Hi Folks-

Thought I'd let you know of some of the recent goings-on here at the Contest Branch.

1) We just received the 2008 DX Contest Participation Pins today! Carol KB1QAW, the Contest Branch's newly-licensed and able-bodied Assistant, will be packing those up this week. If you ordered a participation pin for the 2008 Dx Contest, you should have it in your hands quite soon indeed.

2) Log-Checking Reports are now available for the 2007 ARRL 10 Meter Contest, 160 Meter Contest, the 2008 RTTY Roundup and the 2008 January VHF Sweepstakes. If you've never looked at one of your LCR's before, they are a valuable source of information and statistics that can show you areas to improve your copying skill in contests. In the words of Brad Hamilton from Fast Times At Ridgemont High: "Learn It. Live It. Know It."

3) The ARRL June VHF QSO Party is this weekend! If you've never operated a VHF contest before, you're missing out on a lot of fun. 6 meters has been on fire this past week, with lots of great sporadic-E propagation all across the United States...there's even been some DX worked, too. See my June QST column for a beginner's guide to the June VHF Contest. Try it, you'll like it. I promise. Really.

I'll be on from the ARRL Employees Club Station W1HQ this weekend for the June VHF QSO Party...hope to work you.

73 for now,

Sean

Hello, fellow Contesters -

Thanks for the emails and phone calls concerning the blog. I hope it helps keep everybody informed as to the goings-on here at the Contest Branch.

There are a couple newsworthy items lately:

1) The certificates for the 2007 June VHF QSO Party went out the door a couple weeks ago. Unfortunately, it looks like they went out the door without the year posted on the certificate! D'oh! I've ordered new certificate stock and we'll send out new certificates as soon as we can. I'm taking the blame for this one, folks.

2) Results for the 2007 ARRL 10 Meter Contest and the 2007 ARRL 160 Meter Contest are now online at http://www.arrl.org/contests

3) Six meters is finally catching some wind in her sails. I've been active a lot on 6 meters over the past few days from the ARRL Employees Club Station, W1HQ. The 2008 ARRL June VHF QSO Party is less than a month away on June 14-16, so hopefully the recent activity will continue for the contest weekend. If you've never been on 6 meters, check out this week's edition of the ARRL Letter for a primer on the ARRL June VHF QSO Party, and 6 meters in general.

4) Lastly, I want to extend congratulations to Carol Michaud, KB1QAW. She wears several hats here at ARRL, including as an assistant here in the Contest Branch. Carol just got her Technician about two months ago, and made her very first QSOs yesterday! 6 meters was open and she worked a couple gents near St Louis. It was exciting to be a part of her first QSOs; she was thrilled afterwards. Remember how excited you were for YOUR first QSO? She is very interested in contesting and is looking forward to working a pileup or two in the near future. Look for Carol to be on the air more here from ARRL HQ.

That's about it for now. More news as it happens.

73,

Sean KX9X

Hello, Fellow Contesters-

Just returned from Dayton 2008, where I was able to meet many of you. Thanks for taking the time to stop by. This was my very first trip to Dayton in 26 years of being licensed. It was a great experience. I'm glad I was able to help answer some of your questions and listen to your suggestions...and yes, even some constructive criticism.

One of the suggestions bandied about was an official Contest Branch blog. Your wish is my command (well, our Web Guru Jon Bloom, KE3Z, really did all of the work).

This is where I will be posting offical information on all things Contest-related, such as when results for ARRL contests are put online, when awards are going out the door, and if there are any problems you need to know about. This blog will cover both HF and VHF+ contests.

I hope this will help keep you informed on happenings here at the Contest Branch. As always, I strive to be available to you. Feel free to drop me a line with any questions, comments, or constructive criticism. Compliments are welcome, too. :)

Cheers,

Sean KX9X