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The ARRL Contest Update

April 19, 2017
Editor: Brian Moran, N9ADG


IN THIS ISSUE
* New HF Operators: Contest Audio
* Bulletins
* Contest Summary
* News: CQWW Blog, ADIF, CA Driving Bill, and more
* Word to the Wise: OQRS
* Sights and Sounds: K3LR talks with DL1QQ about WRTC 2018, N1MM for RTTY
Contesting, and more
* Results: Spring Stew Perry, ARRL Sweepstakes and more
* Operating Tip: RTTY AGC Settings
* Technical Topics and Information: RFI Session at IDXC, Microwave Photons
from Josephson Junctions, Fourier Visualization
* Quote of the Week: VHF and Up Sprint Activity
* Conversation: The Internet is My Elmer
* Contests
* Log Due Dates


NEW HF OPERATORS - THINGS TO DO

How's that microphone working out for you? Different audio qualities are needed
for different tasks, and you may find that by adjusting your audio chain for the characteristics required for contesting will result in more contacts. Jim, K9YC, published an article last year in NCJ entitled "Clean, Punchy, Competitive Contest Audio Without Splatter" that is also available on his website (PDF).



BULLETINS


BUSTED QSOS

Like 10 meters, quiet since last time.


CONTEST SUMMARY

Complete information for all contests follows the Conversation section

April 20

* CWops Mini-CWT Test

April 21

* NCCC RTTY Sprint
* NCCC Sprint

April 22

* QRP to the Field
* UK/EI DX Contest, CW
* SP DX RTTY Contest
* Nebraska QSO Party

April 23

* Nebraska QSO Party
* BARTG Sprint 75

April 25

* 222 MHz Spring Sprint

April 26

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

April 27

* CWops Mini-CWT Test
* RSGB 80m Club Championship, Data

April 28

* NCCC RTTY Sprint
* NCCC Sprint

April 29

* Feld Hell Sprint
* 10-10 Int. Spring Contest, Digital
* Helvetia Contest
* Florida QSO Party

April 30

* Florida QSO Party

May 1

* AGCW QRP/QRP Party
* RSGB 80m Club Championship, SSB

May 2

* ARS Spartan Sprint

May 3

* Phone Fray
* CWops Mini-CWT Test
* 432 MHz Spring Sprint
* MIE 33 Contest


NEWS, PRESS RELEASES, AND GENERAL INTEREST

In refreshingly candid language, Doug Zwiebel, CQWW Director, posted an entry on the CQWW Contest Facebook Page, regarding disqualifications due to self-spotting and observance of the rule regarding recording the entire contest
effort there is an expectation of being a top scorer. According to Doug, over 75 SSB entries were disqualified in 2016 due to self-spotting. The bottom line is self-spotting or mutual spotting collusion between operators or stations is not allowed, and can and will result in "strong sanctioning actions." (via Twitter)


The Amateur Data Interchange Format (ADIF) is 21 years old. Most people will recognize ADIF, and associated "ADI-files" as the means by which contest logs are exported from contest logging programs and into general purpose logging programs, log analyzers, OQRS systems, and the like. ADIF has evolved from a relatively simple way to encode QSO information so that it can be read or written by computer programs to the recent ADIF 3's ADX files that use XML for self-describing data formats. People involved in the standard as producers or consumers of ADIF data participate in the Yahoo ADIF Developers Group, while ADIF standards are published at ADIF.org.


California recent changes to its distracted driving laws targeted towards cellular phone usage are broad enough to impact the use of Amateur mobile radio
equipment while under way. Tomasa Dueñas, Chief of Staff for California Assembly Member Bill Quirk (D-20), recently sent an email to constituents regarding the Assemblyman's submittal of language to amend AB 1222, changing Section 23123.5(f) as follows:


For the purposes of this section, "electronic wireless communications device" includes, but is not limited to, a broadband personal communication device, a specialized mobile radio device, a handheld device or laptop computer with mobile data access, or a pager, or a two-way messaging device.


