[SFDXA] The ARRL Contest Update for December 2, 2015

Wed Dec 2 07:48:20 EST 2015

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The ARRL Contest Update

December 2, 2015
Editor: Brian Moran, N9ADG <mailto:contest-update 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/>
Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=cu&i=2015-12-02&t=t>
IN THIS ISSUE

  * New HF Operators - Things To Do: ARRL 160, ARRL 10 <#NewHF>
  * Bulletin: ARRL Log Submission & December is YOTA month! <#Bulletin>
  * Contest Summary by Date <#ContestSummary>
  * News, Press Releases, and General Interest: Curling, Curling,
    Hurling, and more <#News>
  * Word to the wise: "Dither" <#Word>
  * Sights and Sounds: WWROF Webinars <#Sights>
  * Results and Records: Potential record in CQWW, SAC Results <#Results>
  * Technical Topics: Destruction, Repair, and more <#Tech>
  * Conversation: Marathons and Sprints <#Conversation>
  * Contests: 3 Dec - 16 Dec 2016 <#Contests>
  * Log Due Dates <#LogsDue>

NEW HF OPERATORS - THINGS TO DO

This upcoming period is one of contrasts, with the ARRL 160 meter 
contest one week, followed by the ARRL 10 meter contest the next. It's 
an opportunity to appreciate the diversity and range of HF bands 
available to us.

Top Band (160 meters) is the lowest frequency currently available for 
contest use. Operation in the contest will take place in twilight or the 
dark, using CW. On this challenging band, it's all about your antenna 
and separating noise from desired signals. In a suburb with 100 watts 
into a compromise antenna of a shortened dipole or a vertical with just 
a few radials, you can expect to work a number of states if you put a 
number of hours into your effort. In years with low sunspot numbers, 160 
can come alive with signals from other continents, and from low noise 
locations you can work the world with wire antennas with good ground 
systems. Top Band operation can be addicting for its combination of 
challenges, rewards, and variability.

Ten meters can be a 'counterpoise' to 160... Operation will occur mostly 
in daylight. The band is more likely to be open frequently on 
high-sunspot years, where gain antennas can be built with small amounts 
of materials. If 10 meters is open, signals from around the world can be 
very, very loud, and contest contacts are fast and exciting. When ten 
meters isn't open, you could be CQing into noise for a long time. You 
can check the ARRL Propagation pages <http://www.arrl.org/propagation> 
for the forecast for your part of the US, and as a gateway for further 
propagation information.

The ARRL 10 Meter Contest <http://www.arrl.org/10-meter> allows either 
or both CW or Phone contacts, which can be wonderful for avoiding 
fatigue in just one mode - check the rules to figure out which category 
you'd like to enter. Effective use of one good 10 meter opening during 
an otherwise closed-band weekend and you could be among the regional 
score leaders. You can 'warm up' to the ARRL 10 Meter contest with the 
NRAU contest on December 3, or the 10 Meter RTTY Contest on December 6.

BULLETINS

"Beginning with the 160 Meter contest, contesters entering ARRL HF 
contests will have the ability to submit their Cabrillo-formatted logs 
via an online website (URL is contest-log-submission.arrl.org) developed 
by Bruce Horn, WA7BNM (Submitting logs via email will still be available 
as always). Users of Bruce's website for uploading NAQP logs will 
recognize the familiar format. Once you have selected a few options to 
define your entry category and browsed to the log file, the web page 
will automatically determine what contest the log is for, then check all 
of the data and QSO lines. Note that the web page determines the contest 
from your log - you don't have to select the contest yourself. If there 
are any problems with the log data or discrepancies between the header 
and QSO line information, you'll see the highlighted errors so you can 
fix the problems and resubmit the log. If the log is accepted, you'll 
see the confirmation message and will receive a confirming email, just 
as with email log submission. The ARRL wishes to thank Bruce for his 
development efforts in support of contesting in general and also to the 
members of the Central Texas DX and Contest Club and the Society of 
Midwest Contesters who acted as beta testers with their Sweepstakes 
logs." (Ward, N0AX)

December is YOTA month in IARU Region 1!

