, and so forth. Whatever 
you do use, Frank W3LPL notes that using large diameter pulleys is 
important to keep from bending the rope around a small radius, which 
creates wear.

More from K9YC as Jim discusses avoiding hum and buzz 
<http://k9yc.com/HamInterfacing.pdf> without transformers and setting 
computer audio playback levels <http://k9yc.com/USB_Interfaces.pdf>. His 
advice applies to both SSB and digital modes, with the additional 
observation that inexpensive USB sound cards work better than internal 
computer sound card ICs.

An new product appeared in a recent Linear Technology article - a mixer 
<http://edn.com/design/wireless-networking/4433959/LTC-Design-Note--High-input-IP3-mixer-enables-robust-VHF-receivers> 
designed for good strong-signal performance at VHF+. This might be 
particularly useful in receivers intended for use in multi-band fixed 
and mobile stations.

Joe W4TV adds more explanation to the discussion of F-keys configured 
for multi-media or system control. "The user can generally configure the 
start-up behavior of function keys using vendor-specific applications or 
disable the "alternate" functions altogether using the software. In some 
cases, disabling the automatic loading of the drivers will restore 
normal operating system use of the F-keys... Generally, the on-line 
documentation and/or the OEM 'management software' will provide the 
necessary information if one is willing to take the time and look for it."

One more note from the prolific K9YC as Jim observes that most vehicle 
power systems are not set up to minimize the area formed by a radio's 
power supply wiring. If the current return (negative) lead is not kept 
with the supply (positive) lead all the way to and from the battery, 
those paths form large-area loops that are ideal for common-mode 
coupling! This is a recipe for noise pickup and RFI! When possible use 
heavy twisted-pair or zip cord to connect your radio directly to the 
battery (or a power tap with both positive and negative terminals), 
fusing both leads.

That copper-colored stuff is SS-30 conductive grease on the teeth of a 
TIC ring rotator at K3LR. Combined with a grounding cable, this did away 
with static generated during antenna rotation. Both the grease and 
sealed position-sensing pots 
<http://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dxe-ticgen-pot> for the TICs are 
available at DX Engineering. (Thanks, Tim K3LR)

With the summer sporadic E season behind us, paying attention to beacons 
takes on even more importance to capitalize on tropo and other fall and 
winter VHF+ modes. WA8RJF's "The Magic Band(s)" column in the July issue 
of /CQ/ alerts us to W2DSN's /Beacon Spot US/ website 
<http://www.beaconspot.us> for beacon data at VHF, UHF, and microwaves.

*Technical Web Site of the Week* - The six-part "Antenna Interactions" 
series of /National Contest Journal /articles by K3NA are now available 
in the Bonus Content <http://ncjweb.com/bonus/> area of the NCJ website. 
Search for the phrase "Antenna Interactions" and you will find all six 
parts of the article. (Thanks, Kirk K4RO)

CONVERSATION

Auntie Coreen Explains Contesting

How does ham radio contesting look from just outside the shack door? 
Let's listen in as a couple of VE9AA's family members, Auntie Coreen and 
her nephew, discuss our favorite hobby. Maybe this will help you explain 
a little of what you do, as well. Thanks to Mike for sharing this 
extended dialogue with the /Contest Update/! 73, Ward NØAX

/NEPHEW: (Two little puppydog eyes look waaaay up) Auntie Coreen, Can I 
ask you a question?/

AUNT COREEN: Yes little nephew, what is it hon?

/Does Uncle Mike not like me anymore? (a tear in the little boy's eye)/

That's silly, he loves you dear. (she smiles)

/How come Auntie, when I come over on weekends, he's always in his shop?/

That's because he's contesting. (she says in a low voice)

Another youngster getting his questions about ham radio answered - 
that's WRTC2014 co-champ, Dan N6MJ, holding his son, Oliver. Start 'em 
out early, Pop! (Photo from N6MJ)

/Contesting? What's that?/

It's a radio contest nephew.

/You mean like when you are the 10th caller and you win a burger and 
fries from that DJ on 105.3 The Fox/ /FM radio?/

No, not that kind of contest.

/What kind then?/

Well, it's a HAM radio contest.

