If you are having trouble reading this message, you can see the original at:
http://www.arrl.org/contests/update/?issue=2016-03-09

The ARRL Contest Update

March 9, 2016
Editor: Brian Moran, N9ADG


IN THIS ISSUE
 *  New HF Operators: BERU, not for you, QSO Parties, RTTY, and more
 *  Bulletins: Stew Perry In the Spring?
 *  Busted QSOs: About those cut numbers...
 *  Contest Summary
 *  News: Currents have eddies, CFL EOL, and more
 *  Website of the week: AB7E and the Single dB
 *  Word to the Wise: Roger
 *  Sights and Sounds: FCG Hall of Fame, WRTC PPT, and more
 *  Results and Records: Sunset of CR2X operations and more
 *  Operating Tip: Check those macros
 *  Technical Topics and Information: Printing circuits, 555 teardown, and
    more
 *  Conversation: Going to the Show
 *  Contests in Detail
 *  Log Due Dates


NEW HF OPERATORS -- THINGS TO DO

Sometimes one is NOT invited to the party, or invited to participate in a
contest. Such is the case on March 12 when you may hear our Canadian neighbors
and other stations in the "Commonwealth Call Areas" making contacts with
United Kingdom and Crown Dependencies -- stations starting with the "G, GD,
GI, GJ, GM, GU, and GW" prefixes, and their variants, as part of the
Commonwealth Contest. As a US station, you'll be worth no points to them and
they'll be disinclined to answer your calls.

With five QSO Parties, a RTTY Sprint, and the Spring Stew Perry, the non-WARC
bands will still be hopping the weekend of March 12-13. On the subsequent
weekend, BARTG RTTY and three more QSO Parties could be to your liking. The
BARTG contest offers a 6-hour entry class - SOAB6; you can work six
consecutive hours of the 48-hour contest period. When you have other things
that must be done over the weekend, it's nice to be able to have an entry
class where you can still be competitive.


BULLETINS

Just when you thought it was time to pull in the beverages, emerge from the
basement shack, and start sleeping at night, there's another Stew Perry event.
March 12 and 13 will find 160 meters used for CW once again, with a distance
and power-based scoring system that doesn't level the playing field so much as
plow it up and plant a new crop.


BUSTED QSOS

Do NOT convert your Cut Numbers! Plain and simple, I was wrong when I
mentioned in the last issue that one should convert cut numbers to the actual
numbers while logging contacts. Just log what is sent, and submit that. The
ARRL DX log scoring process will handle cut numbers just fine. From a past
Contest Update:

What happens if you enter "Cut Numbers" in QSO lines of a Cabrillo-formatted
log? You'll be hearing lots of them in the upcoming ARRL DX CW Contest, so
here's the straight scoop. First, the character string is read from the
submitted log. Then...

 1. Any instance of W or WATTS are removed from the string.
 2. If the string is one character long containing K, it is transformed to
    1000
 3. Similarly, 1K and KILO become 1000
 4. All characters are removed which are not a numeral (0-9), A, E, N, T, or
    O
 5. Replacements are then made: 'A' with '1', 'E' with '5', 'N' with '9',
    'T' with '0', and 'O' with '0'
 6. If the result is 000, it is replaced with 1000
 7. Finally, the resulting set of characters are converted to an integer
    value for checking against other logs.

Thanks to Matt, W1MSW; Ward, N0AX, and Jim, W8WTS.


CONTEST SUMMARY

Complete information for all contests follows the Conversation section

March 10

 *  CWops Mini-CWT Test

March 11

 *  NCCC RTTY Sprint
 *  QRP Fox Hunt
 *  NCCC Sprint

March 12

 *  AWA John Rollins Memorial DX Contest
 *  Nauryz DX Contest
 *  RSGB Commonwealth Contest
 *  South America 10 Meter Contest
 *  SKCC Weekend Sprintathon
 *  Oklahoma QSO Party
 *  AGCW QRP Contest
 *  Stew Perry Topband Challenge
 *  EA PSK63 Contest
 *  TESLA Memorial HF CW Contest
 *  QCWA QSO Party
 *  Idaho QSO Party

