W1AW Qualifying Runs are 10 PM EST Friday, December 7 (0300Z December 8), and 9 AM EST (1400Z) Tuesday, December 18. The K6YR West Coast Qualifying Run will be at 2 PM PST (2200Z) Saturday, December 15, originating from Maritime Historical Society station KPH/K6KPH, on 3581.5, 7047.5, 14,047.5 and 21,067.5 kHz. Unless otherwise indicated, code speeds are from 10-35 WPM. Check the W1AW Schedule elsewhere in this issue for details.
SO -- Single-Op, M2 -- Multiop -- 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 (>100 W), LP -- Low Power, QRP (5 W or less), Entity -- DXCC Entity.
No contest activity on 30, 17 and 12 meters. Refer to the contest Web sites for information about awards. Unless stated otherwise, regional contests only count QSOs with stations in the region. Publication deadline for Contest Corral listings is the first of the second month prior to publication. For updates and additional contests, see the Contest Corral Web page at www.arrl.org/contests.
Repeat after me, "Antennas WANT to work!" It's not necessary to have a huge skyhook to work lots of stations on Top Band. Load up what you've got and prepare to be pleasantly surprised!
ARRL 160 Meter Contest -- CW, from 2200Z Nov 30-1600Z Dec 2. (See Nov QST p 102, or www.arrl.org/contests.)
TARA RTTY Mêlée -- sponsored by the Troy Amateur Radio Assn, from 0000Z-2400Z Dec 1. Categories: SOAB-HP (>150 W), SOAB-LP (<150 W), MOAB, SWL, 10 min band change rule for MO. Frequencies: 160- 10 meters, operate 16 hours max. Exchange: RS + State/Province or serial number for DX. QSO points: 1 pt/QSO. Score: QSO points -- S/P/C counted once only (US and VE only count as S/P). For more information: www.n2ty.org/seasons/tara_melee_rules.html. Summary sheets (no logs) due Dec 31 via online submission form at www.n2ty.org/seasons/tara_melee_score.html.
Top Operators Activity Contest (TAC) -- CW, sponsored by the PRO-CW-CLUB, from 1600Z Dec 1 to 1800Z Dec 2. Frequencies: 80 meters. Categories: SO (HP, LP, QRP) MO, PRO-CW-Club and TOPS members. Exchange: RST + serial number (+ PRO or TOPS if member). QSO points: own entity: 1 point, own continent: 2 pts, different cont: 6 pts, with MM: 6 pts, with TOPS and PRO members 2 pts, between TOPS and PRO members 8 pts. Score: QSO points × WPX prefixes. For more information: www.procwclub.yo6ex.ro. Logs due Dec 31 to yo2rr@clicknet.ro or mail to Nelu Brange, YO2RR, Str Imparatul Traian nr 2, RO-30500 Lugoj, Romania.
Bruce Kelley Memorial 1929 QSO Party -- CW, sponsored by the Antique Wireless Association from 2300Z Dec 1-2300Z Dec 2 and 2300Z Dec 8-2300Z Dec 9. Frequencies (Mcs): 3.550-3.850 and 7.030-7.050. 10 watts plate input power max (20 watts after 0500Z). Exchange: RST, Name, State or QTH, type of transmitter (TNT, MOPA, TGTP, etc), transmitter year (27, 28, 29, etc), and power. Use circuits, tubes, and techniques available to hams in 1929. For more information: www.antiquewireless.org.
The band may have been dead all week, but come 0000Z on Saturday (Friday afternoon-evening in the US), you might be surprised to hear a sudden band opening! Hand out a signal report and your state -- have fun!
ARRL 10 Meter Contest -- 0000Z Dec 8-2400Z Dec 9. (See Nov QST p 102 or www.arrl.org/contests.)
28 MHz SWL Contest -- runs at the same time as the ARRL 10 Meter Contest. Categories: SO-SSB, SO-CW, SO-Mixed (separate logs). Log stations making contest QSOs. QSO points: first station from S/P/C -- 5 pts, second station -- 3 pts, third station -- 1 pt. Score: QSO points × DX entities. For more information and logging software: www.veron.nl/cie/nl/swlcontest. Logs due Jan 31 to NL290@amsat.org or Ruud Ivens, NL290, Hittekamp 29, 3956 RE Leersum, The Netherlands.