December is a month of activity for Europe's Youngsters on the Air 
<http://www.ham-yota.com/>! Besides on-the-air activities, the month 
will include a meeting of over 76 young hams from 22 countries in 
Toscana, Italy, for events focused around radio. You can track the 
activities on the group's YOTA Facebook Page 
<https://www.facebook.com/groups/youngstersontheair/>, and be sure to be 
on the lookout for the 38 special-call stations participating in 
on-the-air activities. <http://www.ham-yota.com/december-yota-month/> 
Last year, YOTA conference attendees also had the opportunity to take 
the US licensing exam, resulting in 16 US callsigns being issued.

CONTEST SUMMARY

Complete information for all contests follows the Conversation section

*December 3*

  * CWops Mini-CWT Test <http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html>
  * QRP ARCI Topband Sprint <http://www.qrparci.org/>
  * NRAU 10m Activity Contest
    <http://www.nrau.net/activity-contests/below-30mhz.html>

*December 4*

  * NCCC RTTY Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rttyns.html>
  * QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm>
  * NCCC Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rules.html>
  * *ARRL 160-Meter Contest* <http://www.arrl.org/160-meter>

*December 5*

  * TARA RTTY Melee <http://www.n2ty.org/seasons/tara_melee_rules.html>
  * Wake-Up! QRP Sprint <http://qrp.ru/contest/wakeup/333-wakeup-eng>
  * UK/EI DX Contest, SSB
    <http://www.ukeicc.com/which-contest/contest-rules/uk-ei-dx-contest>
  * TOPS Activity Contest <http://www.procwclub.ro/TAC%20Rules.html>
  * AWA Bruce Kelley 1929 QSO Party
    <http://www.antiquewireless.org/awa-on-the-air.html>

*December 6*

  * Ten-Meter RTTY Contest
    <http://www.rttycontesting.com/ten-meter-rtty-contest/rules/>
  * SARL Digital Contest
    <http://www.sarl.org.za/Document_Store/CONT_20150101_SARL_Contest_Manual_2015.pdf>
  * CQC Great Colorado Snowshoe Run
    <http://www.cqc.org/contests/snow2015.htm>

*December 8*

  * ARS Spartan Sprint
    <http://arsqrp.blogspot.com/2009/02/so-whats-spartan-sprint-and-how-do-i.html>

*December 9*

  * NAQCC CW Sprint <http://naqcc.info/sprint201601.html>
  * QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm>
  * CWops Mini-CWT Test <http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html>

*December 10*

  * CWops Mini-CWT Test <http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html>

*December 11*

  * NCCC RTTY Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rttyns.html>
  * QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm>
  * NCCC Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rules.html>

*December 12*

  * AWA Bruce Kelley 1929 QSO Party
    <http://www.antiquewireless.org/awa-on-the-air.html>
  * *ARRL 10-Meter Contest* <http://www.arrl.org/10-meter>
  * SKCC Weekend Sprintathon
    <http://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/weekend_sprintathon/>
  * International Naval Contest
    <http://www.marinefunker.de/eng/show.php3?pos=16>

*December 13*

  * QRP ARCI Holiday Spirits Homebrew Sprint <http://www.qrparci.org/>

*December 16*

  * QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm>
  * CWops Mini-CWT Test <http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html>

NEWS, PRESS RELEASES, AND GENERAL INTEREST

Maxwell's characterization of electromagnetic phenomena in equation form 
are 150 years old this week. 
<http://www.theguardian.com/science/life-and-physics/2015/nov/22/maxwells-equations-150-years-of-light> 
Until Maxwell's work, magnetic and electric fields could be observed, 
but it was unclear how they were exactly related. Maxwell established 
how charge and current are linked; how we think about fields and antenna 
modeling builds upon his fundamental work.

Controversy! High tech tools are being used to improve performance in 
competition <http://nyti.ms/1S7eNlV>, and not everyone in the sport of 
curling is happy about it. Some of the arguments sound familiar.

If you notice an increase in band noise this time of year, it could be 
because some electronic holiday lights in your area are vomiting RFI. 
Greg, VE3FAX, reported that his neighbors Laser Christmas Lights (sold 
by a big-box home improvement retailer) were radiating across a wide 
swath of spectrum. 
<http://lists.contesting.com/pipermail/rfi/2015-November/013588.html> 
(via the RFI Reflector <http://lists.contesting.com/pipermail/rfi/>)

Oh those crazy Physicists! Periodically, for 80 years, a joke has been 
in front of all of us 
<http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2015/11/23/an-80-year-old-prank-is-revealed-hiding-in-the-periodic-table/?sf15759139=1> 
; but as jokes go this one is very mild.

