[SFDXA] The ARRL Contest Update for January 27, 2016

Wed Jan 27 08:36:48 EST 2016

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The ARRL Contest Update

January 27, 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: Simultaneous Contests, ARRL VHF, Winter FD, and
    more <#NewHF>
  * Bulletins: Bart Jahnke, W9JJ, is new ARRL Contest Branch Manager,
    Call for Dayton Contest Forum Speakers & more <#Bulletins>
  * Contest Summary <#ContestSummary>
  * News: J.C. Bose, Early Radio Experimenter, and more <#News>
  * Word to the Wise: Eutectic <#Word>
  * Sights and Sounds: N3BB's WRTC-2014 Book, N6TR commentary <#Sights>
  * Results: Texas QSO Party, VE4XT Awarded <#Results>
  * Operating Tip: For Phone Pileup Success, Offset <#OperatingTip>
  * Technical Topics: Protect that Beverage, ATV, ATSC 3.0, and more <#Tech>
  * Tech Website of the week: McMaster-Carr <#TechWebsiteOfTheWeek>
  * Conversation: Remote Contesting Part III - Remote Ham Radio
    <#Conversation>
  * Contests in Detail <#Contests>
  * Log Due Dates <#LogsDue>

NEW HF OPERATORS - THINGS TO DO

The 2016 January ARRL VHF Contest is coming soon! Last year, Rachel, 
K7NIT/R, pictured here at Oregon's Fort Stevens State Park, CN86/CN87, 
captured first place in the Northwestern Section Unlimited Rover 
category. She roved through 10 grids. (Picture courtesy of Etienne, K7ATN)

On most weekends it's there can be multiple contests sharing the same 
mode. If you're operating in one contest, it's helpful to at know the 
exchanges you might be asked for by participants in the other contests - 
a nice way to boost both parties' scores. The *ARRL VHF contest 
<http://www.arrl.org/january-vhf> *and Winter Field Day partially 
overlap this year on January 30th. If you participate in Winter Field 
Day, you could be leaving points on the table by NOT looking to 6m and 
2m for contacts.

A similar situation with "3 QSO Parties at once!" occurs the weekend of 
February 6 with Vermont, Minnesota, and British Columbia QSO Parties. 
The weekend of May 7-8, there are FOUR simultaneous QSO Parties.

BULLETINS

He's back, and he's running the Contest Branch! Bart Jahnke, W9JJ, has 
been named as ARRL Contest Branch Manager 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/bart-jahnke-w9jj-named-as-arrl-contest-branch-manager>. 
One of Bart's personal goals for the contest branch is to shorten the 
cycle between contest end and the publishing of contest results, while 
upholding the quality and integrity of the scoring process. Welcome Bart!

Are you comfortable talking in front of a room full of people about 
something you've done recently that could be of interest to a 
contest-oriented crowd? Doug, K1DG, would like to talk to you about 
being a speaker at the 2016 Dayton Hamvention <http://hamvention.org>'s 
Contest Forum. If you have ideas for a topic that should be covered in 
the forum format, please send them to Doug 
<mailto:dougk1dg at gmail.com?subject=Dayton%20Hamvention%20Contest%20Forum>.

The sixth running of the "Maine 2 Meter FM Simplex Challenge 
<http://www.qsl.net/ws1sm/contest.html>" will occur on February 15, 2015 
starting at 1700 UTC. True to its name, contacts are limited to the 2 
meter band. (KB1HNZ)

The Southeastern VHF Society (SVHFS), North East Weak Signal Group 
(NEWS) and Mt. Airy VHF Radio Club (Pack Rats) have come together to 
sponsor the first-ever "VHF Super Conference 
<http://vhfsuperconference.com>" April 14-17, 2016, at the Holiday Inn 
Washington-Dulles International Airport in Sterling, Virginia.

