[SFDXA] The ARRL Contest Update for November 16, 2016

Wed Nov 16 09:35:44 EST 2016

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The ARRL Contest Update

November 16, 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/>
Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=cu&i=2016-11-16&t=t>
IN THIS ISSUE

  * New HF Operators: ARRL Phone Sweepstakes, CQWW DX CW
    <#_660058590079509-NewHF>
  * Contest Summary <#_660058590079509-ContestSummary>
  * News: ARRL Phone Sweepstakes, NCDXF Beacon Renovations, and more
    <#_660058590079509-News>
  * Word to the Wise: Soapbox <#_660058590079509-Word>
  * Sights and Sounds: QSOToday.com, EF8U SO2R, and more
    <#_660058590079509-Sights>
  * Results: ARRL VHF, CQWW raw scores, and more <#_660058590079509-Results>
  * Operating Tip: Winning QSOs and Influencing the Casual Operator
    <#_660058590079509-OperatingTip>
  * Technical Topics and Information: Use a TDR on your Beverage, BNCs,
    PCBs, and more <#_660058590079509-Tech>
  * Conversation: Why do Sweepstakes? <#_660058590079509-Conversation>
  * Contests <#_660058590079509-LogsDue>
  * Log Due Dates <#_660058590079509-LogsDue>

NEW HF OPERATORS - THINGS TO DO

Two weekends, two major contests: ARRL Phone Sweepstakes, and CQ World 
Wide DX, CW! Larry, K5OT, ARRL Sweepstakes Contest Manager, has some 
tips for Sweepstakes: "New contest ops frequently ask what they can do 
to improve their Sweepstakes scores. First, make sure you know the 
required exchange in the correct sequence. Write the exchange down on a 
card in front of the rig if necessary. There is no need to repeat it all 
twice ... say it clearly one time, and the other station will let you 
know if they need any 'fills' of information they missed. If you come 
across a station and there is a big pileup, try to work them but don't 
invest too much time fighting the masses. Put that frequency in your 
rig's memory (or 2nd VFO, or your logger's bandmap) and pop back later 
when things slow down a bit. You can use that waiting time productively 
to look for other stations to work. While it is natural to tune for 
stations, that is, 'search-and-pounce', don't be afraid to occasionally 
stop on a clear spot and spend some time CQing. A louder station might 
eventually push you off the frequency, but you will have made a nice 
string of QSOs in the meantime. Have fun!"

For the CQ WW DX CW contest, check out the "tips" page on the CQWW DX 
blog <http://cqww.com/blog/a-few-tips-for-cq-ww-cw/>. Remember to be on 
the bands a few days BEFORE the contest as operators travel to distant 
locales and test antennas and gear. It's an opportunity to work some DX, 
and verify your station's operation.

The Homebrew and Oldtime Equipment party 
<http://www.qrpcc.de/contestrules/hotr.html> is coming up on November 
20; for an example of what some rigs used to sound like, check out this 
YouTube video of a chirpy QRP transmitter operating into a dummy load 
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeughPk8j6c>.

BULLETINS

None this time

BUSTED QSOS

QRU

CONTEST SUMMARY

Complete information <#_660058590079509-Contests> for all contests 
follows the Conversation <#_660058590079509-Conversation> section

*November 17*

  * CWops Mini-CWT Test <http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html>
  * NAQCC CW Sprint <http://naqcc.info/sprint/sprint201701_160.html>

*November 18*

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

*November 19*

  * *ARRL EME Contest* <http://www.arrl.org/eme-contest>
  * SARL Field Day Contest
    <http://www.sarl.org.za/Web3/Members/DoDocDownload.aspx?X=20151130131559djqp8afPgb.PDF>
  * LZ DX Contest <http://lzdx.bfra.org/rulesen.html>
  * All Austrian 160-Meter Contest
    <http://www.oevsv.at/export/shared/.content/.galleries/Downloads_Referate/HF-Referat-Downloads/Regeln_Aoec_160m_2015.pdf>
  * Feld Hell Sprint
    <https://sites.google.com/site/feldhellclub/Home/contests/sprints/low-down-sprint>
  * RSGB 2nd 1.8 MHz Contest, CW
    <http://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2016/r160m.shtml>
  * *ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, SSB* <http://www.arrl.org/sweepstakes>

