[SFDXA] The ARRL Contest Update for September 21, 2016

Wed Sep 21 09:54:49 EDT 2016

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The ARRL Contest Update

September 21, 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: CQWW RTTY DX, California QSO Party, and more
    <#_657828375516559-NewHF>
  * Bulletin: ARRL Club Competition Eligibility Changes
    <#_657828375516559-Bulletin>
  * Contest Summary <#_657828375516559-ContestSummary>
  * News: Lithium Ion Batteries, W4DXCC, WRTC-2014 article, and more
    <#_657828375516559-News>
  * Word to the Wise: Packet Cluster <#_657828375516559-Word>
  * Sights and Sounds: K3LR interviews 2016 Hiram Percy Maxim Award
    Winner, and more <#_657828375516559-Sights>
  * Results: August UHF Contest Logs Received, WRTC-2018 Standings
    <#_657828375516559-Results>
  * Operating Tip: Use the Band Map during Search and Pounce
    <#_657828375516559-OperatingTip>
  * Technical Topics and Information: CQWW log check, N3FPJ
    Improvements, Contest Recording with a K3, and more
    <#_657828375516559-Tech>
  * Conversation: Poor Propagation? <#_657828375516559-Conversation>
  * Contests <#_657828375516559-LogsDue>
  * Log Due Dates <#_657828375516559-LogsDue>

NEW HF OPERATORS - THINGS TO DO

The CQWW DX RTTY Contest <http://www.cqwwrtty.com/> coming up this 
weekend is the big draw. You'll find plenty of stations to work from 
many different countries using some well-known contest calls. If you're 
able to be on the bands in the next couple of days leading up to the 
contest, you'll find contest operators on the bands using their own 
calls, getting the stations checked and ready. A good tune-up for your 
RTTY station would be participating in the NCCC RTTY Sprint 
<http://www.ncccsprint.com/rttyns.html> this week. As it's a Sprint, 
make sure you also have the right messages programmed for the two types 
of exchanges you'll use in the Sprint 
<http://www.rttycontesting.com/lagniappe/secrets-of-rtty-sprinting/>. 
The CQWW RTTY is easier in this regard, as there's just one exchange format.

The Weekend of October 1, there are a variety of events to try. The 
California QSO Party <http://www.cqp.org>, like the state it represents, 
is at a larger scale than other single-state QSO parties. Awards for 
winners include plaques, and twenty top single-operator scores inside 
and outside California can qualify for a bottle of Northern California 
Contest Club wine (ops 21 and over, of course). The top score inside and 
outside California for Youth operators, YL operators, Clubs, and Schools 
also can earn a plaque. Five other digital mode contests, including one 
featuring SSTV, and three DX-oriented contests round out the weekend's 
choices.

BULLETIN

ARRL Affiliated Club Competition - Club Eligibility Changes 
<http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Club%20Deadline%20and%20Tools%20Announcement%2019%20Sept%202016.pdf>

*/TL/**/;DR/**/: /*Three changes: Club Rosters must be uploaded through 
a web page. The upload deadline is BEFORE the Contest start. 
Six-character grid locators are to be used for station location. Also: A 
new web page of resources to help manage the ARRL Club Competition 
<http://www.arrl.org/contest-club-tools>. These changes will be in 
effect starting with the 2016 CW Sweepstakes, 2100 UTC on 5 Nov 2016.

The ARRL Club Competition consists of nine ARRL-Sponsored contests: 
January VHF Contest, RTTY Roundup (January), International DX Contest 
(February and March), June VHF Contest, ARRL 222 MHz and Up Distance 
Contest (August), September VHF Contest, November Sweepstakes, 160-Meter 
Contest (December), 10-Meter Contest (December).

If your club participates in the ARRL Affiliated Club Competition, there 
are some changes 
<http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Club%20Deadline%20and%20Tools%20Announcement%2019%20Sept%202016.pdf> 
your club's coordinator (usually the club Secretary or Contest 
Chairperson) for this activity needs to be aware of relating to how club 
rosters are managed, and when they are due. For more details, please see 
the Club Eligibility Changes web page 
<http://www.arrl.org/contest-club-tools>.

BUSTED QSOS

If you were trying to participate in the Russian RTTY WW Contest on 
September 19th, you probably didn't have too many contacts. In 2016, the 
contest was held on September 3rd. Thanks to Mark, K4SO, for pointing 
this out.