Hosted by the Grid Pirates Contest Group and Directive Systems and 
Engineering, many of VHF's movers, shakers, and top operators will be on 
hand. More details will be forthcoming on the conference web site 
<http://vhfsuperconference.com>.

Logs entered into the NC and SC QSO Parties, February 27-28, are also 
entries in a drawing to win a complete Carolina Style BBQ Dinner. The 
sauce pictured is yellow as it has a mustard base.

The North and South Carolina QSO Parties have announced 
<http://lists.contesting.com/pipermail/cq-contest/2016-January/112340.html> 
some incentives enhance the appeal of participating in their event on 
February 27-28^th . Anyone who submits a log will be eligible for a 
drawing to win a Carolina Style BBQ Dinner with all the trimmings. There 
are other incentives for mobile operators, as well as a special "Hunley 
Challenge" award.

The New Hampshire QSO Party has changed its 2016 date to September 
17-18, 2016, according to Mark, K1RX. The web site will be updated to 
reflect these changes soon.

BUSTED QSOS

In the story about Winter Field Day in the last issue, "Thom Proehl's 
callsign is K7FZO... Thom and his XYL Teena, K9HAV, manage Valley Camp, 
where several ham radio related events are hosted during the year." - 
Rick, N6NR

Bill, AI5I, also sent in the link to the article on LF transmissions 
affecting the Van Allen radiation belt boundaries.

CONTEST SUMMARY

Complete information for all contests follows the Conversation section

*January 28*

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

*January 29*

  * 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, CW <http://www.cq160.com/rules.htm>

*January 30*

  * Feld Hell Sprint
    <https://sites.google.com/site/feldhellclub/Home/contests/sprints/leprechaun-sprint>
  * REF Contest, CW
    <http://concours.ref-union.org/reglements/actuels/reg_cdfhf_dx.pdf>
  * UBA DX Contest, SSB
    <http://www.uba.be/en/hf/contest-rules/uba-dx-contest-rules>
  * Winter Field Day <http://www.winterfieldday.com/rules.html>
  * *ARRL January VHF Contest <http://www.arrl.org/january-vhf>*

*January 31*

  * Classic Exchange, CW
    <http://www.classicexchange.org/jan16/jan16ann.html>

*February 1*

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

*February 2*

  * Classic Exchange, CW
    <http://www.classicexchange.org/jan16/jan16ann.html>
  * ARS Spartan Sprint
    <http://arsqrp.blogspot.com/2009/02/so-whats-spartan-sprint-and-how-do-i.html>

*February 3*

  * 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>

*February 4*

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

*February 5*

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

*February 6*

  * Vermont QSO Party <http://www.ranv.org/vtqso.html>
  * Triathlon DX Contest
    <http://triathlon-dx-contest.gr/contest/index.php/rules>
  * 10-10 Int. Winter Contest, SSB
    <http://www.ten-ten.org/index.php/activity/2013-07-22-20-26-48/qso-party-rules>
  * Black Sea Cup International <http://bscc.ucoz.ru/index/0-21>
  * F9AA Cup, CW
    <http://www.site.urc.asso.fr/urchaut-6/om-6/131-trophee-f9aa.html>
  * Minnesota QSO Party
    <http://www.w0aa.org/docs/mnqp/MNQP%20Contest%20Rules.pdf>
  * FYBO Winter QRP Sprint <http://www.azscqrpions.com/fybo2009rules.html>
  * British Columbia QSO Party <http://www.orcadxcc.org/bcqp_rules.html>
  * AGCW Straight Key Party
    <http://www.agcw.org/index.php/en/contests-and-cw-activities/straight-key-party-htp>
  * FISTS Winter Slow Speed Sprint
    <http://fistsna.org/operating.html#sprints>
  * Mexico RTTY International Contest
    <http://www.rtty.fmre.mx/FMRE_RTTY_International_contest/Rules.html>

*February 7*

  * *North American Sprint, CW <http://ncjweb.com/Sprint-Rules.pdf>*

*February 8*

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

*February 10*

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

NEWS, PRESS RELEASES, AND GENERAL INTEREST

In 1898, a time of great early innovation in radio, J.C. Bose was 
working with radio signals at 60 GHz 
<http://hackaday.com/2016/01/19/j-c-bose-and-the-invention-of-radio/>. 
Yes, 60 GHz. Yet we don't see his name mentioned very often. This 
article summarizes much of his work, and provides a link 
<https://www.cv.nrao.edu/%7Edemerson/bose/bose.html> to learn more.

