[SFDXA] The ARRL Contest Update for May 17, 2017

Wed May 17 09:04:31 EDT 2017

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The ARRL Contest Update

May 17, 2017
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=2017-05-17&t=t>
IN THIS ISSUE

  * New HF Operators: Dayton Activities, ARRL Field Day Locator
    <#_836323481788922-NewHF>
  * Bulletins <#_836323481788922-Bulletins>
  * Contest Summary <#_836323481788922-ContestSummary>
  * News: Region 2 ARDF Championships, FlexRadio SmartLink, RaDAR, and
    more <#_836323481788922-News>
  * Word to the Wise: RaDAR <#_836323481788922-Word>
  * Sights and Sounds: Dayton Contest Activities, Pin One Problem, 10 km
    2.4GHz link, and more <#_836323481788922-Sights>
  * Results: WRTC 2018 Standings Updated <#_836323481788922-Results>
  * Operating Tip: Be in the Contest Moment <#_836323481788922-OperatingTip>
  * Technical Topics and Information: Avoiding Ransomware, Electric
    Field Tomography, and more <#_836323481788922-Tech>
  * Conversation: Increasing the Rate of JT Modes
    <#_836323481788922-Conversation>
  * Contests <#_836323481788922-LogsDue>
  * Log Due Dates <#_836323481788922-LogsDue>

NEW HF OPERATORS - THINGS TO DO

Amateurs anywhere near Ohio are likely thinking about this week's 
Hamvention <http://hamvention.org>. This year the event drawing 
thousands moves to a new location near Xenia, Ohio. There's something 
for every facet of Amateur Radio, and manufacturers often use the 
occasion to announce new products or services. For contesters, in 
addition to the various sessions being held at the Hamvention grounds, a 
full slate of contest-related activities occur at the Dayton Crowne 
Plaza hotel. Contest University <http://contestuniversity.com>, the 
Contest Super Suite <http://contestsupersuite.com>, and various contest 
organizations have formal and informal activities and presences. If you 
cannot attend, monitor Twitter and radio-related websites for 
announcements or live streams of ongoing events, such as those provided 
by W5KUB's Amateur Radio Roundtable <http://w5kub.com/> and others.

The ARRL Field Day event is coming up soon. Participating in a Field Day 
operation is a great way to find a radio club if you're not a member of 
one, meet new people in your club, or share your enthusiasm for the 
hobby with others. The ARRL Field Day Site Locator 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/view/arrl-field-day-site-locator-is-live-for-2017-public-service-announcements-available> 
is standing by to help you find a location near you, or help advertise 
your club's operation.

BULLETINS

BUSTED QSOS

George, K5KG, writes: "The N1MM+ IN7QPNE module now handles the Delaware 
QP. DE was added this year. All four are now supported: 7QP, IN, NE, and 
DE."

"QSLs for the Martian New Year QSO Party 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/special-event-in-mars-pennsylvania-to-celebrate-martian-new-year>, 
held May 5-6, should go to N2MA" (Tim, K3HX)

CONTEST SUMMARY

Complete information <#_836323481788922-Contests> for all contests 
follows the Conversation <#_836323481788922-Conversation> section

*May 18*

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

*May 19*

  * NCCC RTTY Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rttyns.html>
  * NCCC Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rules.html>
  * Slobozhansky Sprint Contest
    <http://ut0lwr.wixsite.com/gotdr/slobozhanskij-sprint>

*May 20*

  * UN DX Contest <http://undxc.kz/bez-rubriki/2015-2/>
  * NZART Sangster Shield Contest
    <http://www.nzart.org.nz/activities/contest-rules/rules-sangster-shield/>
  * Aegean RTTY Contest
    <http://www.aegeandxgroup.gr/dx%20pdf/rules%20of%20RTTY%20Contest.pdf>
  * EU PSK DX Contest <http://www.eupsk.com/eupskdx/eupskdxrules.pdf>
  * His Maj. King of Spain Contest, CW
    <http://concursos.ure.es/en/s-m-el-rey-de-espana-cw/bases/>
  * Feld Hell Sprint
    <https://sites.google.com/site/feldhellclub/Home/contests/sprints/full-day-of-hell-sprint>
  * Baltic Contest <http://www.lrsf.lt/bcontest/english/rules_html.htm>

*May 21*

  * NZART Sangster Shield Contest
    <http://www.nzart.org.nz/activities/contest-rules/rules-sangster-shield/>
  * UA2 QSO Party <http://www.qrz.ru/contest/detail/382.html>