In reference to the news item in the last issue about rediscovered 
Apollo Guidance Computer code in some surplus core memory, Fred, K6DGW, 
points out that NASA used the same guidance computer software, with 
customizations for particular missions, over many years. It's likely 
that code was likely not really "lost," but probably wasn't "neatly and 
precisely archived." To this point the Apollo 11 source code for the 
command and lunar modules were posted to Github 
<https://github.com/chrislgarry/Apollo-11> recently. "The AGC was 
probably the first operationally deployed computer to use 'real' IC's. 
The Block II versions (manned missions) were comprised of 5600 3-input 
NOR gates fabricated in 2800 dual packs (2 gates on one substrate) by 
Fairchild Semiconductor. It had 32K of read-only core memory, and 2K of 
read-write core. It was a 1's complement machine. The machine and its 
machine code assembler were conceived and designed at MIT. MIT wrote all 
the code. The ROM (read only memory) was 'programmed' by hard-wiring the 
bits, which were bundled together into 'ropes.' Rick, N6XI, was a 
student at MIT then and has a lot of 'close to the action' info too."

CONTEST SUMMARY

Complete information <#_657828375516559-Contests> for all contests 
follows the Conversation <#_657828375516559-Conversation> section

*September 22*

  * CWops Mini-CWT Test <http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html>
  * NAQCC CW Sprint <http://naqcc.info/sprint/sprint201612mw.html>

*September 23*

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

*September 24*

  * *ARRL EME Contest* <http://www.arrl.org/eme-contest>
  * CQ Worldwide DX Contest, RTTY <http://www.cq-amateur-radio.com/>
  * Maine QSO Party <http://www.qsl.net/ws1sm/Maine_QSO_Party.html>
  * Texas QSO Party <http://www.txqp.net/>
  * AGCW VHF/UHF Contest
    <http://www.agcw.org/index.php/en/contests-and-cw-activities/vhf-uhf-contest>
  * RSGB International Sprint Contest, CW
    <http://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2016/sprint.shtml>

*September 25*

  * Texas QSO Party <http://www.txqp.net/>
  * UBA ON Contest, 6m <http://www.uba.be/en/hf/contest-rules/on-contest>
  * Classic Exchange, Phone
    <http://www.classicexchange.org/jan16/jan16ann.html>
  * Peanut Power QRP Sprint <http://www.nogaqrp.org/PeanutPower/rules.pdf>

*September 27*

  * Classic Exchange, Phone
    <http://www.classicexchange.org/jan16/jan16ann.html>
  * 220 MHz Fall Sprint <http://svhfs.org/2016_Fall_Sprint_Rules.pdf>

*September 28*

  * 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>
  * UKEICC 80m Contest
    <http://www.ukeicc.com/which-contest/which-contest-ukeicc-80m-contests-rules>

*September 29*

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

*September 30*

  * NCCC RTTY Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rttyns.html>
  * NCCC Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rules.html>
  * YLRL DX/NA YL Anniversary Contest
    <http://ylrl.org/index.php/contests-and-dx-awards>

*October 1*

  * TARA PSK Rumble Contest
    <http://www.n2ty.org/seasons/tara_rumble_rules.html>
  * 15-Meter SSTV Dash Contest <http://contests.wsstvc.org/rules/>
  * Oceania DX Contest, Phone <http://www.oceaniadxcontest.com/rules.pdf>
  * WAB HF Phone <http://wab.intermip.net/Contest%20Rules.php>
  * TRC DX Contest <http://www.trcdx.org/trcdxc/index.html>
  * GTC CW Cup <http://www.raag.org/LH2Uploads/ItemsContent/904/904_eng.pdf>
  * Russian WW Digital Contest
    <http://www.rdrclub.ru/rdrc-news/russian-ww-digital-contest/51-rus-ww-digi-rules>
  * International HELL-Contest
    <http://www.darc.de/der-club/referate/ukw-funksport/hf-hell-wettbewerb/teilnahmebedingungen/>
  * California QSO Party <http://www.cqp.org/Rules.html>
  * FISTS Fall Slow Speed Sprint <http://fistsna.org/operating.html>

*October 2*

  * International HELL-Contest
    <http://www.darc.de/der-club/referate/ukw-funksport/hf-hell-wettbewerb/teilnahmebedingungen/>
  * UBA ON Contest, SSB <http://www.uba.be/en/hf/contest-rules/on-contest>
  * RSGB International DX Contest
    <http://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2016/IntDX.shtml>

