[SFDXA] The ARRL Contest Update for April 20, 2016

Wed Apr 20 09:13:46 EDT 2016

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The ARRL Contest Update

April 20, 2016
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/>
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IN THIS ISSUE

  * New HF Operators: Antenna Work & 75 baud RTTY <#_208553833158457-NewHF>
  * Bulletins: Avoid Earthquake Relief Frequencies, Amateur Radio at
    IEEE IMS 2016, and more <#_208553833158457-Bulletins>
  * Contest Summary <#_208553833158457-ContestSummary>
  * News: Doctor is in Podcast, WRTC-2018 bands, and more
    <#_208553833158457-News>
  * Word to the Wise: OTRSP <#_208553833158457-Word>
  * Sights and Sounds: FlexRadio beginnings, Visualization of Knots
    <#_208553833158457-Sights>
  * Results: GAQP, WRTC-2018 Qualifying Midpoint, WAG Survey
    <#_208553833158457-Results>
  * Operating Tip: Hourly Rate Plan <#_208553833158457-OperatingTip>
  * Technical Topics and Information: RF Absorbing Skin, 3D Printing of
    Antennas and more <#_208553833158457-Tech>
  * Tech Website of the week: K6TU's tips for HFTA
    <#_208553833158457-TechWebsiteOfTheWeek>
  * Conversation: IDXC, New Contesters <#_208553833158457-Conversation>
  * Contests <#_208553833158457-Contests>
  * Log Due Dates <#_208553833158457-LogsDue>

NEW HF OPERATORS - THINGS TO DO

Spring in the northern hemisphere! A good time for some antenna work. 
Don't forget to watch the weather and not take any chances when it comes 
to lightning.

Next weekend has three RTTY contests. The BARTG 75 uses 75 Baud RTTY, 
which is almost twice as fast as the normal 45.5 Baud; depending on the 
software that you use for decoding, and the method, AFSK or FSK, you use 
for sending, getting set up for the faster speed may take a little time. 
See rttycontesting.com's 75 baud set up page 
<http://www.rttycontesting.com/tutorials/writelog2/75-baud-rtty-setup/> 
for more information and tips to get you going.

If you are using 40 meters, remember to stay clear of Ecuador earthquake 
relief operations around 7.060 MHz. They're using SSB, so please be 
extra vigilant in checking the frequency before you transmit.

BULLETINS

Parts of Ecuador continue to recover from the recent magnitude 7.8 
earthquake and aftershocks. The "Cadena HC" emergency frequency is now 
activated and is running 24 hours per day on 7.060 MHz LSB. The HC hams 
have been very busy coordinating search and rescue activities on that 
frequency. Ecuadorean Amateur Radio operators request that the Ham Radio 
community keep 7.060 MHz clear for these operations. Operators, please 
take particular care on 40m RTTY/Digital modes to avoid the area around 
7.060 MHz. (Rick, NE8Z/HC1MD via The DailyDX <http://www.dailydx.com>)

If you're one of the 10,000 or so wireless professionals, university 
educators, or STEM students attending the IEEE IMS 2016 conference in 
May <http://www.ims2016.org>, why not stop by the Ham Radio Social at 
the San Francisco Marriott on the evening of Tuesday, May 24? Typically, 
more than 100 hams from around the world get together at the conference.

During the conference, you can stop by the ARRL booth in the university 
area, where this year's theme will be encouraging industry professionals 
to urge students and educators to participate in Amateur Radio as a 
means of personal and professional development.

*Call for Input -- UHF and Above Contest Proposal*

"After receiving and reviewing considerable input from the Amateur 
community, the ARRL VHF Contest Revitalization Committee has drafted 
rules for a proposed new UHF & Up Contest and now seeks your input on 
this draft. In proposing the new rules, the Committee sought to respond 
to some of the most frequently received comments and to provide a "test 
bed" for changes that might be considered for other non-HF contests in 
the future. Among the most common themes in the comments were:

  * Use distance-based scoring rather than a geographic multiplier system
  * The August timing is too close to other VHF+ contests / too hot for
    roving
  * More incentive is needed to invest time and effort in making
    higher-band contacts
  * Existing rover rules are too complicated and too restrictive
  * Current VHF+ contests have too many entry categories
  * Scoring potential varies widely from one geographic region to another

