[SFDXA] The ARRL Contest Update for February 24, 2016

Wed Feb 24 08:28:43 EST 2016

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The ARRL Contest Update

February 24, 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: Check your Microphone Gain and Compression and more
    <#NewHF>
  * Bulletins: The real Idaho QSO Party URL, WWROF Webinar <#Bulletins>
  * Contest Summary <#ContestSummary>
  * News lead item: Proposed FCC Wi-Fi Rule Cited as Reason for Firmware
    Lockdown, and more <#News>
  * Website of the week: The National Hearing Test <#WebsiteOfTheWeek>
  * Word to the Wise: Gin Pole <#Word>
  * Sights and Sounds: TO2A FD Style, GTA Tower Climbing Raccoon, and
    more <#Sights>
  * Results <#Results>
  * Operating Tip: Logging Cut Numbers <#OperatingTip>
  * Technical Topics and Information: Hard Drawn Copper Wire, Raspberry
    Pi Camera, and more <#Tech>
  * Conversation: Known Unknowns <#Conversation>
  * Contests in Detail <#LogsDue>
  * Log Due Dates <#LogsDue>

NEW HF OPERATORS -- THINGS TO DO

The ARRL DX Phone contest is coming up the weekend of March 5. The 
conditions for the CW contest (just completed) were pretty darned good, 
and there will be plenty of DX stations to work. Beforehand, how about 
checking your microphone and compression levels of your transmit audio, 
to ensure that it's accomplishing your goals? If you've changed headsets 
or microphones, if you've changed your shack's acoustics, if you are 
using higher power than previously, even if you've changed your power 
supply for your rig, you may need to adjust the microphone gain levels 
and amount of compression that you're using, to ensure minimum 
distortion and maximum effectiveness. Some rig manufacturers supply 
detailed instructions on how to adjust their equipment, while others 
leave you to fend for yourself. Jim Brown, K9YC, has written an article 
for the March-April 2016 issue of /NCJ/ 
<http://www.arrl.org/intranet/nledit/ncjweb.com> entitled, "Clean, 
Punchy, Competitive Contest Audio Without Splatter," which pretty much 
sums up everything that you should hope to achieve. Additionally, 
AB4OJ/VA7OJ has a web page <http://www.ab4oj.com/icom/ssbcomp.html> on 
the general procedure to adjust for more "talk power" if you have a 
minimum of test equipment -- a power meter and receiver.

February 27, the NAQP RTTY contest, will be a good bet for lots of 
contest activity; also don't forget that the South Carolina and North 
Carolina QSO Parties are on consecutive days that weekend.

BULLETINS

Idaho QSO Party Participants: The "Contest Corral -- March 2016" in the 
March issue of /QST/ contains an incorrect Sponsors Website listing for 
the Idaho QSO Party. The correct listing is 
http://idahoarrl.info/qsoparty/rules.htm.

"High Performance RX Antennas for a Small Lot" by Jose "JC" Carlos, 
N4IS, will be the topic of a webinar sponsored by the World Wide Radio 
Operators Foundation <wwrof.org>. "JC will look at basic concepts of RX 
antennas and share his experiences with low band RX antennas on a small 
lot, including the Waller Flag." Date/Time: March 3, 9 PM EST (March 4 - 
0200 UTC). Registration 
<https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5041717483258312204> is 
required. (Ken, K4ZW)

CONTEST SUMMARY

Complete information for all contests follows the "Conversation" section

*February 25*

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

*February 26*

  * NCCC RTTY Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rttyns.html>
  * QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm>
  * NCCC Sprint Ladder <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rules.html>
  * CQ 160-Meter Contest, SSB <http://www.cq160.com/rules.htm>

*February 27*

  * REF Contest, SSB
    <http://concours.ref-union.org/reglements/actuels/reg_cdfhf_dx.pdf>
  * UBA DX Contest, CW
    <http://www.uba.be/en/hf/contest-rules/uba-dx-contest-rules>
  * South Carolina QSO Party <http://scqso.com/rules/>

  * *North American QSO Party, RTTY <http://www.ncjweb.com/NAQP-Rules.pdf>*

*February 28*

  * High Speed Club CW Contest <http://www.highspeedclub.org/>
  * SARL Digital Contest
    <http://www.sarl.org.za/Web3/Members/DoDocDownload.aspx?X=20151130131559djqp8afPgb.PDF>
  * North Carolina QSO Party
    <http://rars.org/ncqsoparty/index.php?id=rules>