*October 3*

  * German Telegraphy Contest
    <http://www.agcw.org/index.php/en/contests-and-cw-activities/german-telegraphy-contest-dtc>

*October 4*

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

*October 5*

  * Phone Fray <http://www.perluma.com/Phone_Fray_Contest_Rules.pdf>
  * CWops Mini-CWT Test <http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html>
  * 432 MHz Fall Sprint <http://svhfs.org/2016_Fall_Sprint_Rules.pdf>
  * UKEICC 80m Contest
    <http://www.ukeicc.com/which-contest/which-contest-ukeicc-80m-contests-rules>

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NEWS, PRESS RELEASES, AND GENERAL INTEREST

Lithium Ion batteries were in the news over the last two weeks with the 
recall by Samsung of millions of phones which could be prone to overheat 
and potentially combust. It serves as a reminder to always be careful 
with portable equipment which may contain these types of cells, and that 
you should expect greater scrutiny if travelling by air with your equipment.

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee will be the site of the W4DXCC DX and Contest 
Convention <http://www.w4dxcc.com> September 23-24. Some of the 
explicitly contest-related activities include "Contest Tips and Tricks" 
by Ward, N0AX, and "Single Operator Contesting Strategies" by Kirk, 
K4RO. Many of the other presentations on RFI, Propagation, DX Beacons, 
and DXpeditions can yield information useful to any type of operation 
and station building.

Amateur Radio Contesting, with a focus on WRTC-2014, was the subject of 
a recent article in the Epoch Times 
<http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/2149413-ham-radio-operating-more-sophisticated-sport-than-you-think/>. 
The author of the article, Linda Wiegenfeld, worked with Jim, N3BB, 
author of the book /Contact Sport/, in developing the article.

Here's a thought: Wi-Fi connections via phones and video conferencing 
software are good enough nowadays so that your monthly radio or 
contesting club could "host" guest speakers without the expense and 
burden of travelling. You could conversely stream your club meetings so 
that those club members who cannot make it can still watch and 
potentially participate.

Ranko, 4O3A, through his company Sky Sat Communications 
<http://www.4o3a.com/>, has released a new version of the Antenna Genius 
firmware and a Microsoft Windows based application as free downloads. 
The Antenna Genius product line 
<http://www.4o3a.com/index.php/products/antenna-switchers/> features 8x1 
and 8x2 coax switches with built-in TCP/IP networking and intelligence. 
Now in their third version, multiple Antenna Genius 8x2 Plus units can 
now be combined to provide 16, 24, or 32 antennas to 2 port switching 
capabilities, and expanded with up to 16 switched relays using optional 
Output Modules, available separately. All Antenna Genius models have 
three additional user-programmable bands, and programmable amateur band 
edges. Antenna Genius claims best-in-class minimum port-to-port 
isolation of 75dB, 3 kW power handling, and support for legacy BCD or 
pin-to-port switching. FlexRadio users will appreciate Antenna Genius's 
support for the SmartSDR API providing direct control of the switch via 
a local area network. In the US, Antenna Genius and other 4O3A products 
are available via Force 12 <http://www.force12inc.com/>, or via the 
FlexRadio online store.

In the last issue Rob, N7QT, talked about things to think about when 
planning to operate a contest from another country. The FCC has just 
updated the some of the paperwork that you'll need to carry in CEPT 
countries - see this article 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-updates-notice-on-amateur-radio-operation-in-cept-countries> 
for more information.

WORD TO THE WISE

*Packet Cluster*

A *packet cluster* is a server that you can connect with to primarily 
obtain 'spot' information -- reports of stations operating on a 
particular frequency. If named today it might be called a "spot server," 
but it originated in the days when digital communication for Amateur 
Radio was accomplished using UHF/VHF radios and the AX.25 protocol. 
Connections to a cluster are usually via the Internet, but packet radio 
can still be used with some nodes. Packet clusters exchange information 
with other packet clusters, and also distribute spots to logging 
programs, packet cluster clients, web front ends (e.g. DXSummit 
<http://dxsummit.fi>) or other programs. Spots originate from individual 
operators via logging programs or web front ends, or are automatically 
generated by CW <http://www.dxatlas.com/cwskimmer/> and RTTY Skimmer 
<http://wz7i.com/cw-skimmer/rtty-skimmer.html> programs. Popular packet 
cluster server software includes AR-Cluster and CC Cluster 
<http://www.bcdxc.org/ve7cc/ccc/cluster.htm>, and DX Spider.

