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The ARRL Contest Update

November 30, 2016
Editor: Brian Moran, N9ADG


IN THIS ISSUE
 *  New HF Operators: Improve Your Working Conditions, ARRL 160, ARRL 10
 *  Bulletins: Youth Writing Contest, BARTG Rules Changes
 *  Contest Summary
 *  News: QRP-ARCI Schedule, FCC is Hiring, Amplifiers, and more
 *  Word to the Wise: Conductor Migration
 *  Sights and Sounds: Good to the Last Code Element, QRP from SoCal,
    Antenna Stacks
 *  Results: SPTBDC, UK EI DX SSB, and more
 *  Operating Tip: Responding to CQs
 *  Technical Topics and Information: The Wrong Cap For the Amp, Class E
    Design Aid, Nominations for Hamvention Technical Award
 *  Conversation: Keeping up with the Joneses
 *  Contests
 *  Log Due Dates


NEW HF OPERATORS -- THINGS TO DO

Take some time to improve your station on 160 through 40 meters. The
conditions during last weekend's CQ WW DX CW Contest indicate that 20 meters
and up can't be counted on to produce contest points over the next few years.
There's always something you can do to hear or transmit better on the lower
bands. Even if you're on a city lot, it may be possible to put up a
receive-only antenna. Or, if you have a vertical, add more radials. How about
a noise source hunt? Seeking out and eliminating sources of interference may
result in a new layer of stations you can work. If you have simple wire
antennas, you can add directionality using parasitic elements.

The ARRL 160-Meter Contest is one place where low-band improvements can pay
off, and it's coming up this weekend. The ARRL 10-Meter Contest the weekend of
December 10 may be a little sparse on multipliers this year.


BULLETINS

Youthful Amateurs: Write an essay, win a station: Amateurs of Technician class
or higher, ages 12 to 18, residing in the continental US, are encouraged to
enter a contest to win an Alinco HF radio, Alinco antenna, and coax. Sponsored
by Paul, N6PSE, and the co-founders of the Dave Kalter Youth DX Adventure
(YDXA), entries must be postmarked or electronically dated not later than
December 23, 2016. See the website for more information.

The BARTG (British Amateur Radio Teledata Group), sponsors of popular RTTY
contests, has announced some changes to contest rules for 2017. While the
complete details are on the BARTG website for the particular BARTG contest,
they include limiting of the SOAB class to 100 W, with no SO2R operation
permitted. The Multioperator class will be split into Multi-Single and
Multi-Multi, to encourage participation from contest groups. Remote operation
will be permitted for all classes. For the January 2017 Sprint, and March 2017
HF contests, a QRP category (5 W or less) replaces the SWL category.


BUSTED QSOS

QRU!


CONTEST SUMMARY

Complete information for all contests follows the Conversation section

December 1

 *  CWops Mini-CWT Test
 *  NRAU 10m Activity Contest

December 2

 *  NCCC RTTY Sprint
 *  QRP Fox Hunt
 *  NCCC Sprint
 *  ARRL 160-Meter Contest

December 3

 *  TARA RTTY Melee
 *  Wake-Up! QRP Sprint
 *  TOPS Activity Contest

December 4

 *  Ten-Meter RTTY Contest
 *  SARL Digital Contest

December 6

 *  ARS Spartan Sprint

December 7

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

December 8

 *  CWops Mini-CWT Test

December 9

 *  NCCC RTTY Sprint
 *  QRP Fox Hunt
 *  NCCC Sprint

December 10

 *  ARRL 10-Meter Contest
 *  SKCC Weekend Sprintathon
 *  International Naval Contest
 *  AWA Bruce Kelley 1929 QSO Party

December 11

 *  CQC Great Colorado Snowshoe Run

December 14

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


NEWS, PRESS RELEASES, AND GENERAL INTEREST

The Mexican Districts list and map have been updated for the ARRL 10-meter
contest to conform with the changes announced by Mexico in January 2016. It's
also recommended that ARRL 10-meter contest participants:

 *  Update your logging software and any supporting files
 *  Log "CMX", if either CMX or DF is sent
 *  If your logging software will not accept CMX, enter DF for the QSO