*May 22*

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

*May 24*

  * 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>

*May 25*

  * CWops Mini-CWT Test <http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html>
  * RSGB 80m Club Championship, CW
    <http://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2017/r80mcc.shtml>

*May 26*

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

*May 27*

  * CQ WW WPX Contest, CW <http://www.cqwpx.com/rules.htm>

*May 28*

  * SARL Digital Contest
    <http://www.sarl.org.za/Web3/Members/DoDocDownload.aspx?X=20161222085537waqSliCvbT.PDF>
  * QRP ARCI Hootowl Sprint
    <http://www.qrparci.org/contests/hoot-owl-sprint>

*May 31*

  * Phone Fray <http://www.perluma.com/Phone_Fray_Contest_Rules.pdf>
  * CWops Mini-CWT Test <http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html>

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=cu&t=i&i=2017-05-17&p=0>
NEWS, PRESS RELEASES, AND GENERAL INTEREST

Registration is now under way for the 2017 USA and International Amateur 
Radio Union (IARU) Region 2 championships of Amateur Radio Direction 
Finding (ARDF) <http://ardfusa.com/2017-championships/>, which will take 
place August 3-6 near Harrison, Ohio. Rick, WW1ME, noted in the The ARRL 
Letter <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter?issue=2017-05-11> that "USA's 
ARDF Championships are an ideal opportunity to watch and learn from the 
best radio-orienteers in the US and from around the world, because 
visiting competitors from numerous other countries are expected to attend."

It's not often that high frequency stock trading and explanations of 
coaxial cables and radio wave propagation are part of the same article, 
but here's one where the velocity of propagation can have some real 
financial consequences 
<https://meanderful.blogspot.in/2017/05/lines-radios-and-cables-oh-my.html>. 
Microwave links for communicating financial transactions beat fiber just 
enough to make them better. The article covers a wide range of issues 
related to optimizing latency between two locations.

Remote Operation for contesting and operating in general just got a 
little easier. FlexRadio Systems has just announced its SmartLink remote 
access feature 
<https://community.flexradio.com/flexradio/topics/announcing-the-smartlink-remote-access-feature-for-smartsdr-v2-x?utm_source=notification&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=new_topic&utm_content=topic_link>, 
to be included in the upcoming SmartSDR v2.0 software release. SmartLink 
makes it easier to "securely and easily operate your FLEX-6000 SDR over 
the Internet without the use of VPN or specialized hardware. SmartSDR 
v2.0 for Windows, iOS, and Maestro includes all of the necessary 
software for seamless remote operation. There will be live 
demonstrations of SmartLink in action at the 2017 Hamvention." There is 
also more information on the qrznow.com website 
<http://qrznow.com/smartlink-for-remote-access-flexradio/>.

Sometimes a thing can be so bad that it earns grudging admiration for 
excelling at being bad. The Eico 753 HF Transceiver may qualify. 
According to Dennis, N6KI: "If you were a ham in the mid 1960s and have 
some spare reading time and want to ROFL, read the eham reviews about 
the Yugo of HF transceivers 
<http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/2223?page=2> of that era. As a 
"starving" freshman college student, I ordered one from Lafayette 
Electronics catalog on a monthly payment plan my older graduate student 
room mate signed for as you had to be 21 and I had just turned 18...."

U.S. customers interested in SOTAbeams <http://www.sotabeams.co.uk/> 
antennas, filters, and testing tools, but uninterested in potential 
international shipping hassles can now order from the exclusive U.S. 
distributor, DX Engineering <http://dxengineering.com>. DX Engineering 
will stock a number of SOTAbeam products, including the WSPRlite Antenna 
Performance Analysis System 
<https://www.dxengineering.com/search/product-line/sotabeams-wsprlite-propagation-and-antenna-tester>.

If installing a logging program on your computer before a contest is 
just too much of a bother, you can still paper log, and then enter your 
contacts into a web form: http://www.b4h.net/cabforms/. Many popular 
contests are supported, see the web page for details.

According to Scott, N3FJP, VHF Contest Log 5.4 
<http://www.n3fjp.com/vhfuhf.html> is now available, supporting the 
brand new ARRL 222 MHz and Up Distance Contest.