*March 1*

  * AGCW YL-CW Party
    <http://www.agcw.org/index.php/en/contests-and-cw-activities/yl-cw-party>

*March 2*

  * QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm>
  * Phone Fray <http://www.perluma.com/Phone_Fray_Contest_Rules.pdf>
  * CWops Mini-CWT Test <http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html>
  * UKEICC 80m Contest
    <http://www.ukeicc.com/which-contest/contest-rules/ukeicc-80m-contests-rules>

*March 3*

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

*March 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>

*March 5*

  * *ARRL International DX Contest, SSB <http://www.arrl.org/arrl-dx>*
  * Wake-Up! QRP Sprint <http://qrp.ru/contest/wakeup/333-wakeup-eng>
  * Open Ukraine RTTY Championship
    <http://uarl.com.ua/openrtty/2015-rules/rtty2015e.txt>

*March 6*

  * Open Ukraine RTTY Championship
    <http://uarl.com.ua/openrtty/2015-rules/rtty2015e.txt>
  * UBA Spring Contest, CW
    <http://www.uba.be/hf/contest-rules/spring-contest>
  * DARC 10-Meter Digital Contest
    <http://www.darc.de/referate/ukw-funksport/corona/teilnahmebedingungen/>
  * SARL Hamnet 40m Simulated Emergency Contest
    <http://www.sarl.org.za/Web3/Members/DoDocDownload.aspx?X=20151130131559djqp8afPgb.PDF>

*March 7*

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

*March 8*

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

*March 9*

  * QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm>
  * Phone Fray <http://www.perluma.com/Phone_Fray_Contest_Rules.pdf>
  * CWops Mini-CWT Test <http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html>
  * AWA John Rollins Memorial DX Contest
    <http://www.antiquewireless.org/awa-john-rollins-memorial-dx-contest.html>

NEWS, PRESS RELEASES, AND GENERAL INTEREST

Here's a fun and perhaps apocryphal story from some years ago of a 
surplus 6H6 being used for a critical system on a naval destroyer 
<http://www.jameco.com/Jameco/workshop/MyStory/Jack-thrift-store-tube-on-navy-ship.html>.

You may recall that in August, 2015, the FCC proposed a rule 
<https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/08/06/2015-18402/equipment-authorization-and-electronic-labeling-for-wireless-devices> 
that would compel manufacturers of Wi-Fi hardware to "demonstrate that 
the device contains security features to prevent the loading of software 
that would allow the radio to operate in violation of the Commission's 
rules." There are a number of Amateur Radio projects like HSMM-Mesh 
<http://hsmm-mesh.org/> that take advantage of off-the-shelf Wi-Fi 
hardware in combination with project-specific firmware loaded on that 
hardware. At the time of the proposed ruling, there was speculation that 
the ruling could lead to manufacturers disallowing independent firmware 
usage 
<http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/09/fcc-accused-of-locking-down-wi-fi-routers-but-the-truth-is-a-bit-murkier/> 
so that they would satisfy the rules, resulting in a chilling effect for 
any projects that used independent firmware. The FCC later clarified 
what it meant 
<https://www.fcc.gov/news-events/blog/2015/11/12/clearing-air-wi-fi-software-updates>, 
due to a large amount of feedback.

Recently, TP-Link, a hardware vendor for Wi-Fi networking gear, started 
preventing the installation of non-standard firmware on some of its 
devices, stating it is due to the "FCC Regulations." 
<http://ml.ninux.org/pipermail/battlemesh/2016-February/004379.html> 
That they are preventing upgrades is factual, however attributing the 
actual reason to /proposed /FCC regulations may just be convenient. 
There's not enough information to know for sure yet. Some hardware 
vendors are conflicted about the usage of third-party firmware for their 
products, as on the one hand it has the potential to sell more hardware 
and make products more mainstream, while on the other hand, it can 
relieve artificial firmware limitations intended to compel purchase of 
more expensive products.