Assemblyman Quirk's staff is also working on a submission to The Assembly Journal, which serves as the official record of the legislative intent of the bills that are passed by the California Legislature. According to Dueñas, "We strongly believe that the legislative history of AB 1785 (Quirk, 2016), the directive issued by CHP recently, our letter to the journal, and this change to
the definition of "electronic wireless communications device" makes it very clear that the intent to curtain cellphone/mobile phone related distracted driving." Discussion of this law as it relates to Amateur operation can be found on the Papa System website. (Dennis, N6KI)


Ward, N0AX, has always been well grounded, and now he's bonding by sharing his expertise and experience with others through his new book, Grounding and Bonding for the Radio Amateur. That perpetual question "How many wires are required for that 240v amplifier branch circuit?" and many others are answered in this new publication with regards to the current NEC standards. "Grounding and Bonding for the Radio Amateur shows you how to make sure your station follows current standards for lightning protection and communication systems, not to mention the National Electrical Code." Grounding and bonding for tower and outdoor antennas, fixed, portable, and temporary operations are covered as well.


Get your computer or smart phone calendar loaded with the schedule of the forums available at this year's Hamvention by visiting the forum schedule website. There are over 60 sessions representing all facets of Amateur Radio. While contesters may be interested in attending the Antenna, Contesting, and RTTY Contesting sessions, it's also a great opportunity to dip your toe into a new-to-you aspect of our hobby.


The 6 Meter BBQ is an annual event which draws VHF enthusiasts to Austin, TX for presentations, demonstrations, and the good company of others. Originally started by Jimmy Treybig, W6JKV and Dick Hanson, K5AND, the 2017 event will be co-hosted by DX Engineering and FlexRadio Systems. Mark your calendars for the weekend of September 29 and 30, 2017, and watch DXEngineering's News section of
their website for evolving information.


Researchers in Ireland have demonstrated the ability to print working transistors out of nanomaterials. The goal is to be able to inexpensively incorporate working circuitry into objects like food and beverage containers, clothing, paper products, and the like. The effort uses particles including graphene, boron, and tungsten compounds suspended in liquid to construct the active devices.


Overshadowed by the recent news of Radio Shack's bankruptcy woes and liquidation of retail stores was the announcement of the death of Bernie Appel,
'Mr. RadioShack,' at the age of 85. According to the article, "during his 34 years at RadioShack, Appel held every key position, culminating with his tenure
at the top from 1984 to 1992, the heyday of the Fort Worth-based retail electronics chain." (Dennis, N6KI)


The fastest computing hardware could be all for play. Project Scorpio, the codename of Microsoft's next XBOX release in 2017, has some impressive specifications, including 6 Teraflops of GPU and the ability to stream game generated video at 4K resolution. This 4K resolution scene is indicative of the
kind of immersive experience possible in head-to-head multiplayer gaming. Are we still debating the appeal of color displays and touch screens?


It's not too late to attend the International DX Convention in Visalia, California, April 20-23. In addition to DX oriented activities, the program features a Contest Academy with Basic and Advanced Contesting tracks. There are
some associated activities taking place that weekend in Visalia, including the Visalia Contest Dinner, Top band Dinner, and IOTA Dinner.


VHF'ers: Kim, W8GS, is organizing a Dayton area dinner on Friday, May 19, at the Voyager Room - Doubletree Inn in Miamisburg, Ohio, for those interested in chatting about VHF, UHF, weak signal, EME, microwave, and other related topics.
The event will be starting at 6 PM with a cash bar, dinner will be served at 7 PM. Cost is $40 per person. The last day to sign up is May 10. Contact Kim via whensley11@comcast.net.


The New England Weak Signal Group's 43rd Eastern VHF/UHF/Microwave Conference is April 21-23 in Manchester, CT. There is at least one contesting-specific item on the agenda.



WORD TO THE WISE

OQRS - Online QSL Request System

An OQRS system tries to make obtaining QSL confirmations easier by providing a paperless method for requesting them. Typically, a website is set up to gather QSO information by a web form, or by ADIF log upload. That QSO information is matched against a station's logs, and at the requesting station's preference, paper QSL cards or electronic confirmations are generated.



SIGHTS AND SOUNDS

Tim, K3LR, talks about Contest University 2017 at about 58:10 in the Ham Nation
292 video on YouTube. Tim also interviewed Sandy, DL1QQ in his own video when she stopped by DX Engineering. They discuss her recent contest activities, and then focus on WRTC 2018. Notable in the commentary is that WRTC 2018 will include three youth teams among the competitors.


W5KUB's Amateur Radio Roundtable recently featured teen Marty, KC1CWF, commenting on the CQ WPX Contest (27:00). Marty also teams up with Sterling, N0SSC, for their own Phasing Line Podcast that covers all manner of Amateur Radio subjects.