/Ham? Like what we have at Easter with pineapples?/

No, Amateur Radio Ham, that kind.

/Amateur radio. Hmmm. Is that why Uncle Mike has all those antennas on 
his red car and all those wires in the fir trees?/

Yes hon, he's a ham radio guy, but mostly just on weekends.

/He seems so normal during the week Auntie. Is he OK? Like why does he 
do these contests Auntie? Can he win prizes or sumfin'? (bewildered look 
on the little boy's face)/

Sometimes dear, sometimes. (kinda tips head; not knowing what to say)

/What has he won?/

Oh, a bunch of wallpaper and a few plaques I guess. He got rice from one 
contest in the Midwest and we enjoyed maple syrup from Nova Scotia this 
year. If we open the door and are very quiet we can peek in on him doing 
his work and have a look at his wall. (creeeeeeak...shack door opens 
slowwwwly...(yelling) CQ CONTEST Victor Echo Nine Alpha Alpha, contest...)

/Who is he talking to Auntie and where is this wallpaper?/

Probably someone far away dear. His wallpaper is those certificates that 
come in the mail now and then. See them on the wall there next to our 
pictures? ((yelling) You're 5-9 November Bravo...)

/Who's November Bravo Auntie Coreen?/

It's us.

/Us?/

Yes, November Bravo means New Brunswick.

/Huh?/

It's phonetics. Each letter has its own word and hams use it to express 
what they are spelling like you do in grade one. Spelling is always 
important.

/I don't hear anyone talking to him./

That's because he has his headphones on.

/Oh. Does he use them to hear far away people better?/

Yes, and so the noise doesn't bother us also.

/Noise?/

(Uncle Mike takes off his headphones and a roar ensues...Delta Lima 
Italy Kilo One Papa Alpha Zulu Zulu Tango Mike Four crackle/squeal...)

/WOW Auntie, that IS loud. Please ask him to put his headphones back on./

We won't have to dear, he was just seeing if we wanted anything. (She 
motions to Mike that everything's ok and to go back to his contest work. 
Mike looks over the top of his spectacles and goes back to work, huffing 
and puffing, cheeks rosy as ever.)

/I heard a lot of loud voices Auntie./

Yes dear. A lot of people want New Brunswick.

/Is that November Bravo?/

Yes dear.

/Why do they want it?/

I guess it's rare.

/Rare like those red steaks he puts on the BBQ in the summer?/

No dear. There aren't many contesting hams way up here in the snowy 
Arctic regions of NB.

/Oh....??. (little nephew looks down, looking scared) Do they want to 
take November Bravo away?/

No dear, they want to work your Uncle Mike.

/Work him? Doesn't he already have a job making toys all year long?/

Yes, but they want to make contact with him and put him in their log for 
points.

/Auntie, I really don't know what you are talking about now. There are 
so many words that have other meanings. (head spinning)/

They exchange numbers and letters and each person makes a note in their 
computer program that they talked to the other and at the end, a board 
adds up the points.

/Board? Is that how they make the log?/

No silly. I mean a group of trusted organizers add up everyone's points 
and determines who wins.

/Who DOES win Auntie?/

Many people, dear. People do it mostly for fun and there are many classes.

/I have classes at my school, Jingle Bell Elementary! I have Math and 
Reading and even Spelling. I could write some notes and give them to 
Uncle Mike and help him out!!!/

Well, he has to talk to you on the radio to make it count, but if you 
smile at Uncle Mike, I am sure he'll see you, even if he's yelling at 
someone.

/Why is he yelling? Is he mad?/

No, he's not mad. It's just that there are lots of people from all over 
the world on the radio all talking at once.....like when I took you 
Christmas shopping during that big sale at the mall last week. Remember 
that big crowd?

/Do I ever! You lost me and I cried. I yelled and you yelled and we 
found each other./

Well, its kinda like that nephew, but with points for getting back together.

/Will Uncle Mike always do this? I never see him anymore on the weekends./

No dear, he's promised to retire at midnight on New Year's Eve.

/Retire? Like Grampy did?/

Yes, put up his microphone and keyer up for most of the year and take it 
easy.