The ARRL's post-contest log checking software will convert DF in any QSO
exchange to CMX without penalty for the contest. (Bart Jahnke, W9JJ, ARRL
Contest Branch Manager)

The QRP-ARCI Contest calendar for 2017 has been published. With a number of
categories and modes, there's sure to be an event that suits your operating
style and capabilities. (Jeff, VA3JFF / VE3CW)

The FCC has posted a Field Office Engineering position in the Denver office.
The job responsibilities include dealing with interference issues, rules
enforcement, and education of spectrum users. (Dennis, N6KI)

EDN recently noted the history of the 1960 change of the name of frequency
measuring units from cycles per second to Hertz. Included in the article is a
description of the original equipment used by Heinrich Hertz to demonstrate a
resonant circuit.

Array Solutions is providing a service to repair Alpha amplifiers, according
to a recent post on the Topband Reflector. Note that there are other
third-party repair services available for these contest workhorses, some of
which can be found with a Google search for "alpha amplifier repair."

In response to last issue's operating tip for calling CQ on phone, Dwaine,
K5DC, comments: "I agree with the suggestion about sounding enthusiastic. As
one of the 'non-serious or non-contesters' mentioned, I'd like to point out
yet another factor. If the contest station does not show to be an LoTW user, I
don't bother them." (Dwaine, K5DC)

DX Engineering now carries a number of RM Italy's solid-state HF and VHF
amplifiers. For low-power HF radios, the HLA-305V is a wideband compact
amplifier for the 160-10 meter bands. When driven with up to 10 watts, it
develops a maximum output power of 250 watts. An LCD screen displays amplifier
status and a series of switches allow users to control amplifier output. The
HLA-305V has six built-in band filters, selected by a front-panel rotary knob.
The HLA-305V amplifier boasts dual cooling fans for safe, reliable operation.
(Tim, K3LR)

Here's another article on the paucity of sunspot activity. In a follow-up, the
same website notes that cosmic ray penetration into the atmosphere is
increasing. This may have a negative effect on 160 meter propagation, as
absorption may increase at lower altitudes as a result of the increased cosmic
rays.


WORD TO THE WISE

Conductor Migration

Conductor Migration occurs when the center conductor of a coaxial cable moves
away from the desired centered position in the cable geometry. Certain types
or qualities of coaxial cable or coaxial connectors can fail to maintain a
consistent distance between the inner conductor and the outer shield when
subject to mechanical and/or thermal stresses beyond their design ratings.
Beyond presenting non-uniform impedance, should the center conductor actually
touch the shield, an arc or short could occur. Good practice in using coaxial
cable includes paying attention to minimum bend
radius specifications, and avoiding foam-filled insulation types for
physically demanding applications. For long service life, use good-quality
coaxial connectors - some very inexpensive connectors have been found to use
plastics that can melt or deform even while soldering.


SIGHTS AND SOUNDS

Robert, M0VFC, found that RF was getting into his coffee maker. Does RTTY brew
a better cup?

QRP was working for Dennis, N6KI, in last weekend's CQ WW DX CW Contest - "I
got a few hours in over the weekend from the normal NX6T site. Amazing what 5
watts can do hooked to some decent antennas. I got through a pileup last night
to Danny, ZF2MJ (N6MJ) on Cayman Island, and also managed to work EA, HK, HG,
XE, and KH6 on Friday night on 40 and 80 meters."

The Remote Ham Radio folks installed a new station recently, W1/Eastport,
consisting of two rotating towers chock full of aluminum. You can watch the
installation of one of the stacked beams in the YouTube video. The water in
the video's background is the Atlantic Ocean. You can also browse a photo
album of the entire project. (Ray, W2RE)


RESULTS AND RECORDS

Results of the 2015 Stew Perry Topband Distance Competition, aka TBDC, aka
"The Stew" have been posted. Over 800 logs were submitted, and over 1,500 call
signs appeared in the aggregated logs, representing an uptick in activity. In
addition to the more typical categories such as "Top Score, High Power, USA,"
the TBDC can also include categories at the whimsy of plaque sponsors. In the
"Top Score, Base Loaded Vertical < 60 feet tall" category, sponsored by AA6VB,
OT6M won with 292 contacts, the longest of which was with Milt, N5IA (SK). The
next running of the TBDC will be December 17-18, 2016.