March 13

 *  Oklahoma QSO Party
 *  North American Sprint, RTTY
 *  UBA Spring Contest, 2 m
 *  NSARA Contest
 *  Wisconsin QSO Party
 *  WAB 3.5 MHz Phone

March 14

 *  Bucharest Contest

March 15

 *  CLARA Chatter Party

March 16

 *  QRP Fox Hunt
 *  Phone Fray
 *  CWops Mini-CWT Test
 *  RSGB 80m Club Championship, CW

March 17

 *  CWops Mini-CWT Test
 *  NAQCC CW Sprint

March 18

 *  QRP Fox Hunt
 *  NCCC RTTY Sprint
 *  NCCC Sprint

March 19

 *  CLARA Chatter Party
 *  BARTG HF RTTY Contest
 *  SARL VHF/UHF Analogue/Digital Contest
 *  Russian DX Contest
 *  F9AA Cup, SSB
 *  Louisiana QSO Party
 *  AGCW VHF/UHF Contest
 *  Virginia QSO Party
 *  Feld Hell Sprint

March 20

 *  Virginia QSO Party
 *  UBA Spring Contest, SSB

March 21

 *  Run for the Bacon QRP Contest

March 23

 *  SKCC Sprint
 *  QRP Fox Hunt
 *  Phone Fray
 *  CWops Mini-CWT Test


NEWS, PRESS RELEASES, AND GENERAL INTEREST

Current flows can also eddy. Experiments with graphene and electricity may
have recently demonstrated that current flows can resemble flows of liquids,
including characteristics like eddies and backward flows. Researchers detected
the eddy phenomenon by measuring voltage gradients between various points on a
graphene plane.

The lighting industry continues to undergo changes -- General Electric is no
longer going to produce Compact Fluorescent Lamps. Though CFLs captured 30% of
the US light bulb sales at their height, they've now decreased to less than
15%. Consumers are favoring the qualities and economics of LED lighting.
(Dennis, N6KI)

Navigating the contract electronic manufacturing center that is China's
Shenzhen could be made easier by The Essential Guide to Electronics in
Shenzhen. The author has blogged about his experiences getting his projects
built over the years, and has consolidated his expertise in this volume.
Shenzhen's Hua Qiang is perhaps the new Akihabara...

There's been continued progress in the use of quantum computing to attack
problems that are difficult for traditional computing methods. The RSA
cryptographic algorithms, for example, depend on the difficulty of using
today's computing methods to factor large numbers. Researchers at MIT and
University of Innsbruck have constructed a five qubit computer capable of
factoring numbers using an algorithm first devised in 1994, but unimplemented
in real hardware until now. They used a method to reduce the number of qubits
needed to perform the calculation. It's still anticipated that today's
encrypted data will be reasonably secure for another 20 years. The NSA does
have an FAQ (PDF) on this topic, which curiously enough at the time of this
publication is itself behind an invalid SSL certificate.

If it's not already on the contest weekend menu, perhaps chocolate should be
added to improve mental acuity, after the publishing of some recent research
results. Especially if one does SO2R, as chocolate consumption could assist in
"being able to do two things at once, like talking and driving at the same
time."

Crowdfunding has been used to effectively use the shared common interest of a
number of people to deliver on a particular product or goal. But remember when
considering supporting a project, that it's still caveat emptor ("Let the
buyer beware"), as demonstrated by the questions swirling around a retro
gaming console project. It is alleged that the prototypes meant to demonstrate
progress were less than they appeared, and that the playable prototypes were
really something else entirely.


Web Site of the Week -- AB7E's Weak Signal Minimum Discernable Difference

Frank, W3LPL, started the discussion on the Topband reflector and had two main
takeaways:

 *  It's well worth the effort to improve your signal by as little as one dB
 *  When signals are very weak, sending faster (especially at speeds faster
    than 30 WPM) costs the equivalent of many dB of reduced signal strength

Frank's comments reflected his observations after listening to the audio files
that Dave, AB7E, carefully constructed of CW signals of stepped strengths
against band noise and against other CW signals of differing relative
strengths. You can decide for yourself after listening to the audio, and
that's part of the issue - it's not just the strength of the signals, it's
that the operators on both ends must hear and understand what the other is
attempting to communicate.