Intel recently announced some new features for their vPro chips and 
hardware <http://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1328715>, one of 
which allows the remote use of any WiDi equipped display. This feature 
is intended for conference room settings and the like. But imagine its 
use to remote the screen of the run station to a large wall mounted 
display for the on-deck operators to observe...

A few years ago, Radio Arcala placed the ability to operate real ham 
radio inside a virtual world 
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AJwvXUJXs0> , and we as contesters and 
amateur radio operators look (longingly?) at the popularity and growth 
of online gaming. Here's an article on some of the techniques that are 
used 
<http://nautil.us/issue/32/space/these-tricks-make-virtual-reality-feel-real> 
to make virtual worlds appear more real. Especially intriguing are the 
some of the ways that intentional misdirection can be used into the 
system to constrain motion in the real world, yet seem to provide 
'infinite horizons.'

Ah, 807s! The quintessential vacuum tube 
<http://spectrum.ieee.org/geek-life/history/the-807-a-vacuum-tube-for-the-ages>.

The US Naval Observatory is working with industry to develop accurate, 
synchronized, distributed timekeeping functionality 
<http://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/telecom/wireless/us-master-clock-keepers-test-ground-alternative-to-gps> 
when GPS is unavailable. This could be useful in highly urbanized areas, 
or areas (such as canyons) where the view to the GPS constellation is 
limited.

Liquid metals such as gallium, and alloys of gallium (which does not 
have the toxicity of Mercury) are being used to make re-configurable, 
tunable antennas in the laboratory 
<http://spectrum.ieee.org/video/telecom/wireless/shapeshifting-liquidmetal-antennas> 
. The frequencies discussed by the researchers are 700 MHz and above...

Microchip Technology, purveyor of PIC processors, is purchasing Atmel, 
<http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/20/business/dealbook/microchip-technology-to-buy-atmel-for-nearly-3-6-billion.html?_r=1> 
maker of the AVR chips central to Arduinos <https://www.arduino.cc/> and 
variants.

As the eastern seaboard of the US digs out from under the Nor'easter 
this week, consider the finding that current-carrying concrete could 
melt snow from roads 
<http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-01/uon-ccc012216.php>.

Someone in Delaware is using a webcam and some image processing to 
automatically measure the snow depth 
<http://www.boutell.com/boutell/jillsnow/> in their backyard. They did 
it for fun, not accuracy.

WORD TO THE WISE- Eutectic

Eutectic is both an adjective and a noun. A eutectic is a mixture of 
substances, the combination of which melts (and solidifies) at a single 
temperature. That temperature is lower than the melting points of the 
individual substances. A eutectic of 63% tin to 37% lead has customarily 
been used for non-ROHS soldering applications. One type of lead-free 
solder uses 99.3% tin to 0.7% copper.

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=cu&t=i&i=2016-01-27&p=0>
SIGHTS AND SOUNDS

Some events of WRTC 2014 have been chronicled in N3BB's new book 
<http://authorjkgeorge.com/books/> entitled /Contact Sport: A Story of 
Champions, Airwaves, and a One-Day Race Around the World/, which will be 
released in early February. Ask for it at your library, or find it at 
your local or online bookseller.

"If it was easy - it wouldn't be as rewarding when it happens!!" - Tree, 
N6TR's comment regarding working VP8STI on Topband. Tree will be the 
featured speaker at the 2016 Dayton Topband dinner <topbanddinner.com>.