/Easy - Uncle Mike? But he's always tinkering with something....and 
what's a keyer?/

Well, a keyer is what makes those beeping noises you hear other times 
when he unplugs his headphones. I think this weekend it's a multimode 
contest.

/Mode...Grampy has his pie a la mode, I know that. Is that the mode?/

No, mode is like either talking or Morse Code rat-tat-tat (beeping) that 
kinda mode.

/Oh I heard that last weekend. Sounded like angry bees. Kinda scared me./

Yes, Uncle Mike deciphers those beeps and makes sense out of it in the 
same way he does of all that yelling. (Mike unplugs headphones _ 
./..../.._ _ _ /_/ ...../_ ./_./ _ ./_. . .)

/Are those beeps what causes the Christmas lights to flash out by his 
antenna above the shed?/

When he's on 10 meters, yes.

/10 meters? You means those dials on his radio and other boxes. I 
counted ten of them./

Well, sort of, it's when he puts on his amplifier, those lights really 
twinkle! He works very hard to get his signal to all the boys and girls, 
all over the globe. Sometimes in just one night!

/Wow Auntie, I am glad he's going to retire. He seems so stressed./

He is dear, but I guess it's fun for him in his own way. After the 
contests he reads all the letters and reports and nods his head and 
laughs until his belly shakes and really looks forward to reading all 
the stories everyone writes. The guy who made a million points or even 
100 points, they are all special to him.

/(eyes get wide) A MILLION POINTS!/

Yes and also, he's been pushing it real hard all year for ANS points 
dear, but after Jan 1st, he's only going to do it for WRTC points.

/What are ANS points?/

Hand me your smart phone nephew. (Nephew hands phone to Auntie gently. 
Auntie brings up *www.maritimecontestclub.com* 
<http://www.maritimecontestclub.com> and then looks up the links for 
*maritimecontestclub.com/themccansaward.html* 
<http://maritimecontestclub.com/themccansaward.html>) See these pages?

/Oh, I see. (looks around not really getting it.)/

He gets a certain amount of points for every contest and then another 
guy adds them all up for all the Maritimers, so they can have a friendly 
competition between one another and increase activity for our area here 
in the North. (deer walk across the yard, just outside the window)

/Wow Auntie, that seems like a lot of work for just one plaque./

It is dear.

/Why does he do it?/

No one knows for sure.

/Can't he just cut a board on his table saw? I saw him make you a bird 
house one time. He made me a toy soldier. And those feeders for the deer 
out back. His workshop is full of wood./

Yes, but it's a challenge nephew. I guess maybe that's why he does it.

/So, after this ANS thing, there is a WRTC thing?/

Yes.

/What's that?/

It's kinda like the Radio Olympics.

/Olympics! I know what they are Auntie. I watched them on TV. I like the 
runners. They're fast./

Well, it's like that, but only for radio hams. They are all in a race.

/And he has to be on again every weekend for another year?/

No, only 5 or 10 contests a year for about 2½ years.

/And he'll win a torch or a gold medal or a million points?/

Probably not dear. He just wants to see if he can get his call sign 
VE9AA to climb up the standings a few more notches , only just for fun.

/How many contests has he done this year?/

Around 125.

/125!!! WOW - Are there that many weekends in a year Auntie Coreen?/

No hon, but often he does more than one a weekend. Sometimes he uses 
packet to assist him, like having many little helpers to get the work done.

/WOW, Uncle Mike is crazy./

Uh-huh (she nods her head).

/Is that why he drinks six cups of coffee even before coffee break in 
the mornings?/

Yes, well, he needs the caffeine to keep up with the other runners. He's 
not as young as he used to be you know. With a big belly and a greying 
beard and that red shirt, he's showing his age during this festive season.

/And does he know any of these other runner guys?/

Some of them. He talks to people on the radio and gets letters and 
emails from all over the world dear. Many are his friends, but some are 
naughty and he's not friendly with them much because they have nasty 
signals and they're rude. Today on his lunch break I made him some 
cookies and milk and he told me that special friends from India and Guam 
called him and the excitement on his face was like you are on Christmas 
morning little one.

/Where else has he talked to?/

Well, all over the world really. USA, Canada, many places in Europe like 
the Netherlands we visited a couple years ago, remember that place?