*November 20*

  * Homebrew and Oldtime Equipment Party
    <http://www.qrpcc.de/contestrules/hotr.html>

*November 21*

  * Run for the Bacon QRP Contest <http://qrpcontest.com/pigrun/>

*November 23*

  * 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>

*November 24*

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

*November 25*

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

*November 26*

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

*November 30*

  * 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/which-contest-ukeicc-80m-contests-rules>

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=cu&t=i&i=2016-11-16&p=0>
NEWS, PRESS RELEASES, AND GENERAL INTEREST

Larry, K5OT, ARRL Sweepstakes Contest Manager, writes: "Don't forget - 
the Phone portion of the annual ARRL November Sweepstakes begins this 
Saturday, November 19th at 2100Z. Check out the Sweepstakes information 
package 
<http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Contest-Operating-Guides/2016/2016%20ARRL%20November%20Sweepstakes%20Package%20%28Rev%20A%20-%20%2011%20Nov%202016%29.pdf> 
(PDF) for complete rules, operating tips, and log submission details. 
And while you are thinking about your operating plans, take a moment to 
look over the recently updated Sweepstakes Phone 
<http://www.arrl.org/contest-records> records. There might be a category 
record in your ARRL Section that you could attack this year!"

The Northern California DX Foundation is renewing the design of its 
well-utilized beacon network. As detailed in the Winter 2016 NCDXF 
Newsletter <http://www.ncdxf.org/newsletters/2016-WINTER.pdf>, if 
everything goes to plan, most users will not notice any difference. One 
popular way to use the network is in conjunction with the Reverse Beacon 
Network <http://www.ncdxf.org/beacon/RBN.html>. By checking the 
historical data of reception reports from a monitoring station near you, 
it can help to identify the right time and frequency to be on a 
particular band to maximize your chances of working a particular 
multiplier. It pays to check the "Using the RBN 
<http://www.reversebeacon.net/pages/Using+the+RBN+16>" web page.

The official rules for WRTC 2018 
<http://wrtc2018.de/images/PDF/wrtc2018_CompetitionRules_20161105.pdf> 
have been published. Continuing the two operator, two transmitter format 
of the preceding WRTC 2014, "Both stations will be permitted to transmit 
at any time to maximize their scoring and the fun of the world wide WRTC 
community" according to Uwe Koenneker, DL8OBF, Director of the WRTC 2018 
Rules Committee. Notable among the WRTC 2018 rules is the allowance of 
the use of Panadapter or waterfall band displays, and *dis*allowance of 
the use of a second or sub-receivers. Also, only one computer is 
permitted to be attached to each radio, and PCs used in the effort must 
connect via wired Ethernet. There will be requirements for signal 
quality, which are TBD.

The QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/> folks announce the second 
annual 160 meter QRP Fox Hunt, to take place 0200Z-0330Z Wednesday 
November 23, which is Tuesday evening in the U.S.Activity will be 
centered around 1.810 MHz.Look for stations calling "CQ FE" - the 
exchange should follow the usual Foxhunt format: RST, SPC, name, power. 
Note that this is NOT a contest where anyone can call CQ - please see 
the contest rules <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm>.

QRP-ARCI Contests are back! Jeff, VA3JFF/VE3CW, QRP-ARCI Contest 
Manager, announces the following eight QRP-ARCI sponsored contests for 
2017:

New Years Day Sprint

January 1, 2017

Spring Thaw Sprint

March 11, 2017

Spring QSO Party

April 1-2, 2017

Hootowl Sprint

May 28, 2017

Summer Homebrew Sprint

July 9, 2017

Fall QSO Party

October 21-22, 2017

Top Band Sprint

November 30, 2017

Holiday Spirits Homebrew Sprint

December 17, 2017

Full details will be available on the QRP-ARCI website 
<http://www.qrparci.org> shortly.