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS

K3LR interviewed 2016 Hiram Percy Maxim Award winner Chris Brault, KD8YVJ.

The ARRL's Hiram Percy Maxim Award 
<http://www.arrl.org/hiram-percy-maxim-award> is annually given to an 
Amateur Radio operator and ARRL member under the age of 21 demonstrating 
"accomplishments and contributions to both the community of Amateur 
Radio and the local community ... of the most exemplary nature." This 
year's award winner is Christopher Brault, KD8YVJ 
<http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter?issue=2016-07-28>, who is active in a 
wide range Amateur Radio-related activities, including antenna building 
and bicycle mobile operation, recruiting and training of new amateurs, 
and other radio related volunteer activities. Tim Duffy, K3LR, had the 
opportunity to interview Chris <https://youtu.be/aJrfoXdrFz0>, where the 
discussion ranged from how school impacts operating time to HOA 
restrictions impeding the ability to operate HF.

The Sun's corona transitions into solar wind at approximately 20 million 
miles from the Sun's surface. [Photo credit: Craig DeForest, NASA's 
Scientific Visualization Studio]

For the first time ever, the origin of solar wind has been determined 
with certainty. NASA's Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory, or 
STEREO, collected observations which allowed scientists to determine 
that while normally the magnetic forces of the sun confine its plasma to 
its atmosphere along the magnetic field lines, in the outer fringes of 
the solar atmosphere, the force of corona particles emanating from the 
sun exceed the magnetic force's ability to contain it, and the particles 
diffuse like a gas. At a distance of 20 million miles, observations were 
made by STEREO, and then processed to remove extraneous background 
radiation in the visible and non-visible spectra. The corona is visible 
as it disperses into the solar wind.

This over-the-horizon RADAR was the bane of operators everywhere during 
it's use from the late 1970's to late 1980's.

The Russian "Woodpecker" over the horizon RADAR 
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duga_radar> is featured in a new YouTube 
video <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJnS2X5rtY8>. Though it was one 
of the scourges of the ham bands back then, hearing it again in the 
video makes me almost sad for its near 30 year absence. Almost. (Chris, 
ZS6EZ)

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RESULTS AND RECORDS

A list of logs received, along with claimed scores, for the 39th August 
UHF Contest have been posted <::www.uhfcontest.org:logsreceived.pdf>. 
The list includes those received via Cabrillo file submission.

The WRTC-2018 qualifying standings 
<http://wrtc2018.de/index.php/qualifikation/standings> continue to be 
updated with the scores of recent contests.

OPERATING TIP

Use the Bandmap When Searching and Pouncing

If you're tuning up or down the band, enter each station you copy or 
work into your logging program's bandmap. When you revisit a frequency 
later, the bandmap will help you more quickly determine whether you've 
worked the station before. Even in a casual contest operation, it will 
reduce frustration and increase your rate. It's also a good way to 
develop that skill. Many loggers have a setting for the time interval 
after which an entry in the bandmap 'expires' and disappears. This is 
sometimes called the 'packet spot timeout,' but it applies to calls that 
you enter by logging or inserting into the bandmap by typing them, even 
when you're not using packet cluster spots. You'll likely have to change 
this interval based on a particular contest and conditions, and how you 
are operating. In a single-band contest for say 160 meters, stations may 
not move around too much in the middle of the contest, and you may want 
to use a longer timeout. If propagation is rapidly changing and stations 
are prone to move around a bit, a shorter interval would be in order. 
For example, for a sprint-format contest, the N1MM logger documentation 
suggests setting it to 1 minute, as stations don't really have run 
frequencies.

TECHNICAL TOPICS AND INFORMATION

You can check the format of your log for the CQWW contests 
/b//efore///submitting it by using the CQWW Log Check page 
<http://www.cqww.com/logcheck/>. Note that you still have to submit your 
log after using this tool. (Ed, W0YK, via CQ-Contest)

Scott, N3FJP, has been working with Dave, W1HKJ, author of Fldigi, and 
Jeff, N7YG, author of PSK Express and Digital Engine, to provide greater 
integration between those programs and Scott's software. Scott made some 
changes to his API, and has re-released versions of his Amateur Contact 
Log and CQWW DX RTTY programs.

In related news, the new release of Win4K3Suite <http://va2fsq.com> 
supports direct logging into N3FJP's Amateur Contact Log and Contest 
logs from Win4K3's terminal mode. In terminal mode, CW, FSK-D and PSK-D 
contacts can be made using the built-in keyer and decoding capabilities 
of the K3/K3S, KX3, and KX2.