*Web Site of the Week* - http://www.architectureofradio.com/

An intriguing concept: Combine information about radio wave sources and 
present it using 3D visualization - you get something like "Google 
Streets" for radio waves. Based on databases of emitters like cellular 
towers, satellites, and so on, this application for your iOS device 
(Android coming soon) lets you "visualize" field lines and transmitters 
in 3D as you rotate your device or move in space. Remember -- it's not a 
real-time display, but based on databases of transmitter locations. 
There's a video on the web site to give you the gist if you don't want 
to download the paid app, which is in early release.

WORD TO THE WISE - Dither

In technical usage, introducing a small amount of variation into a 
signal to achieve a particular effect. Clocks for electronic devices are 
sometimes 'dithered' to decrease the amplitude away from any one 
frequency (to meet specifications for government emissions approval for 
example) - by producing a wider spectrum of signals. While it may reduce 
the amount of emission on any one frequency, it can increase the noise 
across a wider spectrum. The clock-shifting concept originated with Hedy 
Lamarr and co-inventors 
<http://www.interferencetechnology.com/spread-spectrum-clock-generation-theory-and-debate/> 
, and was part of the original work on spread spectrum communications.

In digital audio applications, combining a signal with a small amount of 
dithered noise can reduce decimation distortion at the expense of a 
small amount of noise.

With modern radios, spotting networks, and contest logging programs, 
'dithering' the frequency of contest spots can reduce the negative 
effect of hundreds or thousands of stations calling on nearly the exact 
same frequency to work a needed multiplier. Some contest logging 
programs can or will do this automatically on the basis of a setting.

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=cu&t=i&i=2015-12-02&p=0>
SIGHTS AND SOUNDS

The N6G team had snacks like these to inspire them during the California 
QSO Party. You can find the recipe in the October 2015 NCCC Jug 
newsletter. (Courtesy of Arnold, KQ6DI)

Ken, K4ZW notes: 'World Wide Radio Operators Foundation (WWROF) 
sponsored Webinars, "Team W4AAW Totally Remote Multi-Multi Contesting" 
with K4XD, and K9LA's "Design Issues for a VHF-UHF Solid State RF Power 
Amplifier" have been posted to the WWROF webpage 
<http://wwrof.org/category/webinar-archive/>. Thanks to both Rowland 
K4XD and Carl K9LA for two excellent and informative presentations.'

Many amateurs are interested in weather, and lightning in particular. 
Here's a spectacular video of lighting striking a car 
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0hE6gAcbvg> in Australia, taken with 
an HD dash camera. The Weather Channel's Facebook page also has a link 
to this video <https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10153889341245921>. 
What is very curious is that the vehicle is struck even though it's 
surrounded by much taller electrical lines.

RESULTS AND RECORDS

This well equipped superstation can be heard in nearly every contest 
with big signals, with either it's own call, N0NI, or that of a guest 
operator. (Courtesy of Toni, N0NI)

The "rumors" of scores for last weekend's CQWW CW are pouring into 
3830scores.com - and it's likely that there will be a new world record 
for the SOAB HP (Unassisted) category. Dan, N6MJ reports a score of 17.6 
million points <http://3830scores.com/showrumor.php?arg=B9aRzufymmyvj> 
operating as ZF2MJ (from the ZF1A station). Over 48 hours, with two 
radios, he accumulated over ten thousand contacts, with hourly rates as 
low as 80, and as high as 359. Dan proclaims that his effort was only 
possible with the help and cooperation of a team of people to make sure 
antennas, radios, and associated gear was setup and ready. Even more 
impressive, this was Dan's first attempt at "being the DX." (Dennis N6KI)

Results of the SAC contest <http://www.sactest.net/blog/> are available. 
Next year's Scandinavian Activity Contest dates are September 17-18, 
2016 (CW), and October 8-9, 2015 (SSB).