WORD TO THE WISE - "Roger"

In marginal conditions, you may be asked to confirm something. On CW, a reply
of "R" for yes, "N" or the correct information generally works well in
contests. For Phone, a reply of "Negative" works well for "no" or the correct
information, while "Roger" for yes is short, distinctive, and predictable. It
shares no syllables or similarity to any expected negative-connoting word. And
in QSB conditions, it's easy to say "Roger, Roger."

Example: I'm portable using QRP and a dipole antenna from Wells, VT. During
7QP I hear a WWDXC club member using the club call, so I call in.

Running station: "CQ Contest, Whisky Seven Delta X-ray"

Caller: "N9ADG"

Running station: "N9ADG 59 King County Washington"

Caller: "59 V.." (QSB)

Running station: "Again?"

Caller: "5.. ..mont ... Ver..." (QSB)

Running station: "Victor Tango?"

Caller: "Rog... ..ger" (QSB)

Running station: "Thanks. W7DX Contest"


SIGHTS AND SOUNDS

The White Family, Ellen, W1YL, Bob, W1CW (SK), and Jim, K4OJ (SK) were the
first inductees into the Florida Contest Group (FCG) Hall of Fame. This was in
honor of their lifetime of service to amateur radio and for their role as the
First Family of the Florida Contest Group. The honorary plaque was presented
to Ellen by FCG President Dan, K1TO, at the 2016 FCG banquet with over 160
people in attendance. (George, K5KG)

If you missed the recent WWROF webinar by JC, N4IS, entitled "High Performance
RX Antennas for a Small Lot," you can still get the slides. Nearly 500 people
registered for the event. (Ken, K4ZW)

Bob, W7YAQ, commented on his ARRL DX CW operation: "The first 28 QSOs were
made from our ham radio exhibit at the Sisters High School Science Fair. K3
had been packed since arriving home Wednesday from CE0Y. Yes, signed up
several new ham radio prospects! Unpacked from the Science Fair, set up
everything at home QTH, and operated for a couple of Saturday evening hours."

The WRTC2018 team has released a PowerPoint presentation that could be
appropriate for your contesting club. The speaker's notes provide information
for a presenter; it could also run presenter-less as a "kiosk" type
presentation during a transition time.

Totally Tubular: N6JV's online tube museum.


RESULTS AND RECORDS

The Radio Arcala Group's last operation from the Azores was during last
weekend's ARRL DX Phone Contest. CR2X was scheduled to be a multi-multi
operation, utilizing higher-power diplexers and triplexers to share one
antenna simultaneously on different bands. What will be next?

If you read the "soapbox" comments on 3830scores.com, you can get a feel for
how the bands were during the last contest you were in, or missed. You can
also read about how others approached the contest, and maybe even their
operating strategy.


OPERATING TIP

Check those macros! If you haven't done so beforehand, for the first few
contacts in a contest, and when switching between Run and Search and Pounce
operating modes, take time to verify that the message macros you are using are
appropriate to the mode and contest. For example, in some contests, it's not
necessary to send RST. A CW macro message containing "5NN" would not be
appropriate for RTTY. If you are part of a multiop, or a guest operator in
someone's shack, it's good etiquette to ask before changing the macros, or
know what the agreed upon policy is for doing so.


TECHNICAL TOPICS AND INFORMATION

Purdue is printing real circuits with an inkjet printer. Researchers there
have discovered a means to get a gallium-indium liquid metal mixture to flow
through a print head by using ultrasonic waves to break it into smaller
particles, and a carrier like ethanol to get it to flow. Once the liquid-metal
traces are deposited, pressure is used to make the traces conductive by
displacing the oxide layer between the particles.

The venerable 555 timer gets exposed in this teardown. Besides great pictures,
find out why current mirrors are used instead of resistors, and learn about
other principles of integrated circuit design.

While shopping for something else, I came across a wide selection of adhesive
copper tape available from Amazon.com. This would be useful for RF shielding
in projects you may be building.