For more information on the evolving situation, try LibrePlanet.org 
<https://libreplanet.org/wiki/Save_WiFi/Individual_Comments>, check out 
the Slashdot discussion 
<http://yro.slashdot.org/story/16/02/18/1423216/tp-link-begins-lockdown-of-firmware-in-response-to-fcc>, 
and see the website http://www.SaveWifi.org <http://www.SaveWIfi.org> 
(and associated Save Wi-Fi 2 GoFundMe 
<https://www.gofundme.com/save_wifi_round_2>).

The N3FJP logging program is growing an API (Application Programming 
Interface)! Starting in February 2016, functionality that will enable 
other programs to "talk" to the N3FJP logging program will start to be 
incorporated in the software. Initial functionality 
<http://www.n3fjp.com/help/api.html> includes the ability to get/set 
text entry fields, get/set the frequency, band, mode, log a contact, 
check for dupes, and more. See the N3JFP website <http://www.n3fjp.com/> 
for more information.

Russian scientists are combining memristors to fashion neural networks 
<http://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1328806>, realizing what has 
been described as a "Perceptron" by Marvin Minsky. Memristors are 
relatively new, but it's their use in "neuromorphic networks" that is 
novel. While a single-layer perceptron has been constructed, future 
multi-layer perceptrons would find application in machine learning and 
machine vision.

A typical member of the "Maker" movement has a lot of the same 
characteristics of a typical Amateur Radio experimenter and builder -- 
including willingness to build their own equipment and projects using 
what's on hand, or using what can be gleaned from re-purposing other 
technology. Now, some makers are discovering ham radio 
<https://www.yahoo.com/tech/why-modern-makers-are-bringing-1363811879927862.html>.

*Website of the Week* - - https://www.nationalhearingtest.org

The National Hearing Test <https://www.nationalhearingtest.org> is a 
scientifically validated means of testing for hearing loss via 
telephone. Partially funded by the NIH, described in the /Washington 
Post/ 
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2014/05/16/take-this-hearing-test-right-now-i-did-and-the-results-were-disturbing/>, 
on /NPR/ 
<http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/12/21/459397027/is-everybody-mumbling-try-a-hearing-test-you-take-on-the-phone>, 
and via the National Hearing Test web site, you can use the results to 
determine whether or not it may be prudent to follow up with an 
audiologist. The testing fee is $5, however if you are an AARP member, 
you may be able to perform the test for free. The test itself uses 
spoken numbers combined with varying amounts of noise -- something phone 
operators should be familiar with.

WORD TO THE WISE-- Gin Pole

It's a device that is temporarily installed on a tower to lift tower 
sections, masts, antennas, and other items. It typically consists of a 
pulley atop a hollow pole. At the opposite end of the pole from the 
pulley is a clamp or other device that allows attachment to the tower. A 
rope or cable goes from the load, over the pulley, and through the pole. 
K7NV provides a nice diagram of gin pole use on his website 
<http://k7nv.com/notebook/id7.htm>.

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SIGHTS AND SOUNDS

TO2A in the CQWW SSB 2015. Field Day style operation with two-element 
Quad at 8 meters high, dipoles on 40 meters and 80 meters at 9 meters 
high, inverted L on 160 meters. [Photo courtesy of Rich, N6KT]

Rich, N6KT, inside the tent at TO2A. [Photo courtesy of Rich, N6KT]

Rich, N6KT, was TO2A in last fall's CQWW SSB 2015 Contest: "Many thanks 
to FY5SE and FY5YR for their great assistance!" For the ARRL DX SSB, 
he's heading to HK1NA.

A raccoon climbed nearly 700 feet up a Toronto tower 
<https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2015/04/16/raccoon-climbs-200-metres-up-toronto-crane.html>, 
and then back down. Unassisted. Social media has made the critter 
famous. Perhaps she can be trained as a tower work assistant?

NASA has made a time-lapse movie of 1 year's observations from its Solar 
Dynamics Observatory 
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=7&v=8MImmQvqCSg>. Flares, 
ejections, its all here; each frame represents 2 hours in the life of 
the sun. If you have the capability to display it, you can also download 
a 4K version <https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/details.cgi?aid=12144> 
(3840 x 2160 at 29.97 frames per second). (Dennis, N6KI)

Don, N4KC, writes: "The movie /Frequency/, which, as you may recall, 
featured Amateur Radio very prominently, is now being turned into a 
television series 
<http://deadline.com/2016/02/riley-smith-star-frequency-reboot-cw-pilot-1201698696/>. 
I wonder if this means we can add "decade" stickers to our DXCC 
certificates when we work DX from the past and future! Or participate in 
the ARRL DX Contest in, say, 1974..."

