 January 5, 2022 Editor: Paul Bourque, N1SFE | |
IN THIS ISSUE UPCOMING CONTESTS -- THINGS TO DO For those of you who operate digital modes, the ARRL RTTY Roundup is this weekend. The event begins at 1800 UTC Saturday, January 8, and concludes 2359 UTC Sunday, January 9. Any digital mode is allowed, with entry categories for RTTY-Only, Digital-Only (includes all non-RTTY modes), and Mixed Mode. For complete rules and more information, visit arrl.org/rtty-roundup. --- The first major VHF contest of the year, The ARRL January VHF Contest, takes place on January 15 and 16. Operation on any amateur band 50 MHz and above is allowed an any authorized mode. Whether you prefer CW, phone, or one of the newer digital modes, there are plenty of ways for hams of all experience levels to participate in the event. There is a slight change in the rules to the Rover categories for all ARRL-sponsored VHF contests beginning with this event. Previously, Rovers were defined as operating from more than one 4-digit grid square. Starting in 2022, single-grid rovers will be allowed in the contest. Rover stations are reminded that subsequent contacts with stations on the same band made from the same grid square will not count toward the final score, with no penalties assessed for duplicate contacts. Complete rules can be found at arrl.org/january-vhf.
Stuart Turner, W0STU, operated the 2011 January VHF Contest from Mt. Herman in Colorado. [Stuart Turner, W0STU, photo] BULLETINS The Winter Field Day Association, sponsors of 2022 Winter Field Day (WFD) on January 29 and 30, reminds us that the log submission process for this year's event has changed. There's a new online submission form and paper logs are no long being accepted for the event. Visit winterfieldday.com for rules and more details. CONTEST SUMMARY Complete information for all contests follows the Conversation section January 6
January 7 January 8
January 9 January 10 January 11 January 12
January 13 January 14 January 15
January 16 January 17 January 18 January 19
NEWS, PRESS RELEASES, AND GENERAL INTEREST AC Log 7.0.3 & New Versions of All Contest Logging Software Released Scott, N3FJP, announced that AC Log 7.0.3 has been released, along with updates to the popular N3FJP contest logging software. One of the major changes in the software is the introduction of a new color scheme, "Dark Theme," intended to help reduce eye strain during nighttime operating. Users now also have the ability to save color schemes, which are easily recalled in any of the N3FJP suite of programs. Other new features include increased functionality for rig control on newer Yaesu radios (such as the FTDX10), the ability to disable the audible alert when you're spotted on the cluster, and an option to display 24-hour local time display in AC Log. Visit n3fjp.com for additional details and download links. --- WSJT-X Version 2.5.4 GA Released WSJT-X 2.5.4, a bug-fix release correcting flaws in release 2.5.3, is now available as a General Availability (GA) release. Changes from v2.5.3 are:
Links to WSJT-X 2.5.4 installation packages for Windows and Linux are available at physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx.html, with the installation package for macOS being added soon, thanks to John Nelson, G4KLA. WORD TO THE WISE Reverse Beacon Network Reverse Beacon Network (RBN) is an internet-based network of dedicated wide-band receivers around the world that decode CW signals in real time and generate "spots" that contain frequency, signal strength, and other information. The effect is that of a traditional beacon in reverse -- instead of checking propagation by tuning one's receiver to a transmitting beacon at a particular frequency, one merely transmits (usually by calling CQ on CW) while connected to a RBN to see which of the receivers on the network hears you. -- thanks to Patrick Barkey, N9RV SIGHTS AND SOUNDS