The results of the UK/EI DX SSB Contest, held October 22-23, 2016, are now
available. According to the contest sponsor "The provisional results were
online within 2 hours of the end of the contest -- thanks Simon, M0VKY - but a
number of factors have delayed ... finalising them... The Awards page will
take another week or two to sort out." Still seems pretty speedy to this
editor! Also according to the sponsor: "In the current crowded HF contesting
calendar it is very difficult, if not impossible, to choose a fixed weekend
for these events, so we have carefully chosen future event dates until 2022.
The dates are on our website."

The DX Results of the ARI International DX Contest have been published. The
next ARI International DX Contest will be held May 6, 2017 1200Z to May 7,
2017, 1159Z.


OPERATING TIP

Answering CQs

Make sure you're near in frequency when answering a CQ in a contest in a
non-pileup situation. In crowded band conditions, and especially when there
may be significant receive noise, some operators use very narrow filters. If
you're not getting noticed, and the CQer is otherwise not busy, change your
frequency just a little bit between unsuccessful calls.

Bonus Tip: To beat others when answering a CQ or trying to bust a pileup, it
can be effective to call slightly off frequency. If others are also calling,
you want your signal to stand out a bit.


TECHNICAL TOPICS AND INFORMATION

I recently found a number of tantalizingly high-value high-voltage capacitors
at a local electronics surplus outlet. Can't these be used to update that old
tube amplifier's high voltage power supply? Not so fast! According to Ward,
N0AX, capacitors like these are NOT appropriate for amplifier use: "They are
not rated for continuous 120 Hz ripple current, and the resulting heat
eventually breaks them down internally. Which could really be exciting, in its
own kind of way."

Class E amplifiers, credited to Nathan Sokal and Alan Sokal, and described in
a QEX article in January/February 2001 by Alan, WA1HQC, feature high
efficiency achieved by switching active components under the conditions of
zero voltage and current. I recently ran across a web page entitled "VK1SV
Class-E design Class for Beginners," which provides a practical design
tutorial for these amplifiers. Class E amplifiers by themselves are
non-linear, which limit their simple application in amateur service to CW, FM,
FSK, and other modes not requiring linearity. AM aficionados use these
amplifiers in conjunction with audio modulators.

Nominations are open for the 2017 Dayton Hamvention Technical Achievement
Award, given to "a selected amateur radio operator who has achieved technical
excellence in the world of Amateur Radio." See the press release for further
information. The deadline for nominations is February 1, 2017.



CONVERSATION

Keeping up with the Joneses, the Donovans, the Duffys, the Thompsons...

To be a competitive contester today, you need good radios, good antennas, and
great operator skills. And propagation. Great geography helps, because we all
know nobody wins from (insert your favorite black hole area here). Those
things might be enough if you're entering single operator, unassisted. Being
able to use a panadapter to find holes to run on a crowded band, or get to
stations that haven't been spotted yet also could make a difference. Better
put that on the list as a requirement now for everyone, as Bob, N6TV, pointed
out during a contesting panel a few months ago.

If you're operating in any assisted category, the packet cluster you connect
to could make a difference - it has to deliver spots in a timely fashion,
maybe subject to some filtering rules you have in place. If you're operating
CW or RTTY, you need to be watching skimmer spots. If you're only depending on
human spots, you're not even going to know about the multipliers you're
missing. Handling all of those spots is going to require a faster computer, or
you'll miss some spots. If you're not getting skimmer spots, you're likely not
competitive in the assisted categories.

The Multioperator, Multi-Transmitter category is pretty straightforward, with
a run position on each band, all the time. And probably at least one
multiplier hunting position on each band to complement the run position. But
only one transmitted signal on a band at a time. Coordination between band
operators occurs when moving multipliers, but that's been happening for years.
It's a lot easier to tell a multiplier to go to a private frequency on that
other band when you know someone on your team is there, waiting to work them.
Multi-Multi has traditionally been seen as the true test of station
engineering, keeping five high-powered stations operating and from interfering
with one another under contest conditions.

