Contester's Rate Sheet for September 21, 2005
*********************** Contester's Rate Sheet 21 September 2005 *********************** Edited by Ward Silver N0AX SUMMARY o The Three B's - Part I BULLETINS o No bulletins this issue BUSTED QSOS o The editor, being at sea or on Kure Island, is blissfully unaware of any errors that he may have made or promulgated. ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICES FOR 21 SEPTEMBER TO 4 OCTOBER 2005 Logs are due for the following contests: September 24 - DX Colombia International Contest, email logs and diskettes to: [email protected], mail paper logs and diskettes to: Transversal, 56 #22-107 Bosque, Cartagena, Colombia. Find rules at: http://www.dxcolombia.com/contest.htm. September 26 - Ohio QSO Party, email logs and diskettes to: [email protected], mail paper logs and diskettes to: Ohio QSO Party, c/o Jim Stahl, K8MR, 30499 Jackson Rd., Chagrin Falls, OH 44022-1730, USA. Find rules at: http://www.oqp.us/rules September 27 - CQC Summer VHF/UHF QSO Party, email logs and diskettes to: [email protected], mail paper logs and diskettes to: CQC Contest, P.O. Box 17174, Golden, CO 80402-6019, USA. Find rules at: http://www.cqc.org/contests/summer05.htm September 27 - Hawaii QSO Party, email logs and diskettes to: [email protected], mail paper logs and diskettes to: Hawaii QSO Party, P.O. Box 8960788, Wahiawa, HI 96786-0788, USA. Find rules at: http://www.karc.us/hi_qso_party.html September 27 - YO DX HF Contest, email logs and diskettes to: [email protected], mail paper logs and diskettes to: YO DX HF Contest, PO Box 22-50, Bucharest RO-014780, Romania. Find rules at: http://www.hamradio.ro/contests/yodx_eng.pdf.. September 30 - AGCW Straight Key Party, email logs and diskettes to: [email protected], mail paper logs and diskettes to: Friedrich W. Fabri, DF1OY, Moselstrasse 17b, D-63322 Roedermark-Urberach, Germany. Find rules at: http://www.agcw.de/english/contest/htp_e.htm September 30 - IARU Region 1 Field Day, SSB, email logs and diskettes to: (see your national society rules), mail paper logs and diskettes to: Your national society. Find rules at: Your national society Web site. September 30 - Keyman's Club of Japan Contest, email logs and diskettes to: [email protected] , Upload log at: http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~kcj/cgi/e_contestlog/contestlog.html, mail paper logs and diskettes to: Masayoshi Namba, JA1FCY, 1420-55 Kibara, Sambu-town Sambu, Chiba 289-1212 Japan. Find rules at: http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~kcj/e_kcjrule26.htm October 3 - Russian RTTY WW Contest, email logs and diskettes to: [email protected], mail paper logs and diskettes to: Russian RTTY WW Contest Radio Magazine, Seliverstov per. 10, Moscow 107045, Russia Find rules at: http://www.radio.ru/cq/contest/rule-results/index2.shtml October 4 - DARC 10-Meter Digital Contest (Sep), email logs and diskettes to: [email protected], mail paper logs and diskettes to: Werner Ludwig, DF5BX P.O. Box 1270, 49110 Georgsmarienhuette, Germany. Find rules at: http://www.darc.de/referate/ukw-funksport/sonder/tei-digi.htm The following contests are scheduled: Note that the following abbreviations are used to condense the contest rules summaries: SO - Single-Op; M2 - Multi-Op - 2 Transmitters; MO - Multi-Op; MS - Multi-Op, Single Transmitter; MM - Multi-Op, Multiple Transmitters; AB - All Band; SB - Single Band; S/P/C - State/Province/DXCC Entity; HP - High Power; LP - Low Power; Entity - DXCC Entity HF CONTESTS CQ Worldwide RTTY DX Contest--sponsored by CQ Magazine from 0000Z Sep 24 - 2400Z Sep 25. Frequencies: 80 - 10 meters. Categories: SOAB (LP, HP>150W), SOSB, Assisted (AB only), MS (LP, HP), M2, MM. Exchange: RST + CQ Zone (W/VE stations also send state/province). QSO Points: own country--1 pt, different country, same continent--2pts, diff. cont.