W1AW Qualifying Runs are 7 PM EST Wednesday, Feb 7 (0000 UTC Feb 8), and 4 PM Thursday, Feb 22 EST (2100 UTC Feb 22). The K6YR West Coast Qualifying Run will be at 9 PM PST Wednesday, Feb 14 (0500 UTC Feb 15). Unless otherwise indicated, code speeds are from 10-35 WPM. Check the W1AW schedule elsewhere in this issue for more 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, LP -- Low Power, Entity -- DXCC Entity. Unless otherwise noted, HP -- High Power >150 W, LP -- Low Power >5 W to 150 W, QRP is 5 W or less.
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. In order to publicize the maximum number of contests, readers will be referred to an earlier issue of QST if the rules have been published within the past year.
Radio's equivalent of the Jitterbug, sprint contests are a fast-paced exercise guaranteed to test your operating skills to the limit. Read the beginner's guide and jump in!
North American Sprint -- SSB, sponsored by the National Contest Journal from 0000Z-0400Z Feb 4. (CW is Feb 11) Frequencies (MHz): 3.850, 7.225, 14.275, work stations once per band. North American stations work everyone, others work NA stations only. Exchange: other station's call, your call, serial number, name, S/P/C. QSY rule: Stations calling CQ, QRZ, etc, may only work one station in response to that call, they must then move at least 1 kHz before working another station or 5 kHz before soliciting another call. Once you are required to QSY, you may not make a new QSO on the previous frequency until you have made a contact at least 1 or 5 kHz (as required) away (see www.contesting.com/articles/198 for beginner's guide). Score: QSOs × S/P/C (count each only once). For more information: www.ncjweb.com. Logs due 7 days after the contest via the Web site via www.ncjweb.com/sprintlogsubmit.php or ssbsprint@ncjweb.com or Jim Stevens, K4MA, 6609 Vardon Ct, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526.
Minnesota QSO Party -- CW/Phone, sponsored by the Minnesota Wireless Association from 1400-2359Z Feb 3. Frequencies (MHz): CW 1.810, 3.550, 7.050, 14.050, 21.050, 28.050, SSB 1.870, 3.890, 7.230, 14.290, 21.390, 28.420. Categories: QRP, SOLP, SOHP, VHF, MS, MN Mobile-Single Xmtr, and MN Mobile-Unlimited. Exchange: Name and MN county or S/P/C. QSO points: SSB -- 1 pt, CW -- 2 pts. Score: QSO points × MN counties (MN stns use States + Provinces), each counted only once. For more information and MN QSO Party software: www.w0aa.org. Logs due Mar 15 to mnqp@isd.net or MNQP, 4745-170th Ln NE, Ham Lake, MN 55304-5233.
Ten-Ten International Winter Phone QSO Party -- sponsored by Ten-Ten International from 0001Z Feb 3-2359Z Feb 4, 10 meters only. Exchange: Call sign, name, QTH and 10-10 number (if a member). QSO points: nonmembers -- 1 pt, members -- 2 pts. Score: total points. For complete rules: www.ten-ten.org. Logs due Feb 19 to tentencontest@alltel.net or Steve Rasmussen, NØWY, #68684, 312 N 6th St, Plattsmouth, NE 68048.
XE International RTTY Contest, sponsored by FMRE from 1800Z Feb 3 to 1759Z Feb 4. Frequencies: 80-10 meters. Categories: SO-1 Radio, SO-2 Radio. Exchange: RST and serial number or XE state/district. QSO points: own country -- 2 pts, DX -- 3 pts, XE stations -- 4 pts. Score: QSO points × XE states + DXCC entities from each band. For more information: www.fmre.org.mx. Logs due 30 days after the contest to xe1j@ucol.mx or Jose Levy, XE1J, Dirección de Concursos FMRE, Clavel 333, Colima, Col 28030, Mexico.
