 December 7, 2022 Editor: Paul Bourque, N1SFE | |||
In this Issue:
Upcoming Contests - Things to Do The ARRL 10-Meter Contest should be a lot of fun this year, as we continue to climb the curve of the solar cycle. It will pay to know the multiplier names for this contest, because multipliers include states and District of Columbia, Canadian provinces and territories, Mexican states, DXCC entities, and ITU regions. If you enjoyed the ARRL 160-Meter contest, or perhaps didn't enjoy the conditions and want to torture the ionosphere with more 160-meter RF, give the Stew Perry Top Band Distance Challenge a go on December 17. This challenge only allows distance-based scoring and CW operations. You can have fun and help invest in the future of contesting by participating in the ARRL Rookie Roundup on December 18. Everyone can participate, but those first licensed in 2022, 2021, 2020, or 2019 count as "rookies" for award purposes. There are even exceptions for those licensed before 2019 that are new to contesting -- see the rules for more information. Craig Thompson, K9CT, suggests this longer-lead thing to do. It could really matter for future contesters: Encourage your local college or university radio club to participate in the North American Collegiate Championship (NACC), which is a contest within a contest coincident with January 2023's phone and RTTY NAQP. If you have a good relationship with the club, think about mentoring or helping to find good mentors for them. "COVID restrictions should be behind for most of the clubs and they are now able to get together again in contrast to the prior 2 years. In review of the check numbers during SS, it might behoove us to encourage a few new contesters!" (Craig Thompson, K9CT) Contest Summary See the "Contests" section below for complete contest information. December 8, 2022 - December 13, 2022 December 8 December 9 December 10
December 11 December 12
December 13 December 14
December 15 December 16
December 17 December 18 December 19 December 20 December 21
News, Press Releases, and Special Interest Pete Smith, N4ZR, noted the number of spots on the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN) during CQ World Wide CW: "We again exceeded 10 million spots for the CQWW CW weekend -- 5,185,774 on Saturday, and 4,965,999 on Sunday. Thanks everyone, for continuing to make the RBN indispensable for CW and RTTY spots." With the November 29 release of version 1.0.9727, N1MM Logger+ supports a new {SpotMe} macro in a function or bandmap button. It will send a spot with the current call and frequency to the currently connected packet cluster. This function only works in run mode, and will only spot the running station on the same frequency once every 10 minutes. According to Tom Wagner, N1MM, it will only work in ARRL contests. Mark Beckwith, N5OT, is seeking pictures, anecdotes, and stories related to the recent ARRL 160-Meter Contest for potential inclusion in the results article. He's especially interested in information about the antennas that were used, because the top band's wavelength often necessitates creativity. WSJT-X 2.6.0-rc5 is now available from the WSJT-X website. Changes include bug fixes, enhancement to choose a calling station with the highest point value for some contests, and user-interface changes. Dick Swanson, K7BTW, writes: "I just finished with the FT Roundup Contest this weekend, and it was a lot of fun! I find that it uses different skills than other modes, and for those that think it doesn't require skill, I'd challenge them to give it a try and see. I'd really like to encourage more operators to use FT4 in addition to FT8 during this, and other, digital contests, especially on the high bands. The action is fast, and going back to FT8 makes that mode seem really slow! I also enjoyed seeing competitor scores on the Contest Online Scoreboard -- it spurred me to spend more time in the contest. Another highlight was working EA and 9A with 100 W on 40 meters at 1445 local time on Sunday." Don't forget, starting with the January 2023 ARRL RTTY Roundup, only contacts made using RTTY are allowed. If you're looking for an FT-mode contest, consider the ARRL International Digital Contest in June 2023. Rod Linkous, W7OM, a beacon in the DX and contest communities, will no longer be heard on the air. Rod passed away unexpectedly last week in Seattle. NCJ profiled Rod in the 2014 November/December issue, worth reading to understand how much of a model amateur he was. He was always willing and able to try new techniques, new equipment, and new software. He was a genuinely nice guy, and participated in countless local ham luncheons and radio club meetings. He most recently participated in both CQ WW DX contests and both phone and CW Sweepstakes. Word to the Wise Passive IMD Undesirable RF products caused by rectified or mixed RF signals produced by passive components. Sometimes, something as innocuous as different metals used for a plug and socket, or even dissimilar materials touching in the presence of strong RF fields, can cause it. P-IMD can be a big problem in situations where signals are transmitted and received simultaneously. Sights and Sounds
Results and Records John Dorr, K1AR, CQ WW CW Contest Director, announces that that the raw scores for the 2022 CQ WW CW Contest are now available online. Operating Tip Non-contesting Frequencies In a major contest, finding an open frequency to call CQ can be difficult. Besides listening to make sure a frequency isn't in use by another contester, make sure the frequency:
Examples of inappropriate frequency usage:
No frequencies are owned by any person or group, however, that doesn't prevent some people from trying. You might think 14.230 MHz is a good frequency to use during a phone contest, and you might not hear anyone using it for minutes on end. But start to call CQ, and you'll likely find that someone thinks it must be kept clear for SSTV. Ditto for other frequencies higher in the 20-meter band, where various nets are held. A frequency fight doesn't produce contest points. Technical Topics and Discussion Powerful compact server power supplies can be a good way to inexpensively get many watts of power. Typically, they'll be good for up to 1200 W of power (HP DPS-1200FB) at 12 V, and they have a compact form factor. RFI is usually not an issue for most of the popular ones (though one should always verify), and inexpensive interface boards are available from Amazon for use with these HP models and PCIe-type connectors (use the search term "server power supply breakout board"). If you'd like to get more fancy and incorporate metering, fuses, and Anderson Powerpole-type connectors, check out the Power Brigand open-source project. Modern USB-C power adapters are smart -- they negotiate with the device under power to provide a range of voltages and currents. We're just now seeing the beginning of what is possible for alternative uses of these power supplies, with examples like this: USB-C Power Cord for use with an Elecraft KX3. Interstation interference at EF2X: The EF2X team noted that during the CQ World Wide CW Contest, they had terrible interstation interference between 40 meters and 20 meters, and also between 20 meters and 10 meters. They still made over 10,000 contacts, with a claimed score of nearly 20 million points. The problem was tracked down after the contest to this:
"Managing Interstation Interference" by George Cutsogeorge, W2VJN, is a good resource for managing interstation interference. The book has been provided as a free download, courtesy of Vibroplex. When the original solderless breadboards came out in 1971 -- yes, I just looked it up -- they were great! Plug in the parts, plug in the wires, then spend hours testing and fixing...good times. Now you can have a virtual solderless breadboard on your phone! Crumbsim is available on Android and iOS to provide an environment where circuits are virtually wired using 3D representations of physical electronic parts. Voltages and waveforms can be applied, and designs can be probed.
Here's a really fancy open-source knob design with a backlight, a screen, and haptic feedback. The creator acknowledges that it's difficult to construct, but it might bear watching to see how it evolves. Conversation What Does an AI Know About Contesting? OpenAI, an AI research and deployment company, released a new version of a language model with an interface in the form of a chat session. It's intended to be used in machine-to-human dialog. Questions or commands can be posed, and the language model responds, drawing upon data that it has been trained on, mostly from information previously gathered from the internet. It's in a research preview where OpenAI encourages conversations with the AI model. Here is a conversation I had with the model -- all contest related! BM: I'm going to ask you some questions about amateur radio and amateur radio contesting. ChatGPT: Sure, I'd be happy to answer any questions you have about amateur radio and amateur radio contesting. Please go ahead and ask your questions, and I'll do my best to provide helpful and accurate responses. If you have any specific questions or topics you'd like to discuss, I'm here to help. BM: If you had an amateur radio station and participated in radiosport contests, what would a detailed description of your ideal station be? ChatGPT: If I had an amateur radio station and participated in radiosport contests, my ideal station would be equipped with a high-performance transceiver that can operate on multiple bands and modes. The transceiver would be connected to a robust antenna system that is optimized for the bands and modes I typically operate on, and the station would be equipped with a reliable power supply and backup power options in case of power outages. In terms of accessories and peripherals, my ideal station would be equipped with a high-quality headset and microphone for comfortable and clear communication, as well as a computer and software for logging and tracking contacts and managing the radio's settings. The station would also have a comfortable and ergonomic operating position, with easy access to all of the equipment and controls. Overall, my ideal amateur radio station would be a versatile, high-performance setup that is optimized for radiosport contesting and allows me to operate efficiently and effectively. It would be a comfortable and enjoyable place to operate, and it would be equipped with the tools and accessories I need to be successful in radiosport contests. BM: How can I earn a high score in ARRL Field Day? ChatGPT: ARRL Field Day is a contest organized by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) in which amateur radio operators test their skills and equipment by making as many contacts as possible with other operators over a 24-hour period. To earn a high score in this contest, you will need to make as many contacts as possible using the appropriate modes and bands, as well as submit a complete and accurate log of all of your contacts. You can earn additional points by using alternative power sources, making contacts with other operators in your area, and participating in special event stations. It may also be helpful to plan ahead and coordinate with other operators in your area to maximize your efforts and increase your chances of making a high number of contacts. BM: What is the best way to solder a PL-259 connector to a coaxial cable? ChatGPT: When soldering a PL-259 connector to a coaxial cable, it's important to first carefully strip the outer jacket of the cable to expose the appropriate length of the inner conductor and dielectric material. The next step is to attach the connector to the cable by sliding the braid of the cable over the outer sleeve of the connector and securing it in place with a