Monday, November 28, 2011

High Bands Wide Open in 2011 CQ WW CW as Contesters Get "Fabulous Conditions" Again

High Bands Wide Open in 2011 CQ WW CW as Contesters Get "Fabulous Conditions" Again

With high sunspot numbers for the first time in eight years, the 2011 CQ WW CW Contest lived up to the hype, as wide open high bands brought huge numbers of contacts on 10 meters, drawing in hundreds of serious ham radio contesters and thousands of other hams searching for DX from around the world.
"What a difference from last year," said Mitch Mason K7RL, who found 40 meters to be the best band from his QTH in Washington State.

"10m and 15m were better to EU in the SSB version, but 40m was absolutely outstanding," said Mason, who made 1,000 contacts on 40, and added 361 on 10 meters.

"I have never heard it that good."

Those sentiments were shared the world over.

"Things really have changed since I left in August for college," wrote Michael Almeter W4MJA on 3830. "We now have sunspots and band conditions are really good!"

"This was my first venture into CW contesting," said Roland Spoon AH6RR, who managed to find 32 zones in a 10 meter single band entry from Hawaii.

"I had a blast and did a heck of a lot better than I thought I would."

You could tell how popular 10 meters was this year by the number of 3830 postings before the contest was even over from Europeans who did 10 meters only entries, as they joined in hailing the good contest conditions.

It was yet another reminder that the saying is very true - "There's no meters like 10 meters."

OK1SKJ found 31 zones with a balcony dipole antenna
SP2JKC nailed all 40 zones on 10 meters on his way to making 1330 QSO's
"I think it was a wise decision to go for SOSB 10m," said OP4K, who had 1584-38-143 for 625k.
"Thank you all and thank you for the sun spots," said Doug EI2CN who had 619k on 10 meters.
"Great fun," said ON4IA, who had 1508-38-151 on 10 meters for 636k
And the stories go on and on and on about 10 meters, stirring up higher than expected totals for the little guys with no beams and the big shots with lots of them.

"We had a great time," said Frank Donovan W3LPL, whose Multi-Multi team shattered the US record, but still didn't finish first in their category in the USA.

"Fabulous conditions except for a little on Saturday night," Donovan said on the real 3830 just minutes after the contest ended.

The Multi-Multi win in the US will likely go to Team KC1XX, which claimed 35.4 million points; Team K3LR was at 34.4 million, just ahead of W3LPL's 34.3 million.

All three of those scores crushed the USA Multi-Multi record - set just last year by W3LPL - of 25.6 million, as all three teams made over 11,000 contacts.

Also likely shattering a USA record was Chas Fulp K3WW, who claimed 10.7 million points in the High Power Assisted category, more than two million points above his USA record set just last year.



Low Bands Take Saturday Night Hit

While the high bands were very active thanks to solar activity, a minor solar storm caused some troubles early on Sunday morning GMT, knocking down signals on low bands like 80 meters, where you could hear contesters with major antenna farms in North America struggling to contact loud stations in Europe and Africa.
"Band noise dropped 15-20dB and all but North America disappeared with the exception of a few Central American stations and limited South America," wrote Robert Kile W7RH about what he heard.

"Everything worked to perfection," said Paul Newberry N4PN, "except maybe the conditions Saturday night."

"The 2nd night was terrible to EU," wrote Gary Schwartz K9GS on 3830, who said he "wasn't able to work EU until after 0200Z," though he called conditions to Asia "fantastic."

"SS (sunset) at the end of the contest was also bad," Schwartz added, "didn't work a single station."
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Unofficial WRTC 2014 qualification standings

Unofficial WRTC 2014 qualification standings


Latest data update:
WAE SSB - all claimed scores (10.11.2011)
SS CW - 3830 claimed scores (09.11.2011)
CQ WW SSB - 3830 claimed scores (09.11.2011)