Delaware QSO Party -- CW/Phone/Digital, sponsored by the First State ARC (FSARC) from 1700Z Feb 3-0500Z Feb 4 and 1300Z Feb 4-0100Z Feb 5. Frequencies (MHz): CW -- 1.825, 3.550, 7.050, 14.050, 21.050, 28.050; Phone -- 1.860, 3.960, 7.260, 14,260, 21.360, 28.360; Digital -- per current band plan; Novice and Technician -- 25 kHz above sub-band edge. Categories: SO, MS, MM, Mobile; HP (>150 W), LP, QRP and Mixed/CW/Phone. Exchange: RST and DE county or S/P/C. QSO points: CW and Digital -- 2 points, Phone -- 1 point. Score: DE stations -- SO points × DE counties (DE stations use S/P/C) × power multiplier. All multipliers count once per mode. For more information: www.fsarc.org. Logs due Mar 9 to QSOParty@fsarc.org or Contest Chairman -- FSARC, PO Box 1050, Newark, DE 19715.
Vermont QSO Party -- CW/Phone/Digital, sponsored by the Central Vermont Amateur Radio Club from 0000Z Feb 3 to 2400Z Feb 5. Frequencies (MHz): 160-10 meters and VHF/UHF; CW 40 kHz from band edge; Phone -- lowest 25 kHz of General segment and entire Novice/Tech 10m band; VHF SSB-50.200, 144.200, FM-146.49, 146.55. Categories: SOAB, MO, Club, Rover. Exchange RST and VT county or S/P/C. QSO points: Phone -- 1 pt, CW or digital -- 2 pts. Work stations once per mode up to four QSOs per band. Score: QSO points times VT/NH/ME counties plus Vermont Club Stations (VT stations use S/P/C) counted only once. For more information and list of club stations: www.qsl.net/w1bd. Logs due Mar 1 to trlong1@adelphia.net or Central Vermont Amateur Radio Club, PO Box 74, South Barre, VT 05670-0074.
YL-OM Contest -- CW, sponsored by the Young Ladies Radio League (YLRL) from 1400Z Feb 3-0200Z Feb 5 (Phone is 1400Z Feb 10 to 0200Z Feb 12). Frequencies: 160-10 meters. Exchange: Call sign, RST, serial number and S/P/C. For more information and scoring info: www.ylrl.org/ylcontests.html. Logs due 30 days after the contest to kc4iyd@yahoo.com or Nancy Rabel Hall, KC4IYD, PO Box 775, North Olmsted, OH 44070
QRP ARCI Winter Fireside SSB Sprint, sponsored by the QRP ARCI from 2000Z-2359Z Feb 4. Frequencies (MHz): 3.865, 7.285, 14.285, 21.385, 28.385. For more information: www.qrparci.org. Logs due Mar 4 to contest@qrparci.org or ARCI Fireside Sprint, c/o Jeff Hetherington, VA3JFF, 139 Elizabeth St W, Welland, ON L3C 4M3, Canada (see Dec QST, p 79, for QRP ARCI Sprint rules).
FYBO (Freeze Your Butt Off) Winter QRP Field Day -- CW/SSB, sponsored by the AZ ScQRPions from 1600Z-2400Z Feb 3. Use QRP calling frequencies on HF bands, work stations once per band. Categories are SO, MS, MM, and Novice/Tech -- indicate home or field. Exchange: RST, S/P/C, name, power, and temperature in degrees F at operating position. Score: total QSOs × S/P/C (counted only once) × Temperature multiplier ×4 (if field location) ×2 (if alternative pwr) ×2 (if QRP). Temp mult -- 65 + ×1, 50-64 ×2, 40-49 ×3, 30-39 ×4, 20-29 ×5, <20 ×6. Add 10,000 points for a QSO with NQ7RP. For more information: www.azscqrpions.org. Logs due 30 days after the contest to azscqrpions@covad.net or John Stevens, K5JS, 21547 North 91st Dr, Peoria AZ 85382.