clamp or crimp. Then, the inner conductor of the cable should be carefully inserted into the center pin of the connector and soldered in place. Finally, the connector should be covered with heat-shrink tubing to provide strain relief and protect the connection. BM: I'm not sure I agree with your advice on the best way to solder a PL-259 connector. ChatGPT: I apologize if my previous answer did not provide the information you were looking for. There are many different ways to solder a PL-259 connector to a coaxial cable, and the specific steps you should follow will depend on your equipment and experience level. In general, the most important thing is to carefully prepare the cable and connector, heat the parts evenly, and apply enough solder to create a strong and reliable connection. If you are unsure about the best way to proceed, it may be helpful to consult with an experienced ham radio operator or reference a guide or tutorial that provides step-by-step instructions. BM: If I had to choose between buying an amplifier or improving my antennas for my amateur radio station, which one is the best strategy? ChatGPT: It's difficult to say which option is the best for you without knowing more about your specific situation. In general, improving your antennas can be a good way to increase the range and effectiveness of your amateur radio station, as a well-designed and properly installed antenna system can greatly improve your signal strength and ability to make contacts. An amplifier, on the other hand, can also help to boost your signal and increase your range, but it may be less effective if your antennas are not designed or positioned optimally. If you are unsure about which option is best for you, it may be helpful to consult with other experienced amateur radio operators or do some research to learn more about the pros and cons of each approach. BM: Which is better for a higher contest score, running a frequency or searching and pouncing? ChatGPT: In a contest, the best strategy for achieving a high score will depend on a variety of factors, including the specific rules of the contest, the band conditions, and the equipment and skills of the operator. Running a frequency, also known as calling CQ, involves transmitting on a specific frequency and inviting other operators to make contact with you. This can be a good strategy if the band is open, and you are able to make many contacts quickly. Search and pounce, on the other hand, involves listening for other operators and quickly responding to make a contact. This can be a good strategy when the band is more crowded or when you are looking for specific operators or locations. The best approach for you will depend on the current conditions and your own preferences and abilities. BM: Why is it considered bad practice to use the words "Please copy" in a contest exchange? ChatGPT: In a contest, the exchange of information between operators is typically done as quickly and efficiently as possible. As a result, using the words "Please copy" is considered bad practice because it adds unnecessary words to the exchange and can slow down the process. Instead, operators will typically use abbreviations or other short phrases to confirm that their contact was received and understood. For example, an operator might say "RRR" to indicate that they received the other operator's report, or "QRZ?" to ask for the other operator's call sign. Using these abbreviations allows operators to exchange information quickly and efficiently, which is important for maximizing their score in a contest. BM: If you had your pick of an amateur radio call sign, what would it be? ChatGPT: If I had my pick of an amateur radio call sign, I would choose something that reflects my interests and personality. I am a large language model trained by OpenAI, so my call sign might be something like AI6ASSISTANT, to reflect my artificial intelligence background and my role as an assistant to those who use my services.Alternatively, I might choose a call sign that incorporates elements of my training and capabilities, such as AI6LINGUIST or AI6KNOWLEDGE. I am a large language model, so my call sign could also reflect this fact, with a call sign like AI6LARGEMODEL or AI6DEEPLEARNING.Overall, the ideal call sign for me would be something that reflects my unique background and capabilities, while also being memorable and easy to pronounce. It would be a call sign that I could be proud of and that other hams would recognize and associate with me.You can try this yourself on the OpenAI website!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 [email protected]. 73, Brian, N9ADG Contests December 8, 2022 - December 13, 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 CWops Test (CWT) , Dec 8, 0300z to Dec 8, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Dec 10. VHF+ CONTESTS VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest , Dec 14, 1700z to Dec 14, 2100z; FT8; Bands: 432 MHz; 4-character grid square; Logs due: Dec 19. VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest , Dec 21, 1700z to Dec 21, 2100z; FT8; Bands: 1.2G; 4-character grid square; Logs due: Dec 26. Log Due Dates December 8, 2022 - December 13, 2022 December 8
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December 19 December 20 December 21 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, it features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint, and QSO Parties. Subscribe to QEX - A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published bimonthly, it 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 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 emailing [email protected] with a description of the material and the reprint publication. Acknowledgements ARRL Contest Update wishes to acknowledge information from WA7BNM's Contest Calendar. | |||
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