The ESP8266 is a very inexpensive Wi-Fi enabled SoC (System on a Chip)
processor. Inexpensive means you can find them on eBay mounted on a small
breadboard for under $5. You can also get better-supported ones from AdaFruit.
As a way to send data via Wi-Fi using TCP/IP, the chip has been around a
while, but has been hampered somewhat by lack of English documentation... but
now that's been cured. It turns out that the chip itself has an 80 MHz
processor that is quite capable. If you've been using Arduinos for projects,
you may be able to just use one of these - there are
libraries that may allow you to run your entire project on just the ESP8266
chip! Someone has even convinced the ESP8266 to broadcast on TV channel 3 (in
analog) using one of the pins on the IC. The method of generation is similar
to the Raspberry Pi project to generate FM radio signals.

Using just your computer, you may be able to broadcast songs to a radio
sitting close by, taking advantage of the RFI generated by logic transitions.
Of course, people have been doing this kind of thing for a very long time -
see this video of an IBM 1401.

K1TTT performed a destructive teardown of an LED floodlight. Notable is way
the LEDs are mounted to provide good thermal conduction. (Dink, N7WA)


CONVERSATION

Going to the Show

As you contest consistently, frequently, and with variety, there are
increasing opportunities for your call to become more recognized by other
operators. It's gratifying and fun when the operator you've just called at a
DX multiplier responds with "Hi Brian 59 K."

As you try new contests, modes, and things in the hobby, you're adding to your
"ham pedigree." You might get together with some other operators and rent a
station in the Caribbean or on a Pacific island, or go on a DXpedition and
become adept at handling high rates for hours. Perhaps you've got a thing for
Top Band as reflected by your scores in the ARRL 160, CQ 160, or TBDC.

You're submitting logs to contest sponsors, scores and memorable comments to
3830, and you have helpful and insightful things to say at club meetings or
various electronic venues. You've demonstrated that you can play well with
others with radios. Your call frequently shows up in published contest results.


Someday you may be fortunate enough to be invited to a big, serious, multiop.
Ward, N0AX, wrote about operating at K3LR and K9CT in a past issue of the
Contest Update. I recently asked Craig, K9CT, how he helped new-to-K9CT
operators acclimate:

"Last week was WPX RTTY. We invited an experienced contester Don, K9NR. Don
has done well in RTTY contests and had some experience with multioperator at
Field Day and CQ 160.

Whenever someone is here for the first time, we need to discuss some basic
things in order for that person to feel comfortable. I tell them what is here,
that they will have their own bed and they need to bring bedding and pillow or
a bed roll. We talk about towels and toiletries needed for the stay. The team
always contributes food and drink and we enjoy home cooking or grilling. Each
person brings something to share with the rest of the team. We want each team
member to be able to feel some comforts here while we operate with little
sleep for 48 hours. As an M/2, we need to have at least two operators on all
night. We usually have six operators on our M/2 teams.

Operating-wise, we go over the layout, our vernacular, the logging software
and interface to antennas, filters, and rotators. We talk about how the run
operators and the assist operators will work with each other as the conditions
change. Each person is expected to run and assist and rest on a regular basis.
Other than the first few hours, we don't have a schedule. Each person shares
in all roles equally. A new operator is asked to observe the first hour or so
of operation to understand the run and assist operators' teamwork. Multipliers
are high priority and we explain how we chase them and pass them.

One important aspect is the sportsmanlike conduct we exhibit during the
contest. We expect everyone to be even-tempered and good-natured. Aggressive
pileup behavior is discouraged. Each operator represents the K9CT contest
station and we want a good reputation. There is a lot of laughter in the shack
as the team steadily works to get each QSO and multiplier in the log. Our
operators get along with each other and other contest operators on the air.
These are important criteria for being a member of the team.

We always celebrate each contest immediately afterward with pizza and beer.
Everyone gets a chance to rehash the weekend and offer ideas about the "next
time." So, to a new person joining our team, we want them to feel at home and
given the opportunity to be a valuable team member. We want them to have a
good time and to come back again."