Bud, AA3B, talked about using N1MM for RTTY Contesting at a recent Frankford Radio Club meeting. In addition to addressing N1MM's integration with the MMTTY
program, he discussed appropriate macros for RTTY contesting, and compared RTTY
frequency usage in general versus during RTTY contests. One encouraging observation made is the doubling of CQ WW RTTY contest participation since 2006.


Oliver, W6NV, had a problem with an Alpha 87A amplifier at ZD8W. The root cause
turned out be an Ascension Island mouse that got between the mains in the power
supply section. Glenn, AE0Q, of Alpha Service found the problem and took the photos. The 87A should be back on Ascension for the CQWW. [Photo courtesy of Glenn, AE0Q]


Sure, a spark can be modulated to play sound, but this cheeky video reinforces how much it's about the performance as well as the instrument. (Dennis, N6KI)


If you have some left over Peeps from Easter, and you know the frequency of your microwave oven, you can measure the speed of light! Well, you have to be a
good measurer, too. The key is to measure the average distance between the melted peeps in a dish of Peeps placed into a microwave (do NOT let them rotate!), which represents half of a wavelength at the microwave frequency. C, the speed of light, is frequency times wavelength, so C = F x (Dpeep x 2)... see the video starting at 2:25 or so.



RESULTS AND RECORDS

The results of the Spring Stew Perry 160 meter contest have been posted. There were over 250 logs submitted, attesting to the greater awareness of the contest
and increasing levels of participation. The Summer Stew will occur June 17-18.

Results of the 2016 CQ World Wide DX SSB Contest have been posted (PDF). If you
entered the contest, did you look at your Log Check Report (LCR)?

Thank you for submitting a log in the 2016 CQ WW DX SSB Contest. Your log checking report is below. We believe it is helpful for participants to receive information on how their log was scored.

Log checking details for CQ WW SSB 2016:

7,573 Logs total

3,458,751 QSOs total
2,862,882 (82.8%) QSO checked against another log
2,780,827 (97.1%) QSO checked good when checked against another log

45,296 ( 1.6%) Busted calls
8,582 ( 0.3%) Busted exchange
28,177 ( 1.0%) Not in log
Average Score Reduction for all logs: 12.1% (Median 8.0%)
Average Error Rate for all logs: 3.7%

It's impressive that 83% of all QSOs were cross-checked, and the overall error rate was just 2.9%.

The full results for ARRL Phone Sweepstakes,are now on the ARRL website. According to Ward, N0AX: "Without doing an exhaustive history, I believe that this is the earliest the full results for both modes of Sweepstakes have ever been available.Thanks to the authors, log checkers, and log wranglers who made this possible through hard work at their various keyboards. I hope this process
of improvement will keep going!" The Sweepstakes CW article on the website was also updated with the sponsored plaque list.



OPERATING TIP

Check those RTTY AGC Settings

RTTY demodulators are designed to extract signals from audio tones that have been received through the ionosphere using HF radios. For those decoders to have their best performance, it's best to limit the action of any radio AGC by using the slowest setting possible, or even turning AGC off if possible, using the RF gain control instead. While RTTY signals typically use a shift of 170 Hz, typically a radio filter bandwidth in the range of 350-400 Hz works well for decoding. It really depends on your radio, and the roll-off characteristics
of your filters. Some radios have a dual peak filtering function available, which may help, or could over-process the signal. Different RTTY decoders perform differently, which is why some contesters have more than one RTTY decoder per signal. The best way to find out what works best for you is to experiment with the settings under various conditions outside of a contest period.



TECHNICAL TOPICS AND INFORMATION

Jim, K9YC, will be presenting "Finding and Killing Receive Noise" in Visalia, California on Friday, April 21, as part of the International DX Convention. Jim
expects to go long: "It's a long talk, and needs far more than the 45 minutes allotted. The talk is the last one before lunch, and I've been assured that I can run over into the lunch hour. Obviously, attendees can stay for as much (or
as little) as they like."


Elektor Magazine describes recent research that has yielded a microwave laser that can be constructed on the same chip as other circuitry. A Josephson junction is used in conjunction with a microwave cavity to obtain a coherent stream of microwave photons.


Square waves are composed of the fundamental frequency, and odd-integer harmonic frequencies. Here's a graphical way of visualizing how sinusoidal frequency components add to create a waveform starting from a point traced on a
circle, which may be rotating on a circle, and so on. It turns out that the radii of those circles comprise the Fourier transform of the signal described by the waveform.