OPERATING TIP

If you're having trouble breaking through the pile-up for that 
multiplier you need, in CW, try varying your sending speed. If that 
doesn't work, try matching the speed of the other operator. Don't forget 
to also try sending a little bit off his frequency, especially if you 
'found' the multiplier using a packet spot by clicking on it in your 
logging program. Chances are other contesters did the same, and their 
calling frequency could be exactly the same as yours. Some newer 
versions of popular contest logging programs vary the transmit frequency 
of spots to spread the pile-up, but you can manually separate your 
signal from the pack by a few Hertz. If you're sending 'stylish' CW 
using a bug, or non-standard dit/dah ratios with a modern keyer, that 
stands out, but don't go too far - if you're too different, you're just 
making it harder.

Bonus Tip for the ARRL 160: If you have the antennas, remember to listen 
for signals from the southern hemisphere. Though it's summer there, ops 
will still be looking for contacts. Make sure you understand the summer 
hours of darkness in the areas you need... (Thanks for the reminder 
Dennis, W1UE)

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=cu&t=i&i=2015-12-02&p=1>
TECHNICAL TOPICS AND INFORMATION

When we "let the smoke out" of equipment, it's usually not on purpose, 
but the US Military is has built a chip to do this on command 
<http://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/computing/hardware/us-militarys-chip-self-destructs-on-command> 
. Heck, anyone who has ever seen a gassy 3-500z "run away" in a Heathkit 
SB-220 knows all about electronics and self-destruction.

Troubleshooting SMDs in modern gear could be easier with these "smart 
tweezers" <http://www.smarttweezers.com/> which don't require 
unsoldering of parts to make measurements. I think your SO needs one. 
Then you can borrow it when /you/ need it.

Dennis, N6KI, points out an interesting PortableSDR Kickstarter project 
combining GPS, Vector Network Analyzer, and QRP SDR Transceiver 
<https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1703258614/psdr-pocket-hf-sdr-transceiver-with-vna-and-gps/description> 
. Having already exceeded the kickstarter funding goal, the hardware may 
be ready in Q1/Q2 2016.

Which under-$10 ARM-based computer do you need for your next project? 
Here's a comparison between the Raspberry Pi Zero and the Chip 
<http://makezine.com/2015/11/28/chip-vs-pi-zero/>. It's great we have 
such power building blocks to use.

**

*Technical Web Site of the Week* - sizes.com <https://sizes.com/indexes.htm>

This week, sizes do matter. Modern or ancient, here are units of measure 
<https://sizes.com/units/index.htm>.Standard sizes for resistors 
<https://sizes.com/materials/resistorVal.htm>. Concrete rebar 
<https://sizes.com/materials/rebar.htm>. Aluminum alloy designators 
<https://sizes.com/materials/aluminum_alloys.htm>. Now that you have all 
the sizes you need, you'll have to figure out how to use them.

(Thanks K3HX)

CONVERSATION

Marathons & Sprints

With the passing of another Well Known Contester, KL7RA, last week, we 
reflect on the fond memories we have of the loud and reliable contest 
signals Rich had from Alaska. Inevitably this prompts thoughts of our 
own mortality, and personal initiatives we can undertake to be able to 
stay contesting (and alive), longer.

In many radio contests, to win requires a balance of high rates and the 
drive to work as many band multipliers as possible. As a contest 
operator, you're a part of the radio system during the contest period. 
It makes sense that you try to improve this part of the system as those 
improvements can lead to a better score.

We often talk about contesting improvements in the form of increased or 
additional radio skills. Less often, we discuss the implicit general 
ability to prepare for contests by having the physical stamina to build 
and maintain our stations, to stay awake and alert during the contest 
periods, to be physically able to concentrate on the contesting tasks at 
hand, and to effectively manage the recovery from competition.

There are all sorts of recommendations and research into appropriate 
nutrition, exercise, and personal care, and techniques to counter 
genetic inheritance <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrG4TEcSuRg>, but 
underlying it all is the notion that a balance in all things may be a 
prudent course of action. I'm not necessarily advocating to "contest 
less." I am advocating a reflection on how you might be able to better 
balance your explicitly contest-related activities with those 
complementary non-contest activities which improve your overall well-being.

To borrow a favorite tag-line from Hank, W6SX - Contest Exhuberantly!

73, Brian N9ADG

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=cu&t=i&i=2015-12-02&p=2>
CONTESTS

*3 Dec - 16 Dec 2015*

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*

CWops Mini-CWT Test <http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html> , Dec 2, 1300z to 
Dec 2, 1400z, Dec 2, 1900z to Dec 2, 2000z, Dec 3, 0300z to Dec 3, 
0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Member: Name + Member No., 
non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: December 5.