KE9V's /Calling CQ/ <http://ke9v.net/cq/issue-87.html> email newsletter 
noted N4KGL's RaDAR - Rapid Amateur Radio Deployment 
<http://www.n4kgl.info/2017/04/radar-challenge-heaven-at-st-george.html> 
Challenge activity in Florida. RaDAR operators take everything they need 
to operate in the field for four hours of a 24 hour period, including 
food and shelter. The catch is that operators are to move locations 
every 5 contacts by at least 1 kilometer if on foot.

Rocket triggered lightning strikes 
<https://www.wired.com/2015/06/the-lightning-machine/> are NOT a good 
way to protect your towers from high energy events. It IS an exciting 
way to perform lightning research. And make impressive videos. (Dennis, 
N6KI)

For ARRL Contests, remember that there are layers of rules. The General 
Rules <http://www.arrl.org/general-rules-for-all-arrl-contests> state 
the Precedence of rules:

  * Rules for individual contests or events, including Field Day, take
    precedence over all General Rules.
  * General Rules for HF and VHF contests take precedence over General
    Rules for all contests.

WORD TO THE WISE

*RaDAR*: Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio. Originated by ZS6BNE 
<https://zs6bne.wordpress.com/2012/09/13/rapid-deployment-amateur-radio/>, 
it's the "concept for operating an amateur radio station anywhere, 
anytime and even in adverse environmental conditions." Operators are 
encouraged carry their gear as well as support items like food, water 
and shelter, to their operating locations, and during rallies or 
contests are encouraged to change locations after a certain number of 
contacts. Coordination is through a website 
<https://plus.google.com/communities/109283065808971118728>, and RaDAR 
Challenge 
<http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2017/march/rapid-deployment-amateur-radio-challenge.htm> 
events occur on three weekends a year.

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS

Radio Shack stores around the country are being shuttered, another event 
in the unfortunate saga of the chain. The store on Market Street in San 
Francisco is advertising up to 80% off.

The World Wide Radio Operators Foundation (WWROF) published a video 
entitled "Dayton 2017 Contest Activities With K3LR" 
<http://wwrof.org/webinar-archive/k3lr-contest-university-2017-dayton-contest-activities/> 
describing Contest University and other contest related activities 
coming up this week. (Ken, K4ZW)

Tim, K3LR, also posted a full menu of options 
<http://lists.contesting.com/pipermail/cq-contest/2017-May/117722.html> 
for watching Dayton activities. Starting Wednesday evening at 9pm EDT 
with a Ham Nation LIVE <https://twit.tv/live> broadcast from the Contest 
Super Suite <http://contestsupersuite.com>, and including certain 
Contest University <http://contestuniversity.com> sessions broadcast 
courtesy of ICOM,

The Pin One Problem performed at the International DX Convention in 
Visalia, California. [Photo: Courtesy of Bob, N6TV]

At the recent International DX Convention in Visalia, California, the 
Contest Dinner featured a performance of the band "The Pin One Problem." 
Band members included K6JS on bass guitar, KU6F and others on vocals, 
K6SRZ on acoustic guitar, N6AN on electric guitar, N0AX on mandolin and 
vocals. Lyrics were by N0AX. Bob, N6TV, captured the moment and 
preserved it forever on YouTube 
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXil3QjsUZM&list=PLuIuPYrDoXRPjxVYOGDyzTzN2C9V1cP3K>. 
By clicking on the "Show More" button you can view the lyrics so you can 
follow and sing along. (Bob, N6TV)

Some very inexpensive ESP32 hardware was used to transmit data over a 10 
kilometer link via the 2.4 GHz band. The YouTube video covers the 
calculations <https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yCLb2eItDyE> for the link, 
and explains how the setup still conforms to the EU rules for unlicensed 
operation. Further links in the video provide information on how to gain 
access to lower-level packet operations of the ESP32 hardware.

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=cu&t=i&i=2017-05-17&p=1>
RESULTS AND RECORDS

The WRTC 2018 qualification standings 
<http://wrtc2018.de/index.php/en/competition/qualification/standings-2> 
have been updated to include *final* CQWW scores. (Ulf, DL5AXX)

OPERATING TIP

*Be in the Contesting Moment*

With conditions being what they are, there could be plenty of dull 
moments during a contest, even on an open band. It may be tempting to 
read a book, catch up on email, check the latest XKCD <http://xkcd.com>, 
or any other non-score-building activity. Resist. Instead, use the 2nd 
VFO to find another station to work. See if another band is open. Only 
concentrate on activities that have a chance of increasing your score.