Ángel, WP3GW, writes: "I am an avid Contest Update reader, and read 
about the split operations in a contest, which is common on 40 meters. I 
did it once with some results, but calling in the 7.075 - 7.100 MHz 
portion and listening up in the 7.200 plus segment. Why? As per FCC 
rules, licensed stations West of 130° and South of 20° from the Equator 
can call in that portion of the band on phone and image. That means 
stations in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands can be in that 
segment of 40 meters, as can stations on Desecheo (KP5) and on Navassa 
(KP1), which the K1N operation took advantage of in 2015. For those of 
us in KP4 it is an extra privilege as we can make ragchew nets locally, 
but also be of great help if any emergency occurs in any other country, 
make an emergency traffic net and be part of the same translating in 
Spanish as well as be a link to the USA."

Members of the Sierra Nevada Amateur Radio Club hear about propogation 
at the "Introduction to Contesting" workshop at W7RN. [Photo by Barry, K6ST]

On Saturday, October 29th, during the 2016 CQ WW DX Contest, the 
Comstock Memorial Station (W7RN) sponsored "Introduction to Contesting" 
to members of the Sierra Nevada Amateur Radio Club (SNARS). In all, 
there were 14 participants. The average tenure as a ham of the visitors 
was one year. Each was given a chance to make at least one contest 
contact. The enthusiasm level was over the top and the session lasted 
more than 9 hours, including extensive introduction to HF antennas and 
how they work. The Elmers were Tom, K5RC, and Barry, K6ST. Participants 
included W1RK, N7SAX, KI7FNR, W7CDN, K7HMR, AG7BY, K7ASE, KA7EKU, AE7JW, 
KG7PG, KF7EGU, and KI7GVU.

Tom, K5RC, working with Michael, KF7EGU on 10 meters during the 
"Introduction to Contesting" workshop at W7RN [Photo by Barry, K6ST]

What can young hams do? In 1966, the California QSO Party was started by 
a group of teenagers from the Claremont Ham Club. You can revisit the 
results of the first CQP in the Northern California Contest Club's 
October 2016 /Jug/ Newsletter 
<http://www.nccc.cc/jug/2016/10Oct2016.pdf>. In the same NCCC newsletter 
<http://www.nccc.cc/jug/2016/10Oct2016.pdf>, there's also a review of 
sorts of the CW Academy run by the CW Ops <http://www.cwops.org> club.

WORD TO THE WISE

*Soapbox* - Commentary that can be added to a log submission, intended 
to potentially be included in the contest results. Comments can be added 
to Cabrillo-format log files using the *SOAPBOX:* tag, with a maximum 
line length of 75 characters. Soapbox comments can also be included when 
score rumors are submitted to 3830scores.com <http://3830scores.com>. 
Reading soapbox comments is a good way to pick up new contesting tips or 
techniques. Writing pithy, incisive soapbox comments can be good therapy 
for poor band conditions <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2eAT2sgISA>.

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS

NP3U, at the Mi Casita Contest Club site, operated M/M in the recent 
CQWW Contest <http://3830scores.com/showrumor.php?arg=2Datz0ggvfaa9>. 
The Saturday afternoon operators are pictured left to right: Edgar, 
NP4EG, Angel, WP3GW and Rafael, NP3RE. [Photo courtesy of Angel, WP3GW]

Eric, 4Z1UG / WA6IGR, hosts QSOToday.com <http://qsotoday.com>, a 
podcasting site featuring thirty-minute interviews with Amateurs from 
all corners of our hobby. Perusing his list of past guests 
<https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Z7MY-8Hk-6eU0k0HOP11auoBZ9JpQ1ueSgMB3jpLFhg/pub?gid=0&single=true&output=pdf>, 
you'll see some well-known calls, as well as some that you'll likely 
remember after you've listened to their interview. The content is well 
indexed, so you can quickly find podcasts that pertain to the particular 
aspects of Amateur Radio that you like, for example, "Contesting."