/Oh yes, I loved Holland! So many tulips, windmills, chocolate , wooden 
shoes, and cheese....You're from there right? Is that why Sinter Klaas 
brought us chocolate for our shoes the other night?/

Yes dear. The Dutch people were very nice to us. Maybe if Uncle Mike 
gets off the radio a bit we can save up and go back someday and see them 
again.

/What other places has he talked to?/

All kinds of places hon. I am sure Uncle Mike will tell us tomorrow 
where else his signal has landed last night. I hear him saying "Arigato" 
now, so I think he just talked to Japan. He likes to be friendly with 
everyone.

/And they understood him Auntie!! He can speak Japanese. Cool./

We better shut the shop door, Uncle Mike can't hear the weak signals now 
as it's getting dark. He knows a few words and is just being friendly to 
all the boys and girls on the radio.

/How many more contests does he have left this year?/

Only a few. One of the last this year is the RAC Winter contest, which 
is his time to say Hello, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays and thank 
all his radio friends for all the points they exchanged all year long. 
He enjoys the BIG contests and the QSO Parties too. After that is the 
big Stew.

/Parties with Stew? Like Uncle Mike makes with the leftover turkey bones 
on Boxing Day?/

No dear, the Stew Perry. It's a Top Band contest.

/Top...uhh..band? Is that a holiday music contest Auntie?/

No, it's a special band very low on the dial and in this one where they 
award points based on distance talked.

/Like when I throw a snowball farther than little Elfy next door and I win?/

Sort of.

/Uncle Mike really loves all this contesting stuff eh?/

Yes dear, but it's been a hard year on him. So much to do at work and he 
misses spending weekend time with his family at home. He's spent all 
year building up these points in his workshop only to have them all go 
away on New Year's Eve. That's why he's said he's going to do less 
contests from now on and take some time off over the holidays to be with 
all of us like most other families are doing around this time of year.

/He really loves us Auntie, huh? (sniffles)/

Yes dear. I bet all hams love their families. (she gleams)

73 de Mike Coreen, VE9AA

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CONTESTS

*September 10-23*

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*

/*North American Sprint*/--Phone, from Sep 14, 0000Z to Sep 14, 0359Z. 
Bands (MHz): 3.5-14. Exchange: Call signs, serial, name, and state. Logs 
due: 7 days. Rules <http://www.ncjweb.com/Sprint-Rules.pdf>

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Worked All Europe DX Contest--Phone, from Sep 13, 0000Z to Sep 14, 
2400Z. Bands (MHz): 3.5-28. Exchange: RS and serial. Logs due: 2 weeks. 
Rules <http://waedc.de/>

FOC QSO Party--CW, from Sep 13, 0000Z to Sep 13, 2359Z. Bands (MHz): 
1.8-28. Exchange: RST, name, FOC nr if member. Logs due: 7 days. Rules 
<http://www.g4foc.org/>

Straight Key Weekend Sprintathon--CW, from Sep 13, 1200Z to Sep 14, 
2359Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28, 50. Exchange: RST, QTH, name, member nr if 
member. Logs due: 5 days. Rules 
<http://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/weekend_sprintathon/>

Arkansas QSO Party--Phone,CW,Digital, from Sep 13, 1400Z to Sep 14, 
0200Z. Bands (MHz): 3.5-28, 144, CW--40 kHz above band edge; 
Phone--3.85, 7.18, 14.28, 21.38, 28.38, 146.55; PSK31--3.58, 7.08, 
14.07015, 21.08, 28.08 MHz. Exchange: RS(T), county or S/P or "DX". Logs 
due: Oct 10. Rules <http://www.arkqsoparty.com/>

Classic Exchange--Phone, from Sep 14, 1300Z to Sep 15, 0700Z. Bands 
(MHz): 1.8-28, 50,144, SSB--1.885, 3.87, 7.28, 14.27, 21.37, 28.39; 
AM--1.89, 3.88, 7.16, 7.29, 14.286, 21.42, 29.0 MHz. Exchange: Name, RS, 
S/P/C, type of equipment. Logs due: 60 days. Rules 
<http://www.classicexchange.org/>