The Multioperator, Single Transmitter class seems "easier" in comparison to
Multi-Multi, but don't be fooled by the label. The teams that are consistently
winning the Multiop Single Transmitter classes ARE only transmitting a single
signal at a time. But they have one or more additional teams of operators
simultaneously scanning the run band for multipliers, coordinating with the
run radio to stay within the rules. Some contests allow the Multi-Single
category to have an additional "multiplier only" position - a position that
can't call CQ, but CAN work a station provided it's a multiplier, and on a
different band than the run position. But if you have multiple operating
positions on ALL of the bands, listening, watching, populating the band
maps... On a per-10-minute band-change interval, each band can be evaluated
for maximum multiplier points to know where the "multiplier position" goes
next. There's arguably more demand for situational awareness, technology, and
coordination among operating positions in the Multi-Single category than in
the Multi-Multi, and it's mostly hidden behind the innocuous sounding
"additional multiplier station." At the mult-hunter position, it's an
advantage to be able to simultaneously listen to the pileups of two needed
multipliers so you can dump in your call at the appropriate time -- that makes
a sub-receiver a requirement. Today, there are contest radios that can allow
you to listen to eight simultaneous receivers, with associated waterfall and
panadapter displays. Now there's no need to switch antennas when you can use
them all simultaneously.

So, keeping up with the Joneses means different things depending on how you
operate. Are you staying competitive?

That's all for this time. Remember to send contesting related stories,
contester gift ideas, book reviews, tips, techniques, press releases, errata,
schematics, club information, pictures, stories, blog links, and predictions
to contest_update@arrl.org.

73, Brian N9ADG



CONTESTS

1 Dec - 14 Dec

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


HF CONTESTS

CWops Mini-CWT Test, Nov 30, 1300z to Nov 30, 1400z, Nov 30, 1900z to Nov 30,
2000z, Dec 1, 0300z to Dec 1, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m;
Member: Name + Member No., non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs
due: December 3.

NRAU 10-Meter Activity Contest, Dec 1, 1800z to Dec 1, 1900z (CW), Dec 1,
1900z to Dec 1, 2000z (SSB), Dec 1, 2000z to Dec 1, 2100z (FM), Dec 1, 2100z
to Dec 1, 2200z (Dig); CW, SSB, FM, Digital; Bands: 10m Only; RS(T) +
6-character grid square; Logs due: December 15.

NCCC RTTY Sprint, Dec 2, 0145z to Dec 2, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules);
Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: December 4.

QRP Fox Hunt, Dec 2, 0200z to Dec 2, 0330z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; RST +
(state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: December 8.

NCCC Sprint, Dec 2, 0230z to Dec 2, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial No.
+ Name + QTH; Logs due: December 4.

ARRL 160-Meter Contest, Dec 2, 2200z to Dec 4, 1600z; CW; Bands: 160m Only;
W/VE: RST + ARRL/RAC Section, DX: RST; Logs due: December 4.

TARA RTTY Melee, Dec 3, 0000z to Dec 4, 0000z; RTTY; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20,
15, 10m; W/VE: RST + (state/province), DX: RST + Serial No.; Logs due:
December 31.

Wake-Up! QRP Sprint, Dec 3, 0600z to Dec 3, 0629z, Dec 3, 0630z to Dec 3,
0659z, Dec 3, 0700z to Dec 3, 0729z, Dec 3, 0730z to Dec 3, 0800z; CW; Bands:
40, 20m; RST + Serial No. + suffix of previous QSO ("QRP" for 1st QSO); Logs
due: December 10.

TOPS Activity Contest, Dec 3, 1600z to Dec 4, 1559z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20,
15, 10m; TOPS/PRO-CW Members: RST + Serial No. + Club Abbreviation,
non-Members: RST + Serial No.; Logs due: December 11.

Ten-Meter RTTY Contest, Dec 4, 0000z to Dec 5, 0000z; RTTY; Bands: 10m Only;
W: RST + state, VE: RST + province/territory, non-W/VE: RST + Serial No.; Logs
due: December 12.

SARL Digital Contest, Dec 4, 1300z to Dec 4, 1600z; PSK, RTTY; Bands: 80, 40,
20m; RST + QSO No.; Logs due: December 11.

