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Contest Update Issues

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The ARRL Contest Update
April 24, 2024
Editor: Paul Bourque, N1SFE
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In this Issue:

 

Upcoming Contests - Things to Do

Upcoming State QSO Parties

For those of you who enjoy state QSO parties, here are some upcoming events that might be of interest to you. You can also find more details in the Contests section.

April 27-28:

May 4-5:


Central States VHF Society Spring Sprints

The Central States VHF Society Spring Sprints continue with the 432 MHz Sprint on Wednesday, April 24 from 7:00 PM local time - 11:00 PM local time and the Microwave Spring Sprint is Saturday, May 4 from 8:00 local time - 2:00 PM local time. Full details and rules are available at sites.google.com/site/springvhfupsprints/home/2024-information.


Ten Ten (10-10) International Spring QSO Parties

For 10-meter operators, there are 2 events of interest in the upcoming weeks. The 10-10 International QSO Party - Digital begins at 0001 UTC on Saturday, April 27 and concludes at 2359 UTC on Sunday, April 28. The following weekend, the 10-10 International QSO Party - CW begins at 0001 UTC on Saturday, May 4 and concludes at 2359 UTC on Sunday, May 5. For complete rules, visit www.ten-ten.org/index.php/activity/2013-07-22-20-26-48/qso-party-rules.

Bulletins

Rules Changes for 2024 New England QSO Party

There are some rules changes for the 2024 New England QSO Party (NEQP) that participants should be aware of. This year, self spotting will be allowed in the event. In addition, a multioperator, multi transmitter category has been added. There is also a change to the "county" designations for Connecticut, based on the official change from counties to planning regions. The updated list of county names and abbreviations can be found at https://neqp.org/neqp-county-abbreviations/.

More details on the rules changes can be found at https://neqp.org/2024-rules-changes/

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Contest Summary

See the "Contests" section below for complete contest information.

April 25

April 26

April 27

April 28

April 29

April 30

May 1

May 2

May 3

May 4

May 5

May 6

May 7

May 8

Results and Records

2023 ARRL November Sweepstakes - SSB Results Available

The results for the 2023 ARRL November Sweepstakes - SSB are available at contests.arrl.org/ssph/. The results article by Scott Davis, K5TA; line scores; club competition scores, and log-checking reports are also available on the website. Click on "Articles/Line Scores" on the left side of the page to view results. Downloadable certificates are available by clicking on the "Certificates" tab at the top of the page.


2023 Florida QSO Party Results

The 2023 Florida QSO Party (FQP) results, writeup and records have been posted to the FQP website, https://floridaqsoparty.org/results-page/. The 2024 runnnig of the FQP will be held April 27-28.

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, Paul, N1SFE

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Contests

April 25, 2024 - May 8, 2024

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), Apr 25, 0300z to Apr 25, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Apr 27.

CWops Test (CWT), Apr 25, 0700z to Apr 25, 0800z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Apr 27.

RSGB 80m Club Championship, Data, Apr 25, 1900z to Apr 25, 2030z; RTTY, PSK; Bands: 80; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Apr 26.

NCCC FT4 Sprint, Apr 26, 0100z to Apr 26, 0130z; FT4; Bands: (see rules); 4-character grid square; Logs due: Apr 28.

Weekly RTTY Test, Apr 26, 0145z to Apr 26, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Apr 28.

NCCC Sprint, Apr 26, 0230z to Apr 26, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: Apr 28.

K1USN Slow Speed Test, Apr 26, 2000z to Apr 26, 2100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Apr 28.

10-10 International Spring Contest, Digital, Apr 27, 0001z to Apr 28, 2359z; Digital; Bands: 10; 10-10 Member: Name + 10-10 number + (state/province/country), Non-Member: Name + 0 + (state/province/country); Logs due: May 6.

SP DX RTTY Contest, Apr 27, 1200z to Apr 28, 1200z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; SP: RST + 2-letter province, Non-SP: RST + QSO No.; Logs due: May 5.

UK/EI DX Contest, CW, Apr 27, 1200z to Apr 28, 1200z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; UK/EI: RST + Serial No. + District Code, DX: RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Apr 29.