Russian 160-Meter Contest -- CW/SSB. sponsored by Radio Magazine, from 0000Z-0200Z Dec 16. Categories: SO, MO, SO and MO 18 years and younger, Mixed Mode only. Exchange: RST, serial number, and square ID (see www.radio.ru/cq/contest/rule/map-2.gif for a map showing the squares) QSO points: own square -- 1 pt, adjacent sq -- 2 pts, 1 additional pt each additional square distant. Score: total QSO points. For more information: www.radio.ru/cq/contest/rule-results/index11.shtml. Logs due Jan 16 to contest@radio.ru or Radio Magazine, Seliverstov per. 10, Moscow 107045, Russia.
Croatian CW Contest -- sponsored by Hrvatski Radioameterski Savez (HRS), from 1400Z Dec 15-1400Z Dec 16. Frequencies: 160-10 meters. Categories: SOAB (HP >100 W, LP, QRP <5 W), SOSB (HP, LP), MO, SWL. Exchange: RST + serial number. QSO points: 9A stations -- 10 pts on 160-40, 6 pts 20-10; different cont -- 6 pts 160-40, 3 pts 20-10; own cont and country -- 2 pts 160-40, 1 pt 20-10. Score: QSO points × DXCC entities (+ 5 WAE countries) on all bands. For more information: www.hamradio.hr. Logs due 30 days after the contest to 9acw@hamradio.hr (preferred) or Hrvatski Radioameterski Savez (HRS), Croatian CW Contest, PO Box 149, 10003 Zagreb, Croatia.
Bruce Kelley Memorial 1929 QSO Party (see Dec 1-2).
OK DX RTTY Contest -- sponsored by the Czech Radio Club, 0000Z-2400Z Dec 15. Categories: SOAB (LP, HP >100 W), SOSB, MOAB, SWL. Frequencies: 80-10 meters according to IARU band plan. Exchange: RST and CQ Zone. QSO points: 80 and 40 -- 3 pts on same continent, 6 pts different cont, 20-10 -- 1 pt same cont, 2 pts different cont. Score: QSO points × DXCC entities and OK stations (multipliers counted once per band). For information: www.crk.cz/eng/dxcconte.htm. Logs due Jan 15 to okrtty@crk.cz or Czech Radio Club, OK DX RTTY Contest, PO Box 69, 113 27 Praha 1, Czech Republic.
North American Meteor Scatter Contest -- sponsored by the WSJTGROUP from 0000Z Dec 13 to 0700Z Dec 17 during the Geminids meteor shower. Frequencies (MHz): 50, 144, 222, 432, via meteor scatter. Exchange: full call signs, grid square and QSOs must be acknowledged. For more information: www.sportscliche.com/wb2fko/w07/rules_w07.html. Logs due Jan 17 to mph@swcp.com.
If you've built a transceiver from a kit or from scratch, you'll be a star in this short contest! Store-bought rigs are welcome, too, just listen hard.
Holiday Spirits Homebrew CW Sprint -- sponsored by the QRP ARCI, from 2000Z-2400Z Dec 16. Frequencies (MHz) -- 1.810, 3.560, 7.040, 14.060, 21.060, 28.060 kHz. Categories: SOAB, SOSB, SO20-10, SO160-40, MOAB, DX stations are SOAB only. Exchange: RST, S/P/C, and Power or QRP ARCI number. QSO points: members -- 5 pts, non-members/different continent -- 4 pts, non-members/same cont -- 2 pts. Score: QSO points × S/P/C (counted once per band) × Power multiplier (<250 mW ×15, 250 mW -- 1 W ×10, 1-5 W ×7, >5 W ×1) + Bonus Points (2000 for homebrew (HB) xmtr, 3000 HB rcvr, 5000 HB xcvr). For more information: www.qrparci.org. Logs due 30 days after contest to contest@qrparci.org or ARCI Fall QSO Party, c/o Jeff Hetherington, VA3JFF, 139 Elizabeth St W, Welland, ON L3C 4M3, Canada.
Lighthouse Christmas Lights QSO Party -- all modes, sponsored by the Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society, 0001Z Dec 15-2359Z Dec 31. Frequencies (MHz): CW -- 1.830, 3.530, 7.030, 14.030, 21.030, 28.030, SSB -- 1.970, 3.970, 7.270, 14.270, 21.370, 28.370, plus VHF and repeaters. Exchange: sequential serial number or ARLHS member number or ARLHS Lighthouse number + name + S/P/C. QSO points: 1 pt/QSO, add 2 pts for ARLHS member, add 3 pts for lighthouse. Score is total QSO points. Stations activating light beacons multiply total points by 2. Special logging requirements apply. For more information: arlhs.com or send SASE to ARLHS, 114 Woodbine Ave, Merchantville, NJ 08109. Logs due Jan 31 to Dave Ruch, NFØJ, PO Box 20696, Bloomington, MN 55420-0696.