[Mike Belanger, W1DGL, photo] RESULTS AND RECORDS The final results of the 2021 Scandinavian Activity Contest have been released and are available at www.sactest.net/blog/sac-2021-final-results/ A total of 2,319 logs were received for the event, with 1,411 CW and 908 SSB logs being submitted. The SAC Contest Committee will be announcing the sponsored plaque winners shortly. --- Jim, AC9EZ, Contest Organizer for the Two-Meter Classic Sprint, has announced that the winners for the 2021 event have been announced at fwrc.info/2021/05/21/two-meter-classic-sprint/. The event was sponsored by the Fort Wayne Radio Club, which will be emailing out certificates to the winners this month. Congratulations to all the winners! TECHNICAL TOPICS AND INFORMATION IC-9700 PTT Breakout Mod Alex, KR1ST, share --- Brian, N9ADG, shared an article from Quanta Magazine that reveals what triggers lightning. Physicists turned to an array of small radio telescopes, primarily in the Netherlands, to capture radio pulses emitted for each lightning flash. The Low Frequency Array, a state-of-the-art astronomical telescope, can map lighting in three dimensions, and with a frame rate 200 times faster than previous instruments could achieve. You can read the entire article at quantamagazine.org/radio-telescope-reveals-how-lightning-begins-20211220/. CONVERSATION Recently, I had reached out to contest clubs to share their stories of how they were actively seeking to increase participation in contests and encourage younger contesters. Scott, N3FJP, shared what the Northeast Maryland Amateur Radio Contest Society, has been doing to encourage growth of their club. The club creates a very positive environment where every QSO is valued. Even if new members only make a handful of QSOs, club members make sure to let them know that their participation is welcomed and appreciated. The club offers a virtual clubhouse where members can find technical assistance, encouragement, and a real time scoreboard to keep members engaged. Members are also able to communicate with each other in real-time via an online chat room. They view their contest participation not only as an individual, but also as a group event for the whole club. The online scoreboard/leaderboard makes it very easy and fun for members to encourage each other, while simultaneously having fun chasing each other up and down the leaderboard. The club also has other awards and recognitions, such as their medalist awards for reaching a certain number of QSOs in a contest weekend: www.nemarc.org/medalists.html. The approach is resonating with new contesters as well as established contesters. You can read more about what the club is doing at www.n3fjp.com/help/clubcontesting.html. The information at that link includes an article from the August 2016 issue of QST that outlines their strategy and approach.
That's all for this time. 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@arrl.org. CONTESTS January 6, 2022 - January 19, 2022 An expanded, downloadable version of QST's Contest Corral is available as a PDF. Check the sponsors' website for information on operating time restrictions and other instructions. HF CONTESTS Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest, Jan 6, 0000z to Jan 7, 0300z; CW; Bands: 40; Maximum 13 wpm, RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (Member No./power); Logs due: Jan 13. CWops Mini-CWT Test, Jan 6, 0300z to Jan 6, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jan 8. CWops Mini-CWT Test, Jan 6, 0700z to Jan 6, 0800z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jan 8. RTTYOPS Weeksprint, Jan 6, 1700z to Jan 6, 1900z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20; [other station's call] + [your call] + [serial no.] + [your name]; Logs due: Jan 13. NRAU 10m Activity Contest, Jan 6, 1800z to Jan 6, 2200z; CW, SSB, FM, Digital; Bands: 10; RS(T) + 6-character grid square; Logs due: Jan 20. EACW Meeting, Jan 6, 1900z to Jan 6, 2000z; CW; Bands: 80, 40; EACW Member: RST + Member No. + Nickname, EA non-Member: RST + Nickname + EA province, non-EA: RST + Nickname + DXCC prefix; Logs due: Jan 8. SKCC Sprint Europe, Jan 6, 2000z to Jan 6, 2200z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (SKCC No./"NONE"); Logs due: Jan 13. NCCC RTTY Sprint, Jan 7, 0145z to Jan 7, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: Jan 9. QRP Fox Hunt, Jan 7, 0200z to Jan 7, 0330z; CW; Bands: 20; RST + (state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: Jan 8. NCCC Sprint, Jan 7, 0230z to Jan 7, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: Jan 9. K1USN Slow Speed