If you are having trouble reading this message, you can see the original at:
http://www.arrl.org/contests/update/?issue=2016-09-21

The ARRL Contest Update

September 21, 2016
Editor: Brian Moran, N9ADG



IN THIS ISSUE

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


NEW HF OPERATORS - THINGS TO DO

The CQWW DX RTTY Contest 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 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. 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, 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

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. 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 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.



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 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 for all contests follows the Conversation section

September 22

 *  CWops Mini-CWT Test
 *  NAQCC CW Sprint

September 23

 *  NCCC RTTY Sprint
 *  NCCC Sprint

September 24

 *  ARRL EME Contest
 *  CQ Worldwide DX Contest, RTTY
 *  Maine QSO Party
 *  Texas QSO Party
 *  AGCW VHF/UHF Contest
 *  RSGB International Sprint Contest, CW

September 25

 *  Texas QSO Party
 *  UBA ON Contest, 6m
 *  Classic Exchange, Phone
 *  Peanut Power QRP Sprint

September 27

 *  Classic Exchange, Phone
 *  220 MHz Fall Sprint

September 28

 *  SKCC Sprint
 *  Phone Fray
 *  CWops Mini-CWT Test
 *  UKEICC 80m Contest

September 29

 *  CWops Mini-CWT Test
 *  RSGB 80m Club Sprint, CW

September 30

 *  NCCC RTTY Sprint
 *  NCCC Sprint
 *  YLRL DX/NA YL Anniversary Contest

October 1

 *  TARA PSK Rumble Contest
 *  15-Meter SSTV Dash Contest
 *  Oceania DX Contest, Phone
 *  WAB HF Phone
 *  TRC DX Contest
 *  GTC CW Cup
 *  Russian WW Digital Contest
 *  International HELL-Contest
 *  California QSO Party
 *  FISTS Fall Slow Speed Sprint

October 2

 *  International HELL-Contest
 *  UBA ON Contest, SSB
 *  RSGB International DX Contest

October 3

 *  German Telegraphy Contest

October 4

 *  ARS Spartan Sprint

October 5

 *  Phone Fray
 *  CWops Mini-CWT Test
 *  432 MHz Fall Sprint
 *  UKEICC 80m Contest


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 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. 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, has released a new
version of the Antenna Genius firmware and a Microsoft Windows based
application as free downloads. The Antenna Genius product line 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, 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 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) or other programs. Spots originate from individual operators via
logging programs or web front ends, or are automatically generated by CW and
RTTY Skimmer programs. Popular packet cluster server software includes
AR-Cluster and CC Cluster, and DX Spider.



SIGHTS AND SOUNDS

The ARRL's 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, 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,
where the discussion ranged from how school impacts operating time to HOA
restrictions impeding the ability to operate HF.


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.


The Russian "Woodpecker" over the horizon RADAR is featured in a new YouTube
video. 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)




RESULTS AND RECORDS

A list of logs received, along with claimed scores, for the 39th August UHF
Contest have been posted. The list includes those received via Cabrillo file
submission.

The WRTC-2018 qualifying 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 before submitting
it by using the CQWW Log Check page. 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 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. 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" and available for your iPhone. You can also use this one from a
web browser. 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,
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)
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, 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.




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@arrl.org

73, Brian N9ADG




CONTESTS

22 Sep - 5 Oct 2016

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



HF CONTESTS

CWops Mini-CWT Test, 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, 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, Sep 23, 0145z to Sep 23, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules);
Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: September 25.

NCCC Sprint, Sep 23, 0230z to Sep 23, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial
No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: September 25.

CQ Worldwide DX Contest, RTTY, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, Sep 28, 2000z to Sep 28, 2100z; CW; Bands: 80m Only;
4-Character grid square; Logs due: September 28.

RSGB 80m Club Sprint, CW, 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, Sep 30, 0145z to Sep 30, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules);
Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: October 2.

NCCC Sprint, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, Oct 2, 0700z to Oct 2, 1900z; CW, SSB; Bands:
20, 15, 10m; RS(T) + Serial No.; Logs due: October 9.

German Telegraphy Contest, Oct 3, 0700z to Oct 3, 1000z; CW; Bands: 80, 40m;
DL: RST + LDK, non-DL: RST; Logs due: October 17.

ARS Spartan Sprint, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, Sep 24, 0000z to Sep 25, 2359z; CW, Phone, Digital; Bands:
50-1296 MHz; Signal report; Logs due: December 21.

220 MHz Fall Sprint, Sep 27, 1900z to Sep 27, 2300z; not specified; Bands: 222
MHz; 4-character grid square; Logs due: October 11.

432 MHz Fall Sprint, 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

September 24, 2016

 *  FOC QSO Party
 *  Ohio State Parks on the Air
 *  CWops Mini-CWT Test

September 25, 2016

 *  BARTG Sprint 75
 *  WAB 144 MHz QRO Phone
 *  NCCC RTTY Sprint
 *  NCCC Sprint
 *  Kulikovo Polye Contest
 *  Run for the Bacon QRP Contest
 *  Scandinavian Activity Contest, CW
 *  North American Sprint, RTTY

September 26, 2016

 *  Ohio QSO Party
 *  WAE DX Contest, SSB
 *  NAQCC CW Sprint

September 27, 2016

 *  YO DX HF Contest

September 29, 2016

 *  Keyman's Club of Japan Contest

September 30, 2016

 *  AGCW Straight Key Party
 *  Himalayan Contest
 *  ALARA Contest
 *  IARU Region 1 Field Day, SSB

October 1, 2016

 *  New Jersey QSO Party
 *  Colorado QSO Party
 *  Hawaii QSO Party
 *  Kansas QSO Party

October 2, 2016

 *  SARL VHF/UHF Analogue/Digital Contest
 *  Washington State Salmon Run

October 3, 2016

 *  All Africa International DX Contest
 *  144 MHz Fall Sprint

October 4, 2016

 *  G3ZQS Memorial Straight Key Contest

October 5, 2016

 *  All Asian DX Contest, Phone
 *  Tennessee 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
Do you manage your own servers? If you are not running an IDP/IPS yer doin' it
wrong...
... When two egotists meet, it's an I for an I.
---
 * Origin:  (1:3634/12.73)