Dan, N6MJ, operated EF8U in the SO2R category during the recent CQ WW 
SSB Contest. You can watch over nine minutes of his operation 
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOWhUovz1Kg> where 'smooth' and 'calm' 
come to mind as he piles in the contacts on one band, while looking for 
contacts on another.

This installation of an 18 element Optibeam Yagi antenna is featured in 
a new YouTube video. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRi2CdxeELs> Amir, 
4X6TT, used a crane to install the antenna and rotator cage onto a monopole.

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=cu&t=i&i=2016-11-16&p=1>
RESULTS AND RECORDS

The 2016 ARRL June VHF Contest Full Results Article 
<http://www.arrl.org/files/file/ContestResults/2016/2016%20ARRL%20June%20VHF%20-%20Full%20Results%20-%20Version%201_11.pdf> 
(PDF) was updated on the website on October 20 with updates to the 
plaques table.

Preliminary results for the October 2016 ARRL School Club Roundup are 
available <http://www.b4h.net/arrlscr/scr_scores201610.php>. In the 
schools categories, KM4RE, the Russell Elementary Amateur Radio Club 
(Georgia) is currently in the top spot for Elementary/Primary Schools, 
while N4SMS, Schofield Middle School (South Carolina) has potentially 
captured the number one spot for middle schools. KF5CRF, the Tiger Radio 
Club (Oklahoma), is the top contender for Senior High, while Texas A&M 
is the likely winner in the college/university category.

The raw scores for CQ WW SSB 2016 are now available 
<http://cqww.com/raw.htm?mode=ph>. These are the scores as calculated by 
the log checking software before any cross-log checking has occurred. 
Please send any feedback or comments to questions at cqww.com 
<mailto:questions at cqww.com>.

Results for the 2015 JIDX <http://jidx.org/> Phone Contest are now 
available.

You can graphically interact with the results of CQWW Logs from 2007 
through 2015 on EI6DX's Contest Activity Analyzer 
<http://www.ei6dx.com/cqww-contest-analysis/cqww-activity-analyzer/>. 
Using the tools, you can see which bands were useful for making contacts 
between your zone and other parts of the world by time of day, using 
real data from a past year.

OPERATING TIP

Winning QSOs and Influencing the Casual Operator

Always be enthusiastic when calling CQ. Make people want to work you. 
The most important time to be your most solicitous is just about the 
time you just want to be done, the slow times, or on the second day of 
the contest. When the rate is low or decreasing, you want to get 
non-serious or non-contesters to answer your CQ. Those Qs can really 
make a difference in your score. If you sound bored, your CQ will be 
less appealing. Try this: Smile while calling CQ, and when making the 
contact. People will hear it in your voice 
<http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18255131>.

TECHNICAL TOPICS AND INFORMATION

Think your Beverage antenna not performing like it should? You can use a 
time domain reflectometer (TDR), or the TDR feature of your antenna 
analyzer, to locate anomalies in your antenna. In a message to the 
Topband reflector 
<http://lists.contesting.com/pipermail/topband/2016-November/051356.html>, 
Eddie, LU2DKT, describes how he used an Array Solutions AIM 4170 
analyzer 
<http://www.arrl.org/files/file/protected/Group/Members/ProductReview/pdf/pr0708.pdf> 
to "look down" his antenna, and the device found a number of areas to 
inspect. The problems included water in his coax, vegetation touching 
the antenna, and a support post failure. They were easier to locate as 
the TDR indicates distance to the fault. His reflector post links to 
"broken" and "fixed" TDR scans, where you can see the line condition. 
This technique could be really useful if you need to check your antenna 
in the middle of the night, and don't want to walk hundreds of feet in 
the dark to visually inspect it.