Spartan Sprint -- CW, sponsored by the Adventure Radio Society from 0200Z-0400Z Feb 6 (Monday local time in the USA). The contest is held on the first Monday of every month. Frequencies (MHz): 3.560, 7.040, 14.060, 21.060, 28.060. Categories: SOAB. Exchange: RST, S/P/C, and power output. For more information: www.arsqrp.com. Logs due by noon the following Wednesday via the automated scoring system at www.ARSqrp.com/ars/ss_log.html.
North American Sprint -- CW, from 0000Z-0400Z, Feb 11 (see Feb 4). Frequencies (MHz): 3.540, 7.040, 14.040. Logs due 7 days after the contest via www.ncjweb.com/sprintlogsubmit.php or cwsprint@ncjweb.com or Boring ARC, 15125 Bartell Rd, Boring, OR 97009.
Here is an opportunity to spin the dial and hand out a QSO to ham radio's future operators. The contest last all week and the afternoons should be prime-time.
School Club Roundup -- all modes, 1300Z Feb 12-2400Z Feb 16 (see Jan QST, p 50).
CQ World Wide RTTY WPX Contest -- sponsored by CQ Magazine from 0000Z Feb 10 to 2400Z Feb 11. Frequencies: 80-10 meters. Categories: SO (LP, HP), SOSB, MS, M2, MM, Rookie (licensed <3 years). SO work 30 hours max. Use of spotting assistance allowed for all categories. Exchange: RST and serial number. QSO points: own country -- 1 pt, own continent -- 2 pts, different cont -- 3 pts, double points on 80 and 40 meters. Score: QSO points × WPX prefixes. For more information: www.cq-amateur-radio.com. Logs due Mar 9 to wpxrtty@kkn.net or CQ Magazine-WPX RTTY Contest, 25 Newbridge Rd, Hicksville, NY 11801.
New Hampshire QSO Party -- Phone/CW/Digital, sponsored by the Great Bay Radio Association from 0001Z Feb 10 to 0001Z Feb 12. Categories: SOAB, MO (QRP, LP, HP). Frequencies: 160-10 meters, VHF, UHF. Exchange: RST and NH county or S/P/C. QSO points: Phone -- 1 pt, CW/Digital -- 2 pts. Total score: QSO points × NH counties (NH stations add states and provinces plus 1 DXCC entity). For more information: www.w1fz.org. Logs due Mar 31 to nhqso@comcast.net or Great Bay Radio Association, 78 Littleworth Rd, Dover, NH 03820.
Louisiana QSO Party -- CW/Phone, sponsored by the Thibodaux ARC, W5YL from 1500Z Feb 10-0300Z Feb 11. Frequencies (MHz): CW 1.840, 3.540, 7.040, 14.040, 21.040, 28.040; Phone 1.865, 3.865, 7.255, 14.255, 21.365, 28.465, VHF 50.095, 50.135, 144.050, 144.210. Operating categories. SOAB (Phone, CW, Mixed) and Rover (LA stations only). Exchange: Call, RST, and S/P/C or LA Parish. QSO points: Phone -- 2 pts, CW -- 4 pts. Total score: QSO points × LA parishes or S/P/C counted once per mode. Rovers add 50 pt bonus for each parish activated. Add 100 points for QSO with W5YL. For more information: www.w5yl.org. Logs due Mar 15 to laqso@bellsouth.net or LA QSO Party, 508 Hache St, Houma, LA 70364.
Northern New York (NNY) QSO Party -- all modes, sponsored by the Ogdensburg ARC from 0000Z Feb 10-2359Z Feb 11. Categories: SOAB only. Frequencies: 80 meters-70 cm, CW 40 kHz from bottom of the band (20 kHz from Novice band edge), SSB-lower 25 kHz of General allocation, entire Novice 10-meter sub-band, VHF-50.200, 144.200, 146.49. Exchange: RST and NNY county and S/P/C. Total score: QSOs × NNY counties or S/P/C counted once only. For more information and bonus points: www.nnyara.org. Logs due Mar 11 to qso2007@nnyara.org or Roger Ousterhout, KA2JXI, 511 Seymour St, Ogdensburg, NY 13669.
