Tag Archives: HF

Digital, Featured, Newsletter, On The Air

February 2019 Contest Notes

We’re about a month into winter and there’s no better time than now to get on the low bands. February brings a few QSO parties that are worth noting, and you’ll be glad those low bands are available.

The Vermont QSO party [0000Z, Feb 2 to 2400Z, Feb 3] gives us a chance to put those close-in neighbors in the log. If you’re working on your Worked All States award this is a great time to ensure you have VT in the log. Exchange: RS(T) + County (for VT), and RS(T) + state for others.

Minnesota has their QSO party [1400Z-2400Z, Feb 2]. It only lasts ten hours so this is a good contest for people new to the game to see if they can do the whole shebang! Exchange: Name + county (MN), name + state for others.

ARRL School Club Roundup [1300Z, Feb 11 to 2359Z, Feb 15] gives you a chance to works some youngsters. You don’t have to Elmer kids to make a difference. Just work them in a contest to encourage them! Exchange: RS(T) + class (I/C/S) + state.

The North Carolina QSO party [1500Z, Feb 24 to 0059Z, Feb 25] should provide a target-rich environment. Again, this is a short contest (just ten hours) so pay attention. Exchange: County (NC), state (others).

February is also a great month to do digital modes. Here are some contests for those enthusiasts:

Go to the Contest Calendar to see the full list of contests this month.

Remember to always read the rules before entering the contest. Know the time boundaries, power limits, and exchange before transmitting.

Contest (not-so) secret of the month: success in contesting is based on BIC (butt-in-chair) time. Challenge yourself to operate for some minimum time and see how well you do. Remember that many contests have multipliers, so your score changes more rapidly as the contest progresses. It can be lots of fun watching your score soar!

Good luck to all and drop me a note at  [email protected] with your 3830 entry. The best scores might get a mention in the March Contesting Notes. 73!

Scott, NE1RD

Activities, Digital, DX, Featured, General, Newsletter, On The Air

ARRL RTTY Roundup Coming Soon

You have learned about contesting through the great articles that Scott, NE1RD has written.  You have learned about FT8 through articles from Hamilton, K1HMS and Fred, AB1OC.  Now its time to put it all together and operate in the ARRL RTTY Roundup coming up this coming weekend – January 5th – 6th.

This is the first year that the FT8 mode will be part of the ARRL RTTY Roundup.  The newest version of the WSJT-X software, version 2.0,  has been enhanced to support the contest exchange.  See Joe Taylor’s QST article for details on how it will work.

AB1QB operating in a RTTY Contest
AB1QB operating in a RTTY Contest

Fred, AB1OC and Anita, AB1QB will be hosting a multi-op entry using the N1FD callsign from their QTH. The contest starts at 18:00 UTC (1:00 pm EST) on Saturday and ends at 23:59 UTC (7 pm EST) on Sunday.  The first few hours of the contest overlap with ARRL Kids Day so the kids will have priority on our main station.  We may be able to operate in the RTTY Roundup using FT8 and our SteppIR Vertical.

If you are interested in signing up for a time slot, please contact Anita, AB1QB at [email protected]. Let her know what time you can be available to operate and how many hours you would like to operate.   Please respond no later than Thursday.  She will put together an operating schedule and send it out on Friday.

We hope to see you this weekend in the contest or hear you on the air!

Featured, General, Newsletter, On The Air

January 2019 Contesting Notes

Jumpstarting the New Year

The big contests of the Fall are now behind us and the more sedate contests like QSO parties and youth-oriented on-air events begin. This month has five contests worth noting. (For a complete list of contests please see the contest calendar here.)

ARRL RTTY Roundup ~ 1800Z, Jan 5 to 2400Z, Jan 6

If you’re new to digital contesting this is a good place to begin. There are a number of members in the club that could serve as mentors to help you get going. And, Fred AB1OC and Anita AB1QB often host an effort from their station. See also the ARRL Kids Day event below.

Exchange: RST + State/Province

Contest information: http://www.arrl.org/rtty-roundup

ARRL Kids Day ~ 1800Z-2359Z, Jan 5

Here’s your chance to work a lot of young people on the air. And, if you are a young person just getting started, this is a great event to gain confidence.

Exchange: name + age + QTH + favorite color

Contest information: http://www.arrl.org/kids-day

North American QSO Party

CW ~ 1800Z, Jan 12 to 0559Z, Jan 13,

SSB ~ 1800Z, Jan 19 to 0559Z, Jan 20

This is one of my favorite contests. The pace is relaxed, people are friendly, and it is a great way to fill in the blanks on your Worked All States award.

Exchange: NA: Name + (state/DC/province/country)

Contest information: http://www.ncjweb.com/NAQP-Rules.pdf

Winter Field Day ~ 1900Z, Jan 26 to 1900Z, Jan 27

See the N1FD article here. The NARS club has a big effort planned for this event including multiple transmitters and a collection of antennas for everything from 160m to 10m. Operating will be done from a heated shelter so you can rack up points in comfort! Contact the team leaders for more information.

Exchange: Category (indoor/outdoor/home) and ARRL section.

Contest information: https://www.winterfieldday.com

Bottom of the solar cycle

Even though we are in the solar doldrums don’t get discouraged. The bands are surprisingly good when everybody gets on and enough call CQ. In fact, with the bands a little weak this is a great time to learn how to call CQ and handle callers. You won’t get a big pile-up (because conditions are not great), but you will get people coming back to your call. Be patient and hone your skills during this down part of the cycle. Then you’ll be ready when conditions improve!

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