RESULTS AND RECORDS

Dawn Hanner, N7VWH, was one of the operators at K7RI for the 2015 WAE 
RTTY Contest. [Photo courtesy of Curt, WR5J]

Worked All Europe DX Contest (WAEDC) results are available 
<http://www.darc.de/de/referate/dx/contest/waedc/en/> for all modes.

This could also be a fine time to check out recent contest result 
postings at 3830scores.com <http://3830scores.com/>.

OPERATING TIP

Convert those Cut Numbers

In the recent ARRL International DX Contest, some CW operators were 
sending cut numbers, which are shorter letter abbreviations for numbers. 
For example, for a power level of 99 watts, "NN" could be sent. For 100, 
"1TT", or even "ATT". Before submitting your log, it's prudent to 
convert these to the numeric equivalent. If a cut number is entered for 
the zone, your logging progam may not even accept it.

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=cu&t=i&i=2016-02-24&p=1>
TECHNICAL TOPICS AND INFORMATION

Hard-drawn copper wire has traditionally been used for some electrical 
transmission line and antennas, where its greater tensile strength 
allows less sag. It can be difficult to work with, and can be hard to 
find, though at least one source <https://thewireman.com/antennap.html> 
has it in both stranded and solid. For long spans with minimal sag, 
copper-coated steel may be a better choice.

Using a Raspberry Pi computer and some switchable filters, it's possible 
to build a camera that allows one to view images captured using 
polarized light 
<http://www.diyphysics.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/DOLPi_Polarimetric_Camera_D_Prutchi_2015_v5.pdf> 
(PDF). Polarized sunglasses can help you see fish through the glare 
reflecting from water; using variations on this theme, it's possible to 
use this device to detect man-made materials, chemical plumes, etc. The 
author of the paper is N2QG.

Building antennas for higher frequencies may require bending aluminum 
rod. A tool that you can build yourself may be helpful for consistent 
bends <http://www.instructables.com/id/Large-Wire-Bender/>.

Foamed Copper may be a better heat conductor than solid 
<https://www.elektormagazine.com/news/copper-foam-cools-better>, as it 
has greater surface area for heat exchange. (Ward, N0AX)

Careful with those network-enabled devices! Make sure you know what 
you're putting on the Internet 
<https://www.pentestpartners.com/blog/pwning-cctv-cameras/>.

Old-CPU nostalgia: One company has realized a pin-signal-level 
replacement for an 8088 using an relatively inexpensive FPGA 
<https://forums.xilinx.com/t5/Xcell-Daily-Blog/8088-microprocessor-IP-core-fits-in-308-LUTs-runs-at-180MHz-on-a/ba-p/682449>. 
Of course, other CPUs and even whole computers have been re-implemented 
using FPGAs 
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field-programmable_gate_array>: 
6502:Apple II FPGA, <http://www.cs.columbia.edu/%7Esedwards/apple2fpga/> 
generic 6502 <http://apple2.x10.mx/CHOCHI/>, or even a PDP-11 
<http://pdp2011.sytse.net/wordpress/pdp-11/>.

Here are some techniques 
<http://www.qsotoday.com/n6kr-desolder-primer.html> tempered with humor 
that you can use to get soldered components off that PC board, provided 
by one of the principals at Elecraft.

Could you use a Bluetooth switch with your computer? It turns out that 
under-$3 button hardware can link to your computer, emulating a keypress 
<https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2016/02/cheap-bluetooth-buttons-and-linux/>. 
These could be handy for some uses in the shack.

CONVERSATION

Known Unknowns

A couple of weeks ago, I was chatting with a colleague about what it 
would take to enable remote operation of our home stations so that we 
can use them from anywhere. The conversation eventually turned to the 
nitty-gritty details of how we could access our ham gear through our 
home network firewalls. My colleague mentioned that he worked with 
someone that thought you "didn't have to worry about using firewalls, 
because what is someone going to do anyway?" Being involved in the 
computer industry, I was taken aback; I didn't have an immediate answer 
to this, so alien was this opinion to me. I couldn't say nothing. All I 
could muster at the time was. "I think that's a really bad idea, there 
are all sorts of threats you are not aware of," while thinking, "don't 
exchange any USB storage devices with THAT guy. Remember to not open any 
of his e-mail attachments, either."