Test, Jan 7, 2000z to Jan 7, 2100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jan 9. PODXS 070 Club PSKFest, Jan 8, 0000z to Jan 8, 2359z; PSK31; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jan 15. YB DX Contest, Jan 8, 0000z to Jan 8, 2359z; SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RS + Serial No.; Logs due: Jan 15. Old New Year Contest, Jan 8, 0500z to Jan 8, 0900z; CW, SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + sum of operator age and years on the air; Logs due: Jan 23. SKCC Weekend Sprintathon, Jan 8, 1200z to Jan 9, 2359z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (SKCC No./"NONE"); Logs due: Jan 16. RSGB AFS Contest, CW, Jan 8, 1300z to Jan 8, 1700z; CW; Bands: 80, 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Jan 9. ARRL RTTY Roundup, Jan 8, 1800z to Jan 9, 2359z; RTTY, Digital; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; W/VE: RST + (state/province), non-W/VE: RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Jan 16. EUCW 160m Contest, Jan 8, 2000z to Jan 9, 0700z; CW; Bands: 160; Affiliated Club Member: RST + name + club + membership no., Other: RST + name + "NM"; Logs due: Feb 10. NRAU-Baltic Contest, SSB, Jan 9, 0630z to Jan 9, 0830z; SSB; Bands: 80, 40; RST + Serial No. + 2-letter Fylke/Lan/Province/Region; Logs due: Jan 16. NRAU-Baltic Contest, CW, Jan 9, 0900z to Jan 9, 1100z; CW; Bands: 80, 40; RST + Serial No. + 2-letter Fylke/Lan/Province/Region; Logs due: Jan 16. DARC 10-Meter Contest, Jan 9, 0900z to Jan 9, 1059z; CW, SSB; Bands: 10; DL: RS(T) + QSO No. + DOK, non-DL: RS(T) + QSO No.; Logs due: Jan 16. K1USN Slow Speed Test, Jan 10, 0000z to Jan 10, 0100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jan 12. 4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint, Jan 10, 0100z to Jan 10, 0300z; CW, SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: RS(T) + (State/Province/Country) + Member No., Non-member: RS(T) + (State/Province/Country) + Power; Logs due: Jan 12. OK1WC Memorial (MWC), Jan 10, 1630z to Jan 10, 1729z; CW; Bands: 80, 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Jan 14. Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest, Jan 11, 0100z to Jan 11, 0159z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; RS + age group (OM, YL, Youth YL or Youth); Logs due: Jan 12. RTTYOPS Weeksprint, Jan 11, 1700z to Jan 11, 1900z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20; [other station's call] + [your call] + [serial no.] + [your name]; Logs due: Jan 18. QRP Fox Hunt, Jan 12, 0200z to Jan 12, 0330z; CW; Bands: 20; RST + (state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: Jan 13. Phone Weekly Test - Fray, Jan 12, 0230z to Jan 12, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15; NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: Jan 14. CWops Mini-CWT Test, Jan 12, 1300z to Jan 12, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jan 15. CWops Mini-CWT Test, Jan 12, 1900z to Jan 12, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jan 15. CWops Mini-CWT Test, Jan 13, 0300z to Jan 13, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jan 15. CWops Mini-CWT Test, Jan 13, 0700z to Jan 13, 0800z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jan 15. RTTYOPS Weeksprint, Jan 13, 1700z to Jan 13, 1900z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20; [other station's call] + [your call] + [serial no.] + [your name]; Logs due: Jan 20. EACW Meeting, Jan 13, 1900z to Jan 13, 2000z; CW; Bands: 80, 40; EACW Member: RST + Member No. + Nickname, EA non-Member: RST + Nickname + EA province, non-EA: RST + Nickname + DXCC prefix; Logs due: Jan 15. NCCC RTTY Sprint, Jan 14, 0145z to Jan 14, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: Jan 16. QRP Fox Hunt, Jan 14, 0200z to Jan 14, 0330z; CW; Bands: 20; RST + (state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: Jan 15. NCCC Sprint, Jan 14, 0230z to Jan 14, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: Jan 16. K1USN Slow Speed Test, Jan 14, 2000z to Jan 14, 2100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jan 16. Malaysia DX Contest, Jan 15, 0000z to Jan 16, 2359z; SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RS + 2-digit age; Logs due: Jan 23. Hungarian