This proposal uses distance scoring with point multipliers for contacts 
made on higher bands. To encourage roving, it simplifies rover rules to 
include those who do not travel great distances and mobile stations. It 
includes just three entry categories and features regional rather than 
national competition. It adds team competition for small groups of 
operators who may not be part of a contest club. The timing would be in 
the spring, between the January and June VHF contests. Nothing is final 
yet, including the name of the contest. The Committee would like your 
input on the draft rules 
<http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Contest%20-%20General/UHF_and_Above_Contest_Proposed_Version_4_4b.pdf> 
before the VCR Committee moves ahead with any additional changes. You 
may submit your comments by e-mail to mailto:vhf-input at arrl.org between 
now and June 15^th . In addition, the Committee encourages more local 
outreach - articles, announcements, seminars and mentoring - to draw new 
participants into this and all radio sporting activities. Expanding the 
pool of potential contacts will make these contests more enjoyable for 
everyone. Please share your outreach ideas with us as well." - Kermit 
Carlson, W9XA, ARRL VCR Committee Chairman

BUSTED QSOS

Wayne Overbeck's call is actually N6NB (Dave, W6TE)

The links from last issue's Operating Tip were missing, so here it is again:

"TV Bob", N6TV, submits: "Ever listen to the NCDXF Beacons 
<http://ncdxf.org/beacon>? The Faros <http://www.dxatlas.com/faros> 
program by VE3NEA can automatically listen to these beacons and record 
when they are heard. An excellent design ensures that even the weakest 
beacon signals will be detected, with QRM ignored. Here's a YouTube 
video of Faros in action <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07BxQGFrBlU>, 
copying many of the 20m beacons in sequence. K2MO has posted an 
excellent video showing how to set up the software 
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSsB6kUyPrA>, which will work with 
virtually any transceiver."

CONTEST SUMMARY

Complete information <#_208553833158457-Contests> for all contests 
follows the Conversation <#_208553833158457-Conversation> section

*21 Apr to 4 Mar 2016*

*April 21*

  * CWops Mini-CWT Test <http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html>
  * RSGB 80m Club Championship, Data
    <http://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2016/r80mcc.shtml>

*April 22*

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

*April 23*

  * 10-10 Int. Spring Contest, Digital
    <http://www.ten-ten.org/index.php/activity/2013-07-22-20-26-48/qso-party-rules>
  * SP DX RTTY Contest <http://www.pkrvg.org/strona,spdxrttyen.html>
  * Helvetia Contest
    <http://uska.ch/fileadmin/download/Contest/KW/1-static/KW120101e.pdf>

*April 24*

  * BARTG Sprint 75
    <http://s3.spanglefish.com/s/7850/documents/contests/sprint75/rules/current/bartg%20sprint%2075%20rules.pdf>

*April 27*

  * SKCC Sprint
    <http://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/weekday_sprint/>
  * Phone Fray <http://www.perluma.com/Phone_Fray_Contest_Rules.pdf>
  * CWops Mini-CWT Test <http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html>
  * 432 MHz Spring Sprint
    <https://sites.google.com/site/springvhfupsprints/home/2015-information>
  * UKEICC 80m Contest
    <http://www.ukeicc.com/which-contest/contest-rules/ukeicc-80m-contests-rules>

*April 28*

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

*April 29*

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

*April 30*

  * SBMS 2.3 GHz and Up Contest and Club Challenge
    <http://www.n6nb.com/sbmsrules.htm>
  * Russian WW MultiMode Contest
    <http://www.rdrclub.ru/news-radio/russian-ww-mm-contest/159-rus-ww-multimode-contest>
  * Florida QSO Party <http://www.floridaqsoparty.org/rules.html>

*May 1*

  * Florida QSO Party <http://www.floridaqsoparty.org/rules.html>
  * AGCW QRP/QRP Party
    <http://www.agcw.org/index.php/en/contests-and-cw-activities/qrp-qrp-party>

*May 2*

  * RSGB 80m Club Championship, SSB
    <http://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2016/r80mcc.shtml>

