W1AW Qualifying Runs are 7 PM EDT Monday, May 7 (2300 UTC May 7) (10-40 WPM), and 9 AM EDT Friday, May 25 (1300 UTC May 25). The K6YR West Coast Qualifying Run (with K9JM as alternate) will be at 9 PM PDT Wednesday, May 16 (0400 UTC May 17) (40-10 WPM). 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 (>100 W); LP -- Low Power; QRP -- 5 W or less; Entity -- DXCC Entity.
No contest activity on 30, 17 or 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.
How many pings could a ping jockey ping if a ping jockey could ping pings? Find out during a meteor shower with the new digital meteor scatter modes.
North American High Speed Meteor Scatter Contest -- FSK441 or JT6M, sponsored by the WSJTGROUP from 1300Z May 5-1500Z May 7, coinciding with the eta-Aquarids meteor shower. Frequencies (MHz): 50, 144, 222, 432, via meteor scatter. Categories are single band, multi-band and rover. All contacts are to be random/unscheduled, except as noted in the rules. Call CQ using the primary or secondary calling frequencies following the offset method. Exchange: full call signs, grid square and QSO acknowledgment. QSO points: 50 -- 1 point, 144 -- 2 points, 222 -- 4 points, 432 -- 8 points. Score: QSO points × number of unique grid squares worked per band. For more information: www.ykc.com/wa5ufh/Rally/NAHSMS.htm. Logs due Jun 9 to wa5ufh@ykc.com.
MARAC CW Contest -- sponsored by the Mobile Amateur Radio Awards Club from 0000Z May 5-2400Z May 6. Frequencies (MHz): 3.550, 7.050, 14.050, 21.050, 28.050. Work fixed station once/band and mobiles once from each county and band. Categories: Mobile, Fixed and Mixed. Exchange: RST, 2-character state code and 4-character County abbreviation. County line QSOs count as one QSO, but separate multipliers. QSO points: Fixed stations in US -- 1 point, DX -- 5 points, Mobile -- 15 points, one station must be in a US County. For mult list see www.bnk.com/w0qe/countyabbrev-v3-4col.pdf. For more information: www.countyhunter.com. Logs are due Jun 9 to aa8r@aol.com or Randy Hatt, AA8R, 7878 W County Line Rd, Howard City, MI 49329.
10-10 International Spring Contest -- CW/Digital, from 0001Z May 5-2359Z May 6. Logs due May 21 (see Feb QST, p 100, or www.ten-ten.org).
Microwave Spring Sprint -- 0600-1300 local, May 5 (see www.sysadnet.com/vhfsprintrules.htm).
Indiana QSO Party -- CW/SSB, sponsored by the Hoosier DX and Contest Club from 1600Z May 5-0400Z May 6. Frequencies (MHz): CW -- 1.805 and 40 kHz above the band edge on 80-10 meters; SSB -- 1.845, 3.850, 7.230, 14.250, 21.300, 28.450, try 160 at 0200Z, no crossband QSOs. Categories: SOAB (HP, LP, QRP, no spotting assistance), MS (includes SO using spotting assistance), Mobile, Portable. Exchange: RS(T) + S/P or IN county (DX stations send RS(T) only). QSO points: SSB -- 1 point, CW -- 2 points, contact stations once per band/mode and once per county. County line stations count for 2 counties max. Score is QSO points × IN counties or S/P/C counted once per mode. Bonus for working W9KT. For more information: www.hdxcc.org/inqp. Logs due Jun 15 to inqp@hdxcc.org (Cabrillo format preferred) or HDXCC, c/o Mike Goode, N9NS, 10340 Broadway, Indianapolis, IN 46280-1344.
ARI International DX Contest -- CW/SSB/RTTY, sponsored by ARI from 2000Z May 5-1959Z May 6. Frequencies: CW/SSB -- 160-10 meters, RTTY) -- 80-10 meters, 10 min band change rule for MS. Categories: SO (CW, SSB, RTTY, Mixed), MS, SWL. Exchange: RST and serial number (Italian send province) QSO points: own country--0 points (mult only), own continent -- 1 point, different continent -- 3 points, Italian and ISØ stations -- 10 points. Score: QSO points × Italian Provinces + DXCC entity (except I, ISØ, IT9, IG9/IH9) counted once per band. For more information: www.qsl.net/contest_ari. Logs due 30 days after the contest to aricontest@ari.it (Cabrillo format preferred) or ARI Contest Manager c/o ARI, Via Scarlatti 31, 20124 Milano, Italy.