If you're trying to record contest audio with an Elecraft K3/K3S, you'll 
want to check out the "Recording Contest Audio" article by Bob Wolbert, 
K6XX, in the Northern California Contest Club's JUG newsletter for 
August, 2016 <http://www.nccc.cc/jug/2016/08Aug2016.pdf>. It makes 
mention of a recent firmware update that Elecraft made so that transmit 
audio will be routed to the Line Output at a fixed level.

When adding extra circuits for the ham shack, you should understand the 
electrical codes that apply to your situation. Choosing the right 
conduit size is more than just making the wires fit. There's an app for 
sizing electrical conduit based on conductor capacity, appropriately 
called "Conduit Fill Calculator 
<https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/southwire-conduit-fill-calculator/id509204523?mt=8>" 
and available for your iPhone. You can also use this one from a web 
browser <http://www.encorewire.com/wp-content/uploads/raceway.htm>. 
Check your local codes for the appropriate percentage of fill allowed. 
(Chuck, WA7BRL via WWDXC email reflector)

The ESP8266 chip is at the heart of many low-cost electronics projects 
that have wireless capability. The follow-on chip, ESP32, has just been 
released 
<http://hackaday.com/2016/09/05/new-part-day-the-esp32-has-been-released/>, 
and the expanded capabilities are looking promising for the next few 
years of wirelessly-connected projects.

Spots that have originated from the Reverse Beacon Network 
(ReverseBeacon.net <http://www.reversebeacon.net/>) are usually turned 
OFF as the default setting when you log into a packet cluster from your 
logging program. In CW and RTTY Contests, you're missing out on a lot of 
spots if you're not using them if your operating category allows. The 
usual incantation to turn them on is SET/SKIMMER or a variation of that 
command. During major contests, you may get more spots than your logging 
computer can handle 
<http://n1mm.hamdocs.com/tiki-index.php?page=Spot+Filtering>, depending 
on the age and capabilities of your computer hardware. Symptoms will be 
your logging program becoming unresponsive, or the inability to send CW 
without delay. Cut down on the local processing burden by setting up 
appropriate filters to get rid of spots you can't use at your cluster 
node, before your computer gets them. Depending on the software used by 
the packet cluster you are connected to, SET/FILTER or SET/FILTERS will 
help you.

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CONVERSATION

Poor Propagation? I ain't got poor propagation... I just ain't workin' 
anything!

My apologies to Yogi Berra. During our Washington State Salmon Run 
two-transmitter effort last weekend, I got on the "not-open band" radio 
and I needed to make something happen. During the middle of the day 
there were no stations to work in the bandmap, so I tuned across 15 
meters, but didn't hear anything except a JT-65 signal. Huh. I turned on 
skimmer spots by typing SET/SKIMMER into N1MM+ Logger's packet window, 
and CQed away. I watched as the skimmer spots rolled in: 21dB in Ohio. 
27dB in Massachusetts. 32 dB in Pennsylvania. 31dB in New York. These 
readings were subjective, but indicated that if anyone was listening in 
those locations, they should have been able to hear me. I kept at it for 
nearly five minutes without a caller, wondering if anyone else was on 15 
or watching skimmer spots. Finally, I started to get some callers, and 
eventually ended up with nearly 70 contacts on that band. I scanned 
around the band a bit on the 2nd VFO after I started working people - 
others were finally noticing that the band was open and were making 
contacts as well.

Lately it's been easy to ignore certain bands because we all /know/ the 
conditions are just terrible. I'm glad I reminded myself early in this 
year's fall contest season to base my in-contest decisions with hard 
data and persevere in CQing into a quiet, but ultimately open, band.

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

73, Brian N9ADG

CONTESTS

*22 Sep - 5 Oct 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>, Sep 21, 1300z to 
Sep 21, 1400z, Sep 21, 1900z to Sep 21, 2000z, Sep 22, 0300z to Sep 22, 
0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Member: Name + Member No., 
non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: September 24.

NAQCC CW Sprint <http://naqcc.info/sprint/sprint201612mw.html>, Sep 22, 
0030z to Sep 22, 0230z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20m; RST + 
(state/province/country) + (NAQCC No./power); Logs due: September 26.

NCCC RTTY Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rttyns.html>, Sep 23, 0145z 
to Sep 23, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; 
Logs due: September 25.

NCCC Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rules.html>, Sep 23, 0230z to Sep 
23, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: 
September 25.