Run For the Bacon--CW, from Sep 15, 0100Z to Sep 15, 0300Z. Bands (MHz): 
1.8-28. Monthly on 3rd Sunday night (local); CW--1.812, 3.562, 7.044, 
7.104. 14.062, 21.062, 27.185, 28.062 MHz. Exchange: RST, S/P/C, Flying 
Pig nr or power. Rules <http://www.fpqrp.org/>

NAQCC Monthly QRP Sprint--CW, from Sep 18, 0030Z to Sep 18, 0230Z. 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/>

Scandinavian Activity Contest--CW, from Sep 20, 1200Z to Sep 21, 1159Z. 
Bands (MHz): 3.5-28. Exchange: RST and serial. Logs due: 7 days. Rules 
<http://www.sactest.net/>

South Carolina QSO Party--Phone,CW,Digital, from Sep 20, 1400Z to Sep 
21, 0300Z. Bands (MHz): 3.5-28, 50+, CW--1.815, 3.545, 7.045, 14.045, 
21.045, 28.045, 50.095; Phone--1.865, 3,810, 7.190, 14.250, 21.300, 
28.450, 50.135 MHz. Exchange: RS(T) and county or S/P/C. Logs due: 30 
days. Rules <http://scqso.com/>

Feld-Hell Hell on Wheels Sprint--Digital, from Sep 20, 1600Z to Sep 20, 
1800Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28. Monthly on 3rd Saturday. Exchange: RST, 
S/P/C, Feld-Hell member nr. Logs due: 7 days. Rules 
<http://www.feldhellclub.org/>

Washington State Salmon Run--Phone,CW,Digital, from Sep 20, 1600Z to Sep 
21, 2400Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28, 50,144, See website. Exchange: RS(T) and 
county or S/P/C. Logs due: 2 weeks. Rules <http://www.wwdxc.org/>

Classic Exchange--CW, from Sep 21, 1300Z to Sep 23, 0700Z. Bands (MHz): 
1.8-28, 50,144, 1.820, 3.545, 7.045, 14.045, 21.135, 28.05, 50.1, 144.1 
MHz. Exchange: Name, RS, S/P/C, type of equipment. Logs due: 60 days. 
Rules <http://www.classicexchange.org/>

BARTG Sprint 75--Digital, from Sep 21, 1700Z to Sep 21, 2100Z. Bands 
(MHz): 3.5-28. Exchange: Serial. Logs due: Nov 1. Rules 
<http://www.bartg.org.uk/>

*VHF+ CONTESTS*

/*ARRL September VHF Contest*/--Phone,CW,Digital, from Sep 13, 1800Z to 
Sep 15, 0259Z. Bands (MHz): 50+. Exchange: 4-char grid square. Logs due: 
Oct 15. Rules <http://www.arrl.org/contests>

/*ARRL 10 GHz Cumulative Contest*/--Phone,CW,Digital, from Sep 20, 6 AM 
to Sep 21, 12 mid. Bands (MHz): 10G+. Exchange: 6-char grid locator. 
Logs due: Oct 21. Rules <http://www.arrl.org/contests>

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Straight Key Weekend Sprintathon--CW, from Sep 13, 1200Z to Sep 14, 
2359Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28, 50. Exchange: RST, QTH, name, member nr if 
member. Logs due: 5 days. Rules 
<http://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/weekend_sprintathon/>

Arkansas QSO Party--Phone,CW,Digital, from Sep 13, 1400Z to Sep 14, 
0200Z. Bands (MHz): 3.5-28, 144, CW--40 kHz above band edge; 
Phone--3.85, 7.18, 14.28, 21.38, 28.38, 146.55; PSK31--3.58, 7.08, 
14.07015, 21.08, 28.08 MHz. Exchange: RS(T), county or S/P or "DX". Logs 
due: Oct 10. Rules <http://www.arkqsoparty.com/>

Classic Exchange--Phone, from Sep 14, 1300Z to Sep 15, 0700Z. Bands 
(MHz): 1.8-28, 50,144, SSB--1.885, 3.87, 7.28, 14.27, 21.37, 28.39; 
AM--1.89, 3.88, 7.16, 7.29, 14.286, 21.42, 29.0 MHz. Exchange: Name, RS, 
S/P/C, type of equipment. Logs due: 60 days. Rules 
<http://www.classicexchange.org/>