Two regional QSO Parties -- New England and 7th Call District -- give you a lot of bang for your on-the-air buck. You'll find it easy to make progress toward WAS and put a super-rare county or two in the log!
New England QSO Party -- CW/Phone, 2000Z May 5-0500Z May 6 and 1300Z-2400Z May 6. New England is ME, NH, VT, MA, CT and RI. Frequencies (MHz): CW -- 3.540, 7.035, 14.040, 21.040, 28.040; SSB -- 3.850, 7.280, 14.280, 21.380, 28.380; no crossmode or crossband QSOs, all CW QSOs in CW band segments. Categories: SOAB (HP, LP and QRP), MS (includes stations using any kind of spotting assistance), mobiles use same categories. Exchange: RS(T) and S/P (non-US/VE send DX) or NE county/state. Work stations once per band/mode and mobiles in each county. County lines logged as two QSOs. QSO points: phone -- 1 point, CW and Digital -- 2 points. Score: Non-NE stations -- QSO points × NE counties; NE stations -- QSO points × S/P/C; mobiles total QSO points from all counties and count multipliers only once. For more information: www.neqp.org. Logs due 30 days after the contest to logs@neqp.org (Cabrillo format preferred) or NEQP, PO Box 3005, Framingham, MA 01705-3005.
7th Area QSO Party -- CW/SSB, sponsored by the Central Oregon DX Club from 1300Z May 5-0700Z May 6. Frequencies: 160-10 meters, 6 and 2 meters; CW: 40 kHz above band edge; SSB: 3.855, 7.235, 14.255, 21.355, 28.455; no repeater QSOs. Exchange: state and county code (see Web site) or S/P/C. QSO points: SSB -- 2 points, CW -- 3 points. Score: QSO points × 7th area counties (7th area stations add states and provinces plus up to 10 DX) counted only once. For more information: www.7qp.org. Logs due Jun 10 to 7qplogs@codxc.org or 7th Call Area QSO Party, c/o CODXC, 61255 Ferguson Rd, Bend, OR 97702.
IPA Contest -- CW/SSB, sponsored by the International Police Association US Section from 1400Z-2000Z May 5 (CW), 1400Z-2000Z May 6 (SSB); each mode considered a separate contest. Frequencies: 80-10 meters. Categories: SOAB, MS, SWL. Exchange: RS(T) and serial number, IPA stations add IPA, US IPA stations add state. QSO points: non-IPA -- 1 point, non-US IPA -- 2 points, US IPA -- 5 points, IPARC club -- 10 points, US IPA stations with 1×1 call -- 20 points. Score: QSO points × US IPA states worked from all bands. For more information: www.iparc.org or jenkinstd@aol.com. Logs due Jun 30 to Tom Jenkins, WA8VDC, 4828 Elm St, Newport, MI 48166.
Radio Club of America QSO Party -- Phone, from 1700Z May 5-0700Z May 6. Exchange: RST, QTH, name, equipment used. RCA members sign their calls /RCA. Band changes throughout the day. For more information: www.radioclubofamerica.org. Logs to rlraide@adelphia.net or Mike Raide, W2ZE, 21 Canandaigua St, Shortsville, NY 14548.
Portuguese Navy Day -- CW/SSB/PSK31, sponsored by the Portuguese Navy Radio Amateurs from 1500Z May 5-1500Z May 6 (CW/SSB) and 1500Z-2100Z May 5 (PSK31). Frequencies: 80-10 meters (CW/SSB) and 20-10 meters (PSK31) according to the IARU band plan. Categories: SO. Exchange: RS(T) and serial number. QSO points: see Web site for table and duplicate contact rules. Score: QSO points × prefixes. For more information: www.nra.pt/php/bdContestRules.php?lang=en. Logs due Jun 1 to contest@nra.pt.
This annual exercise allows hams to contact military stations by listening to them just outside the ham bands and transmitting on a designated frequency inside the band. This is a good time to try "split" operation with your VFOs.
Armed Forces Amateur/Military Crossband Communications Test -- the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard are co-sponsoring the annual military/Amateur Radio communications tests in celebration of Armed Forces Day the following weekend (the test is held earlier to avoid the Dayton Hamvention). Various military stations will be listening for amateurs from 1200Z May 12-2400Z May 13. For complete information, including call signs, operating schedules and frequency/mode lists: www.netcom.army.mil/mars.