Country
rank Operator Qualification
points Counted
contest
entries Area
rank
1 YB1ALL 4784.83 9 #4 OC
2 YB0ECT 1725.03 6 #22 OC
3 YB0NFL 1614.68 4 #28 OC
4 YD1MRI 1415.56 4 #37 OC
5 YD1JZ 1395.09 4 #44 OC
6 YC1BTV 1390.12 3 #45 OC
7 YC1KAF 1390.12 3 #46 OC
8 YD1ORZ 1390.12 3 #47 OC
9 YD1GCL 1390.12 3 #48 OC
10 YB0MWM 1386.91 6 #50 OC
11 YC1HQQ 1239.72 2 #54 OC
12 YD1OLG 1239.72 2 #55 OC
13 YB1NWP 1239.72 2 #56 OC
14 YB4IR 1183.16 7 #57 OC
15 YB0AKM 1165.51 3 #60 OC
16 YC0LOW 1100.40 2 #64 OC
17 YB3IZK 976.67 7 #71 OC
18 YB1KIZ 969.20 2 #78 OC
19 YC1LA 765.01 7 #91 OC
20 YB0NDT 755.12 3 #93 OC
21 YC0RAN 754.56 2 #95 OC
22 YB0KVN 754.56 2 #96 OC
23 YC0LLY 754.56 2 #97 OC
24 YB0AZ 754.56 2 #98 OC
25 YB0DJ 754.56 2 #99 OC
26 YC0VKI 754.56 2 #100 OC
27 YB0JS 754.56 2 #101 OC
28 YC0IUN 754.56 2 #102 OC
29 YC0KVM 754.56 2 #103 OC
30 YD0OST 754.56 2 #104 OC
31 YB2OK 700.00 1 #111 OC
32 YB9WZJ 647.75 2 #115 OC
33 YB2ECG 521.08 2 #133 OC
34 YB1AR 472.06 6 #139 OC
35 YB2DX 470.32 2 #140 OC
36 YB1TJ 469.06 3 #141 OC
37 YB2CPO 452.26 2 #142 OC
38 YB3KM 452.19 1 #143 OC
39 YB2VTO 452.19 1 #144 OC
40 YB1WR 452.19 1 #145 OC
41 YB3MM 452.19 1 #146 OC
42 YB2LSR 452.19 1 #147 OC
43 YB3PXF 452.19 1 #148 OC
44 YB2TJV 452.19 1 #149 OC
45 YC2BBY 452.19 1 #150 OC
46 YB1KAR 440.12 2 #151 OC
47 YB1CCF 440.12 2 #152 OC
48 YB3XM 437.28 7 #153 OC
49 YC1BTJ 436.35 5 #154 OC
50 YB1ND 410.69 2 #160 OC
51 YC0TSU 408.50 1 #163 OC
52 YB0BCR 408.50 1 #164 OC
53 YB0CAK 408.50 1 #165 OC
54 YD0LDT 408.50 1 #166 OC
55 YC1BJX 402.23 4 #171 OC
56 YF1AR 352.98 3 #180 OC