RESULTS AND RECORDS

The Texas QSO Party <http://www.n5bia.net/txqp/> Results have been 
posted. The write-up by Chuck, NO5W, is comprehensive and interesting - 
it includes the categories and scores, but also covers information on 
mobile setups, station strategy, the log scoring process, and even 
pitfalls to avoid in logging. It's an engaging read even if you did not 
participate in the contest!

VE4XT recently received the award for " Canadian Automobile Journalist 
of the Year 
<http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/free-press-writer-canadian-automobile-journalist-of-the-year-339110631.html> 
." Congratulations!

OPERATING TIP- For SSB Pileup success, offset!

Rob, N7QT, one of the members of the recent VK9WA DXpedition, suggests: 
"If you are trying to work a mult, and there are a lot of callers, try 
calling about 200 Hz off their frequency. That's sometimes enough to 
differentiate you from the rest of the crowd."

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=cu&t=i&i=2016-01-27&p=1>
TECHNICAL TOPICS AND INFORMATION

On the Topband reflector, a discussion of methods of protecting 
beverages and other low-frequency receiving antennas from high-energy 
events like lightning or static discharge yielded the suggestion by 
Rick, K2XT:

"Get some gas tubes from Mouser. I use 652-2049-12-BT1LF 
<http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Bourns/2049-12-BT1LF/?qs=%2fha2pyFadugAwkH0aCFaEay99aEGC8jM3eTkSsBKibvcR2OA5rAQGQ%3d%3d>. 
62 cents each last time I ordered about a year ago. Any surges are 
shorted around the device (resistor or transformer). The gas tubes have 
no effect whatsoever on the normal operation. Simply connect one across 
your terminating resistor, and one across the fed end wouldn't hurt 
either. The maintenance won't end, but the maintenance due to lightning 
induced surges will. No, they won't protect against a direct hit on the 
Beverage, but then you would have to find the 500 feet of wire first!"

"Here's an Interesting summary of amateur TV experiments in HD 
<http://www.tvtechnology.com/broadcast-engineering/0029/ham-tv-operators-go-high-definition/277772> 
and even the proposed ATSC 3.0 commercial broadcast standard" - (KK6DA 
from Elecraft mailing list)

A conductive glue 
<http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-01/nu-rmg010816.php> that 
researchers are working on may one day replace solder in some 
applications. It binds to metal, as well as glass. The glue does not 
withstand high pressures or high temperatures.

Researchers are rethinking incandescent bulbs, and understanding how to 
optimize them 
<http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/01/how-get-old-fashioned-light-bulb-glow-without-wasting-so-much-energy> 
for better energy consumption.

The $9 CHIP computer was mentioned in an article on NPR 
<http://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2016/01/21/463592334/can-a-9-computer-spark-a-new-wave-of-tinkering-and-innovation> 
last week. Could CHIPs, with the Linux OS, attain the same prominence as 
the Arduino has over time?

Intel is out with a newer, more powerful version of theirComputestick 
<https://www-ssl.intel.com/content/www/us/en/compute-stick/intel-compute-stick.html>, 
and according to one review 
<http://www.engadget.com/2016/01/22/intel-compute-stick-2016-review/> 
it's 'usable.' The form factor could make it appealing to DXpedition or 
vacation-with-radio use (using a TV at the destination for a display).

*Technical Web Site of the Week* - McMaster-Carr (mcmaster.com) 
<http://www.mcmaster.com/>

McMaster-Carr is a Chicago based company that has sold industrial 
materials, parts, and tools to industry for years. Pre-web, their 
inches-thick paper catalogs were marvelous to thumb through not only to 
find something you needed, but also to just read about the properties 
and uses of things, learn about new tools, or find engineering data 
relevant to your project. They've transitioned to the web, and the 
catalogs are available online. Especially informative are the "About 
XXXX" pages, which can guide to the proper usage of materials in 
general. Perhaps you are working on a ceramic tube amplifier, and want 
to use rubber sheeting to form a chimney. The "About Rubber" pages of 
the catalog can guide you to the right type to use.