DX Contest, Jan 15, 1200z to Jan 16, 1159z; CW, SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; HA: RS(T) + 2-letter county, non-HA: RS(T) + Serial No.; Logs due: Jan 21. PRO Digi Contest, Jan 15, 1200z to Jan 16, 1159z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Digi Club Member: RST + Serial No. + "/M", non-Members: RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Jan 23. UBA PSK63 Prefix Contest, Jan 15, 1200z to Jan 16, 1200z; BPSK63; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; ON: RSQ + UBA Section, non-ON: RSQ + Serial No. (starting with 001); Logs due: Jan 23. North American QSO Party, CW, Jan 15, 1800z to Jan 16, 0559z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; ; Logs due: Jan 23. WAB 1.8 MHz Phone, Jan 15, 1900z to Jan 15, 2300z; CW, SSB; Bands: 160; British Isles: RS + serial no. + WAB square, Other: RS + serial no. + country; Logs due: Jan 25. Feld Hell Sprint, Jan 15, 2000z to Jan 16, 0559z; Feld Hell; Bands: 160, 80, 40; (see rules); Logs due: Jan 22. RSGB AFS Contest, Data, Jan 16, 1300z to Jan 16, 1700z; RTTY, PSK; Bands: 80, 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Jan 17. Run for the Bacon QRP Contest, Jan 16, 2300z to Jan 17, 0100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + (state/province/country) + (Member No./power); Logs due: Jan 23. K1USN Slow Speed Test, Jan 17, 0000z to Jan 17, 0100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jan 19. OK1WC Memorial (MWC), Jan 17, 1630z to Jan 17, 1729z; CW; Bands: 80, 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Jan 21. Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest, Jan 18, 0100z to Jan 18, 0159z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; RS + age group (OM, YL, Youth YL or Youth); Logs due: Jan 19. RTTYOPS Weeksprint, Jan 18, 1700z to Jan 18, 1900z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20; [other station's call] + [your call] + [serial no.] + [your name]; Logs due: Jan 25. QRP Fox Hunt, Jan 19, 0200z to Jan 19, 0330z; CW; Bands: 20; RST + (state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: Jan 20. Phone Weekly Test - Fray, Jan 19, 0230z to Jan 19, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15; NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: Jan 21. CWops Mini-CWT Test, Jan 19, 1300z to Jan 19, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jan 22. CWops Mini-CWT Test, Jan 19, 1900z to Jan 19, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jan 22. VHF+ CONTESTS VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest, Jan 12, 1700z to Jan 12, 2000z; FT8; Bands: 432 MHz; 4-character grid square; Logs due: Jan 17. ARRL January VHF Contest, Jan 15, 1900z to Jan 17, 0359z; Any; Bands: 50 MHz and up; 4-character grid square; Logs due: Jan 28. VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest, Jan 19, 1700z to Jan 19, 2000z; FT8; Bands: 1.2G; 4-character grid square; Logs due: Jan 24. See also: Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest, SKCC Weekend Sprintathon LOG DUE DATES January 6 January 7 January 8 January 9
January 10 January 11 January 12 January 13 January 14 January 15 January 16
January 17 January 18 January 19 ARRL Information Click here to advertise in this newsletter, space subject to availability. Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information ARRL membership includes a choice of one print magazine: QST, the monthly membership journal, or On the Air, ARRL's new bimonthly publication for beginner and intermediate hams. All ARRL members can access all four ARRL magazines -- QST, On the Air, NCJ, and QEX -- digitally. 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; Joe Taylor, K1JT; Patrick Barkey, N9RV; Scott Davis, N3FJP; and Alex Krist, KR1ST. | |
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While operating the 2021 ARRL November Sweepstakes Phone weekend at the 
d a mod for the Icom IC-9700 that breaks out the PTT for each band individually. He writes "This mod will create three separate PTT outputs, one per band, and is fully implemented in hardware (no CAT or software involved) with just few dollars' worth of parts that you may already have in your junk box." Full instructions, schematics, and parts list are available at