57 YC0BIK 346.06 1 #181 OC
58 YC0UI 346.06 1 #182 OC
59 YC0MXV 346.06 1 #183 OC
60 YB8EL 299.07 6 #191 OC
61 YB8FL 293.20 1 #192 OC
62 YC1OO 289.72 1 #193 OC
63 YC9AOS 287.68 5 #195 OC
64 YC1KI 275.71 1 #197 OC
65 YC2LEV 267.34 5 #202 OC
66 YB1UUN 263.80 4 #203 OC
67 YB0COX 254.52 4 #205 OC
68 YC6JRT 234.11 1 #213 OC
69 YC3TKH 210.34 4 #220 OC
70 YB1ACN 192.80 2 #223 OC
71 YB5OUB 191.58 3 #225 OC
72 YC2WBF 176.51 3 #228 OC
73 YC2BG 165.01 1 #234 OC
74 YB3BOA 151.32 4 #239 OC
75 YC0HQQ 150.40 1 #241 OC
76 YC0NSI 149.48 4 #242 OC
77 YB2EUZ 137.45 3 #243 OC
78 YB1CYD 135.59 1 #245 OC
79 YC1MAM 120.97 1 #250 OC
80 YC1DML 120.97 1 #251 OC
81 YB1BGI 120.39 2 #252 OC
82 YC1BAH 96.68 1 #262 OC
83 YB0JZS 93.42 2 #265 OC
84 YB3JBJ 93.12 4 #267 OC
85 YC1BRS 91.65 2 #271 OC
86 YB0BCU 87.10 3 #274 OC
87 YC2NOD 46.36 1 #323 OC
88 YB3TD 41.55 2 #329 OC
89 YB0COU 34.94 5 #337 OC
90 YC9DEB 31.62 1 #348 OC
91 YB1AQD 27.29 1 #354 OC
92 YC1ELI 25.99 1 #357 OC
93 YG1CRR 17.67 2 #376 OC
94 YB2BBY 12.65 1 #415 OC
95 YD0OXA 12.52 2 #416 OC
96 YC0IEM 12.03 1 #418 OC
97 YF8RIM 10.69 2 #421 OC
98 YC1COZ 8.48 2 #432 OC
99 YB2UTX 8.30 2 #434 OC
100 YC6EN 7.81 2 #437 OC
101 YF1HDF 6.52 2 #439 OC
102 YC0OHG 6.35 3 #441 OC
103 YB7BAE 5.01 1 #443 OC
104 YD1POD 4.96 1 #444 OC
105 YD1BSL 4.96 1 #445 OC
106 YC2FAJ 2.49 3 #459 OC
107 YC9CCC 2.35 1 #461 OC
108 YC1RHS 2.22 1 #463 OC
109 YD1XUH 2.01 1 #465 OC
110 YC9CT 1.82 2 #477 OC
111 YD1HER 1.57 1 #480 OC
112 YC1JOK 1.57 1 #481 OC
113 YD1DNB 1.57 1 #482 OC
114 YC1PEI 1.15 1 #487 OC
115 YB3GE 0.96 1 #491 OC
116 YC2WWW 0.31 1 #501 OC
117 YD3SWV 0.29 1 #502 OC
118 YD1TNK 0.06 1 #508 OC
119 YF8UTN 0.03 1 #512 OC
120 YD1EGP 0.00 1 #527 OC
121 YC8AHH 0.00 1 #529 OC

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World Radiosport Team Championship 2014

World Radiosport Team Championship 2014


1. Qualifying Events
Anyone interested in operating in WRTC-2014 can attempt to qualify by operating in a variety of qualifying events between October 2010 and March 2013. Each qualifying event has a maximum point value that is factored into the qualifying score calculation. Listed below are the eligible contests for WRTC-2014, their point values, and in which years that each contest’s results will be considered:

  Years in which scores can be counted Number of scores
Contest Value 2010 2011 2012 2013
CQ WW CW 1000 X X X 3
CQ WW SSB 1000 X X X 3
CQ WPX CW 950 X X 2
CQ WPX SSB 950 X X 2
IARU 900 X X 2
Russian DX Contest 900 X X 2
ARRL SS CW 900 X X X 3 – US/VE only
ARRL SS SSB 900 X X X 3 – US/VE only
ARRL DX CW – for NA 900 X X X 3 – NA includes Z6/7/8
ARRL DX SSB – for NA 900 X X X 3 – NA includes Z6/7/8
ARRL DX CW – outside NA 800 X X X 3
ARRL DX SSB – outside NA 800 X X X 3
WAE CW 800 X X 2
WAE SSB 800 X X 2
All Asian DX CW 800 X X 2
All Asian DX SSB 800 X X 2
EUHFC 800 X X 2 – EU only
NAQP CW (Jan/Aug) 800 X X X Max 1/yr – NA/KH6 only
NAQP SSB (Jan/Aug) 800 X X X Max 1/yr – NA/KH6 only
NA Sprint CW (Feb/Sep) 800 X X X Max 1/yr – NA only
Oceania DX CW 800 X X 2 – OC only
Oceania DX SSB 800 X X 2 – OC only
1)  There are 55 events. The number of qualifying events varies based on geography: US/VE/KP2/KP4 = 49; other NA = 43; Pacific ARRL Section = 38; other OC = 32; EU = 30; All others = 28.
2)  New qualifying contests for WRTC-2014 are All Asian DX, NAQP, and Oceania DX.
3)  For ARRL DX, NA includes W/VE, plus the other countries in NA (Caribbean, Central America, KL7, etc.).
4)  For NAQP CW/SSB and NA Sprint CW, one score may be used per mode per calendar year.
5)  Applicants may use up to 12 published scores from the above contests to calculate their qualifying score. Details of that calculation follow later in this document.