That's all for this time, don't forget to send your contest-update-worthy
comments, pictures, stories, tips, and techniques to contest-update@arrl.org

73, Brian N9ADG


CONTESTS

10 Mar - 23 Mar 2016

An expanded, downloadable version of QST's Contest Corral in PDF format is
available. Check the sponsor's website for information on operating time
restrictions and other instructions.

HF CONTESTS

CWops Mini-CWT Test, Mar 9, 1300z to Mar 9, 1400z, Mar 9, 1900z to Mar 9,
2000z, Mar 10, 0300z to Mar 10, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m;
Member: Name + Member No., non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs
due: March 12.

AWA John Rollins Memorial DX Contest, Mar 9, 2300z to Mar 10, 2300z, Mar 12,
2300z to Mar 13, 2300z; CW; Bands: 40, 20m; RST + Eqpt Type + Eqpt Year; Logs
due: April 10.

NCCC RTTY Sprint, Mar 11, 0145z to Mar 11, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules);
Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: March 6.

QRP Fox Hunt, Mar 11, 0200z to Mar 11, 0330z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; RST +
(state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: March 12.

NCCC Sprint, Mar 11, 0230z to Mar 11, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial
No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: March 6.

Nauryz DX Contest, Mar 12, 0800z to Mar 12, 1359z; CW, SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20,
15, 10m; Central Asian: RS(T) + 2-character oblast, Others: RS(T) + ITU Zone;
Logs due: April 5.

RSGB Commonwealth Contest, Mar 12, 1000z to Mar 13, 1000z; CW; Bands: 80, 40,
20, 15, 10m; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: March 20.

South America 10 Meter Contest, Mar 12, 1200z to Mar 13, 1200z; CW, SSB;
Bands: 10m Only; RS(T) + CQ zone; Logs due: March 29.

SKCC Weekend Sprintathon, Mar 12, 1200z to Mar 14, 0000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80,
40, 20, 15, 10, 6m; RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (SKCC No./"NONE");
Logs due: March 20.

Oklahoma QSO Party, Mar 12, 1400z to Mar 13, 0200z, Mar 13, 1400z to Mar 13,
2000z; CW/Digital, Phone; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6m; OK: RS(T) + County,
non-OK: RS(T) + (state/province/country); Logs due: April 13.

AGCW QRP Contest, Mar 12, 1400z to Mar 12, 2000z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15,
10m; RST + QSO No. + class(pwr) + (AGCW Member No./"NM" if not member); Logs
due: March 31.

Stew Perry Topband Challenge, Mar 12, 1500z to Mar 13, 1500z; CW; Bands: 160m
Only; 4-Character grid square; Logs due: March 28.

EA PSK63 Contest, Mar 12, 1600z to Mar 13, 1600z; PSK63; Bands: 80, 40, 20,
15, 10m; EA: RSQ + province code, non-EA: RSQ + Serial no.; Logs due: March 28.

TESLA Memorial HF CW Contest, Mar 12, 1800z to Mar 13, 0759z; CW; Bands: 80m
Only; RST + Serial No. + 4-character grid square; Logs due: March 18.

QCWA QSO Party, Mar 12, 1800z to Mar 13, 1800z; CW/Digital, Phone; Bands: 160,
80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6m; last 2 digits of year first licensed + name +
(state/province/country or QCWA chapter); Logs due: April 12.

Idaho QSO Party, Mar 12, 1900z to Mar 13, 1900z; CW, Phone, Digital; Bands:
160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; ID: RS(T) + County, non-ID: RS(T) + (s
ate/province/country); Logs due: April 12.

North American Sprint, RTTY, Mar 13, 0000z to Mar 13, 0400z; RTTY; Bands: 80,
40, 20m; [other station's call] + [your call] + [serial no.] + [your name] +
[your state/province/country]; Logs due: March 20.

NSARA Contest, Mar 13, 1200z to Mar 13, 1600z, Mar 13, 1800z to Mar 13, 2200z;
CW, SSB, Digital; Bands: 80m Only; Nova Scotia: RS(T) + county, non-NS: RS(T);
Logs due: April 12.