*May 3*

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

*May 4*

  * Phone Fray <http://www.perluma.com/Phone_Fray_Contest_Rules.pdf>
  * CWops Mini-CWT Test <http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html>
  * MIE 33 Contest <http://www.ztv.ne.jp/isoda/33/annual/39/39rule-e.html>

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=cu&t=i&i=2016-04-20&p=0>
NEWS, PRESS RELEASES, AND GENERAL INTEREST

Sponsored by DX Engineering, "The Doctor Is In" has launched a 
twice-monthly podcast in addition to the /QST/ magazine column of the 
same name. You'll be able to listen to community-submitted technical 
questions answered by Joel Hallas, W1ZR, and Steve Ford, WB8IMY. The 20 
minute episodes are available via iTunes 
<https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/arrl-the-doctor-is-in/id1096749595?mt=2>, 
Stitcher <http://app.stitcher.com/>, and Blubrry 
<https://www.blubrry.com/arrl_the_doctor_is_in/>, or via "The Doctor Is 
In" webpage <http://ARRL.org/Doctor>. The first episode (April 7) 
features HF Vertical Antennas.

Sandy, DL1QQ, gave an update on the upcoming WRTC-2018 in a session 
during last weekend's International DX Conference in Visalia, 
California. For US amateurs, there are 9 qualifying events left, and the 
current standings 
<http://www.wrtc2018.de/index.php/en/qualification/standings-2> can be 
viewed at the WRTC 2018 website. Sandy mentioned that due to solar 
conditions, 160 meters may be included in WRTC-2018, and pan-adapters 
may be allowed for the first time.

Taking advantage of the rapid innovation and cheapening of 
communications technologies, amateur scientists are creating global 
sensor networks 
<https://backchannel.com/how-empassioned-amateurs-built-a-new-planetary-nervous-system-8c7636d1215e>. 

73 is a magic number, sometimes even outside of amateur radio 
<http://www.newyorker.com/news/sporting-scene/golden-state-and-the-mathematical-magic-of-seventy-three>.

WORD TO THE WISE

OTRSP <http://www.k1xm.org/OTRSP/OTRSP_Protocol.pdf> - "Open Two Radio 
Switching Protocol"

A specification of commands and responses involved in controlling SO2R 
devices. As early SO2R devices were originally controlled by 
manipulating PC parallel ports. Unfortunately, parallel ports are 
generally no longer found on PCs. OTRSP was developed to abstract the 
control of SO2R devices from the underlying interfaces. The YCCC SO2R 
box <http://www.k1xm.org/SO2R/index.html> implements OTRSP.

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS

Gerald Youngblood, K5SDR, visited the Central Mississippi Amateur Radio 
Association (cmsara.org <http://cmsara.org>) in November 2015, and 
talked about how FlexRadio Systems was started 
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_S9T2aD8Is>. (Frank, K4FMH via QRP-L)

When putting up wire antennas, ropes and knots are important. This video 
can help you learn a few new ones <http://youtu.be/tTO35aq0_yQ>. (Ward, 
N0AX)

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=cu&t=i&i=2016-04-20&p=1>
RESULTS AND RECORDS

Team W0BH/m activated 73 counties and made 3,958 contacts in the Georgia 
QSO Party. Pictured L-to-R: John, N6MU, Lorna, K0WHY, and Paul, N4PN. 
[Picture courtesy of Bob, W0BH]

W0BH/m was successful in their team quest to activate 73 counties as a 
mobile during the Georgia QSO Party, which may be a new record for any 
QSO Party mobile. Bob's team included John, N6MU, Paul, N4PN, Bob, W0BH, 
and Lorna, K0WHY. Lorna piloted their mobile RF generator over 500 miles 
on each of the two days. With 3,958 contacts in the log, some operators 
worked them from multiple counties. Examples include K9YC and W7GKF, who 
found W0BH/m in 68 and 66 counties, respectively, and worked them over 
100 times. DL3DXX was right in there as well, with 97 contacts over 66 
counties. Check out the 3830 write-up 
<http://lists.contesting.com/pipermail/3830/2016-April/391577.html> and 
be on the lookout for a more extensive article in a publication in the 
future.