British Columbia QSO Challenge -- CW/SSB/Digital, sponsored by the Delta Amateur Radio Society from 1600Z Feb 10-0359Z Feb 11. Categories: SOAB, (SSB, CW, Digital, Mixed and QRP, LP, HP >100 W) Frequencies (MHz): CW 1.850, 3.550, 7.045, 14.050, 21.050, 28.050, 50.095; SSB 1.850, 3.825, 7.260, 14.225, 21.380, 28.380, 50.130; Digital-customary calling frequencies. Exchange: Name and year licensed. QSO points: SSB -- 1 pt, CW/Digital -- 2 pts. Total score: Number of stations worked (see Web site). Add 25 points for a QSO with VE7SUN. For more information: www.deltaamateurradio.com. Logs due Mar 12 to ve7fky@rac.ca or Delta Amateur Radio Society, c/o Tsawwassen Community Police Station, 1108 56th St, Delta, BC V4L 2A3, Canada.
RSGB 1.8 MHz Contest -- CW, sponsored by RSGB from 2100Z Feb 10-0100Z Feb 11. Frequencies (MHz): 1.820-1.870. Categories: SO only. Exchange: RST + serial number and UK district. QSO points: 3 pts/QSO + 5 pts for first QSO with a UK district. Score: QSO points. For more information: www.rsgbhfcc.org. Logs due 16 days after the contest to 1st160.logs@rsgbhfcc.org or RSGB-G3UFY, 77 Bensham Manor Rd, Thorton Heath, Surrey, CR7 7AF, England.
Asia-Pacific Sprint -- CW, sponsored by the AP Sprint Contest Committee from 1100Z-1300Z Feb 10. Frequencies: 20 and 40 meters, NA stations work Asia-Pacific countries only. Categories: SO only, 150 W max. Exchange: RST and serial number. Sprint QSY rule applies -- see NA Sprint, Feb 3-4. Score: total QSOs × WPX prefixes (counted once). For more information: jsfc.org/apsprint/aprule.txt. Logs due 7 days after the contest to apsprint@jsfc.org (no paper logs).
FISTS CW Winter Sprint -- CW, sponsored by FISTS International CW Club from 1700Z until 2100Z Feb 10. Frequencies: 80-10 meters, work US/VE stations. Categories: SO, SO-QRP, Club. Exchange: RST, S/P/C, first name, FISTS number (non-FISTS Power output). QSO points: FISTS members -- 5 pts, nonmembers -- 2 pts. Score: QSO points × S/P/C (count each only once). For more information: www.FISTS.org. Logs due 30 days after the contest to w8pig@yahoo.com or Dan Shepherd, N8IE, 1900 Pittsfield St, Kettering, OH 45420.
Dutch PACC Contest -- CW/SSB, sponsored by the Vereniging voor Experimenteel Radio Onderzoek in Nederland (VERON) from 1200Z Feb 10-1200Z Feb 11. Frequencies: 160-10 meters according to IARU band plan, no SSB on 160, work stations only once per band. Categories: SO, SO-QRP, MO, SWL. Exchange: RS(T) + serial number (Dutch stations send province). QSO points: 1 pt/QSO. Score: QSO points × Provinces (counted once per band). For more information: www.dutchpacc.com. Logs due Mar 31 to pa0adt@dutchpacc.com or Ad van Tilborg PAØADT, Schepenenveld 141, 7327 DB Apeldoorn, Netherlands.
YL-OM Contest -- SSB, 1400Z Feb 10 to 0200Z Feb 12 (see Feb 3-4).
OMISS QSO Party -- SSB, sponsored by the Old Man International Sideband Society from 1500Z Feb 10-1500Z Feb 11. Frequencies (MHz): 3.9405, 7.2635, 14.290, 21.360, 28.665. Categories: SO, Mobile. Exchange: RS, S/P/C and OMISS # (DX stations send DX). QSO points: OMISS member -- 2pts, non-members -- 1 pt. Score: QSO points × States + Provinces + 1 DXCC entity, each counted only once. For more information: www.omiss.net. Logs due Mar 15 to k5db@arrl.net or Don Banta, K5DB, 3407 Diana St, Springdale, AR 72764.