What would have been a more comprehensive response?

First, the answer to, "what is a bad guy going to do, anyway?" The smug 
but accurate answer is, "anything they can." It's not just the good guys 
that read about how the NSA exploits networks 
<http://www.wired.com/2016/01/nsa-hacker-chief-explains-how-to-keep-him-out-of-your-system/>; 
the bad guys do too, and they write automated tools to do their work. 
Initially, their army of script-driven robot attackers look for network 
devices that are vulnerable to gain a toehold. There are plenty of 
devices that are potentially vulnerable; there's even a search engine 
that will help find them <http://shodan.io> by the message they use to 
self-identify. Some network routers, firewalls, and cable modems 
<https://w00tsec.blogspot.com/2015/11/arris-cable-modem-has-backdoor-in.html>, 
have vulnerabilities. Exploits and vulnerabilities are even bought and 
sold 
<http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2015/07/24/new_insights_into_zero_day_exploit_sales.html> 
among the black hats. All it takes is one device that's vulnerable, and 
some unwanted software is running on that device making it capable of 
launching attacks on all of the other devices on your network. 
Compromised computers will be scanned for financial information; 
keystroke capture software may be installed so everything that's typed 
gets sent somewhere for later analysis; new root certificates may get 
installed, which will allow further nefarious software to be installed 
when you browse the web. You could suddenly be be locked out of all of 
your files, including your electronic logbook, or be sending spam e-mail 
to all of your ham friends in your address book. You could become an 
electronic pariah. The bad guys could also get access to whatever 
devices are running your ham gear, but they'd likely prefer your bank 
accounts and your identity information. Even if there are laws in place 
to protect you financially from identity theft, it is a long and arduous 
process to put your financial and virtual self back together. Security 
is all about cost-benefit trade-offs -- you want to be as costly and 
difficult a target as possible for a potential hacker. Understand and 
implement security practices that apply to your situation 
<https://www.nsa.gov/ia/_files/factsheets/I43V_Slick_Sheets/Slicksheet_BestPracticesForKeepingYourHomeNetworkSecure.pdf>. 
In general, protect yourself however you can. Use strong passwords. 
Change default passwords. Keep your software and hardware up to date. 
Scan for viruses and other malware. Back up your data. Use a firewall, 
and don't open any more ports in your firewall than necessary.

See you in the NAQP RTTY?

73, Brian N9ADG

PS. Send your contest-related pictures, links, humor, press releases, 
and comments to contest-update at arrl.org 
<mailto:contest-update at arrl.org?subject=Something%20for%20the%20Contest%20Update%21>.

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CONTESTS

*25 Feb - 9 Mar*

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

*HF CONTESTS*

CWops Mini-CWT Test <http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html>, Feb 24, 1300z to 
Feb 24, 1400z, Feb 24, 1900z to Feb 24, 2000z, Feb 25, 0300z to Feb 25, 
0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Member: Name + Member No., 
non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: February 27.

NCCC RTTY Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rttyns.html>, Feb 26, 0145z 
to Feb 26, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; 
Logs due: February 28.

QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm>, Feb 26, 0200z 
to Feb 26, 0330z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; RST + (state/province/country) + 
name + power output; Logs due: February 27.

NCCC Sprint Ladder <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rules.html>, Feb 26, 0230z 
to Feb 26, 0300z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, *6m*; Serial No. + 
Name + QTH; Logs due: February 28.

CQ 160-Meter Contest, SSB <http://www.cq160.com/rules.htm>, Feb 26, 
2200z to Feb 28, 2200z; SSB; Bands: 160m Only; W/VE: RS + 
(state/province), DX: RS + CQ Zone; Logs due: March 4.

REF Contest, SSB 
<http://concours.ref-union.org/reglements/actuels/reg_cdfhf_dx.pdf>, Feb 
27, 0600z to Feb 28, 1800z; SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; French: RS 
+ Department/Prefix, non-French: RS + Serial No.; Logs due: March 15.

