[WIham] Fall VHF/UHF 6m Sprint, 2000 UTC Saturday, August 11 - 0000 UTC Sunday, August 12, 2012

[Mark Thompson]

http://www.svhfs.org/sprints.html
Introducing the 2012 Fall VHF/UHF Sprints:

PRELIMINARY Revision 1. Change 50MHz times.

The Southeastern VHF Society is again sponsoring the Fall VHF/UHF
Sprints. All amateurs are encouraged to participate, even if only in a small
way. They are meant to get everyone on the air. The rules encourage
rover, microwave operation and the casual operator new to VHF/UHF.

This year we are again using 6 digit grid squares and distance scoring
on the Microwaves.

The contest is intended for single operator, single transmitter entries. However, if one wishes to
introduce a newcomer to weak signal vhf/uhf operations, the sponsors of the contest reserve the
right to allow such entries, if identified as such. In no case will there be more than 1 radio operator
at one time. A second person can not serve as a “spotter” while the first operates. Operating
categories are still Single Op and Rover.

Sprints are held on different days for each band except for the Microwaves (902 and up) that are
held together. The operating time for each Sprint is short (like a sprint :-) and meant to compress
the activity into a shorter time span.

At present we do not have any plaque sponsors. If you would like to sponsor a plaque for one of the
Sprints please contact the Fall Sprints Chairman Bruce Randall NT4RT. NT4RT at arrl.net.

While the rules for the Fall Sprints are set for 2012, we are always open to suggestions on how to
improve them for the future. If you have an idea on how to make the Fall Sprints better for next
year (different dates, times, rule change, etc.) please drop the Fall Sprints Chairman a note and help
out.

Please notice that, except for rovers and the microwave sprint, the scoring is more like the
ARRL June VHF contest now. 
check the logs. Rover scoring is intended to encourage activation of many grids!
Note the changed date of the 50MHz sprint, August this year. Can we get some E skip? maybe?
Down East Microwave (downeastmicrowave.com) is again supporting the Fall Sprints by
sponsoring two participation award drawings. The drawings will be made at the SVHFS
Conference from the stations that turn in logs showing contacts in the 222 MHz Sprint and/or the
Microwave Sprint. One drawing for each. The two drawing winners will receive $100 gift
certificates for DEMI products. You do not have to be present to win. The awards are being
sponsored to encourage amateurs to get active on 222 MHz and the Microwave bands. Our thanks
to Steve and Sandra for their continued support!!

For details and up-to-date information about the Fall Sprints and the annual technical conference
the Southeastern VHF Society sponsors, please visit our website at This will allow computer programs to both generate the logs andhttp://www.svhfs.org/

73, have fun, and good luck!
Bruce Randall NT4RT
fallsprints at svhfs.org
2012 Fall Sprint Chairman