Classic Exchange -- AM/SSB, from 1400Z Feb 11-0800Z Feb 12 (CW on Jan 28-29). Frequencies (Mc): AM 1.890, 3.880, 7.290, 14.286, 21.420, 29.000, 50.300, 144.200; SSB 1.885, 3.870, 7.280, 14.270, 21.370, 28.390, 50.125, 144.250. Exchange: RST, QTH, RX, TX. QSO points: 1 pt/QSO. QSO points: 1 pt/QSO. Total score: QSOs per mode × CX multiplier (age of all RX, TX, and XCVR used for at least 3 QSOs). For more information: www.qsl.asti.com/CX. Logs to wq8u@arrl.net or J. D. "Mac" Mac Aulay WQ8U, 104 W Queen St, Hillsborough, NC 27278.
NAQCC Monthly Straight Key Sprint -- sponsored by the North American QRP CW Club from 0130Z - 0330Z Feb 14. Frequencies (MHz): 3.560, 7.040, 14.060. Exchange: RST, S/P/C, and NAQCC member number (Pwr for non-members). QSO Points: member--2 pts, non-member--1 pt. Score: QSO Points x S/P/C, multiply by 2 if all straight key or by 1.5 if all bug. For more information and the yearly contest schedule: www.arm-tek.net/~yoel. Logs 6 days after the contest to naqcc33@alltel.net or Tom Mitchell, KB3LFC, RD6 Box 122A, Kittanning, PA 16201.
Started in 1927, the ARRL DX contests are the longest-running contests. Best of all, the DX is calling for you!
ARRL International DX Contest, CW, 0000Z Feb 17-2400Z Feb 18. (See www.arrl.org/contests or Dec QST, p 99.)
AM QSO Party -- sponsored by the Antique Wireless Association from 0000Z Feb 17-0000Z Feb 18. Frequencies (MHz): 3.835-3.890, 7.280-7.295, 14.275-14.295. Exchange: RS, name and S/P/C. For scoring and other information: www.antiquewireless.org/amqsoparty.htm. Summary sheets due Mar 15 to Gary Carter, WA4IAM, 1405 Sherwood Dr, Reidsville, NC, 27320-5224.
CQC Winter QSO Party -- CW/Phone, sponsored by the Colorado QRP Club from 2200Z Feb 24-0359Z Feb 25. Frequencies (MHz): CW 1.825, 3.560, 3.710, 7.040, 7.110, 14.060, 21.060, 21.110, 28.060, 28.110, SSB 1.910, 3.985, 7.285, 14.285, 21.385, 28.385. Categories are SOAB, SOSB, SO-Homebrew. Exchange: RST, S/P/C, name, CQC member number or power output (5 W max). QSO points: CW -- CQC member 6 pts, non-member 4 pts, Phone -- members 3 pts, non-members 2 pts. Score: QSO points × S/P/C (count once per band) × names (one name from each letter of the alphabet) + 1000 pts for QSO with WØCQC. For more information: www.cqc.org. Logs due 30 days after the contest to ki0rb@idcomm.com or CQC Contest, PO Box 17174, Golden, CO 80402-6019.
CQ WW 160-meter SSB Contest, 0000Z Feb 24-2400Z Feb 25 (see Jan QST, p 98).
When the moon's in the sky where your signal can fly, that's EME-ore! Modern equipment and software puts EME within reach of more hams than ever.