UBA DX Contest, CW 
<http://www.uba.be/en/hf/contest-rules/uba-dx-contest-rules>, Feb 27, 
1300z to Feb 28, 1300z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; ON: RST + Serial 
No. + province, non-ON: RST + Serial No.; Logs due: March 15.

South Carolina QSO Party <http://scqso.com/rules/>, Feb 27, 1400z to Feb 
28, 0059z; CW, Digital, Phone; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, *6m*; SC: 
RS(T) + County, non-SC: RS(T) + (state/province/"DX"); Logs due: March 29.

*North American QSO Party, RTTY <http://www.ncjweb.com/NAQP-Rules.pdf>, 
Feb 27, 1800z to Feb 28, 0559z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; NA: 
Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: March 6.
*
High Speed Club CW Contest <http://www.highspeedclub.org/>, Feb 28, 
0900z to Feb 28, 1100z, Feb 28, 1500z to Feb 28, 1700z; CW; Bands: 80, 
40, 20, 15, 10m; Members: RST + HSC No., non-Members: RST + "NM"; Logs 
due: March 20.

SARL Digital Contest 
<http://www.sarl.org.za/Web3/Members/DoDocDownload.aspx?X=20151130131559djqp8afPgb.PDF>, 
Feb 28, 1300z to Feb 28, 1600z; PSK, RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20m; RST + QSO 
No.; Logs due: March 6.

North Carolina QSO Party 
<http://rars.org/ncqsoparty/index.php?id=rules>, Feb 28, 1500z to Feb 
29, 0059z; CW, Phone, Digital; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, *6, 2m*; NC: 
County, non-NC: (state/province/country); Logs due: March 21.

AGCW YL-CW Party 
<http://www.agcw.org/index.php/en/contests-and-cw-activities/yl-cw-party>, 
Mar 1, 1900z to Mar 1, 2100z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; YL: RST + Serial No. 
+ "/YL/" + name, OM: RST + Serial No. + "/" + name; Logs due: March 31.

QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm>, Mar 2, 0200z 
to Mar 2, 0330z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; RST + (state/province/country) + 
name + power output; Logs due: March 3.

Phone Fray <http://www.perluma.com/Phone_Fray_Contest_Rules.pdf>, Mar 2, 
0230z to Mar 2, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15m; NA: Name + 
(state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: March 4.

CWops Mini-CWT Test <http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html>, Mar 2, 1300z to Mar 
2, 1400z, Mar 2, 1900z to Mar 2, 2000z, Mar 3, 0300z to Mar 3, 0400z; 
CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Member: Name + Member No., 
non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: March 4.

UKEICC 80m Contest 
<http://www.ukeicc.com/which-contest/contest-rules/ukeicc-80m-contests-rules>, 
Mar 2, 2000z to Mar 2, 2100z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; 4-Character grid 
square; Logs due: March 2.

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

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

QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm>, Mar 4, 0200z 
to Mar 4, 0330z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; RST + (state/province/country) + 
name + power output; Logs due: March 5.

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

*ARRL International DX Contest, SSB <http://www.arrl.org/arrl-dx>, Mar 
5, 0000z to Mar 7, 0000z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; W/VE: RS 
+ (state/province), non-W/VE: RS + power; Logs due: April 5. *

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

Open Ukraine RTTY Championship 
<http://uarl.com.ua/openrtty/2015-rules/rtty2015e.txt>, Mar 5, 1800z to 
Mar 5, 2059z (Low Band), Mar 5, 2100z to Mar 5, 2359z (Low Band), Mar 6, 
0800z to Mar 6, 1059z (High Band), Mar 6, 1100z to Mar 6, 1359z (High 
Band); RTTY; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; 2-letter regional abbrev. 
(state/province/canton, etc.) + Serial No.(restart serial no. for high 
band); Logs due: March 21.

UBA Spring Contest, CW 
<http://www.uba.be/hf/contest-rules/spring-contest>, Mar 6, 0700z to Mar 
6, 1100z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; ON: RST + Serial No. + UBA Section, 
non-ON: RST + Serial No.; Logs due: March 20.