TECHNICAL TOPICS AND INFORMATION

It hasn't been prudent to use Microsoft Windows XP since support for 
patches ended on April 8, 2014. The impact of this week's ransomware 
virus has compelled Microsoft to release a security patch 
<https://www.engadget.com/2017/05/13/Microsoft-WindowsXP-WannaCrypt-NHS-patch/> 
for this obsolete operating system. According to Bob, N6TV, "In light of 
all the damage caused by the WannaCry ransomware, including many 
out-of-service Windows XP systems that many of us may still use on at 
least once computer, Microsoft has issued Security Patch KB4012598. You 
can go to the Microsoft web site (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us) and 
enter "KB4012598" in the Search box at the top to find it, or you can 
use this direct link 
<https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=KB4012598> to 
the software catalog page. The patch is a simple program (.exe file) 
that you download, run once, and then reboot. To verify installation 
after reboot: Start, Control Panel, Add or Remove Programs. Check the 
*Show updates* box at the top, wait a bit, then scroll down to *Windows 
XP - Software Updates* at the bottom. You should see Security Update for 
Windows XP (KB4012598) at the bottom of the list."

Using a technique called electric field tomography 
<http://yang-zhang.me/research/Electrick/Electrick.html>, researchers at 
Carnegie Mellon University can turn nearly any surface into a touch 
control <http://newatlas.com/pray-on-touch-control/49421/>. By spraying 
on an electrically conductive coating, then attaching electrodes to the 
perimeter of the area, touches to the surface can be detected and mapped 
with a one centimeter resolution. Imagine multi-function tuning knobs or 
an interactive compass rose for rotator controllers. (Dennis, N6KI)

Mark, K6UFO, suggests: "I was using the Great Circle Mapper 
<http://www.gcmap.com/> the other day to visualize directions and paths 
into Europe. If you don't know the Airport codes, it has a search 
function, it also can show Lat/Long of starting and ending points, and 
several map options."

When roving for VHF/UHF Contests, or if you're lost during the Stew 
Perry Contest but found an awesome spot to put up your 160 meter blimp, 
you're doing to need to know your Maidenhead Grid 
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maidenhead_Locator_System>. Some GPS 
units will display Maidenhead grid locators, and Lynn, N7CFO, keeps a 
list of them <http://www.n7cfo.com/vhf/gps/%7Egps.htm>. (Bob, K0NR, via 
VHFcontesting reflector)

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=cu&t=i&i=2017-05-17&p=2>
CONVERSATION

Increasing the Rate of JT Modes

Rob, N7QT, is putting together a DXpedition to Mellish Reef later this 
year and we have been talking over the last few months about how to 
operate in the face of declining sunspot conditions which will make 
communication on the higher bands a challenge. In addition to shifting 
the focus lower in frequency to 40, 80, and 160 meters, we started to 
discuss the newer JT65 and JT9 modes. These modes do seem to provide the 
potential for communications when a band is closed to other modes, but 
because of the six minute QSO cycle time - a maximum rate of 10 Qs per 
hour - operator resources would seem to be better deployed on more open 
bands with traditional modes.

However, over the past couple of months JT65 and JT9 operators and 
operating techniques have changed in a way that has re-opened the 
discussion about whether JT65 or JT9 would be appropriate for a 
DXpedition. It appears that more people have "discovered" the mode, 
whether by choice or by finding that no other circuit is working. Here 
in the Pacific Northwest, Rob notes that 20 meters is full of workable 
JT65 calls from Asia and EU from morning until late in the evening. 
There are some familiar calls, but many more calls that might represent 
the 'next layer' of stations he doesn't normally hear. He also notes 
that frequently there is a solid 4 kHz of activity. He often decodes 
more signals between 14.076 MHz and 14.078 MHz than there are signals in 
the entire CW band segment. A DXpedition's use of the JT modes could 
provide an All Time New One (ATNO) opportunity for many stations that 
otherwise would not have the chance.

Rob notes that in recent weeks, for an estimated 20% of the contacts 
he's made on JT65, the other operators reduce the six minute QSO time by 
omitting one of the 'legs' of the QSO. As an example, instead of sending 
a grid square in response to a CQ, they'll now send the signal report, 
saving one minute. They're exchanging just as much information as Phone 
or CW contact. Other operators are choosing to combine the "RRR" 
exchange with the "73" exchange , by sending a single "RR 73" exchange , 
saving another 2 minutes.