The Four States QRP Group has introduced the new BUZZ-KILL kit for removing power-line buzz from an audio channel. The BUZZ-KILL is a comb filter - a notch
at 60 Hz and every harmonic of 60 Hz. According to the website, "This is a compact, flexible design that can be used as a stand-alone outboard unit, or it
can be easily integrated into an existing receiver (see manual for details). Its onboard audio amp is capable of driving a speaker or headphones. Gain is constant from 100 Hz to 5kHz, so it can be used with any CW, SSB or AM receiver." The circuit uses two analog delay lines to combine the signal with a
time-shifted version of the signal, which creates a comb filter.(QRP-L mailing list)


If you're looking for a little more selectivity, you can retrofit an existing radio with an audio DSP filter from SOTABEAMS. Their LASERBEAM-VARI modules need just a single rotary encoder to provide a variable filter bandwidth of 200Hz to 3500Hz. The module is 36mm x 36mm and requires a supply voltage of between 5 and 15 Volts.


Quote of the Week

"Wow! Has activity really changed this much in the 10-12 years I was absent? In
the old days with 1.5 kW I was lucky to work a dozen stations in the Sprint and
maybe hear a few more. Last night with 90 watts under what appeared to be poor band conditions I worked 22 and heard at least that many more that I could not work for various reasons. Best DX 510 miles. At times the band sounded almost like 20 meters but with weaker signals. Thanks to the organizers and to everyone for getting on and making it a fun evening." - comments by Paul, N1BUG, on the VHF Contesting reflector regarding the Spring VHF and Up Sprints.
The next in the series occurs is 222 MHz on 4/25/17 from 7 - 11 PM local time.



CONVERSATION

The Internet is My Elmer

We're at the highest number of licensed Amateurs in the U.S., ever. But, if you're on HF on a weekday, the bands seem pretty quiet, and not just because of
conditions. According to the licensing statistics, the major growth has been in
the Technician license class. So it's easy to rationalize that's the reason we're not seeing people on HF. Yet, most UHF and VHF repeaters don't seem that busy, either, with the exception of some of the DMR talk groups. The UHF/VHF contest participation numbers are not showing growth reflective of those thirty
thousand new hams last year. Some recent evidence suggests the growth is coming
from those that are using their privileges as part of their interest in emergency preparedness. Whew! Conventional wisdom is that EMCOMM is a "gateway into Amateur Radio" and that a reasonable number of those new hams will eventually discover the fun of other aspects of Amateur Radio, and we'll see them on HF, or in contests, or DX pileups, eventually. But is that really true?

I posit that it's likely that now, people entering Amateur Radio for a particular purpose never will discover all our hobby has to offer - because they don't have to leave the comfort zone of their own special interest, and don't perceive a need for Amateur Radio for anything else.

Back in the old days, AKA pre-Internet, someone entering the hobby likely did so with the assistance of an Elmer, someone with whom they had personal contact. It could have been a schoolteacher, neighbor, relative, someone from a
local radio club. That person would have had their own interests, and being a ham, their own opinions, on the kind of Amateur their protégé should become. Sometimes that would help, and sometimes that would hinder someone's journey to
getting their ticket... but they'd get exposed to things that their Elmer thought they should know about.

Today, one can realize they need a license to further their goal to say, fly a high-altitude balloon around the globe and track it via the Internet. But, with
thousands of information sources available via their web browser on how to quickly get their license, they don't get exposed to anything other than the minimum. They don't even need to talk to anyone except the Volunteer Examiner.

For all of these new specific-use-focused licensees, how are they going to learn about the breadth and depth of opportunity that their license represents?

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

73, Brian N9ADG



CONTESTS

20 Apr - 3 May 2017

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, Apr 19, 1300z to Apr 19, 1400z, Apr 19, 1900z to Apr 19, 2000z, Apr 20, 0300z to Apr 20, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Member: Name + Member No., non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: April 22.

NCCC RTTY Sprint, Apr 21, 0145z to Apr 21, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: April 23.

NCCC Sprint, Apr 21, 0230z to Apr 21, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial No.
+ Name + QTH; Logs due: April 23.

QRP to the Field, Apr 22, 0800 (local) to Apr 22, 1800 (local); CW, SSB; Bands:
80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; RST + (state/province/country) + name; Logs due: June 1.