CONVERSATION

Remote Contesting Part III - Remote Ham Radio

So far, we've heard from a group of hams using a remote for 
multi-operator contesting, and a single ham remoting his vacation 
station. This time, we're going to hear the perspective of the people 
behind Remote Ham Radio (RHR). As you may know, if you're a licensed 
amateur radio operator, you can join the RHR service, and rent time on 
RHR-maintained stations. Ray Higgins, W2RE, graciously shared this:

"We see remote contest growing in leaps and bounds. I can only give you 
information pertaining to my observations on the RHR network as a leader 
in this technology. There are many awesome operators sitting idle during 
contest season due to health or homeowner association restrictions on 
towers, or they just cant or won't travel; I believe remote operation in 
general has solved those problems for good.

Setting up remote stations is difficult, and using a remote in a contest 
can be difficult. However, we've seen a huge uptick in RHR members 
participating in contesting on the RHR network due to the availability 
of the RHR helper app <http://www.remotehamradio.com/rhr-helper-setup/>. 
The app allows RHR members to operate a contest with their favorite 
contesting software locally with full radio control at the TX site. 
Mark, K6UFO, wrote an article 
<http://www.rttycontesting.com/ten-meter-rtty-contest/results/2014-results/k6ufo-nd2t-remote/> 
about using RHR in a RTTY contest. You'll see future work from the RHR 
development team to integrate logging/contesting software into our 
console for even easier operation.

HH2AA QSL Card featuring the view from 6300 feet. (Photo courtesy of W2RE)

In early 2016, we will have two Caribbean sites, HH2AA 
<https://www.qrz.com/db/hh2aa> and KP4/Palmas, available for contesting. 
HH2AA is unique in a number of ways: it's sitting on a 6300 foot hill 
south of Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, using solar panels and wireless 
Internet. With 50 watts into an OCF dipole at 70 feet, amateurs can now 
experience contesting from the other side of a pileup from DX heaven. 
All proceeds from using HH2AA directly supports the Haiti Air Ambulance 
Service <https://www.haitiairambulance.org>.

How good is remote operation today? Check out this video of HH2AA on the 
air in a pileup <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmP0AnPDOYs>, with YL 
Lori KB2HZI operating from her home in NY, with ZERO apparent latency. 
Lori was inactive for many years (1996-2014), but remote technology now 
enables her to operate at her leisure from a laptop or PC using WebDX 
(or a K3/0 as shown in video) from anywhere. She is strictly a remote 
ONLY DX'er and contester, RHR is her "remote base."

The Bay of Fundy from the 100' level near Eastport, Maine. This site is 
on its way to becoming a multi/multi capable (Photo courtesy of W2RE)

In North America, the RHR team is building the first all-remote contest 
station in Eastport, Maine (the easternmost US city) on 63 oceanfront 
acres. With the first tower 100 feet tall and 300 meters from saltwater 
we find the station is playing better than expected. We operated this 
station remote six weeks ago while traveling on I-95 south of Bangor in 
Maine on a cellular hot spot while heading back to New York -- DK1NO was 
startled to hear USA so early in the day 
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKuQXim0PnY>. We start breaking ground 
in 2016 with multiple rotating towers and plan one remote station per 
band. The long-term goal is a fully functional multi/multi-capable 
remote station.

We see remote operation as a positive way to grow interest with younger 
hams, and we also have a program to support youth operators. The major 
contest sponsors have done an excellent job accommodating remote 
operations."

That's all for this time, don't forget to send your 
contest-update-worthy links, tips, pictures, and recipes to 
contest-update at arrl.org <mailto:contest-update at arrl.org>.