All BNC connectors <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BNC_connector> are NOT 
the same. There are differences between 50 ohm and 75 ohm BNC 
connectors, including center pin size, and the dielectric material used 
to insulate the pin from the outer connector. A crimp tool meant to be 
used on a center pin of one type may not be compatible with another. 
Intermixing connectors may not matter so much for lower frequencies, but 
over 10 MHz could lead to increased VSWR.

Back in August, EDN did a survey of printed circuit board fabrication 
houses 
<http://www.edn.com/electronics-blogs/all-aboard-/4442575/2/No-one-best-PCB-fab-house> 
for making prototype boards. In addition to the vendors mentioned in the 
article, the comments also provide some additional possibilities to get 
your small projects done.

Vacuum tube testers are still in demand from those that use tubes in 
audio applications, and personal computers can be used to perform a 
number of tests faster than any human can turn rotary switches, press 
the test button, and read meters. Here's a review of some of the digital 
tube testers that are available 
<http://www.jacmusic.com/Tube-testers/Digital-Testers-Compare/compare-Index.htm>, 
including some that are DIY. Anyone using these to test transmitter or 
amplifier tubes?

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=cu&t=i&i=2016-11-16&p=2>
CONVERSATION

Why Sweepstakes?

You're either into it, or you're not. Some Amateurs of a certain age 
talk about Sweepstakes wistfully, as if they are recalling their last 
one, or maybe all of them together, at once. At one time I was a 
Sweepstakes denier. "Boy, that's a weird exchange." "Seems like it's 
just a domestic contest." "No per band mults, how fun can that be?" 
"Doesn't count for our Pacific Northwest inter-club competition." All of 
those statements may be true. And yet I now look forward to Sweepstakes. 
It started a few years ago when I was invited to participate in a phone 
multi-op. Somehow, the perceived awkwardness of the exchange, the 
slowness of the second day, and a dozen other things transformed from 
annoyances into a positive shared experience. I was one of the team. We 
made many, many Qs, talked about radio a lot, broke things and fixed 
things, and had a good time. Over time, the event has turned into a 
ritual. Looking at the 2015 top scorers in the various operating 
categories, I wondered how they viewed the Phone contest.

Randy, ND0C, earned the top US spot last year in the QRP Phone category. 
Yes, QRP, Phone. Have you heard the bands during Phone Sweepstakes? He 
had made 424 contacts from Minnesota, including a clean sweep. Why do 
this? According to Randy: 'Well, it's natural to ask a sane person why 
they would run QRP in a phone contest, but of course that's assuming.... 
Aside from the pathological masochism that must be present, for me it 
simply boils down to the challenge. Years ago, when I was explaining 
what QRP DXing and contesting was all about to a non-ham, he quickly 
asked if I fished with ultra-light weight tackle. I think that is a 
pretty good analogy. I interpret QRP very literally, meaning it is 5 
watts or less to the antenna. For some folks it seems to imply 
minimalist everything, including antennas, like you have to also use 
only dipoles, or better yet, underground antennas to be a "real QRPer". 
But I don't subscribe to that philosophy. I will use the most effective 
antenna I can (limited by my normal residential lot). And I make sure 
the antennas are tuned precisely and I use open-line feed to my dipole 
to minimize feed line loss. For me, the challenge is to do as much with 
those 5 watts as possible, which means I need to optimize efficiency. 
And I need to be as good as I can be when it comes to timing my calls, 
finding the mults before the packet hordes descend, etc. To get a clean 
sweep in SS as a QRP unassisted op is a real blast. Things have be to 
working well ... and I have to be lucky. And with QRP I can't depend on 
brute force to break a pile-up for a tough section. I have to be "on the 
hunt" all of the time. And I have to be smart in choosing my battles. 
Really it is as much about the listening as anything, and knowing the 
bands and the propagation. Running is fun, but I can only do that when a 
band is really open and I'm feeling "loud". If I can't get at least one 
contact every minute or so by CQing, I'll go back to search and pounce, 
my normal approach to most contests. I thrive on the competition. Can I 
win the division? Can I get in to the top 10 QRP? But it's not just 
competing against other stations and operators; it's really against 
myself. Can I beat last year's score? Can I beat my best score ever? Can 
I get a sweep? How soon? How good can I be and what can I accomplish 
with five watts? It can be really tough when I'm battling Kilowatts to 
get QSOs and mults, but there is an incredible satisfaction every time I 
have success in doing so. So to sum it up, I guess it is, again the 
challenge. And I am frequently amazed at what can be done with QRP, even 
on SSB. And there is nothing better than having an operator recognize my 
call and ask me if I'm running QRP. When I give them the inevitable 
answer "yes, five watts", they respond with something like "wow - you 
are loud!" Now that's cool! One last thought: You don't have to be crazy 
to run QRP in a phone contest... But it helps. '