Additional contest scores have been factored into the WRTC-2018 
Standings <http://wrtc2018.de/index.php/en/qualification/standings-2>. 
Only nine more qualifying events left for US hams!

The Worked All Germany (WAG) contest survey results are available via 
Twitter.

The Worked All Germany Contest did a survey in 2015, with fifty 
questions ranging from LOTW use to mode preference. The results have 
been trickling out via Twitter: https://twitter.com/wag_e (you do not 
need to have a Twitter account).

OPERATING TIP

Hourly Rate Plan

Before you enter the next contest, why not study the results from past 
years to inform your operating plan? Check out your results from last 
year, know how many contacts you made each contest hour, and on what 
bands. If propagation is worse this year, factor that into your 
potential band usage. Study the results of other stations in your area 
to understand what they did right, and learn from them. Sometimes actual 
logs are available from the contest sponsors after the contest. 
Occasionally, stations publish hourly rates in their 3830 summaries. 
Once you have your goals hour-by-hour, you can enter that information 
into some loggers (such as N1MM Logger+) where it will be displayed 
during the contest.

TECHNICAL TOPICS AND INFORMATION

Tom, WA9YI, sent in a link to the story of Iowa State University's 
research into "metaskin" that can absorb RADAR energy 
<http://phys.org/news/2016-03-flexible-skin-radar-cloaks.html>. "Not 
sure what RF applications there might be, but then we never are until we 
fiddle with it for awhile, right? Wrap the neighbor's grow-light 
operation in it to block RFI? Next best thing to a tin-foil hat?"

How soon before we see an "SSB Skimmer?" Google 
<https://cloud.google.com/speech>, IBM's Watson 
<http://www.ibm.com/smarterplanet/us/en/ibmwatson/developercloud/speech-to-text.html>, 
and other providers have real-time speech-to-text (STT) services 
available right now. Will someone build an application utilizing STT in 
time for, say, Sweepstakes?

The European Space Agency used a 3D printer to fabricate a 14.5 GHz 
satellite antenna 
<http://www.designnews.com/author.asp?section_id=1392&doc_id=280212>. 
After printing the part, it was coated with copper to give it its 
electrical properties. This might provide some ideas for methods to 
"print" other signal-chain items for UHF+ frequencies, for example 
interdigital filters.

A researcher has figured out a way to do full-duplex radio using just 
silicon 
<https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/16/04/16/047225/new-full-duplex-radio-chip-transmits-and-receives-wireless-signals-at-once>. 
Claiming that it subverts Lorentz Reciprocity, the CMOS circulator 
<https://youtu.be/tIlj4RPbt8o> has potential for making higher data 
rates faster and cheaper. (Ward, N0AX)

*Technical Web Site of the Wee**k* - http://k6tu.net/?q=TerrainProfiles

You've heard about terrain analyses, and you know you should probably do 
them to better understand your shack's location - Stu's website 
<http://k6tu.net/?q=TerrainProfiles> can step you though everything you 
need to do to get going with N6BV's High Frequency Terrain Analysis 
(HFTA) program. K6TU's website will even assist with the tedious part, 
the generation of the terrain profiles for your station location, by 
automatically pulling data from the National Elevation Dataset 
<ned.usgs.gov>, or the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission database based 
on your latitude and longitude. Furthermore, he's built a script to 
automate the running of HFTA over a 360-degree sweep at your QTH, to 
generate antenna model files.

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=cu&t=i&i=2016-04-20&p=2>
CONVERSATION

International DX Convention & New Operators

I was fortunate to be able to attend the International DX Convention in 
Visalia, California last weekend. Alternatively sponsored by the 
Northern California DX Club and the Southern California DX Club, this 
year was the south's turn to host. Contest-related activities over the 
weekend included Friday's Contest Dinner, the Topband dinner, Saturday's 
contest forum, sessions on rig performance, SDR, remote station 
operation, the NCCC hospitality suite, vendor room, hallway 
conversations - you get the idea. There are plenty of common interests 
between DXers and Contesters. The morning to wee-hours were packed. It 
was great to see friends in person and inspiring to see the faces 
associated with so many familiar calls.