Mid-Atlantic QSO Party -- SSB/FM/CW, sponsored by the Independent Mid-Atlantic QSO Party Committee from 1600Z May 12-0400Z May 13. Mid-Atlantic States include DE, MD-DC, NJ, NY, PA, VA and WV. Frequencies: 160-10 meters, 50 kHz from bottom of band segment for operating mode; 50, 144, 222 and 432 MHz. Categories: Standard (SO < 200 W), QRP, MO, Mobile. Exchange: serial number and QTH (Mid-Atlantic stations send 3-letter county and 2-letter state, US/VE send S/P, DX send DX). QSO points: Phone -- 1 point, CW -- 2 points, Mobile -- 3 points. Score: QSO points × Mid-Atlantic counties (Mid-Atlantic stations count S/P + 1 DX) counted only once. For more information: www.qsl.net/maqso. Logs due 30 days after the contest to logs@maqp.info or Mid-Atlantic QSO Party, Attn: Walter O'Brien, W2WJO, PO Box 4922, Clinton, NJ 08809.
CQ-M International DX Contest -- CW/SSB, sponsored by the Soyuz Radiolyubiteley Rossii (SRR) from 1200Z May 12-1200Z May 13. Frequencies: 160-10 meters, 10 minute rule for MS. Categories: SOSB (CW, SSB, Mixed), SOAB (CW, SSB, Mixed, LP, QRP), MS-Mixed, SWL-Mixed, WW II Veteran, Pobeda Memorial. Exchange: RS(T) and serial number. QSO points: using P-150-C award countries, own country -- 1 point, same continent -- 2 points, different continent -- 3 points. Score: QSO points × countries counted once per band. For more information: www.cq-m.andys.ru. Logs due Jun 15 to cqm@srr.ru or ua0agi@andys.ru or to CQ-M Contest Committee, PO Box 25464, Krasnoyarsk 660049, Russia.
2 GHz and Up World Wide Club Contest -- sponsored by the San Bernardino Microwave Society from 6 AM local May 12- 8 PM May 13. Frequencies: 2.4 GHz and higher. Exchange: 6 character grid locator. QSO points: 1 point/km. Score: QSO points × band multiplier (2.4 GHz-10 GHz ×1, 24 GHz ×2, 47 GHz ×4, 76 GHz and up ×8), sum scores from all bands. 100 bonus points for each unique call on each band; 1000 bonus points for each band activated. For more information: www.ham-radio.com/sbms. Logs due 60 days after the contest to SBMS Contest Committee, Pat Coker, N6RMJ, 40916 179th St, Lancaster, CA 93535.
FISTS Spring Sprint -- CW, sponsored by the FISTS CW Club from 1700Z-2100Z May 12 (see Feb QST, p 100, or www.fists.org/sprints.html).
Alessandro Volta RTTY DX Contest -- sponsored by COMO and ARI from 1200Z May 12-1200Z May 13. Frequencies: 80-10 meters. Categories: SOAB, SOSB, MS, SWL. Exchange: RST, serial number, CQ Zone. QSO points: see table on Web site. Score: see Web site for scoring rules and examples. For more information: www.contestvolta.com. Logs due Jul 31 to log@contestvolta.it or to Francesco Di Michele, I2DMI, PO Box 55, I-22063 Cantu, Italy.
50 MHz Spring Sprint -- from 2300Z May 12-0300Z May 13 (see www.sysadnet.com/vhfsprintrules.htm).
Nevada QSO Party -- CW/SSB/RTTY -- sponsored by the Area 51 Contest Club from 0001Z May 12 - 2359Z May 12. Frequencies: 160 - 6 meters, CW 15 kHz and SSB 25 kHz above General class band edge. Categories: SO-LP/HP, MO-LP/HP, and Portable-SO/MO. Exchange: RST and S/P/C or NV county. QSO Points: 1 pt/QSO. Score is QSO Points × NV counties or S/P/C counted only once. For more information: nv.arrl.org/NQP. Logs due Jun 15 to w7gk_1@yahoo.com or Nevada Mustang Roundup 2007, Elko Amateur Radio Club, PO Box 5607, Elko NV 89802.