ARS Spartan Sprint, Dec 6, 0200z to Dec 6, 0400z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15,
10m; RST + (state/province/country) + Power; Logs due: December 8.

QRP Fox Hunt, Dec 7, 0200z to Dec 7, 0330z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; RST +
(state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: December 8.

Phone Fray, Dec 7, 0230z to Dec 7, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15m;
NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: December 9.

CWops Mini-CWT Test, Dec 7, 1300z to Dec 7, 1400z, Dec 7, 1900z to Dec 7,
2000z, Dec 8, 0300z to Dec 8, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m;
Member: Name + Member No., non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs
due: December 10.

NCCC RTTY Sprint, Dec 9, 0145z to Dec 9, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules);
Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: December 11.

QRP Fox Hunt, Dec 9, 0200z to Dec 9, 0330z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; RST +
(state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: December 15.

NCCC Sprint, Dec 9, 0230z to Dec 9, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial No.
+ Name + QTH; Logs due: December 11.

ARRL 10-Meter Contest, Dec 10, 0000z to Dec 12, 0000z; CW, Phone; Bands: 10m
Only; W/VE: RST + State/Province, XE: RST + State, DX: RST + Serial No., MM:
RST + ITU Region; Logs due: December 18.

SKCC Weekend Sprintathon, Dec 10, 1200z to Dec 12, 0000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80,
40, 20, 15, 10, 6m; RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (SKCC No./"NONE");
Logs due: December 18.

International Naval Contest, Dec 10, 1600z to Dec 11, 1559z; CW, SSB; Bands:
80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Naval Club Member: RS(T) + Club + Member No., non-Naval
Club Member: RS(T) + Serial No.; Logs due: December 12.

AWA Bruce Kelley 1929 QSO Party, Dec 10, 2300z to Dec 11, 2300z, Dec 17, 2300z
to Dec 18, 2300z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40m; RST + Name + QTH + Eqpt Year +
Transmitter Type (see rules for format); Logs due: December 23.

CQC Great Colorado Snowshoe Run, Dec 11, 2100z to Dec 11, 2259z; CW; Bands:
20m Only; RST + (state/province/country) + Antenna Class + (CQC Memmber
No./power); Logs due: December 11.

NAQCC CW Sprint, Dec 14, 0130z to Dec 14, 0330z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20m; RST +
(state/province/country) + (NAQCC No./power); Logs due: December 18.

QRP Fox Hunt, Dec 14, 0200z to Dec 14, 0330z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; RST +
(state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: December 15.

Phone Fray, Dec 14, 0230z to Dec 14, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15m;
NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: December 16.

CWops Mini-CWT Test, Dec 14, 1300z to Dec 14, 1400z, Dec 14, 1900z to Dec 14,
2000z, Dec 15, 0300z to Dec 15, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m;
Member: Name + Member No., non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs
due: December 17.


VHF+ CONTESTS

See SKCC Weekend Sprintathon, above.

LOG DUE DATES

December 1, 2016

 *  CQ-WE Contest
 *  RSGB 80-Meter Club Sprint, CW
 *  QRP Fox Hunt

December 2, 2016

 *  Phone Fray
 *  CQ Worldwide DX Contest, CW

December 3, 2016

 *  YO International PSK31 Contest
 *  QRP Fox Hunt
 *  CWops Mini-CWT Test

December 4, 2016

 *  NCCC RTTY Sprint
 *  NCCC Sprint

December 5, 2016

 *  LZ DX Contest

December 6, 2016

 *  Ukrainian DX Contest
 *  ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, SSB

December 10, 2016

 *  Wake-Up! QRP Sprint
 *  Telephone Pioneers QSO Party

December 11, 2016

 *  SARL Digital Contest
 *  TOPS Activity Contest

December 13, 2016

 *  JIDX Phone Contest


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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

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

____________________________________________________________________________


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year). ARRL members may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their
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Copyright (C) 2016 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved

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)\/(ark

Always Mount a Scratch Monkey
Do you manage your own servers? If you are not running an IDS/IPS yer doin' it
wrong...
... Success is getting up one more time.
---
 * Origin:  (1:3634/12.73)