Also in 2015, Bob, W0BH, shepherded a team from the Hesston College 
Amateur Radio Club to a first place win in the School category. With 
1334 contacts and a clean sweep, Bob effectively shares the Sweepstakes 
spirit: "Sweepstakes is my way of introducing college students to ham 
radio. As trustee of K0HC, the Hesston College Amateur Radio Club call, 
I enjoy the process of meeting with students outside of class to put 
together and train a SSB Sweepstakes team. Most students come from our 
aviation, air traffic control and computer science programs, and they 
are usually unlicensed. Seeing them working together to talk and log, 
hunt for multipliers, chat with other School teams, and just have fun 
makes it worthwhile year after year. We hope to work you all again this 
coming weekend!"

W4AQL, the Georgia Tech Amateur Radio Club, sends a check of 12, though 
they started in 1910. In 2015, they were awarded second place in the 'S' 
category, phone. Phil, KJ7IQA, President, commented: "Sweepstakes is the 
biggest contest of the year for us in terms of participation and effort, 
but we don't really do a lot of recruiting for it. We simply make an 
announcement about the contest at the last club meeting before 
Sweepstakes weekend, and we may exchange a few planning E-Mails among 
club members to make sure that people will be able to come to operate. 
Saturday evening is the time when we can expect the most turnout. A 
small crowd, mostly consisting of club members, congregates in our 
shack. Operators will rotate throughout the evening, allowing for 
everyone to have a chance to get on the air while preventing anyone from 
getting burned out. Everyone else who isn't operating just hangs out 
together, whether they're chatting or working on homework or whatever 
else. ... I think we also usually end up getting pizza and having dinner 
together, making sure to save some for the operators! Gradually, people 
will start trickling out to go home, although usually one or two people 
end up staying later than everyone else to operate for as long as they 
can stand. Sunday usually sees a smaller turnout, with only two or three 
people in the shack at once. Personally, I've only worked sweepstakes 
with the GTARC in this kind of group setting, and I really think that 
it's the way to go. Having a group of operators rather than going it 
alone allows us to stay on the air longer while keeping any one person 
from sitting alone at the radio for hours on end, and it also becomes a 
sort of social gathering rather than just a contest. I always look 
forward to Sweepstakes because it's a lot of fun both to keep up with 
the fast pace of contacts on the air, but also to get to hang out with 
friends in the shack in between operating stints. It's also very 
satisfying, of course, to be able to look at the contest results once 
all is said and done, to see the club's callsign high in the rankings, 
and to know that I contributed a valuable part to earning that prize."

Randy, K0EU, entered the Unlimited category in 2015, earning first place 
with 2064 contacts, and was candid: "It isn't my favorite contest, due 
to the fact that the rate slows down so much as the contest progresses. 
The first 4-6 hours are great, though. The main reason I enter is 
because I have a chance to place #1 nationally if I choose any category 
except 'B'."

Steve, N2IC, who achieved second place in the 'B' category, commented 
that the reason he enjoyed Sweepstakes was for 'The challenge of hunting 
the last remaining contesters on Sunday, before either I or they go 
extinct at 0300Z!' This jibes with Jeff, VY2ZM: 'I do it because it is a 
LONG EXCHANGE and a challenge - plus the competition is really unreal.'