DARC 10-Meter Digital Contest 
<http://www.darc.de/referate/ukw-funksport/corona/teilnahmebedingungen/>, Mar 
6, 1100z to Mar 6, 1700z; RTTY, Amtor, Clover, PSK31, Pactor; Bands: 10m 
Only; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: March 21.

SARL Hamnet 40m Simulated Emerg Contest 
<http://www.sarl.org.za/Web3/Members/DoDocDownload.aspx?X=20151130131559djqp8afPgb.PDF>, 
Mar 6, 1200z to Mar 6, 1400z; SSB; Bands: 40m Only; Class A: RS + Serial 
No. (starting with 201), Class B: RS + Serial No. (starting with 401), 
Class C: RS + Serial No. (starting with 601), Class D: RS + Serial No. 
(starting with 801), Non-participants: RS + Serial No. (starting with 
001); Logs due: March 13.

RSGB 80m Club Championship, Data 
<http://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2016/r80mcc.shtml>, Mar 7, 2000z to Mar 
7, 2130z; RTTY, PSK; Bands: 80m Only; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: March 14.

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

QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm>, Mar 9, 0200z 
to Mar 9, 0330z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; RST + (state/province/country) + 
name + power output; Logs due: March 11.

Phone Fray <http://www.perluma.com/Phone_Fray_Contest_Rules.pdf>, Mar 9, 
0230z to Mar 9, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15m; NA: Name + 
(state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: March 11.

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

AWA John Rollins Memorial DX Contest 
<http://www.antiquewireless.org/awa-john-rollins-memorial-dx-contest.html>, 
Mar 9, 2300z to Mar 10, 2300z, Mar 12, 2300z to Mar 13, 2300z; CW; 
Bands: 40, 20m; RST + Eqpt Type + Eqpt Year; Logs due: April 10.

*VHF+ CONTESTS*

See NCCC Sprint Ladder, North Carolina and South Carolina QSO Parties, 
above.

LOG DUE DATES

*25 Feb - 9 Mar 2016
*

*February 25, 2016*

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

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

*February 26, 2016*

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

  * Russian PSK WW Contest
    <http://www.rdrclub.ru/russian-ww-psk-contest/49-rus-ww-psk-rules>

  * SKCC Sprint
    <http://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/weekday_sprint/>

*February 27, 2016*

  * ARRL School Club Roundup <http://www.arrl.org/school-club-roundup>

  * Feld Hell Sprint
    <https://sites.google.com/site/feldhellclub/Home/contests/sprints/bingo-sprint>

  * SARL Youth Day Sprint
    <http://www.sarl.org.za/Web3/Members/DoDocDownload.aspx?X=20151130131559djqp8afPgb.PDF>

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

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

*February 28, 2016*

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

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

  * AGCW Straight Key Party
    <http://www.agcw.org/index.php/en/contests-and-cw-activities/straight-key-party-htp>

  * PODXS 070 Club Valentine Sprint
    <http://www.podxs070.com/o7o-club-sponsored-contests/valentine-sprint>

  * Run for the Bacon QRP Contest <http://fpqrp.org/pigrun/>

*February 29, 2016*

  * Triathlon DX Contest
    <http://triathlon-dx-contest.gr/contest/index.php/rules>

*March 1, 2016*

  * Winter Field Day <http://www.winterfieldday.com/rules.html>

  * OMISS QSO Party <http://www.omiss.net/Facelift/qsoparty.php>

*March 2, 2016*

  * ARRL January VHF Contest <http://www.arrl.org/january-vhf>

*March 4, 2016*

  * YL-ISSB QSO Party, CW/SSB
    <http://www.ylsystem.org/qsoparty/qsodates.htm>

*March 6, 2016*

  * YLRL YL-OM Contest <http://ylrl.org/index.php/contests-and-dx-awards>

*March 7, 2016*

  * British Columbia QSO Party <http://www.orcadxcc.org/bcqp_rules.html>

  * FISTS Winter Slow Speed Sprint
    <http://fistsna.org/operating.html#sprints>

  * FYBO Winter QRP Sprint <http://www.azscqrpions.com/fybo2009rules.html>

  * Vermont QSO Party <http://www.ranv.org/vtqso.html>

*March 8, 2016*

  * F9AA Cup, CW
    <http://www.site.urc.asso.fr/urchaut-6/om-6/131-trophee-f9aa.html>

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