--3pts. Score: QSO points x S/P/C (incl. WAE countries) + CQ Zones counted once per band. For more information: http://www.cq-amateur-radio.com/. Logs due 29 Oct in Cabrillo format to [email protected]. Scandinavian Activity Contest--SSB--sponsored by Sveriges S�ndareamat�rer (SSA 1200Z Sep 24 - 1200Z Sep 25. Frequencies: 80 - 10 meters. Categories: SOAB (QRP <5W, LP <100W, HP), MS, SWL. Exchange: RS(T) + serial number. QSO Points: EU stations--1 pt, Non-EU--1 pt on 20--10, 3 pts on 80 - 40. Finals score is QSO pts � Scandinavian call areas counted once per band. For more information: http://www.nrrl.no/7_english/start_e.htm. Logs due Oct 31 to [email protected] or to NRRL HF Contest Manager: Liv Johansen, LA4YW, Kolstadtunet 4C, NO-7098 Saupstad, Norway. Texas QSO Party--CW/Phone/Digital--sponsored by Northwest Amateur Radio Society (NARS), 1400Z Sep 24 - 0200Z Sep 25 and 1400Z - 2000Z Sep 25. Frequencies (MHz): CW--40 to 60 kHz above bottom of band, Phone--25 kHz above edge of General segments and 28.300 - 28.500, VHF--50.2, 144.2. Categories: Fixed Stns--SO-Mixed (HP and QRP <5W CW, <10W Phone), SO-CW, MO; Mobile (Texas Only)--SO-Mixed, SO-CW, MO. Exchange: RST + TX County or S/P/C or MM region. QSO Points: Phone--2 pts, CW/Digital--3 pts. Score: QSO points x TX counties (TX stations add S/P/C). Multipliers counted only once. Add 500 points for every 5 counties from which a specific TX Mobile is worked. Texas mobiles add one thousand (1000) points to final score for every county activated with five or more QSOs. For more information: http://www.txqp.org/. Logs due 31 Oct to [email protected] or Texas QSO Party Committee, 16880 East Maglitto Cir, Tomball, TX 77377-8414. Alabama QSO Party--CW/Phone--sponsored by the Central Alabama HF/VHF Contesting Club, 1800Z - 2400Z Sep 25. Frequencies: 160 - 70 cm, SSB, CW, and FM contacts count separately. Categories: SO, MS, Rover, QRP(< 5W), LP (< 200 W), HP. Exchange: RST and S/P/C. Work Rover stations in each county. QSO Points: 1 pt/QSO. Scoring: AL stations--QSOs x states + AL counties + DXCC entities counted once per band. Non-AL stations--QSOs x AL counties counted once per band. Logs due 30 days after the contest. For more information, check the on-line Contest Corral at http://www.arrl.org/contests/months/sep.html for log submission addresses or contact [email protected]. Classic Exchange--AM/SSB, from 1300Z Sep 25 - 0700Z Sep 26. (CW is Oct 2-3) Frequencies (Mc); AM--1.890 3.880 7.290 14.286 21.420 29.000 50.300 144.300. SSB--1.855, 3.870, 7.280, 14.270, 21.370, 28.390, 50.125, 144.200. Exchange RS, name, QTH, TX, RX, XCVR, AM International number if available. QSO Points: 1 pt/QSO. Total Score: QSOs � (number of TX and RX worked + S/P/C counted once per band) � CX multiplier (age of all RX TX and XCVR used for at least 3 QSOs). AMI QSOs count for CX score. For more information: qsl.asti.com/CX. Logs to [email protected] or WQ8U, 104 W Queen St, Hillsborough, NC 27278. Tesla Cup--CW/SSB--sponsored by the Tesla Radio Club from 0000Z - 2400Z Sep 24 (CW) and 0000Z - 2400Z Sep 26 (SSB). Frequencies: 160 - 10 meters. Categories: SOAB, SOSB, SO-Assisted, MS, MM, Club/Team, with QRP (<15 W), LO (<150 W), and HP in all categories. Exchange: 4-digit grid square. QSO Points: SSB--2 pts, CW--3 pts. Work stations once each 24-hour period. Total Score: QSO Points x number of different first three digits of grids (i.e. - FN2, CN8) counted once per band. For more information: http://www.computeradio.us/TeslaCup.htm. Logs due 14 days after the contest to [email protected] or Tesla Cup, Box 282, Pine Brook, NJ 07058. Fall QRP Homebrewer Sprint--CW/PSK31--sponsored by New Jersey QRP Club, 0000Z - 0400Z Sep 26. Frequencies: QRP CW and PSK31 frequencies on 80 - 10 meters. CW and PSK31 are considered separate bands. Exchange: RST + S/P/C + Output Power. QSO Points: Commercial Equipment--2 pts, Homebrew Xmtr or Rcvr--3pts, Homebrew Xmtr and Rcvr or Xcver--4 pts. Kits ok as homebrew. Power Multiplier: 0>250 mW = x 15, 250 mW>1W = x10, 1-5W = x7, >5W = x1. Score: QSO Points x S/P/C (counted once per band) x power multiplier. For more information: http://www.njqrp.org/data/qrphomebrewersprint.html. Logs due 30 days from the contest to [email protected] (text format) or Ken Newman, N2CQ, 81 Holly Drive, Woodbury, NJ 08096. PSK Rumble (The Fall Classic)--sponsored by Troy ARA, 0000z - 2400z Oct 1. 