See you in Sweepstakes!

That's all for this time. Remember to send contesting related stories, 
Sweepstakes anecdotes, book reviews, tips, techniques, press releases, 
errata, schematics, club information, pictures, stories, blog links, and 
predictions to contest-update at arrl.org <mailto:contest-update at arrl.org>

73, Brian N9ADG

CONTESTS

*17 Nov - 30 Nov 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>, Nov 16, 1300z to 
Nov 16, 1400z, Nov 16, 1900z to Nov 16, 2000z, Nov 17, 0300z to Nov 17, 
0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Member: Name + Member No., 
non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: November 19.

NAQCC CW Sprint <http://naqcc.info/sprint/sprint201701_160.html>, Nov 
17, 0130z to Nov 17, 0330z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20m; RST + 
(state/province/country) + (NAQCC No./power); Logs due: November 21.

NCCC RTTY Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rttyns.html>, Nov 18, 0145z 
to Nov 18, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; 
Logs due: November 20.

QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm>, Nov 18, 0200z 
to Nov 18, 0330z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; RST + (state/province/country) + 
name + power output; Logs due: November 24.

NCCC Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rules.html>, Nov 18, 0230z to Nov 
18, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: 
November 20.

YO International PSK31 Contest <http://www.yo5crq.ro/Rules2015EN1.htm>, 
Nov 18, 1600z to Nov 18, 2200z; PSK31; Bands: 80m Only; YO: RST + Serial 
No. + County, non-YO: RST + Serial No. + Country; Logs due: December 3.

SARL Field Day Contest 
<http://www.sarl.org.za/Web3/Members/DoDocDownload.aspx?X=20151130131559djqp8afPgb.PDF>, 
Nov 19, 1000z to Nov 20, 1000z; CW, SSB, Digital; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 
20, 15, 10m; RS(T) + Number of transmitters + Category (see rules) + 
Province (or "DX"); Logs due: see rules.

LZ DX Contest <http://lzdx.bfra.org/rulesen.html>, Nov 19, 1200z to Nov 
20, 1200z; CW, SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; LZ: RS(T) + 2-letter 
district, non-LZ: RS(T) + ITU Zone No.; Logs due: December 20.

All Austrian 160-Meter Contest 
<http://www.oevsv.at/export/shared/.content/.galleries/Downloads_Referate/HF-Referat-Downloads/Regeln_Aoec_160m_2015.pdf>, 
Nov 19, 1600z to Nov 20, 0700z; CW; Bands: 160m Only; OE: RST + Serial 
No. + District Code, non-OE: RST + Serial No.; Logs due: December 31.

Feld Hell Sprint 
<https://sites.google.com/site/feldhellclub/Home/contests/sprints/low-down-sprint>, 
Nov 19, 1700z to Nov 19, 1859z; Feld Hell; Bands: 160, 80, 40m; (see 
rules); Logs due: November 23.

RSGB 2nd 1.8 MHz Contest, CW 
<http://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2016/r160m.shtml>, Nov 19, 1900z to Nov 
19, 2300z; CW; Bands: 160m Only; UK: RST + Serial No. + District Code, 
non-UK: RST + Serial No.; Logs due: November 26.

*ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, SSB* <http://www.arrl.org/sweepstakes>*, Nov 
19, 2100z to Nov 21, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Serial 
No. + Precedence (Q/A/B/U/M/S) + [your call sign] + Check + ARRL/RAC 
Section; Logs due: December 6.*

Homebrew and Oldtime Equipment Party 
<http://www.qrpcc.de/contestrules/hotr.html>, Nov 20, 1300z to Nov 20, 
1500z (40m), Nov 20, 1500z to Nov 20, 1700z (80m); CW; Bands: 80, 40m; 
RST + Serial No. + "/" + class; Logs due: December 21.

Run for the Bacon QRP Contest <http://qrpcontest.com/pigrun/>, Nov 21, 
0200z to Nov 21, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; RST + 
(state/province/country) + (Member No./power); Logs due: November 27.