Wisconsin QSO Party, Mar 13, 1800z to Mar 14, 0100z; CW/Digital, Phone; Bands:
All, except WARC; WI: county, non-WI: (state/province/country); Logs due:
April 10.

WAB 3.5 MHz Phone, Mar 13, 1800z to Mar 13, 2200z; SSB; Bands: 80m Only;
British Isles: RS + serial no. + WAB square, Other: RS + serial no. + country;
Logs due: April 3.

Bucharest Contest, Mar 14, 1800z to Mar 14, 2059z; CW, SSB, Digital; Bands:
80, 40m; YO: RS(T) + QSO No. + Sector/County, non-YO: RS(T) + QSO No. +
Country Code; Logs due: March 26.

CLARA Chatter Party, Mar 15, 1700z to Mar 16, 1700z, Mar 19, 1700z to Mar 20,
1700z; CW, Phone; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 2m; RS(T) + Name + 
state/province/country); Logs due: April 18.

QRP Fox Hunt, Mar 16, 0100z to Mar 16, 0230z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; RST +
(state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: March 17.

Phone Fray, Mar 16, 0230z to Mar 16, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15m;
NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: March 11.

CWops Mini-CWT Test, Mar 16, 1300z to Mar 16, 1400z, Mar 16, 1900z to Mar 16,
2000z, Mar 17, 0300z to Mar 17, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m;
Member: Name + Member No., non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs
due: March 19.

RSGB 80m Club Championship, CW, Mar 16, 2000z to Mar 16, 2130z; CW; Bands: 80m
Only; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: March 23.

NAQCC CW Sprint, Mar 17, 0030z to Mar 17, 0230z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20m; RST +
(state/province/country) + (NAQCC No./power); Logs due: March 20.

QRP Fox Hunt, Mar 18, 0100z to Mar 18, 0230z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; RST +
(state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: March 19.

NCCC RTTY Sprint, Mar 18, 0145z to Mar 18, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules);
Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: March 20.

NCCC Sprint, Mar 18, 0230z to Mar 18, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial
No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: March 20.

BARTG HF RTTY Contest, Mar 19, 0200z to Mar 21, 0200z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40,
20, 15, 10m; RST + Serial No. + 4-digit time (UTC); Logs due: March 28.

Russian DX Contest, Mar 19, 1200z to Mar 20, 1200z; CW, SSB; Bands: 160, 80,
40, 20, 15, 10m; Ru: RS(T) + 2-character oblast, non-Ru: RS(T) + Serial No.;
Logs due: April 3.

F9AA Cup, SSB, Mar 19, 1200z to Mar 20, 1200z; SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10,
2m; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: April 19.

Louisiana QSO Party, Mar 19, 1400z to Mar 20, 0200z; CW/Digital, Phone; Bands:
160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6, 2m; LA: RS(T) + Parish, non-LA: RS(T) +
(state/province/country); Logs due: April 19.

Virginia QSO Party, Mar 19, 1400z to Mar 20, 0200z, Mar 20, 1200z to Mar 21,
0000z; CW, Phone, Digital; Bands: All, except WARC; VA: Serial No. + county,
non-VA: Serial No. + (state/province/"DX"); Logs due: April 15.

Feld Hell Sprint, Mar 19, 1700z to Mar 19, 1859z; Feld Hell; Bands: 160, 80,
40, 20, 15, 10m; (see rules); Logs due: March 26.

UBA Spring Contest, SSB, Mar 20, 0700z to Mar 20, 1100z; SSB; Bands: 80m Only;
ON: RS + Serial No. + UBA Section, non-ON: RS + Serial No.; Logs due: April 3.

Run for the Bacon QRP Contest, Mar 21, 0100z to Mar 21, 0300z; CW; Bands: 160,
80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; RST + (state/province/country) + (Member No./power); Logs
due: March 27.

SKCC Sprint, Mar 23, 0000z to Mar 23, 0200z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15,
10m; RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (SKCC No./power); Logs due: March
25.

QRP Fox Hunt, Mar 23, 0100z to Mar 23, 0230z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; RST +
(state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: March 24.