80-6 meters. Exchange: name and S/P/C. Categories: Normal (>100 W), Great (<20 W), Super (<5 W), Novice, SWL. Score: QSO's x (W/VE/JA/VK call areas + DXCC entities counted once per band). For more information: http://www.n2ty.org/seasons/tara_rumble_rules.html. Logs due 29 Oct via online score submission form at www.n2ty.org/seasons/tara_rumble_score.html. Oceania DX Contest--SSB, supported by the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) and New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters (NZART), Phone 0800Z Oct 1 - 0800Z Oct 2 (CW is 0800Z Oct 8 - 0800Z Oct 9). Frequencies: 160-10 meters, work VK/ZL/Oceania stations only. Categories: SOAB, SOSB, MS, MM, SWL. Exchange: RS(T) and serial number. QSO Points: 160--20 pts, 80--10 pts, 40--5 pts, 20--1 pt, 15--2 pts, 10--3 pts. Score: QSO points � WPX prefixes counted once per band. For more information: http://www.oceaniadxcontest.com/. Logs due Nov 6 in Cabrillo format (required for logs with more than 50 QSOs) to [email protected] (CW to [email protected]) or paper logs (if less than 50 QSOs) to Oceania DX Contest, c/o Wellington Amateur Radio Club Inc., PO Box 6464, Wellington 6030, New Zealand. EU Autumn Sprint--SSB, sponsored by the EU Sprint Gang, 1500Z - 1859Z Oct 1 (CW is 1500Z - 1859Z Oct 8). Frequencies: 80-20 meters, stations outside EU work EU stations only. SOAB category only. Exchange: your call, serial number, name, other station's call. Special QSY rule--see Web site. Score is number of QSOs. For more information: http://www.eusprint.com/. Logs due 15 days after the contest to [email protected] or Paolo Cortese, I2UIY, PO Box 14, I-27043 Broni (PV), Italy (CW logs to Karel Karmasin, OK2FD, Gen Svobody 636, CZ-674 01 Trebic, Czech Republic). California QSO Party--CW/SSB, sponsored by the Northern California Contest Club, 1600Z Oct 1 - 2200Z Oct 2. Frequencies: 160-2 meters. Categories: SOAB (HP >200W, LP, QRP <5W), MS, MM, CA County Expedition, Mobile, Club, School. SO work 24 hours only. CW QSOs in CW subbands, except 160. Work CA stations in each county. Stations on a county line count as a single contact for QSO points, but both counties may be claimed as mulitpliers. Exchange: serial number and S/P/C or CA county. QSO Points: CW--3 pts, Phone--2 pts. Score: QSO points � CA counties (max 58) or CA stations multiply by states and VE call areas (max 58). For more information: http://www.cqp.org/. Logs due by Nov 1 to [email protected] or to NCCC, c/o Kevin Rowett, N6RCE, 21906 Monte Ct, Cupertino, CA 95014. RSGB 21/28 MHz Contest--SSB, sponsored by the RSGB, 0700Z - 1900Z Oct 2 (CW is 0700Z - 1900Z Oct 16). Frequencies: 15 and 10 meters (see Web site for band plan), work UK stations only. Categories: UK and DX SO or MS (Open, Restricted, QRP <10W) and SWL (Open and Restricted). Exchange: serial number and UK district. QSO Points: 3 pts/QSO. Score QSO points x UK districts (UK stations use DXCC entities plus JA, W, VE, VK, ZL and ZS call areas) counted once per band. For more information: http://www.rsgbhfcc.org/. Logs due Nov 17 to [email protected] ([email protected] for CW logs) or to RSGB--G3UFY, 77 Bensham Manor Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey CR7 7AF, England. Classic Exchange--CW, from 1300Z Oct 2 - 0700Z Oct 3. Frequencies (Mc): 1.815, 3.545, 7.045, 14.045, 21.135, 28.050, 50.100, 144.100. (see Sep 25 - 26) VHF+ CONTESTS ARRL EME Contest, from 0000Z Sep 24 - 2400Z Sep 25. Frequencies: 2304 MHz and up. (50 - 1296 MHz, Oct 22-23 and Nov 12-13) Categories: SOAB, SOSB, MO, Commercial. Exchange: signal report. QSO Points: 100 pts/QSO. Score: QSO points x W/VE states/provinces + DXCC entities (counted once per band). For more information: http://www.arrl.org/contests/forms/. Logs due Dec 13 to [email protected] or EME Contest, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. VHF Fall Sprints--CW/Phone/Digital--sponsored by the Southeastern VHF Society as follows: 222 MHz--7-11 PM Sep 27. Fixed and Rover categories. Exchange: Grid Square. QSO Points: 1 pt/QSO. Score is QSO Points x Grid Squares, score each sprint separately. Rovers all grids worked from each grid. For more information: http://svhfs.org/fall_sprint_rules.htm. Logs must be emailed or postmarked within four weeks of the contest. 144 MHz logs to [email protected] or Ottmar Fiebel W4WSR , PO Box 957, Hayesville, NC 28904. 222 MHz logs to [email protected] or Bob Lear K4SZ, PO Box 1269, Dahlonega, GA 30533. 432 MHz logs to [email protected] or Jim Worsham W4KXY, 1915 Oak Wind Lane, Buford, GA 30519-6766. Microwave logs to [email protected] or Greg Robinson KB4NVD, 208 Dogwood Acres Rd, Hampton, TN 37658-3348. 