Bengt, K7ADD, operating as E51ADD, encountered many stations eager for 
contacts on JT65. [Photo: Courtesy of Bengt, K7ADD]

Bengt, K7ADD <https://twitter.com/k7add_dx>, was using JT65 on a 
somewhat recent operation from E51 - The South and North Cook Islands, 
and noted that he was able to have two JT65 QSOs going simultaneously, 
by offsetting two instances of WSJT-X in transmit frequency. By doing 
so, he had the potential to increase the rate to 20 QSOs per hour. 
That's not such a bad rate if the band is otherwise dead. He tried three 
instances simultaneously, but managing three instances of WSJT-X was not 
ideal, and operators on the other end were confused by signal reports 
being given to multiple stations simultaneously.

However, his experience provides hints of operating conventions that 
could make JT65 more practical from a rate perspective for DXpeditions. 
Cut the exchange sequence to four minutes, exchanging just signal 
reports. The DX station could handle multiple simultaneous JT65 mode 
QSOs - let's say six -- where the DX station transmits in one 1.5 KHz 
window, carriers 250 Hz apart. Space them even closer if using JT9. The 
DX station would use more power, as it's being split between a number of 
carriers -- JT65 and JT9 are not by necessity low power modes. Stations 
would call the DX in another 1.5 KHz window. Sure, the same frequency 
window could be used, as JT65 signals are time multiplexed, but it's 
likely that not all operators would understand to transmit on the 
correct even or odd time interval. It would make it easier on the 
DXpedition operators if there were a version of JT mode software that 
could handle the 6 simultaneous QSOs with only one instance, keeping 
track of the progress of individual contacts. Most of all, the plan for 
operating this way would be disseminated ahead of time, so that everyone 
has the opportunity to avoid operator confusion. With these changes, the 
theoretical maximum rate could be 90 QSOs per hour... even 40 QSOs per 
hour would be a good rate for a "closed" band.

That's all for this time. See you in Dayton or Xenia, Ohio? Remember to 
send contesting related stories, 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

*18 May - 31 May 2017*

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>, May 17, 1300z to 
May 17, 1400z, May 17, 1900z to May 17, 2000z, May 18, 0300z to May 18, 
0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Member: Name + Member No., 
non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: May 20.

NCCC RTTY Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rttyns.html>, May 19, 0145z 
to May 19, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; 
Logs due: May 21.

NCCC Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rules.html>, May 19, 0230z to May 
19, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: 
May 21.

Slobozhansky Sprint Contest 
<http://ut0lwr.wixsite.com/gotdr/slobozhanskij-sprint>, May 19, 1800z to 
May 19, 1959z (SSB), May 19, 2000z to May 19, 2159z (CW); CW, SSB; 
Bands: 160, 80m; Serial No. + Administrative District 
(URDA,RDA,province,state); Logs due: June 9.

UN DX Contest <http://undxc.kz/bez-rubriki/2015-2/>, May 20, 0600z to 
May 20, 2100z; CW, SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Kazakhstan: RS(T) + 
District Code, non-Kazakhstan: RS(T) + QSO No.; Logs due: June 4.

NZART Sangster Shield Contest 
<http://www.nzart.org.nz/activities/contest-rules/rules-sangster-shield/>, 
May 20, 0800z to May 20, 1100z, May 21, 0800z to May 21, 1100z; CW; 
Bands: 80m Only; ZL: RST + Serial No. + Branch No., non-ZL: RST + Serial 
No.; Logs due: June 17.

Aegean RTTY Contest 
<http://www.aegeandxgroup.gr/dx%20pdf/rules%20of%20RTTY%20Contest.pdf>, 
May 20, 1200z to May 21, 1200z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; RST + 
QSO No.; Logs due: June 15.

EU PSK DX Contest <http://www.eupsk.com/eupskdx/eupskdxrules.pdf>, May 
20, 1200z to May 21, 1200z; BPSK63; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; EU: RST 
+ EU area code, non-EU: RST + QSO No.; Logs due: May 26.

His Maj. King of Spain Contest, CW 
<http://concursos.ure.es/en/s-m-el-rey-de-espana-cw/bases/>, May 20, 
1200z to May 21, 1200z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; EA: RST + 
province, non-EA: RST + Serial No.; Logs due: June 5.

Feld Hell Sprint 
<https://sites.google.com/site/feldhellclub/Home/contests/sprints/full-day-of-hell-sprint>, 
May 20, 1600z to May 20, 1759z, May 20, 2000z to May 20, 2159z; Feld 
Hell; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, *6m*; (see rules); Logs due: May 24.