Phone Fray, Mar 23, 0230z to Mar 23, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15m;
NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: March 25.

CWops Mini-CWT Test, Mar 23, 1300z to Mar 23, 1400z, Mar 23, 1900z to Mar 23,
2000z, Mar 24, 0300z to Mar 24, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m;
Member: Name + Member No., non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs
due: March 26.

VHF+ CONTESTS

UBA Spring Contest, 2m, Mar 13, 0700z to Mar 13, 1100z; CW, Phone; Bands: 2m
Only; ON: RS(T) + Serial No. + UBA Section, non-ON: RS(T) + Serial No.; Logs
due: March 27.

SARL VHF/UHF Analogue/Digital Contest, Mar 19, 1000z to Mar 20, 1000z; Analog
(CW/SSB/FM), Digital; Bands: 50 MHz, 70 MHz, 144 MHz, 432 MHz, 1296 MHz; RS +
6-character grid locator; Logs due: April 3.


AGCW VHF/UHF Contest, Mar 19, 1400z to Mar 19, 1700z (144), Mar 19, 1700z to
Mar 19, 1800z (432); CW; Bands: 144 MHz, 432 MHz; RST + "/" + Serial No. + "/"
Power class + "/" + 6-character grid locator; Logs due: April 4.

ALSO see the SKCC Weekend Sprintathon, Oklahoma QSO Party, CLARA Chatter
Party, F9AA Cup, Louisiana QSO Party, and Virginia QSO Party above.

LOG DUE DATES

March 10, 2016

 *  ARS Spartan Sprint
 *  AWA Amplitude Modulation QSO Party
 *  Mexico RTTY International Contest
 *  QRP Fox Hunt

March 11, 2016

 *  Phone Fray

March 12, 2016

 *  Wake-Up! QRP Sprint
 *  CWops Mini-CWT Test

March 13, 2016

 *  SARL Hamnet 40m Simulated Emerg Contest
 *  UBA DX Contest, CW

March 14, 2016

 *  FISTS Winter Unlimited Sprint
 *  KCJ Topband Contest
 *  RSGB 80m Club Championship, Data

March 15, 2016

 *  AGCW Semi-Automatic Key Evening
 *  Dutch PACC Contest
 *  Minnesota QSO Party
 *  REF Contest, SSB

March 17, 2016

 *  NRAU 10m Activity Contest

March 20, 2016

 *  High Speed Club CW Contest
 *  UBA Spring Contest, CW

March 21, 2016

 *  North Carolina QSO Party
 *  DARC 10-Meter Digital Contest
 *  Open Ukraine RTTY Championship

March 22, 2016

 *  ARRL International DX Contest, CW

March 23, 2016

 *  CQC Winter QSO Party


ARRL Information

Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information

Join or Renew Today!

ARRL membership includes QST, Amateur Radio's most popular and informative
journal, delivered to your mailbox each month.

Subscribe to NCJ - the National Contest Journal. Published bimonthly, features
articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and
QSO Parties.

Subscribe to QEX - A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published
bimonthly, features technical articles, construction projects, columns and
other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members: Subscribe to The ARRL Letter (weekly digest of
news and information), the ARES E-Letter (monthly public service and emergency
communications news), Division and Section news -- and much more!

ARRL offers a wide array of products to enhance your enjoyment of Amateur
Radio. Visit the site often for new publications, specials and sales.

Donate to the fund of your choice -- support programs not funded by member
dues!

Reprint permission can be obtained by sending email to permission@arrl.org
with a description of the material and the reprint publication.


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ARRL Contest Update wishes to acknowledge information from WA7BNM's Contest
Calendar and SM3CER's Contest Calendar.

____________________________________________________________________________


The ARRL Contest Update is published every other Wednesday (26 times each
year). ARRL members may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their
Member Data Page as described at http://www.arrl.org/contests/update/.

Copyright (C) 2016 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved

www.arrl.org

)\/(ark

Always Mount a Scratch Monkey

... California: the Granola State.  (Lots of fruits, nuts, and flakes.)
---
 * Origin:  (1:3634/12.73)