CQ Worldwide DX Contest, RTTY <http://www.cq-amateur-radio.com/>, Sep 
24, 0000z to Sep 26, 0000z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; 48 
States/Canada: RST + CQ Zone + (state/VE area), All Others: RST + CQ 
Zone; Logs due: September 30.

Maine QSO Party <http://www.qsl.net/ws1sm/Maine_QSO_Party.html>, Sep 24, 
1200z to Sep 25, 1200z; CW, Phone; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; ME: 
RS(T) + county, non-ME: RS(T) + (state/province/"DX"); Logs due: October 10.

Texas QSO Party <http://www.txqp.net/>, Sep 24, 1400z to Sep 25, 0200z, 
Sep 25, 1400z to Sep 25, 2000z; *All*; Bands: All, except WARC; TX: 
RS(T) + County, non-TX: RS(T) + (state/province/country/MM region); Logs 
due: October 31.

RSGB International Sprint Contest, CW 
<http://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2016/sprint.shtml>, Sep 24, 1700z to Sep 
24, 2100z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20m; [your call sign] + [other station's 
call sign] + Serial No. + Name; Logs due: October 1.

Classic Exchange, Phone 
<http://www.classicexchange.org/jan16/jan16ann.html>, Sep 25, 1300z to 
Sep 26, 0800z, Sep 27, 1300z to Sep 28, 0800z; AM, SSB, FM; Bands: 160, 
80, 40, 20, 15, 10, *6, 2m*; Name + RS + (state/province/country) + 
rcvr/xmtr manuf/model; Logs due: December 31.

Peanut Power QRP Sprint <http://www.nogaqrp.org/PeanutPower/rules.pdf>, 
Sep 25, 2000z to Sep 25, 2200z; CW, SSB; Bands: 40, 20, 15m; RS(T) + 
(state/province/country) + (peanut no./power output); Logs due: October 15.

SKCC Sprint 
<http://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/weekday_sprint/>, Sep 28, 
0000z to Sep 28, 0200z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; RST + 
(state/province/country) + Name + (SKCC No./power); Logs due: September 30.

Phone Fray <http://www.perluma.com/Phone_Fray_Contest_Rules.pdf>, Sep 
28, 0230z to Sep 28, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15m; NA: Name + 
(state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: September 30.

CWops Mini-CWT Test <http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html>, Sep 28, 1300z to 
Sep 28, 1400z, Sep 28, 1900z to Sep 28, 2000z, Sep 29, 0300z to Sep 29, 
0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Member: Name + Member No., 
non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: October 1.

UKEICC 80m Contest 
<http://www.ukeicc.com/which-contest/which-contest-ukeicc-80m-contests-rules>, 
Sep 28, 2000z to Sep 28, 2100z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; 4-Character grid 
square; Logs due: September 28.

RSGB 80m Club Sprint, CW 
<http://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2016/rsprint.shtml>, Sep 29, 1900z to 
Sep 29, 2000z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; [other station's call] + [your call] 
+ [serial no.] + [your name]; Logs due: October 6.

NCCC RTTY Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rttyns.html>, Sep 30, 0145z 
to Sep 30, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; 
Logs due: October 2.

NCCC Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rules.html>, Sep 30, 0230z to Sep 
30, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: 
October 2.

YLRL DX/NA YL Anniversary Contest 
<http://ylrl.org/index.php/contests-and-dx-awards>, Sep 30, 1400z to Oct 
2, 0200z; CW, SSB, Digital; Bands: Any; Serial No. + RS(T) + (ARRL 
Section/province/country); Logs due: October 31.

TARA PSK Rumble Contest 
<http://www.n2ty.org/seasons/tara_rumble_rules.html>, Oct 1, 0000z to 
Oct 2, 0000z; PSK; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, *6m*; W/VE/JA/VK: 
Name + Call Area, Other: Name + Country; Logs due: October 29.

15-Meter SSTV Dash Contest <http://contests.wsstvc.org/rules/>, Oct 1, 
0000z to Oct 2, 2359z; SSTV; Bands: 15m Only; WSSTVC-Member: RSV + "W" + 
4-digit member no., non-Members: RSV + Serial No.; Logs due: October 17.

Oceania DX Contest, Phone <http://www.oceaniadxcontest.com/rules.pdf>, 
Oct 1, 0800z to Oct 2, 0800z; Phone; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; RS 
+ Serial No.; Logs due: October 31.