SKCC Sprint 
<http://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/weekday_sprint/>, Nov 23, 
0000z to Nov 23, 0200z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; RST + 
(state/province/country) + Name + (SKCC No./power); Logs due: November 25.

Phone Fray <http://www.perluma.com/Phone_Fray_Contest_Rules.pdf>, Nov 
23, 0230z to Nov 23, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15m; NA: Name + 
(state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: November 25.

CWops Mini-CWT Test <http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html>, Nov 23, 1300z to 
Nov 23, 1400z, Nov 23, 1900z to Nov 23, 2000z, Nov 24, 0300z to Nov 24, 
0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Member: Name + Member No., 
non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: November 26.

RSGB 80m Club Sprint, CW 
<http://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2016/rsprint.shtml>, Nov 24, 2000z to 
Nov 24, 2100z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; [other station's call] + [your call] 
+ [serial no.] + [your name]; Logs due: December 1.

NCCC RTTY Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rttyns.html>, Nov 25, 0145z 
to Nov 25, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; 
Logs due: November 27.

NCCC Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rules.html>, Nov 25, 0230z to Nov 
25, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: 
November 27.

CQ Worldwide DX Contest, CW <http://www.cqww.com/rules.htm>, Nov 26, 
0000z to Nov 28, 0000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; RST + CQ 
Zone No.; Logs due: December 2.

QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm>, Nov 30, 0200z 
to Nov 30, 0330z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; RST + (state/province/country) + 
name + power output; Logs due: December 1.

Phone Fray <http://www.perluma.com/Phone_Fray_Contest_Rules.pdf>, Nov 
30, 0230z to Nov 30, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15m; NA: Name + 
(state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: December 2.

CWops Mini-CWT Test <http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html>, Nov 30, 1300z to 
Nov 30, 1400z, Nov 30, 1900z to Nov 30, 2000z, Dec 1, 0300z to Dec 1, 
0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Member: Name + Member No., 
non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: December 3.

UKEICC 80m Contest 
<http://www.ukeicc.com/which-contest/which-contest-ukeicc-80m-contests-rules>, 
Nov 30, 2000z to Nov 30, 2100z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; 4-Character grid 
square; Logs due: November 30.

*VHF+ CONTESTS*

*ARRL EME Contest* <http://www.arrl.org/eme-contest>*, Nov 19, 0000z to 
Nov 20, 2359z; CW, Phone, Digital; Bands: 50-1296 MHz; Signal report; 
Logs due: December 21.*

LOG DUE DATES

*November 17, 2016*

  * NRAU 10m Activity Contest
    <http://www.nrau.net/activity-contests/below-30mhz.html>
  * Illinois QSO Party <http://www.w9awe.org/ILQP%202016%20Rules.pdf>
  * QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm>

*November 18, 2016*

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

*November 19, 2016*

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

*November 20, 2016*

  * NCCC RTTY Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rttyns.html>
  * NCCC Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rules.html>
  * EANET Sprint <http://www.fediea.org/news/?news=20161106>
  * OK/OM DX Contest, CW <http://okomdx.crk.cz/index.php?page=english>
  * SKCC Weekend Sprintathon
    <http://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/weekend_sprintathon/>

*November 21, 2016*

  * DARC 10-Meter Digital Contest
    <http://www.darc.de/referate/ukw-funksport/corona/teilnahmebedingungen/>
  * NAQCC CW Sprint <http://naqcc.info/sprint/sprint201611.html>

*November 27, 2016*

  * High Speed Club CW Contest <http://www.highspeedclub.org/>

*November 28, 2016*

  * 10-10 Int. Fall Contest, Digital
    <http://www.ten-ten.org/index.php/activity/2013-07-22-20-26-48/qso-party-rules>
  * WAE DX Contest, RTTY
    <http://www.darc.de/referate/dx/contest/waedc/en/rules/>

*November 30, 2016*

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

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

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