40th Annual Baltic Contest -- CW/SSB, sponsored by the Lithuanian Radio Sports Federation from 2100Z May 19-0200Z May 20. Frequencies (MHz): CW 3.510-3.600; SSB 3.600-3.650 and 3.700-3.750. Categories: SO-CW/SSB/Mixed, MS, SWL. Exchange: RS(T) and serial number. QSO points: Baltic (YL/ES/LY) stations count EU -- 1 point and non-EU -- 2 points; EU stations count Baltic -- 10 points, non-Baltic -- 1 point; non-EU stations count Baltic -- 20 points, non-Baltic -- 1 point. Score: total QSO points. For more information: www.lrsf.lt/bcontest. Logs due Jul 1 to lrsf@lrsf.lt or PO Box 210, LT-3000 Kaunas, Lithuania.
EU PSK DX Contest -- sponsored by the Scottish-Russian Amateur Radio Society from 1200Z May 19-1200Z May 20. Frequencies: 80-10 meters. Categories: SOAB (HP, LP). Exchange: RST and EU area code or serial number: QSO points: own country -- 1 point, different country -- 2 points, different continent -- 3 points, DX to EU -- 5 points. Score: QSO points × EU area codes + DXCC entities. For more information: www.srars.org. Logs due 28 days after the contest to eudx@scotham.net or EU PSK DX Contest Committee, PO Box 7469, Glasgow G42 0YD, Scotland, UK.
His Majesty King of Spain Contest -- CW, sponsored by the Union de Radioaficionados Españoles (URE) from 1800Z May 19-1800Z May 20 (SSB is Jun 23-24). Frequencies: 160-10 meters using IARU Region 1 band plan. Categories: SOAB, SOSB and MS. Exchange: RST and serial number or EA province. QSO points: 1 point/QSO. Score: QSO points × EA provinces counted once per band. For more information: ure.es. Logs due Jun 20 (SSB by Jul 23) to concursoshf@ure.es or URE HF Contests, PO Box 220, 28080 Madrid, Spain.
US Counties QSO Party -- SSB, sponsored by The Mobile Amateur Radio Awards Club, from 0000Z May 19-2400Z May 20. Frequencies (MHz): 3.880, 7.240, 14.275, 21.340, 28.340. Work fixed stations once per band and mobiles once from each county and band. Categories: US fixed, mobile operator, mobile team, Canadian operator and DX operator. For more information: www.marac.org. Logs are due Jun 30 to maracssbcontest@sktc.net (preferred) or to Bill Blake, KØERE, 214 S 1st St, Clearwater, KS 67026.
All America Contest -- CW, sponsored by the Juiz de Fora CW Group from 1500Z May 19-2359Z May 20. Frequencies: 80-10 meters. Categories: SOAB, SOAB-QRP, SOSB, MS. Spotting assistance allowed for all classes, no self-spotting. Exchange: RST + continent (CWJF members add /M, QRP add /QRP and YL add /YL). QSO points: own country -- 1 point, same continent, different country -- 2 points, different continent -- 3 points, with member, QRP or YL -- 5 points. Score: QSO points × prefixes (NA stations use SA prefixes, SA stations use all prefixes) counted once per band. For more information: www.powerline.com.br/cwjf. Logs due Jul 30 to cwjf@powerline.com.br in Cabrillo format.
EU EME Contest -- any mode, sponsored by DUBUS and REF, 0000Z May 19-2400Z May 20. Frequencies: 1.2 GHz (see Feb QST, p 100, or www.dubus.org).
You can be a sought-after QSO in this contest because the multipliers are prefixes. If you enjoyed the March SSB version, give this holiday CW version a try.
CQ WW WPX Contest -- CW, sponsored by CQ Magazine from 0000Z May 26-2400Z May 27 (see Mar QST, p 90, or www.cqwpx.com).
QRP ARCI Hoot Owl Sprint -- CW, sponsored by the QRP ARC International from 2000-2400 local time May 27 (see Dec 2006 QST, p 79, or www.qrparci.org/ and click on Hoot Owl Sprint).
MI QRP Memorial Day CW Sprint -- sponsored by the MI QRP Club from 2300Z May 27-0300Z May 28. Frequencies: 160-6 meters. Categories: SOAB with classes A (<250 mW), B (<1 W), C (<5 W), D (>5 W). Exchange: RST, S/P/C and MI-QRP number or power output. QSO points: MI-QRP members -- 5 points, non-member W/VE -- 2 points, DX -- 4 points. Score: QSO points × S/P/C counted once per band. If homebrew RX or TX, multiply by 1.25. If both RX and TX are homebrew, multiply by 1.5. For information: www.miqrp.org. Logs due 30 days after the contest to k8nwd@arrl.net or Tim Pepper, K8NWD, 4391 Clintonville Rd, Waterford, MI 48329.