South Carolina QSO Party--Phone,CW,Digital, from Sep 20, 1400Z to Sep 
21, 0300Z. Bands (MHz): 3.5-28, 50+, CW--1.815, 3.545, 7.045, 14.045, 
21.045, 28.045, 50.095; Phone--1.865, 3,810, 7.190, 14.250, 21.300, 
28.450, 50.135 MHz. Exchange: RS(T) and county or S/P/C. Logs due: 30 
days. Rules <http://scqso.com/>

Washington State Salmon Run--Phone,CW,Digital, from Sep 20, 1600Z to Sep 
21, 2400Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28, 50,144, See website. Exchange: RS(T) and 
county or S/P/C. Logs due: 2 weeks. Rules <http://www.wwdxc.org/>

Classic Exchange--CW, from Sep 21, 1300Z to Sep 23, 0700Z. Bands (MHz): 
1.8-28, 50,144, 1.820, 3.545, 7.045, 14.045, 21.135, 28.05, 50.1, 144.1 
MHz. Exchange: Name, RS, S/P/C, type of equipment. Logs due: 60 days. 
Rules <http://www.classicexchange.org/>

144 MHz Fall VHF Sprint--Phone,CW,Digital, from Sep 22, 7 PM to Sep 22, 
11 PM. Bands (MHz): 144. Exchange: 4-char grid square. Logs due: 2 
weeks. Rules <http://www.svhfs.org/>

LOG DUE DATES

*September 10-23*

  * September 12 - SARTG WW RTTY Contest
    <http://www.sartg.com/contest/wwrules.htm>
  * September 13 - Wake-Up! QRP Sprint
    <http://qrp.ru/contest/wakeup/333-wakeup-eng>
  * September 13 - North American Sprint, CW
    <http://www.ncjweb.com/Sprint-Rules.pdf>
  * September 13 - QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/summer_rules.htm>
  * September 13 - CWops Mini-CWT Test <http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html>
  * September 14 - NCCC RTTY Sprint Ladder
    <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rules.html>
  * September 15 - MI QRP Labor Day CW Sprint
    <http://www.qsl.net/miqrpclub/contest.html>
  * September 15 - MMMonVHF/DUBUS 144 MHz Meteorscatter Sprint Contest
    <http://www.mmmonvhf.de/ctestinfo.php>
  * September 15 - CVA DX Contest <http://www.craec.org/>
  * September 17 - Keyman's Club of Japan Contest
    <http://www.kcj-cw.com/contest/14_kcj_contest_rule_e.pdf>
  * September 17 - RSGB 80m Club Sprint, SSB
    <http://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2014/rsprint.shtml>
  * September 18 - NRAU 10m Activity Contest
    <http://www.nrau.net/activity-contests/below-30mhz.html>
  * September 20 - CWOps CW Open <http://www.cwops.org/cwopen.html>
  * September 20 - North American Sprint, SSB
    <http://www.ncjweb.com/Sprint-Rules.pdf>
  * September 20 - Ohio State Parks on the Air
    <http://www.ospota.org/ospota/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/OSPOTA-Rules2014-14Aug14.pdf>
  * September 20 - PODXS 070 Club Jay Hudak Memorial 80m Sprint
    <http://www.podxs070.com/o7o-club-sponsored-contests/jay-hudak-memorial-80m-sprint>
  * September 21 - Russian RTTY WW Contest
    <http://www.qrz.ru/contest/detail/93>
  * September 21 - SKCC Weekend Sprintathon
    <http://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/weekend_sprintathon/>
  * September 22 - DARC 10-Meter Digital Contest
    <http://www.darc.de/referate/ukw-funksport/corona/teilnahmebedingungen/>
  * September 22 - SARL VHF/UHF Analogue/Digital Contest
    <http://www.sarl.org.za/Document_Store/CONT_20140101_SARL_Contest_Manual_2014.pdf>
  * September 22 - Ohio QSO Party <http://www.ohqp.org/adminRules.htm>
  * September 23 - RSGB SSB Field Day
    <http://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2014/rssbfd.shtml>

ARRL Information

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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 
Contest Calendar <http://www.sk3bg.se/contest>.

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