Hi Folks-

Just a quick awards update: the remaining third of the 2007 Sweepstakes plaques were sent out this past Monday, October 27. If you haven'treceived your plaque within a week or so, send me an email.

Also, all 2007 ARRL 10 Meter Contest certificates went out the door last Monday as well.

See everybody in SS CW this weekend.

Hiya folks-

We've got just ten days before CW Sweepstakes, and I'm getting pumped up. As Ward N0AX and I requested, we're hearing from lots of folks who will be operating from some of the far-flung paths on the first weekend in November.

Sylvan, VE5ZX will be on from Saskatchewan.

Our old friend J, VY1JA will be operating much farther north this year, from VE8RCS. Eric, VY1EI will also be on to help out the need for the NT multiplier. Having only two stations from such a rare mult could make it difficult; anybody up for a last-minute trip to Whitehorse?

As for me? Well, I've looked at the charts, graphs and diagrams of the needed ones and decided to operate from Nebraska for SS CW this year, thanks to WN0L and N0LOP. I'll do what I can to get you into the log.

Are you going to be QRV in SS CW from a rare one? Let me know, or post a note to the CQ-Contest reflector. Keep those cards and lettters coming, folks!

10 days...

73 de KX9X

Lots of stuff is cooking in the realm of ARRL Sweepstakes.

First off, the 2007 Sweepstakes plaques are being shipped. We received about 2/3 of the order last week, and those plaques were shipped out and are starting to show up in people's mailboxes. We still have about 1/3 of the plaques to send out, and will do so once we receive them from our supplier. A big thanks to Icom America for being the principal sponsor of the ARRL November Sweepstakes and helping defray the costs of the unsponsored plaques and the certificates. They've been on board since 2005 and their efforts make a big difference.

Second, I need to issue a correction. The special mugs for this year are actually not lead crystal, but are a mighty fine etched glass mug... chalk it up to the fact that I'm just a single guy who hasn't yet developed a knack for identifying the finer dining accoutrements of life. The etched Clean Sweep mugs will still be a once-in-a-lifetime trophy for your shelf, and will be $16.

The Sweepstakes pins will be available again this year (as always) for submitting a log with 100 QSOs in either the CW or Phone Sweepstakes. Magnets will be given away for free to any station that submits a log with 75 sections worked in either the Phone or CW Sweepstakes. Lastly, "Clean Sweep" whisk brooms will be given away for free to any station that works all 80 sections this year. All 80 sections must be worked in the same event; you cannot combine your sections totals from CW and Phone to qualify for any awards.

Finally, I want to encourage all operators in rare sections to get on the air this year as much as you can. Nebraska (NE), North Dakota (ND), Northern New York (NNY), South Dakota (SD) and Wyoming (WY) are the traditional "tough ones" in the US. In Canada, Alberta (AB), the Maritimes (MAR), Manitoba (MB), Newfoundland/Labrador (NL), Northern Territories (NT), Quebec (QC), and Saskatchewan (SK) find their way into logs all too infrequently. If you live in one of these sections, you would be very popular if you were to get on the air. If you're sick of hanging around and you want to travel, consider an expedition to one of these sections. Post your intentions to the CQ-Contest reflector and help spread the word that these sections need activation!

Let's make the 75^th ARRL November Sweepstakes one to remember for a long time to come. Get on the air and have some fun!

Hi Folks-

Certificates for the 2007 November Sweepstakes (SSB and CW) went out the door today. Plaques are on order and should be shipped in the next couple of weeks.

On a less thrilling note, I have to announce that the cost of contest plaques is going to be increasing from $67 to $75, beginning with the 2009 RTTY Roundup. This is the first increase in plaque prices in several years. It comes down to simple economics; our suppliers have been steadily increasing our costs, and we've done as much shopping around and haggling as we could to keep the price reasonable. We've reached the point where we need to raise the price to cover our own costs.

This increase makes the Sponsored Plaque Program even more important. If you or your club has sponsored plaques in the past, we are grateful for your sponsorship and ask that you continue to do so if you are able. Getting a plaque in the mail is a great treat, especially for a contester that's never received one before. It's a great way to give back to the contesting community.

Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.

Thanks & 73,

Sean Kutzko KX9X

ARRL Contest Branch Manager

Hi folks-

Hurricane Ike is currently slated to land near Houston, TX early Saturday morning. While there are no known emergency communications taking place on any VHF+ SSB or CW frequencies, please be mindful of the situation in Texas and the Gulf coast during this weekend's ARRL September VHF QSO Party; if you find yourself being asked to QSY because of traffic in or out of the affected area, please be cooperative and understanding.

David Robbins, K1TTT, also pointed out on the CQ-Contest reflector today that this weekend is the Worked All Europe SSB contest on the HF bands. This is also the weekend of the North American SSB Sprint, the Arkansas QSO Party and several other events.

PLEASE keep in mind that there will be net operations going on in the upper portions of 80m, 40m and 20m for the affected Gulf Coast area in the path of Hurricane Ike. If you find yourself being asked to QSY because you're on a net for Hurricane Ike operations, please cooperate. Do you part to keep net operations free of QRM during this critical time.

Thanks for your help.

73,

Sean Kutzko, KX9X

ARRL Contest Branch Manager