These kids are members of the Dorothy Grant Elementary School Radio 
Club, K6DGE, and attended the International DX Convention in Visalia, 
California. [Picture courtesy of Bob, N6TV]

The kids from the Dorothy Grant Elementary School 
<http://www.k6dge.com/> were there, and the issue of "How do we get more 
youth involved?" was brought up in a few of the sessions.

Are we overlooking other potential sources of new contesters? The 
demographic at the DX conference was primarily male, and 'mature.' What 
about thinking of contester spouses as potential new contesters? They 
already have potential access to equipment. They likely know a lot of 
the basics. They already hang around with contesters, or at least "a" 
contester.

Think of the potential benefits: MORE resources devoted to the hobby you 
love, someone who may challenge you to be a better operator, and someone 
you can talk to about radio nearly any time.

(L to R) Well-known contesters Bob, K8IA, and Sandy, N7RQ, frequently 
contest together as part of the Arizona Outlaws Contest Club.

Sandy, N7RQ <http://www.n7rq.com/>, licensed since 1990, is a seasoned 
contester <http://3830scores.com/findcall.php?call=N7RQ>. I asked her 
how she got started in the hobby:

"My brother was a ham, but never wanted to spend the time to teach me, 
so when I met a ham in my mid-30s, I inquired and found him a willing 
Elmer. Using the ARRL manuals and code tapes & devices, I went from zero 
(with no technical background) to a 20 WPM Extra Class in 54 weeks. The 
easy-to-understand way the manuals were written made the science fun for 
me. I received my ticket 2 weeks before the 1990 CQWW DX SSB contest, 
and was dumbfounded by the number of countries represented on the air 
during that test. I guess you could say DXing was the gateway drug to 
contesting for me. Understand also that to be exposed to kind, patient 
people from many cultures was also a huge draw for me. Above and beyond 
what you can do on the Internet, the opportunity to sit and talk with 
someone in a foreign country and learn about his or her life and family 
is still fascinating to me. The randomness of those contacts makes each 
one a treasure."

Her thoughts on how to be more welcoming of spouses or YLs in general to 
the hobby:

"I grew up in a family of boys, so I'm not intimidated by the fact that 
amateur radio is primarily a male hobby. For women who might feel 
intimidated, I'd think contesting with other women via Field Day or 
multi-op stations can give them the chance to learn contesting without 
feeling like the oddball in the group.

If she's new to amateur radio and married to a ham who is also her 
Elmer, he might help her explore her interests: languages, cultures, 
DXing, science, math, antennas, propagation, and so forth, to find her 
place in the hobby. If she wants to improve her operating skills, 
contesting is certainly a great way to do that, and nothing is more fun 
than a 'his and hers' station. At some point, she'll find favorite 
contests that she wants to operate on her own, and work toward improving 
her scores year-over-year. That's what I did. I knew I could never beat 
the big guns with my modest tower and radio, but I could be a better 
contester."

And what about her spouse, Bob, K8IA?

"By the time I met my husband, Bob Epstein K8IA, I was a seasoned 
contester ready for the next level, and he was a well-regarded contester 
with a far better antenna system, and a desire to be my contest Elmer. 
He integrated my equipment into his existing station set-up and we've 
been contesting together ever since then. With friends, we started our 
own contest club - Arizona Outlaws Contest Club - in 2009. If women can 
find a contest club or group near them, they can be great resources for 
asking questions and learning new methods to improve scores. Best of 
all, they'll find themselves welcomed into a world of people who respect 
women contesters and their increasing contributions to the hobby."

Thank you, Sandy!

73, Brian N9ADG

That's all for this time. Remember to send contesting related tips, 
techniques, press releases, errata, selfies, pictures, stories, blog 
links, Twitter handles, and Field Day recipes to contest-update at arrl.org 
<mailto:contest-update at arrl.org>

CONTESTS

*21 Apr to 4 Mar 2016 *
*(Yes it should say May) - Bill*

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>, Apr 20, 1300z to 
Apr 20, 1400z, Apr 20, 1900z to Apr 20, 2000z, Apr 21, 0300z to Apr 21, 
0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Member: Name + Member No., 
non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: April 23.