Helvetia Contest, Apr 27, 1300z to Apr 28, 1259z; CW, SSB, Digital; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; HB: RS(T) + 2-letter canton, non-HB: RS(T) + Serial No.; Logs due: May 6.

Florida QSO Party, Apr 27, 1600z to Apr 28, 2159z; CW, Phone; Bands: 40, 20, 15, 10; FL: RS(T) + county, W/VE: RS(T) + (state/province), DX: RS(T) + DXCC prefix; Logs due: May 12.

UA1DZ Memorial Cup, Apr 28, 1300z to Apr 28, 1859z; CW, SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; SP/LO Oblasts: RS(T) + RDA district, Non-SP/LO: RS(T) + 4-character grid square; Logs due: May 8.

BARTG Sprint 75, Apr 28, 1700z to Apr 28, 2059z; 75 Baud RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Serial No.; Logs due: May 5.

K1USN Slow Speed Test, Apr 29, 0000z to Apr 29, 0100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: May 1.

QCX Challenge, Apr 29, 1300z to Apr 29, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + Name + (state/province/country) + Rig; Logs due: May 5.

ICWC Medium Speed Test, Apr 29, 1300z to Apr 29, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: May 2.

OK1WC Memorial (MWC), Apr 29, 1630z to Apr 29, 1729z; CW; Bands: 80, 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: May 3.

QCX Challenge, Apr 29, 1900z to Apr 29, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + Name + (state/province/country) + Rig; Logs due: May 5.

RSGB FT4 Contest, Apr 29, 1900z to Apr 29, 2030z; FT4; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Signal report; Logs due: Apr 30.

ICWC Medium Speed Test, Apr 29, 1900z to Apr 29, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: May 2.

Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest, Apr 30, 0100z to Apr 30, 0159z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; RS + age group (OM, YL, Youth YL or Youth); Logs due: May 1.

QCX Challenge, Apr 30, 0300z to Apr 30, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + Name + (state/province/country) + Rig; Logs due: May 5.

ICWC Medium Speed Test, Apr 30, 0300z to Apr 30, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: May 2.

ZL Sprint, Apr 30, 0800z to Apr 30, 0859z; CW, SSB; Bands: 80; RS(T) + Outside Temperature (C); Logs due: May 1.

Phone Weekly Test, May 1, 0230z to May 1, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15; NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: May 3.

A1Club AWT, May 1, 1200z to May 1, 1300z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: RST + Name; Logs due: May 6.

AGCW QRP/QRP Party, May 1, 1300z to May 1, 1900z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + QSO No. + "/" + Class ID (A/B); Logs due: May 15.

CWops Test (CWT), May 1, 1300z to May 1, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: May 4.

Mini-Test 40, May 1, 1700z to May 1, 1759z; CW; Bands: 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: May 3.

Mini-Test 80, May 1, 1800z to May 1, 1859z; CW; Bands: 80; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: May 3.

CWops Test (CWT), May 1, 1900z to May 1, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: May 4.

Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest, May 2, 0000z to May 3, 0300z; CW; Bands: 40; Maximum 13 wpm, RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (Member No./power); Logs due: May 9.

CWops Test (CWT), May 2, 0300z to May 2, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: May 4.

CWops Test (CWT), May 2, 0700z to May 2, 0800z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: May 4.

NRAU 10m Activity Contest, May 2, 1800z to May 2, 2200z; CW, SSB, FM, Digital; Bands: 10; RS(T) + 6-character grid square; Logs due: May 16.

SKCC Sprint Europe, May 2, 2000z to May 2, 2200z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (SKCC No./"NONE"); Logs due: May 9.

NCCC FT4 Sprint, May 3, 0100z to May 3, 0130z; FT4; Bands: (see rules); 4-character grid square; Logs due: May 5.

Weekly RTTY Test, May 3, 0145z to May 3, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: May 5.

NCCC Sprint, May 3, 0230z to May 3, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: May 5.

K1USN Slow Speed Test, May 3, 2000z to May 3, 2100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: May 5.

10-10 International Spring Contest, CW, May 4, 0001z to May 5, 2359z; CW; Bands: 10; 10-10 Member: Name + 10-10 number + (state/province/country), Non-Member: Name + 0 + (state/province/country); Logs due: May 13.