2012 Fall VHF/UHF Sprint Rules:
1. Object: 
as possible, using authorized amateur frequencies on the 50, 144, 222, 432 MHz.
Microwaves (902 MHz and above) are scored on distance.To work as many amateur stations in as many 2 X 1 degree grid squares2. Contest Period:2.1 The 
UTC Sunday, August 12, 2012.50 MHz Sprint starts 2000 UTC Saturday, August 11, 2012 and ends 0000LOG is due by September 12, 2012.2.2 The 
September 17, 2012.144 MHz Sprint will be from 7 PM to 11 PM local time on MondayLOG is due by October 17, 2012.2.3 The 
September 25, 2012.222 MHz Sprint will be from 7 PM to 11 PM local time on TuesdayLOG is due by October 25, 2012.2.4 The 
October 3, 2012.432 MHz Sprint will be from 7 PM to 11 PM local time on WednesdayLOG is due by November 3, 2012.2.5 The 
time on Saturday October 13, 2012. The Microwave Sprint is one Sprint and
certificates will be awarded for highest total score. See section 4. below for scoring.Microwave (902 MHz and above) Sprint will be from 7 AM to 1 PM localLOG is due by November 13, 2012. Exchange is 6 Digit Grid Square !!
3. Exchange: Call signs and Grid-square locator. Signal report optional.microwaves require the full 6 characters of the grid square. Such as EM94LV
4. Scoring:4.1 QSO Points:4.1.1. Count 1 point for each complete 50- or 144-MHz QSO.
4.1.2. Count 2 points for each 222- or 432-MHz QSO.
4.1.3. for each 902- or above contact, the distance in Km is the score for the
contact. “Tinylocator” from ON6MU, available on the internet, will be used to
verify distances.
4.2 
Each 2 X 1 degree grid square worked counts as one multiplier.
4.3 
sprint is scored separately. 
produce the correct score.Multiplier: (Except for microwave) The total number of grid squares worked.Final Score (Except Microwave): Multiply QSO points by multipliers. EachARRL June 2012 VHF contest scoring software will4.4 
normal single operator in that grid. Please separate logs for each grid activated. The
final score is the sum of the scores for the individual grids activated. 
grid must be activated to be a rover! ARRL scoring software will NOT work.Rovers Score: Each grid activated is scored separately as if the station was aMore than one4.5 
the final score. A station worked on another band is a new contact. If a rover moves
to a new grid he can be worked again for another contact. Rovers make a separate
log for each grid that is operated from. The sum of the individual logs is the score.Microwave Final Score: The sum of the distance in kilometers for all contacts is5. Reporting: 
the each event. Only submitted logs are eligible for awards. Logs must be in ARRL
format (log sheets and summary sheet as used for ARRL VHF contests) to be
accepted, and must show current address to be eligible for awards. Electronic
submissions in ARRL acceptable electronic format may be mailed on diskette or
emailed with log file as an ATTACHMENT only (Not in the body of
e-mail). Subject line of e-mail must contain “2012 Fall Sprint”. In e-mail addresses
below (at) is really an @ sign. Logs must be submitted no later than 30 days after the closing date ofEmail reporting is prefered!!5.1 50 MHz Sprint logs to:
Ray Rector WA4NJP, 3493 Holly Springs Rd, Gillsville, GA 30534
wa4njp(at)bellsouth.net
5.2 144 MHz Sprint logs to:
Steve Kostro N2CEI, 17519, 78
144FS(at)downeastmicrowave.com
5.3 222 MHz Sprint logs to:
Bob Lear W4ZST, PO Box 1269, Dahlonega, GA 30533
w4zst(at)windstream.net
5.4 432 MHz Sprint logs to:
Charles Osborne K4CSO, 2396 Buford Highway, Duluth, GA 30097
k4cso(at)charter.net
5.5 Microwave Sprint logs to:
Bruce Randall NT4RT, 928 Falls Rd, Rock Hill, SC 29730
nt4rt(at)arrl.net
6. Certificates for top three Single Op finishers in each sprint and top three Rovers in
each sprint if sufficient Rover competition is shown. Certificates to be awarded at the
Southeastern VHF Society banquet.
7. 
contacts during the contest. 
or internet methods to 
telephone, packet or internet channel will not be used while the contact is in progress.
No “OK I am hearing you now.” over the alternate channel. The alternate channel
will not be available in any way to the operator during the contact. The complete
exchange of call signs and grids must be accomplished on the relevant amateur radio
band. All other bands must use only amateur radio communications for scheduling
during the contest.
The Fall Sprints are sponsored by the Southeastern VHF Society.
Please visit www.svhfs.org for any updates.
If you have no clue what your SIX-Character Grid Locator is then try:th Terrace, Live Oak, FL 32060No use of telephone, packet or internet is allowed to scheduleFor Microwave only: Use of telephone, packetschedule contacts during the contest is acceptable. Thehttp://f6fvy.free.fr/qthLocator/fullScreen.php?locator=EMThis uses Google Maps. I was actually able to see my shack and antenna in satellite
photo mode. If you click on a spot, the Latitude, Longitude, and 6 digit Grid are
displayed. This is a really neat tool. Thank you to Larry F6FVY.
Also useful:http://users.belgacom.net/hamradio/tinylocator.htm orhttp://www.chris.org/cgi-bin/showdis 
grids.calculate the distance between two 6 digithttp://mysite.verizon.net/dmascaro1/cabrillo.htm 
 evaluates logs.