50 MHz logs to [email protected] or Ray Rector WA4NJP, 3493 Holly Springs Rd, Gillsville, GA 30534. CONVERSATION The Three B's Part I The recent draft of a proposal to change amateur band subdivision from the current mode-based scheme (CW, Data, and Phone) to one based on signal bandwidth has generated a lot of interest and reaction. On its surface, the proposal (http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2005/04/13/1/) wouldn't seem to result in huge differences from the current state of affairs; CW is still at the low end of the bands, CW and narrow-band Data share some segment higher up, and the wide-band modes are still at the top. But stir the waters it has. A couple years ago, I viewed regulation-by-bandwidth as a natural and sure-fire way to accommodate the burgeoning pantheon of digital modulation and encoding types. An attractive aspect of using bandwidth is the relative ease it offers of administration. A signal's bandwidth is directly observable on the air. No special decoding is required nor does the content of the signal count. The methods of its measurement are already defined and understood. The concept of "mode" has become entirely too fuzzy. For example, if I use digital signals to conduct a QSO by exchanging files of my recorded voice and JPGs of my smiling face, is that data, voice, or image? Where could such a signal be transmitted in the bands? Clearly, mode as a differentiating element between signals is on its way out. Bandwidth looked to me like a shoo-in to take its place. Yet, the proposal's use of bandwidth has generated some stiff resistance. What happened? I've come to understand there is a fair amount of confusion about the Three B's; Bandwidth, Band Plan, and Behavior. All three affect how amateurs populate and use our spectrum. For any effort at administration to satisfy the needs of the expected uses, all three B's must be accounted for. Let's start by making sure we're all using the same definitions. Bandwidth is commonly defined in terms of the difference between a signal's peak power and the power in sidebands some frequency apart. For example, the FCC defines bandwidth in item 8 of Part 97.3 as "The width of a frequency band outside of which the mean power of the transmitted signal is attenuated at least 26 dB below the mean transmitted power within the band." (-26 dB is 1/400th or � % of the signal peak power.) There is no requirement for the signal to be symmetric or efficient. It's easy to imagine a bandwidth-checking robot tuning a spectrum analyzer up and down the bands, checking each signal and computing its bandwidth. From a technical standpoint, bandwidth is well understood and fairly easy to work with. Band plans don't appear on the air, rather they are usage guidelines. They cross-reference the customary use of the radio spectrum by signal type or content with a list of frequencies or frequency ranges. Band plans range from having the force of law (repeater coordination), to convention (USB above 10 MHz), to tradition (calling frequencies and DX windows). Band plans are simply agreements that the occupants of the spectrum use to organize compatible methods of operations. They are just plans and can shift when circumstances demand, such during emergencies or periods of higher than usual band loading during DXpeditions or contests. Behavior is the least discussed of the Three B's, but has the most visible and apparent effect on operation. Behavior comprises all of the protocols that are used as the operators interact; radio manners, if you will. Behavior can be the technical description of how digital stations establish a link and exchange data. Behavior also applies to the convention of asking, "Is the frequency in use?" or "QRL?" or pausing for breaking stations during a QSO. Independent of band plans or signal bandwidth, behavior has to be agreed upon and followed for harmonious spectrum use. To Be Continued... 73, Ward N0AX ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Contester's Rate Sheet wishes to acknowledge information from the following sources: WA7BNM's Contest Calendar Web page - http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal ARRL Contest page - http://www.arrl.org/contests SM3CER's Web site - http://www.sk3bg.se/contest