QRP ARCI Topband Sprint <http://www.qrparci.org/> , Dec 3, 0000z to Dec 
3, 0600z; CW, SSB; Bands: 160m Only; ARCI: RST + 
(state/province/country) + ARCI No., non-ARCI: RST + 
(state/province/country) + power out; Logs due: December 17.

NRAU 10m Activity Contest 
<http://www.nrau.net/activity-contests/below-30mhz.html> , Dec 3, 1800z 
to Dec 3, 1900z (CW), Dec 3, 1900z to Dec 3, 2000z (SSB), Dec 3, 2000z 
to Dec 3, 2100z (FM), Dec 3, 2100z to Dec 3, 2200z (Dig); CW, SSB, FM, 
Digital; Bands: 10m Only; RS(T) + 6-character grid square; Logs due: 
December 17.

NCCC RTTY Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rttyns.html> , Dec 4, 0145z 
to Dec 4, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs 
due: December 6.

QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm> , Dec 4, 0200z 
to Dec 4, 0330z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; RST + (state/province/country) + 
name + power output; Logs due: December 3.

NCCC Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rules.html> , Dec 4, 0230z to Dec 
4, 0300z; (see rules); Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs 
due: December 6.

*ARRL 160-Meter Contest* <http://www.arrl.org/160-meter> *, Dec 4, 2200z 
to Dec 6, 1600z; CW; Bands: 160m Only; W/VE: RST + ARRL/RAC Section, DX: 
RST; Logs due: January 5.
*
TARA RTTY Melee <http://www.n2ty.org/seasons/tara_melee_rules.html> , 
Dec 5, 0000z to Dec 6, 0000z; RTTY; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; 
W/VE: RST + (state/province), DX: RST + Serial No.; Logs due: December 31.

Wake-Up! QRP Sprint <http://qrp.ru/contest/wakeup/333-wakeup-eng> , Dec 
5, 0600z to Dec 5, 0629z, Dec 5, 0630z to Dec 5, 0659z, Dec 5, 0700z to 
Dec 5, 0729z, Dec 5, 0730z to Dec 5, 0800z; CW; Bands: 40, 20m; RST + 
Serial No. + suffix of previous QSO ("QRP" for 1st QSO); Logs due: 
December 12.

UK/EI DX Contest, SSB 
<http://www.ukeicc.com/which-contest/contest-rules/uk-ei-dx-contest> , 
Dec 5, 1200z to Dec 6, 1200z; SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; UK/EI: RS 
+ Serial No. + District Code, DX: RS + Serial No.; Logs due: December 6.

TOPS Activity Contest <http://www.procwclub.ro/TAC%20Rules.html> , Dec 
5, 1600z to Dec 6, 1559z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; TOPS/PRO-CW 
Members: RST + Serial No. + Club Abbreviation, non-Members: RST + Serial 
No.; Logs due: December 18.

AWA Bruce Kelley 1929 QSO Party 
<http://www.antiquewireless.org/awa-on-the-air.html> , Dec 5, 2300z to 
Dec 6, 2300z, Dec 12, 2300z to Dec 13, 2300z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40m; 
RST + Name + QTH + Eqpt Year + Transmitter Type (see rules for format); 
Logs due: January 10.

Ten-Meter RTTY Contest 
<http://www.rttycontesting.com/ten-meter-rtty-contest/rules/> , Dec 6, 
0000z to Dec 7, 0000z; RTTY; Bands: 10m Only; W: RST + state, VE: RST + 
province/territory, non-W/VE: RST + Serial No.; Logs due: December 15.

SARL Digital Contest 
<http://www.sarl.org.za/Document_Store/CONT_20150101_SARL_Contest_Manual_2015.pdf> 
, Dec 6, 1300z to Dec 6, 1600z; PSK, RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20m; RST + QSO 
No.; Logs due: December 13.

CQC Great Colorado Snowshoe Run 
<http://www.cqc.org/contests/snow2015.htm> , Dec 6, 2100z to Dec 6, 
2259z; CW; Bands: 20m Only; RST + (state/province/country) + Antenna 
Class + (CQC Memmber No./power); Logs due: January 5.