PSK31 Death Match -- PSK31 and PSK63, sponsored by the Michigan DX Association, 0000Z Dec 15-2400Z Dec 16. Frequencies: 80-6 meters, PSK31 and PSK63 count as separate "bands." Categories: SO, Class 1 (<100 W), Class 2 (<25 W), Class 3 (<10 W). Exchange: Name + S/P/C. QSO points: 20 meters -- 1 pt/QSO, 6 meters -- 3 pts/QSO, other bands -- 2 pts/QSO. Bonus points: W8DXI 500 pts (once) and 100 pts for uploading logs to LoTW within 30 days of contest. Score: QSO points × total S/P/C + bonus points. For more information: www.mdxa1.org/deathmatch.html. Logs due Jan 20 to w8vom@sbcglobal.net.
Two popular contests running at the same time -- what's not to like? The RAC stations will be happy to work Stew Perry stations and vice versa. Through the day, fill in your missing VE provinces and territory counters.
RAC Winter Contest -- CW/Phone, sponsored by the Radio Amateurs of Canada, 0000Z-2359Z Dec 29. Frequencies (MHz): CW -- 25 kHz up from the band edge (check on the half hour), Phone -- 1.850, 3.775, 7.075, 7.225, 14.175, 21.250, 28.500, 50 and 144 MHz. Categories: SOAB (QRP, LP, HP), SOAB-CW, SOAB-Phone, SOSB, MS-LP, MS-HP, and MM. VE stations exchange RST + Province, VEØ and non-VE stations exchange RST + serial number. QSO points: Outside Canada -- 2 pts, VE/VEØ stations -- 10 pts, RAC stations -- 20 pts. Score: QSO points × VE provinces + territories (counted once per band and mode). For information: www.rac.ca/service/infocont.htm. Logs due Jan 31 to ve5sf@rac.ca or Radio Amateurs of Canada, 720 Belfast Rd, Ste 217, Ottawa, ON K1G 0Z5, Canada.
Stew Perry Top Band Distance Challenge -- CW, sponsored by the Boring Amateur Radio Club, 1500Z Dec 29-1500Z Dec 30. Frequencies: 160 meters. Categories: SO and MS. Operate 14 hours max. Exchange: grid square only. QSO points: 1 pt + 1 pt for every 500 km distance calculated between grid centers (see Web page for calculation information), QSOs with QRP stations ×2 and LP stations ×4. Score: QSO points × Power mult (<5 W ×4, 5-100 W ×2, >100 W ×1). For more information: jzap.com/k7rat/stew.rules.txt. Logs due Jan 31 (Cabrillo format only) to tbdc@contesting.com or Boring Amateur Radio Club, 15125 SE Bartell Rd, Boring, OR 97009.
DARC Christmas Contest -- CW/SSB, sponsored by the Deutscher Amateur Radio Club, 0830Z-1100Z Dec 26. Frequencies (MHz): CW -- 3.510-3.560, 7.010-7.040, SSB -- 3.610-3.650 and 3.700-3.775, 7.040. Categories: SO-Mixed, SO-CW. Exchange: RS(T) + DOK or Special Station code. QSO points: 1 pt/QSO. The station calling CQ must QSY after making a QSO. Score: QSO points × DOK codes + WPX prefixes. For more information: www.darc.de/referate/dx/fedcx.htm. Logs due 3 weeks after the contest to xmas@darc.de or Markus van Bergerem, Brandenberg 5, D-47533 Kleve, Germany.
ARRL Straight Key Night -- from 0000Z-2359Z Jan 1, 2008. (See page 98 of this issue of QST or www.arrl.org/contests.)
Worked All Britain Christmas Party -- CW/SSB/Digital, from 0000Z Dec 26-2359 Jan 6, 2008. Frequencies: 160 meters-microwave. Categories: SO, MO, SWL (Fixed, Mobile, Portable), QRP. Exchange: RS(T) + serial number + WAB area or DXCC entity. For more information and scoring: www.worked-all-britain.co.uk/Christmas%20Party%20Award.php. Logs due 21 days after the contest to g4iar@worked-all-britain.co.uk or Dave Brooks, 28 Avon Vale Rd, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 2AA, England.