RSGB 80m Club Championship, Data 
<http://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2016/r80mcc.shtml>, Apr 21, 1900z to Apr 
21, 2030z; RTTY, PSK; Bands: 80m Only; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: April 28.

NCCC RTTY Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rttyns.html>, Apr 22, 0145z 
to Apr 22, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; 
Logs due: April 24.

NCCC Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rules.html>, Apr 22, 0230z to Apr 
22, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: 
April 24.

10-10 Int. Spring Contest, Digital 
<http://www.ten-ten.org/index.php/activity/2013-07-22-20-26-48/qso-party-rules>, 
Apr 23, 0001z to Apr 24, 2359z; Digital; Bands: 10m Only; 10-10 Member: 
Name + 10-10 number + (state/province/country), Non-Member: Name + 0 + 
(state/province/country); Logs due: May 9.

SP DX RTTY Contest <http://www.pkrvg.org/strona,spdxrttyen.html>, Apr 
23, 1200z to Apr 24, 1200z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; SP: RST + 
1-letter province, Non-SP: RST + QSO No.; Logs due: May 8.

Helvetia Contest 
<http://uska.ch/fileadmin/download/Contest/KW/1-static/KW120101e.pdf>, 
Apr 23, 1300z to Apr 24, 1259z; CW, SSB, Digital; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 
20, 15, 10m; HB: RS(T) + Serial No. + 2-letter canton, non-HB: RS(T) + 
Serial No.; Logs due: May 9.

BARTG Sprint 75 
<http://s3.spanglefish.com/s/7850/documents/contests/sprint75/rules/current/bartg%20sprint%2075%20rules.pdf>, 
Apr 24, 1700z to Apr 24, 2100z; 75 Baud RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 
10m; Serial No.; Logs due: May 1.

SKCC Sprint 
<http://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/weekday_sprint/>, Apr 27, 
0000z to Apr 27, 0200z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; RST + 
(state/province/country) + Name + (SKCC No./power); Logs due: April 29.

Phone Fray <http://www.perluma.com/Phone_Fray_Contest_Rules.pdf>, Apr 
27, 0230z to Apr 27, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15m; NA: Name + 
(state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: April 29.

CWops Mini-CWT Test <http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html>, Apr 27, 1300z to 
Apr 27, 1400z, Apr 27, 1900z to Apr 27, 2000z, Apr 28, 0300z to Apr 28, 
0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Member: Name + Member No., 
non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: April 30.

UKEICC 80m Contest 
<http://www.ukeicc.com/which-contest/contest-rules/ukeicc-80m-contests-rules>, 
Apr 27, 2000z to Apr 27, 2100z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; 4-Character grid 
square; Logs due: April 27.

NCCC RTTY Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rttyns.html>, Apr 29, 0145z 
to Apr 29, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; 
Logs due: May 1.

NCCC Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rules.html>, Apr 29, 0230z to Apr 
29, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: May 1.

Russian WW MultiMode Contest 
<http://www.rdrclub.ru/news-radio/russian-ww-mm-contest/159-rus-ww-multimode-contest>, 
Apr 30, 1200z to May 1, 1159z; CW, SSB, RTTY, BPSK63; Bands: 160, 80, 
40, 20, 15, 10m; UA: RST(Q) + 2-character oblast, non-UA: RST(Q) + QSO 
No.; Logs due: May 15.

Florida QSO Party <http://www.floridaqsoparty.org/rules.html>, Apr 30, 
1600z to May 1, 0159z, May 1, 1200z to May 1, 2159z; CW, Phone; Bands: 
40, 20, 15, 10m; FL: RS(T) + county, W/VE: RS(T) + (state/province), DX: 
RS(T) + DXCC prefix; Logs due: May 31.

AGCW QRP/QRP Party 
<http://www.agcw.org/index.php/en/contests-and-cw-activities/qrp-qrp-party>, 
May 1, 1300z to May 1, 1900z; CW; Bands: 80, 40m; RST + QSO No. + "/" + 
Class ID (A/B); Logs due: May 31.

RSGB 80m Club Championship, SSB 
<http://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2016/r80mcc.shtml>, May 2, 1900z to May 
2, 2030z; SSB; Bands: 80m Only; RS + Serial No.; Logs due: May 9.