73, Brian N9ADG

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CONTESTS

*28 Jan - 10 Feb 2016*

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> , Jan 27, 1300z to 
Jan 27, 1400z, Jan 27, 1900z to Jan 27, 2000z, Jan 28, 0300z to Jan 28, 
0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Member: Name + Member No., 
non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: January 30.

NCCC RTTY Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rttyns.html> , Jan 29, 0145z 
to Jan 29, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; 
Logs due: January 31.

QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm> , Jan 29, 
0200z to Jan 29, 0330z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; RST + 
(state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: January 28.

NCCC Sprint Ladder <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rules.html> , Jan 29, 
0230z to Jan 29, 0300z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6m; Serial 
No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: January 31.

CQ 160-Meter Contest, CW <http://www.cq160.com/rules.htm> , Jan 29, 
2200z to Jan 31, 2200z; CW; Bands: 160m Only; W/VE: RST + 
(state/province), DX: RST + CQ Zone; Logs due: February 5.

Feld Hell Sprint 
<https://sites.google.com/site/feldhellclub/Home/contests/sprints/leprechaun-sprint> 
, Jan 30, 0000z to Jan 30, 2359z; Feld Hell; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 
10m; (see rules); Logs due: February 6.

REF Contest, CW 
<http://concours.ref-union.org/reglements/actuels/reg_cdfhf_dx.pdf> , 
Jan 30, 0600z to Jan 31, 1800z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; French: 
RST + Department/Prefix, non-French: RST + Serial No.; Logs due: 
February 15.

UBA DX Contest, SSB 
<http://www.uba.be/en/hf/contest-rules/uba-dx-contest-rules> , Jan 30, 
1300z to Jan 31, 1300z; SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; ON: RST + 
Serial No. + province, non-ON: RST + Serial No.; Logs due: February 14.

Winter Field Day <http://www.winterfieldday.com/rules.html> , Jan 30, 
1700z to Jan 31, 1700z; Any; Bands: All, except WARC; Category + ARRL 
Section (or DX); Logs due: March 1.

Classic Exchange, CW 
<http://www.classicexchange.org/jan16/jan16ann.html> , Jan 31, 1400z to 
Feb 1, 0800z, Feb 2, 1400z to Feb 3, 0800z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 
15, 10, *6, 2m*; Name + RST + (state/province/country) + rcvr/xmtr 
manuf/model; Logs due: April 30.

RSGB 80m Club Championship, SSB 
<http://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2016/r80mcc.shtml> , Feb 1, 2000z to Feb 
1, 2130z; SSB; Bands: 80m Only; RS + Serial No.; Logs due: February 8.

ARS Spartan Sprint 
<http://arsqrp.blogspot.com/2009/02/so-whats-spartan-sprint-and-how-do-i.html> 
, Feb 2, 0200z to Feb 2, 0400z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; RST + 
(state/province/country) + Power; Logs due: February 4.

QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm> , Feb 3, 0200z 
to Feb 3, 0330z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; RST + (state/province/country) + 
name + power output; Logs due: January 28.

Phone Fray <http://www.perluma.com/Phone_Fray_Contest_Rules.pdf> , Feb 
3, 0230z to Feb 3, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15m; NA: Name + 
(state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: February 5.

CWops Mini-CWT Test <http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html> , Feb 3, 1300z to 
Feb 3, 1400z, Feb 3, 1900z to Feb 3, 2000z, Feb 4, 0300z to Feb 4, 
0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Member: Name + Member No., 
non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: February 5.

UKEICC 80m Contest 
<http://www.ukeicc.com/which-contest/contest-rules/ukeicc-80m-contests-rules> 
, Feb 3, 2000z to Feb 3, 2100z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; 4-Character grid 
square; Logs due: February 3.