WAB HF Phone <http://wab.intermip.net/Contest%20Rules.php>, Oct 1, 1200z 
to Oct 2, 1200z; Phone; Bands: 20, 15, 10m; British Isles: RS + serial 
no. + WAB square, Other: RS + serial no. + country; Logs due: October 23.

TRC DX Contest <http://www.trcdx.org/trcdxc/index.html>, Oct 1, 1200z to 
Oct 2, 1200z; CW, SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; TRC Members: RST + 
"TRC", non-TRC Members: RST + ITU Zone No.; Logs due: October 9.

GTC CW Cup 
<http://www.raag.org/LH2Uploads/ItemsContent/904/904_eng.pdf>, Oct 1, 
1200z to Oct 2, 1200z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; GTC Members: RST 
+ "GTC" + 3-digit member number, non-GTC: RST + "NM"; Logs due: October 30.

Russian WW Digital Contest 
<http://www.rdrclub.ru/rdrc-news/russian-ww-digital-contest/51-rus-ww-digi-rules>, 
Oct 1, 1200z to Oct 2, 1159z; BPSK63, RTTY; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 
10m; UA: RST(Q) + 2-character oblast code, non-UA: RST(Q) + QSO No.; 
Logs due: October 7.

International HELL-Contest 
<http://www.darc.de/der-club/referate/ukw-funksport/hf-hell-wettbewerb/teilnahmebedingungen/>, 
Oct 1, 1600z to Oct 1, 1800z (80m), Oct 2, 0900z to Oct 2, 1100z (40m); 
Hell; Bands: 80, 40m; RST + QSO No.; Logs due: October 16.

California QSO Party <http://www.cqp.org/Rules.html>, Oct 1, 1600z to 
Oct 2, 2200z; CW, Phone; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; CA: Serial No. 
+ County, non-CA: Serial No. + (state/VE area/country); Logs due: 
October 17.

FISTS Fall Slow Speed Sprint <http://fistsna.org/operating.html>, Oct 1, 
1700z to Oct 1, 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: October 31.

UBA ON Contest, SSB <http://www.uba.be/en/hf/contest-rules/on-contest>, 
Oct 2, 0600z to Oct 2, 1000z; SSB; Bands: 80m Only; ON: RS + Serial No. 
+ ON Section, non-ON: RS + Serial No.; Logs due: October 23.

RSGB International DX Contest 
<http://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2016/IntDX.shtml>, Oct 2, 0700z to Oct 
2, 1900z; CW, SSB; Bands: 20, 15, 10m; RS(T) + Serial No.; Logs due: 
October 9.

German Telegraphy Contest 
<http://www.agcw.org/index.php/en/contests-and-cw-activities/german-telegraphy-contest-dtc>, 
Oct 3, 0700z to Oct 3, 1000z; CW; Bands: 80, 40m; DL: RST + LDK, non-DL: 
RST; Logs due: October 17.

ARS Spartan Sprint 
<http://arsqrp.blogspot.com/2009/02/so-whats-spartan-sprint-and-how-do-i.html>, 
Oct 4, 0100z to Oct 4, 0300z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; RST + 
(state/province/country) + Power; Logs due: October 6.

Phone Fray <http://www.perluma.com/Phone_Fray_Contest_Rules.pdf>, Oct 5, 
0230z to Oct 5, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15m; NA: Name + 
(state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: October 7.

CWops Mini-CWT Test <http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html>, Oct 5, 1300z to Oct 
5, 1400z, Oct 5, 1900z to Oct 5, 2000z, Oct 6, 0300z to Oct 6, 0400z; 
CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Member: Name + Member No., 
non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: October 8.

UKEICC 80m Contest 
<http://www.ukeicc.com/which-contest/which-contest-ukeicc-80m-contests-rules>, 
Oct 5, 2000z to Oct 5, 2100z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; 4-Character grid 
square; Logs due: October 5.

*VHF+ CONTESTS*

AGCW VHF/UHF Contest 
<http://www.agcw.org/index.php/en/contests-and-cw-activities/vhf-uhf-contest>, 
Sep 24, 1400z to Sep 24, 1700z (144), Sep 24, 1700z to Sep 24, 1800z 
(432); CW; Bands: 144 MHz, 432 MHz; RST + "/" + Serial No. + "/" Power 
class + "/" + 6-character grid locator; Logs due: October 10.