ARS Spartan Sprint 
<http://arsqrp.blogspot.com/2009/02/so-whats-spartan-sprint-and-how-do-i.html>, 
May 3, 0100z to May 3, 0300z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; RST + 
(state/province/country) + Power; Logs due: May 5.

Phone Fray <http://www.perluma.com/Phone_Fray_Contest_Rules.pdf>, May 4, 
0230z to May 4, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15m; NA: Name + 
(state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: May 4.

CWops Mini-CWT Test <http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html>, May 4, 1300z to May 
4, 1400z, May 4, 1900z to May 4, 2000z, May 5, 0300z to May 5, 0400z; 
CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Member: Name + Member No., 
non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: May 7.

MIE 33 Contest <http://www.ztv.ne.jp/isoda/33/annual/39/39rule-e.html>, 
May 4, 2300z to May 5, 0300z; CW, Phone; Bands: All, except WARC; Mie: 
RS(T) + age + "ME", non-Mie JA: RS(T) + age + "MEJ", non-Mie non-JA: 
RS(T) + age; Logs due: May 31.

*VHF+ CONTESTS*

432 MHz Spring Sprint 
<https://sites.google.com/site/springvhfupsprints/home/2015-information>, Apr 
27, 1900z to Apr 27, 2300z; (not specified); Bands: 432 Only; 
6-character grid square; Logs due: May 11.

SBMS 2.3 GHz and Up Contest and Club Challenge 
<http://www.n6nb.com/sbmsrules.htm>, Apr 30, 0600 (local) to May 1, 2359 
(local); Any; Bands: 2.3 GHz and up; 6-character Maidenhead locator; 
Logs due: June 1.

LOG DUE DATES

*21 Apr to 4 Mar 2016 (Yes it should say May) - Bill
*

*April 21, 2016*

  * NRAU 10m Activity Contest
    <http://www.nrau.net/activity-contests/below-30mhz.html>

*April 22, 2016*

  * Phone Fray <http://www.perluma.com/Phone_Fray_Contest_Rules.pdf>

*April 23, 2016*

  * New Mexico QSO Party <http://www.newmexicoqsoparty.org/>
  * RSGB International Sprint Contest, SSB
    <http://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2016/sprint.shtml>
  * CWops Mini-CWT Test <http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html>

*April 24, 2016*

  * OK/OM DX Contest, SSB <http://okomdx.crk.cz/index.php?page=englis>
  * Run for the Bacon QRP Contest <http://fpqrp.org/pigrun/>
  * Worked All Provinces of China DX Contest <http://www.mulandxc.org/331>

*April 25, 2016*

  * 144 MHz Spring Sprint
    <https://sites.google.com/site/springvhfupsprints/home/2016-information>
  * Hungarian Straight Key Contest <http://hskc.ha8kux.com/>

*April 27, 2016*

  * Low Power Spring Sprint
    <http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/lowpowerspringsprint2016.pdf>

*April 28, 2016*

  * QRP ARCI Spring QSO Party
    <http://qrparci.org/contests/146-spring-qso-party>

*April 30, 2016*

  * Mississippi QSO Party
    <http://www.arrlmiss.org/2016_Mississippi_QSO_Party_-_Rules.pdf>
  * Classic Exchange, CW
    <http://www.classicexchange.org/jan16/jan16ann.html>
  * International Vintage Contest HF
    <http://www.contestvintage.beepworld.it/rules-2012.htm>
  * SP DX Contest <http://www.spdxcontest.pzk.org.pl/reg/reg_g.html>

*May 1, 2016*

  * ES Open HF Championship <http://www.erau.ee/images/LL/es-open_rules.pdf>

*May 2, 2016*

  * YU DX Contest <http://www.yudx.yu1srs.org.rs/2016/rules.html>

*May 3, 2016*

  * 222 MHz Spring Sprint
    <https://sites.google.com/site/springvhfupsprints/home/2015-information>
  * Missouri QSO Party
    <http://www.w0ma.org/oldwebsite/mo_qso_party/Rules/MOQP-Rules-2016.pdf>

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ARRL Contest Update wishes to acknowledge information from WA7BNM's 
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