EU EME Contest -- Digital, sponsored by DUBUS and REF from 0000Z Feb 24-2400Z Feb 25. Frequencies (MHz): 50, 144, 432, 1296. (Mar 24-25-CW/SSB-432 MHz, 5.7 GHz; Apr 21-22-CW/SSB-144 MHz, 2.3 and 3.4 GHz; May 19-20-CW/SSB-1296 MHz) Categories: Single and Multi-band, QRP and QRO -- based on EIRP, Pro, CW, Digital, Mixed. Exchange: call signs TMO/RST and R. QSO points: 144/432/1.3 -- 100 pts for random, 10 pts for scheduled QSO, 2.3 GHz and higher -- 100 pts/QSO. Multipliers are CQ WPX prefixes -- see Web site for scoring and more information: www.dubus.org. Logs due Mar 23 (Jun 19 for CW/SSB) to info@dubus.de or DUBUS@web.de or Patrick Magnin, F6HYE, Marcorens, F-74140 Ballaison, France.
UBA Contest -- CW, from 1300Z Feb 24-1300Z Feb 25 (see Jan QST, p 98).
REF French Contest -- Phone, from 0600Z Feb 24-1800Z Feb 25 (see Jan QST p 98).
Mississippi QSO Party -- CW/Digital/Phone, sponsored by the Vicksburg Amateur Radio Club from 1500Z Feb 24-0300Z Feb 25. Frequencies (MHz): CW 3.545, 7.045, 14.045, 21.045, 28.045; Phone 3.862, 7.238, 14.275, 21.375, 28.375; VHF 50.130, 144.220, 146.55, 446.00. Work stations once per band and mode. Categories: Fixed Station and Mobile. Mobiles may be worked again as they change counties. Exchange: RST and MS county or S/P/C. Score: QSOs × MS counties (MS stations add S/P/C). For more information: w5xx@vicksburg.com. Logs due Mar 31 to Vicksburg ARC, 64 Lake Circle Dr, Vicksburg, MS 39180.
North Carolina QSO Party -- CW/Phone, sponsored by the Forsyth Amateur Radio Club from 1700Z Feb 25-0300Z Feb 26. Frequencies (MHz): CW 3.540, 3.740, 7.040, 7.140, 14.040, 21.040, 21.140, 28.040, 28.140, Phone 3.860, 7.260, 14.260, 21.360, 28.360. Categories: SO, Mobile, Club, all stations 100W max. output. Mobiles may be worked again as they change counties. Exchange: RST and NC county, ARRL/RAC section, or DX prefix. QSO points: phone -- 2 pts, CW -- 3 pts, NC mobile -- 3 pts (either mode). Score: NC stations -- QSO points × NC counties + ARRL/RAC sections + 1 DXCC entity, others -- QSO points × NC counties (max 100). 50 bonus points for working Cherokee or Dare counties (150 for working both) and 50 points for working W4NC or W4WS (150 points for both). Mobiles add 100 bonus points for each NC county activated. For more information: www.w4nc.com. Logs due Apr 1 to henry@summitschool.com or NC QSO Party, c/o W2DZO, 8812 Merry Hill Ct, Clemmons, NC 27012.
High Speed CW Contest -- sponsored by High-Speed CW Club from 0900Z-1100Z and 1500Z-1700Z Feb 25. Frequencies: 80-10 meters. Categories: SO (150 W max, members and non-members), SO-QRP, SWL. Exchange: RST and HSC member number or NM. QSO points: member -- 5 pts, non-member -- 1 pts. Score: QSO points. Logs due 6 weeks after the contest to hsccontest@gmail.com or Lutz Schröer, DL3BZZ, Am Niederfeld 6, 35066 Frankenberg/Eder, Germany.
North American QSO Party-RTTY, sponsored by the National Contest Journal from 1800Z Feb 24-0600Z Feb 25. Frequencies: 80-10 meters. Categories: SOAB and M2, 100 W power limit, SO operate a maximum of 10 hours (off times must be at least 30 min). Exchange: Name and S/P/C. Score: QSOs × States + Province + NA DXCC countries (counted once per band). Preferred log submission method is via upload form found at: www.ncjweb.com/naqplogsubmit.php. For information: www.ncjweb.com/naqprules.php. Logs due 14 days after the contest to rttynaqp@ncjweb.com or Shelby Summerville, K4WW, 6506 Lantana Ct, Louisville, KY 40229-1544.