UBA ON Contest, 6m <http://www.uba.be/en/hf/contest-rules/on-contest>, 
Sep 25, 0700z to Sep 25, 1000z; CW, Phone; Bands: 6m Only; ON: RS(T) + 
Serial No. + ON Section, non-ON: RS(T) + Serial No.; Logs due: October 16.

*ARRL EME Contest* <http://www.arrl.org/eme-contest>*, Sep 24, 0000z to 
Sep 25, 2359z; CW, Phone, Digital; Bands: 50-1296 MHz; Signal report; 
Logs due: December 21.*

220 MHz Fall Sprint <http://svhfs.org/2016_Fall_Sprint_Rules.pdf>, Sep 
27, 1900z to Sep 27, 2300z; not specified; Bands: 222 MHz; 4-character 
grid square; Logs due: October 11.

432 MHz Fall Sprint <http://svhfs.org/2016_Fall_Sprint_Rules.pdf>, Oct 
5, 1900z to Oct 5, 2300z; not specified; Bands: 432 MHz; 6-character 
grid square; Logs due: October 19.

Also, see Texas QSO Party, Classic Exchange, Tara PSK Rumble, above.

LOG DUE DATES

*September 23, 2016*

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

*September 24, 2016*

  * FOC QSO Party <http://g4foc.org/qsoparty/>
  * Ohio State Parks on the Air
    <http://www.ospota.org/ospota/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/OSPOTA-Rules2016-1Dec15.pdf>
  * CWops Mini-CWT Test <http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html>

*September 25, 2016*

  * BARTG Sprint 75
    <http://s3.spanglefish.com/s/7850/documents/contests/sprint75/rules/current/bartg%20sprint%2075%20rules.pdf>
  * WAB 144 MHz QRO Phone <http://wab.intermip.net/Contest%20Rules.php>
  * NCCC RTTY Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rttyns.html>
  * NCCC Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rules.html>
  * Kulikovo Polye Contest <http://www.kpctest.ru/?pg=content/ruleen>
  * Run for the Bacon QRP Contest <http://qrpcontest.com/pigrun/>
  * Scandinavian Activity Contest, CW <http://www.sactest.net/blog/rules/>
  * North American Sprint, RTTY <http://ncjweb.com/Sprint-Rules.pdf>

*September 26, 2016*

  * Ohio QSO Party <http://www.ohqp.org/adminRules.htm>
  * WAE DX Contest, SSB
    <http://www.darc.de/referate/dx/contest/waedc/en/rules/>
  * NAQCC CW Sprint <http://naqcc.info/sprint201609.html>

*September 27, 2016*

  * YO DX HF Contest <http://www.yodx.ro/en/english>

*September 29, 2016*

  * Keyman's Club of Japan Contest
    <http://www.kcj-cw.com/contest/16_kcj_contest_rule_e.pdf>

*September 30, 2016*

  * AGCW Straight Key Party
    <http://www.agcw.org/index.php/en/contests-and-cw-activities/straight-key-party-htp>
  * Himalayan Contest <http://www.arsi.info/contests/himalayan>
  * ALARA Contest <http://www.alara.org.au/contests/>
  * IARU Region 1 Field Day, SSB <Your%20national%20society%20web%20site>

*October 1, 2016*

  * New Jersey QSO Party <http://www.k2td-bcrc.org/njqp/njqp_rules.html>
  * Colorado QSO Party <http://ppraa.org/coqp>
  * Hawaii QSO Party <http://www.hiqsoparty.org/Rules/HQP/HQPRules.html>
  * Kansas QSO Party <http://ksqsoparty.org/rules/KSQPRules2016.pdf>

*October 2, 2016*

  * SARL VHF/UHF Analogue/Digital Contest
    <http://www.sarl.org.za/Web3/Members/DoDocDownload.aspx?X=20151130131559djqp8afPgb.PDF>
  * Washington State Salmon Run
    <http://www.wwdxc.org/2016-salmon-run-information/>

*October 3, 2016*

  * All Africa International DX Contest
    <http://www.sarl.org.za/Web3/Members/DoDocDownload.aspx?X=20151130131559djqp8afPgb.PDF>
  * 144 MHz Fall Sprint <http://svhfs.org/2016_Fall_Sprint_Rules.pdf>

*October 4, 2016*

  * G3ZQS Memorial Straight Key Contest
    <http://www.fistsna.org/operating.html>

*October 5, 2016*

  * All Asian DX Contest, Phone
    <https://www.jarl.org/English/4_Library/A-4-3_Contests/2016AA_rule.htm>
  * Tennessee QSO Party <http://tnqp.org/rules/>

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