NRAU 10m Activity Contest 
<http://www.nrau.net/activity-contests/below-30mhz.html> , Feb 4, 1800z 
to Feb 4, 1900z (CW), Feb 4, 1900z to Feb 4, 2000z (SSB), Feb 4, 2000z 
to Feb 4, 2100z (FM), Feb 4, 2100z to Feb 4, 2200z (Dig); CW, SSB, FM, 
Digital; Bands: 10m Only; RS(T) + 6-character grid square; Logs due: 
February 18.

NCCC RTTY Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rttyns.html> , Feb 5, 0145z 
to Feb 5, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs 
due: February 6.

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

NCCC Sprint Ladder <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rules.html> , Feb 5, 0230z 
to Feb 5, 0300z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6m; Serial No. + 
Name + QTH; Logs due: February 6.

YLRL YL-OM Contest <http://ylrl.org/index.php/contests-and-dx-awards> , 
Feb 5, 1400z to Feb 7, 0200z; CW/Digital, SSB; Bands: All; QSO No. + 
RS(T) + (section/province/country); Logs due: March 6.

Vermont QSO Party <http://www.ranv.org/vtqso.html> , Feb 6, 0000z to Feb 
8, 0000z; All; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, VHF/UHF; VT: RS(T) + 
County, non-VT W/VE: RS(T) + (state/province), DX: RS(T); Logs due: 
March 6.

Triathlon DX Contest 
<http://triathlon-dx-contest.gr/contest/index.php/rules> , Feb 6, 0000z 
to Feb 6, 0759z (CW), Feb 6, 0800z to Feb 6, 1559z (SSB), Feb 6, 1600z 
to Feb 6, 2359z (RTTY); CW, SSB, RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; RS(T) 
+ Serial No.; Logs due: February 29.

10-10 Int. Winter Contest, SSB 
<http://www.ten-ten.org/index.php/activity/2013-07-22-20-26-48/qso-party-rules> 
, Feb 6, 0001z to Feb 7, 2359z; Phone; Bands: 10m Only; 10-10 Member: 
Name + 10-10 number + (state/province/country), Non-Member: Name + 0 + 
(state/province/country); Logs due: February 22.

Black Sea Cup International <http://bscc.ucoz.ru/index/0-21> , Feb 6, 
1200z to Feb 7, 1159z; CW, SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; HQ: 
RS(T) + club/org abbreviation, Black Sea Countries: RS(T) + ITU Zone 
No., BSCC Members: RS(T) + "BS" + club number, Others: RS(T) + ITU Zone 
No.; Logs due: February 17.

F9AA Cup, CW 
<http://www.site.urc.asso.fr/urchaut-6/om-6/131-trophee-f9aa.html> , Feb 
6, 1200z to Feb 7, 1200z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, *2m*; RST + 
Serial No. + License Type + (Country/F Dept); Logs due: March 8.

Minnesota QSO Party 
<http://www.w0aa.org/docs/mnqp/MNQP%20Contest%20Rules.pdf> , Feb 6, 
1400z to Feb 7, 0000z; CW (CW/RTTY/PSK), Phone (FM/SSB); Bands: 160, 80, 
40, 20, 15, 10m; MN: Name + County, W/VE: Name + (state/province), DX: 
Name; Logs due: March 15.

FYBO Winter QRP Sprint <http://www.azscqrpions.com/fybo2009rules.html> , 
Feb 6, 1400z to Feb 7, 0000z; CW, SSB, Digital; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 
15, 10m; RS(T) + (state/province/country)+ name + power out + 
temperature(F); Logs due: March 7.

British Columbia QSO Party <http://www.orcadxcc.org/bcqp_rules.html> , 
Feb 6, 1600z to Feb 7, 0400z; CW, SSB, Digital; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 
15, 10m; BC: RS(T) + District, non-BC: RS(T) + (state/province/"DX"); 
Logs due: March 7.