Baltic Contest <http://www.lrsf.lt/bcontest/english/rules_html.htm>, May 
20, 2100z to May 21, 0200z; CW, SSB; Bands: 80m Only; RS(T) + Serial 
No.; Logs due: June 10.

UA2 QSO Party <http://www.qrz.ru/contest/detail/382.html>, May 21, 1300z 
to May 21, 1659z; CW, SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20m; UA2: RS(T) + RDA ID, 
non-UA2: RS(T) + Serial No.; Logs due: June 14.

Run for the Bacon QRP Contest <http://qrpcontest.com/pigrun/>, May 22, 
0100z to May 22, 0300z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; RST + 
(state/province/country) + (Member No./power); Logs due: May 28.

SKCC Sprint 
<http://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/weekday_sprint/>, May 24, 
0000z to May 24, 0200z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; RST + 
(state/province/country) + Name + (SKCC No./power); Logs due: May 26.

Phone Fray <http://www.perluma.com/Phone_Fray_Contest_Rules.pdf>, May 
24, 0230z to May 24, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15m; NA: Name + 
(state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: May 26.

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

RSGB 80m Club Championship, CW 
<http://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2017/r80mcc.shtml>, May 25, 1900z to May 
25, 2030z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: May 26.

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

NCCC Sprint <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rules.html>, May 26, 0230z to May 
26, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: 
May 28.

CQ WW WPX Contest, CW <http://www.cqwpx.com/rules.htm>, May 27, 0000z to 
May 28, 2359z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; RST + Serial No.; 
Logs due: June 2.

SARL Digital Contest 
<http://www.sarl.org.za/Web3/Members/DoDocDownload.aspx?X=20161222085537waqSliCvbT.PDF>, 
May 28, 1300z to May 28, 1600z; PSK, RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20m; RST + QSO 
No.; Logs due: June 4.

QRP ARCI Hootowl Sprint 
<http://www.qrparci.org/contests/hoot-owl-sprint>, May 28, 2000z to May 
29, 0000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; RST + 
(state/province/country) + (ARCI no./power); Logs due: June 11.

Phone Fray <http://www.perluma.com/Phone_Fray_Contest_Rules.pdf>, May 
31, 0230z to May 31, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15m; NA: Name + 
(state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: June 2.

CWops Mini-CWT Test <http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html>, May 31, 1300z to 
May 31, 1400z, May 31, 1900z to May 31, 2000z, Jun 1, 0300z to Jun 1, 
0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Member: Name + Member No., 
non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: May 13.

*VHF+ CONTESTS*

See Feld Hell Sprint 
<https://sites.google.com/site/feldhellclub/Home/contests/sprints/full-day-of-hell-sprint>, 
above

LOG DUE DATES

*May 18, 2017*

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

*May 19, 2017*

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

*May 20, 2017*

  * Microwave Spring Sprint
    <https://sites.google.com/site/springvhfupsprints/home/2017-information>
  * AGCW QRP/QRP Party
    <http://www.agcw.org/index.php/en/contests-and-cw-activities/qrp-qrp-party>
  * Jakarta DX Contest 40m
    <https://jakartadxcontest.com/rules/rules-english/>

*May 21, 2017*

  * SKCC Weekend Sprintathon
    <http://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/weekend_sprintathon/>

*May 22, 2017*

  * 10-10 Int. Spring Contest, CW
    <http://www.ten-ten.org/index.php/activity/2013-07-22-20-26-48/qso-party-rules>
  * Nebraska QSO Party
    <http://www.qcwa.org/chapter025-rules-ne-qso-party-2017.pdf>

*May 27, 2017*

  * 50 MHz Spring Sprint
    <https://sites.google.com/site/springvhfupsprints/home/2017-information>
  * Arkansas QSO Party
    <http://www.arkqp.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/AQP-2017-Rules.pdf>

*May 31, 2017*

  * VOLTA WW RTTY Contest <http://www.contestvolta.com/rules.pdf>
  * MIE 33 Contest <http://www.ztv.ne.jp/isoda/33/annual/40/40rule-e.html>
  * Holyland DX Contest <http://www.iarc.org/iarc/>
  * Texas State Parks on the Air
    <http://www.tspota.org/index_htm_files/TSPOTA_Rules%202017%2002%2013.pdf>
  * 4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint
    <http://www.4sqrp.com/SSS/sss_rules.pdf>

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ARRL Contest Update wishes to acknowledge information from WA7BNM's 
Contest Calendar <http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal> and SM3CER's 
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