RCC Cup, May 4, 0300z to May 4, 0859z; CW, SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RCC Members: RS(T) + "RCC" + member number, Non-Members: RS(T) + ITU Zone; Logs due: May 11.

ARI International DX Contest, May 4, 1200z to May 5, 1159z; Phone, CW, RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; I: RS(T) + 2-letter province, non-I: RS(T) + Serial No.; Logs due: May 10.

F9AA Cup, PSK, May 4, 1200z to May 5, 1200z; PSK; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 2; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Jun 5.

7th Call Area QSO Party, May 4, 1300z to May 5, 0700z; CW, Phone, Digital (no FT8); Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; 7th Area: RS(T) + 5-letter state/county code, non-7th Area: RS(T) + (state/province/DX); Logs due: May 15.

Indiana QSO Party, May 4, 1500z to May 5, 0300z; Phone, CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; IN: RS(T) + county, non-IN: W/VE: RS(T) + (state/province), DX: RS(T) + "DX"; Logs due: Jun 1.

Delaware QSO Party, May 4, 1700z to May 5, 2359z; Digital(CW/RTTY/Digital), Phone; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, VHF; DE: RS(T) + County, non-DE: RS(T) + (state/province/"DX"); Logs due: Jun 4.

New England QSO Party, May 4, 2000z to May 5, 2359z; Phone, CW/Digital; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; CT,ME,MA,NH,RI,VT: RS(T) + state + county, non-NE: RS(T) + (state/province/"DX"); Logs due: Jun 4.

MIE 33 Contest, May 4, 2300z to May 5, 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.

WAB 7 MHz Phone, May 5, 1000z to May 5, 1400z; SSB; Bands: 40; British Isles: RS + serial no. + WAB square, Other: RS + serial no. + country; Logs due: May 15.

K1USN Slow Speed Test, May 6, 0000z to May 6, 0100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: May 8.

ICWC Medium Speed Test, May 6, 1300z to May 6, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: May 9.

OK1WC Memorial (MWC), May 6, 1630z to May 6, 1729z; CW; Bands: 80, 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: May 10.

ICWC Medium Speed Test, May 6, 1900z to May 6, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: May 9.

ARS Spartan Sprint, May 7, 0000z to May 7, 0200z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + (state/province/country) + Power; Logs due: May 9.

Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest, May 7, 0100z to May 7, 0159z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; RS + age group (OM, YL, Youth YL or Youth); Logs due: May 8.

ICWC Medium Speed Test, May 7, 0300z to May 7, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: May 9.

Phone Weekly Test, May 8, 0230z to May 8, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15; NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: May 10.

A1Club AWT, May 8, 1200z to May 8, 1300z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: RST + Name; Logs due: May 13.

CWops Test (CWT), May 8, 1300z to May 8, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: May 11.

Mini-Test 40, May 8, 1700z to May 8, 1759z; CW; Bands: 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: May 10.

Mini-Test 80, May 8, 1800z to May 8, 1859z; CW; Bands: 80; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: May 10.

CWops Test (CWT), May 8, 1900z to May 8, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: May 11.

VHF+ CONTESTS

VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest, May 1, 1700z to May 1, 2100z; FT8; Bands: 144 MHz; 4-character grid square; Logs due: May 6.

SBMS 2.3 GHz and Up Contest and Club Challenge, May 4, 0600 local to May 5, 2359 local; Any; Bands: 2.3 GHz and up; 6-character Maidenhead locator; Logs due: May 28.

Microwave Spring Sprint, May 4, 0800 local to May 4, 1400 local; not specified; Bands: All above 902 MHz; 6-character grid square; Logs due: May 18.

VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest, May 8, 1700z to May 8, 2100z; FT8; Bands: 432 MHz; 4-character grid square; Logs due: May 13.

See also: Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest, SKCC Sprint Europe, F9AA Cup, PSK, Delaware QSO Party.

Log Due Dates

April 25

April 26

April 27

April 28

April 29

April 30

May 1

May 2

May 3

May 4

May 5

May 6

May 7

May 8

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Acknowledgements

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

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