AGCW Straight Key Party 
<http://www.agcw.org/index.php/en/contests-and-cw-activities/straight-key-party-htp> 
, Feb 6, 1600z to Feb 6, 1900z; CW; Bands: 40m Only; AGCW: RST + Serial 
No. + "/" + Class + "/" + Name + "/" + Age; Logs due: February 28.

FISTS Winter Slow Speed Sprint 
<http://fistsna.org/operating.html#sprints> , Feb 6, 1700z to Feb 6, 
2100z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; FISTS: RST + 
(state/province/country) + first name + FISTS No., non-FISTS: RST + 
(state/province/country) + first name + power; Logs due: March 8.

Mexico RTTY International Contest 
<http://www.rtty.fmre.mx/FMRE_RTTY_International_contest/Rules.html> , 
Feb 6, 1800z to Feb 7, 1759z; RTTY Only; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; XE: 
RST + State, non-XE: RST + Serial No.; Logs due: March 10.

*North American Sprint, CW <http://ncjweb.com/Sprint-Rules.pdf> , Feb 7, 
0000z to Feb 7, 0400z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20m; [other station's call] + 
[your call] + [serial no.] + [your name] + [your 
state/province/country]; Logs due: February 14. *

*ARRL School Club Roundup <http://www.arrl.org/school-club-roundup> , 
Feb 8, 1300z to Feb 12, 2359z; CW/RTTY/Digital, Phone; Bands: All, 
except 60, 30, 17, 12m; RS(T) + Class (I/C/S) + 
(state/province/country); Logs due: February 27.
*
QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm> , Feb 10, 
0200z to Feb 10, 0330z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; RST + 
(state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: February 10.

Phone Fray <http://www.perluma.com/Phone_Fray_Contest_Rules.pdf> , Feb 
10, 0230z to Feb 10, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15m; NA: Name + 
(state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: February 12.

CWops Mini-CWT Test <http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html> , Feb 10, 1300z to 
Feb 10, 1400z, Feb 10, 1900z to Feb 10, 2000z, Feb 11, 0300z to Feb 11, 
0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Member: Name + Member No., 
non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: February 14.

RSGB 80m Club Championship, Data 
<http://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2016/r80mcc.shtml> , Feb 10, 2000z to 
Feb 10, 2130z; RTTY, PSK; Bands: 80m Only; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: 
February 17.

*VHF+ CONTESTS*

*ARRL January VHF Contest <http://www.arrl.org/january-vhf> , Jan 30, 
1900z to Feb 1, 0359z; Any; Bands: 50 MHz and up; 4-character grid 
square; Logs due: March 2.

* See Winter Field Day, above.

See ARRL School Roundup, above.

LOG DUE DATES

*January 28, 2016*

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

*January 29, 2016*

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

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

*January 30, 2016*

  * Montana QSO Party
    <http://fvarc.org/sites/default/files/library/2016%20MT%20QSO%20Party%20Rules.pdf>

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

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

*January 31, 2016*

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

  * Original QRP Contest <http://www.qrpcc.de/contestrules/oqrpr.html>

  * RAC Winter Contest
    <http://wp.rac.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/2015-Winter-Contest-Rules-English-French.pdf>

  * AGCW Happy New Year Contest
    <http://www.agcw.org/index.php/en/contests-and-cw-activities/happy-new-year-contest>

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

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

  * SARTG New Year RTTY Contest <http://www.sartg.com/contest/nyrules.htm>

  * Lighthouse Christmas Lights QSO Party <http://arlhs.com/LCL-2014.html>

*February 1, 2016*

  * International Naval Contest
    <http://www.marinefunker.de/eng/show.php3?pos=16>

*February 2, 2016*

  * Kid's Day Contest <http://www.arrl.org/kids-day>

  * ARRL RTTY Roundup <http://www.arrl.org/rtty-roundup>

*February 6, 2016*

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

*February 8, 2016*

  * EUCW 160m Contest <http://www.eucw.org/eu160.html>

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