UK/EI DX Contest, CW, Apr 22, 1200z to Apr 23, 1200z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; UK/EI: RST + Serial No. + District Code, DX: RST + Serial No.; Logs due: April 23.

SP DX RTTY Contest, Apr 22, 1200z to Apr 23, 1200z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; SP: RST + 1-letter province, Non-SP: RST + QSO No.; Logs due: May 7.

Nebraska QSO Party, Apr 22, 1300z to Apr 23, 0100z, Apr 23, 1300z to Apr 23, 2200z; CW, Phone, Digital; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, VHF/UHF; NE: RS(T) +
county, non-NE: RS(T) + (state/province/country); Logs due: May 22.

BARTG Sprint 75, Apr 23, 1700z to Apr 23, 2059z; 75 Baud RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Serial No.; Logs due: April 30.

SKCC Sprint, Apr 26, 0000z to Apr 26, 0200z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (SKCC No./power); Logs due: April 28.

Phone Fray, Apr 26, 0230z to Apr 26, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15m; NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: April 28.

CWops Mini-CWT Test, Apr 26, 1300z to Apr 26, 1400z, Apr 26, 1900z to Apr 26, 2000z, Apr 27, 0300z to Apr 27, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Member: Name + Member No., non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: April 29.

UKEICC 80m Contest, Apr 26, 2000z to Apr 26, 2100z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; 4-Character grid square; Logs due: April 26.

RSGB 80m Club Championship, Data, Apr 27, 1900z to Apr 27, 2030z; RTTY, PSK; Bands: 80m Only; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: April 28.

NCCC RTTY Sprint, Apr 28, 0145z to Apr 28, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: April 30.

NCCC Sprint, Apr 28, 0230z to Apr 28, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial No.
+ Name + QTH; Logs due: April 30.

Feld Hell Sprint, Apr 29, 0000z to Apr 29, 2359z; Feld Hell; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6m; (see rules); Logs due: May 3.

10-10 Int. Spring Contest, Digital, Apr 29, 0001z to Apr 30, 2359z; Digital; Bands: 10m Only; 10-10 Member: Name + 10-10 number + (state/province/country), Non-Member: Name + 0 + (state/province/country); Logs due: May 15.

Helvetia Contest, Apr 29, 1300z to Apr 30, 1259z; CW, SSB, Digital; Bands: 160,
80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; HB: RS(T) + 2-letter canton, non-HB: RS(T) + Serial No.; Logs due: May 8.

Florida QSO Party, Apr 29, 1600z to Apr 30, 0159z, Apr 30, 1200z to Apr 30, 2159z; CW, Phone; Bands: 40, 20, 15, 10m; FL: RS(T) + county, W/VE: RS(T) + (state/province), DX: RS(T) + DXCC prefix; Logs due: May 14.

AGCW QRP/QRP Party, May 1, 1300z to May 1, 1900z; CW; Bands: 80, 40m; RST + QSO
No. + "/" + Class ID (A/B); Logs due: May 20.

RSGB 80m Club Championship, SSB, May 1, 1900z to May 1, 2030z; SSB; Bands: 80m Only; RS + Serial No.; Logs due: May 2.

ARS Spartan Sprint, May 2, 0100z to May 2, 0300z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; RST + (state/province/country) + Power; Logs due: May 4.

Phone Fray, May 3, 0230z to May 3, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15m; NA:
Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: April 21.

CWops Mini-CWT Test, May 3, 1300z to May 3, 1400z, May 3, 1900z to May 3, 2000z, May 4, 0300z to May 4, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Member: Name + Member No., non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: April 22.

MIE 33 Contest, May 3, 2300z to May 4, 0300z; CW, Phone; Bands: All, except WARC; Mie: RS(T) + age + "ME", non-Mie JA: RS(T) + age + "MEJ", non-Mie non-JA:
RS(T) + age; Logs due: May 31.


VHF+ CONTESTS

222 MHz Spring Sprint, Apr 25, 1900z to Apr 25, 2300z; (not specified); Bands: 222 Mhz; 4-character grid square; Logs due: May 9.

432 MHz Spring Sprint, May 3, 1900z to May 3, 2300z; (not specified); Bands: 432 Only; 4-character grid square; Logs due: May 17.

Also see Nebraska QSO Party, Feld Hell Sprint,


LOG DUE DATES

20 Apr - 3 May 2017



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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

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

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