ARS Spartan Sprint 
<http://arsqrp.blogspot.com/2009/02/so-whats-spartan-sprint-and-how-do-i.html> 
, Dec 8, 0200z to Dec 8, 0400z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; RST + 
(state/province/country) + Power; Logs due: December 10.

NAQCC CW Sprint <http://naqcc.info/sprint201601.html> , Dec 9, 0130z to 
Dec 9, 0330z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20m; RST + (state/province/country) + 
(NAQCC No./power); Logs due: December 13.

QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm> , Dec 9, 0200z 
to Dec 9, 0330z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; RST + (state/province/country) + 
name + power output; Logs due: December 10.

CWops Mini-CWT Test <http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html> , Dec 9, 1300z to 
Dec 9, 1400z, Dec 9, 1900z to Dec 9, 2000z, Dec 10, 0300z to Dec 10, 
0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Member: Name + Member No., 
non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: December 12.

NCCC RTTY Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rttyns.html> , Dec 11, 0145z 
to Dec 11, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; 
Logs due: December 13.

QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm> , Dec 11, 
0200z to Dec 11, 0330z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; RST + 
(state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: December 12.

NCCC Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rules.html> , Dec 11, 0230z to 
Dec 11, 0300z; (see rules); Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; 
Logs due: December 13.

*ARRL 10-Meter Contest* <http://www.arrl.org/10-meter> *, Dec 12, 0000z 
to Dec 14, 0000z; CW, Phone; Bands: 10m Only; W/VE: RST + 
State/Province, XE: RST + State, DX: RST + Serial No., MM: RST + ITU 
Region; Logs due: January 12.
*
SKCC Weekend Sprintathon 
<http://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/weekend_sprintathon/> , 
Dec 12, 1200z to Dec 14, 0000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 
*6m*; RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (SKCC No./"NONE"); Logs 
due: December 18.

International Naval Contest 
<http://www.marinefunker.de/eng/show.php3?pos=16> , Dec 12, 1600z to Dec 
13, 1559z; CW, SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Naval Club Member: RS(T) 
+ Club + Member No., non-Naval Club Member: RS(T) + Serial No.; Logs 
due: February 1.

QRP ARCI Holiday Spirits Homebrew Sprint <http://www.qrparci.org/> , Dec 
13, 2000z to Dec 13, 2359z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; RST + 
(state/province/country) + (ARCI number/power); Logs due: December 27.

QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm> , Dec 16, 
0200z to Dec 16, 0330z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; RST + 
(state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: December 17.

CWops Mini-CWT Test <http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html> , Dec 16, 1300z to 
Dec 16, 1400z, Dec 16, 1900z to Dec 16, 2000z, Dec 17, 0300z to Dec 17, 
0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Member: Name + Member No., 
non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: December 19.

LOG DUE DATES

3 Dec - 16 Dec 2015

*December 3, 2015*

  * RSGB 80m Club Sprint, CW
    <http://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2015/rsprint.shtml>

  * QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm>

*December 4, 2015*

  * CQ Worldwide DX Contest, CW <http://www.cqww.com/rules.htm>

*December 5, 2015*

  * YO International PSK31 Contest <http://www.yo5crq.ro/Rules2015EN1.htm>

  * QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm>

  * CWops Mini-CWT Test <http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html>

*December 6, 2015*

  * NCCC Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rules.html>

  * NCCC RTTY Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rttyns.html>

*December 8, 2015*

  * Ukrainian DX Contest <http://urdxc.org/rules.php?english>

  * RSGB 2nd 1.8 MHz Contest, CW
    <http://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2015/r2nd-160m.shtml>

  * *ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, SSB* <http://www.arrl.org/sweepstakes>

  * NA Collegiate ARC Championship, SSB
    <http://www.collegiatechampionship.org/rules/>

*December 10, 2015*

  * Telephone Pioneers QSO Party
    <http://www.tpqso.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Announ2015-v15.pdf>

*December 12, 2015*

  * Wake-Up! QRP Sprint <http://qrp.ru/contest/wakeup/333-wakeup-eng>

*December 15, 2015*

  * JIDX Phone Contest <http://www.jidx.org/jidxrule-e.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 
Contest Calendar <http://www.sk3bg.se/contest>.

The editor thanks KA7MOM for reviewing portions of this month's column.

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