2. Category Weighting Factor
Weighting factors are applied to compensate for differences in competitiveness and activity level in the various entry categories.

Entry Category Weight
SO HP (Single Operator High Power) (All Band or Single Band) 1.0
SO LP (Single Operator Low Power) (All Band or Single Band) 0.9
SO QRP (All Band) 0.7
SO Assisted (SO Unlimited) 0.8
SO Single Mode (in Mixed-mode contests only) 0.9
MS (Multi-operator Single-transmitter) 1.0
MS LP (ARRL DX, SS only) 0.9
M2 (Multi-operator Two-transmitters) 0.8
MM (Multi-operator Multi-transmitter) 0.8
1) Single Band scores are compared against All Band scores for the same power level.
2) Single Op Assisted scores are broken out by power level in those contests that have separate categories for them.  See Section 5 for specific details.
3) Scores made from IARU HQ stations in the IARU HF Championship are not eligible. See Appendix 1 for a list of all qualifying events and available weighting factors.

3. Selection Areas and Teams
To ensure a diverse international pool of teams for the competition, the world has been divided into Selection Areas that are used for grouping and calculating the qualifying scores. Team Leaders are selected from each Selection Area as shown in the table below.

Continent Teams from Continent Selection Area Countries in Selection Area Teams from Area
Europe 27 teams(maximum 2 per country, except maximum 3 from DL) EU #1 C3-CT-CU-EA-EA6-EI-F-G-GD-GI-GJ-GM-GU-GW-ON-PA-TK-ZB 5
EU #2 3A-9H-DL-HB-HB0-I-IS0-IT9-LX-T7 5
EU #3 ES-JW-JX-LA-LY-OH-OH0-OJ0-OY-OZ-R1FJ-SM-TF-YL 4
EU #4 HA-OE-OK-OM-S5-SP 5
EU #5 4O-9A-E7-ER-EU-LZ-SV-SV5-SV9-TA1-UR-YO-YU-Z3-ZA 5
EU #6 UA1-6, UA2 3
North America 15 teams NA #1 W1 1
NA #2 W2 1
NA #3 W3 1
NA #4E W4 (NC-SC-VA) 1
NA #4W W4 (AL-FL-GA-KY-TN) 1
NA #5 W5 1
NA #6 W6-W7(AZ-NV-UT) 2
NA #7 W7(ID-MT-OR-WA-WY) 1
NA #8 W8 1
NA #9 W9 1
NA #10 W0 1
NA #11 VE1/2/3/9/VO/VY2, OX 1
NA #12 VE4/5/6/7/8/VY1, KL7 1
NA #13 CQ Zones 6-7-8, 4U1UN, VP9 1
Asia 5 teams AS #1 CQ Zone 17, UA9 in zone 16 1
AS #2 CQ Zones 18-19-23 (except BY) 1
AS #3 CQ Zones 20 (AS portion), 21 1
AS #4 CQ Zones 22-24-26-BY/23, 9M2, 9V 1
AS #5 CQ Zone 25 (HL-JA) 1
South America 2 teams SA #1 CQ Zone 11 (PY-ZP) 1
SA #2* SA North – or – SA South 1
Africa 1 team AF* AF North/West – or – AF South/East 1
Oceania 1 team OC* OC South – or – OC North 1
Total 51 teams 51
* In order to reduce geographical and propagation differences in sparsely populated areas, the following Selection Areas are further divided for score comparison:



Selection Area Score Comparison Area
SA #2 SA North – CQ Zones 9-10
  SA South – CQ Zones 12-13
AF AF North/West – CQ Zones 33-34-35
  AF South/East – CQ Zones 36-37-38-39
OC OC South – CQ Zones 29-30-32
  OC North – CQ Zones 27-28 (except 9M2/9V)-31

For brevity, some DXCC countries are left out of the lists above. It is obvious which area most belong to (ex: HV=EU #2; FP=NA #11).  Antarctic stations use their CQ Zone to determine their selection area.

4. Special Teams
In addition to the geographically selected teams, there are other teams to be named by the WRTC organizing committee.

 Team Name Quantity Description
Defending Champions 1 team WRTC-2010 champions (RW1AC/RA1AIP)
Youth Team 1 team Under age 25 at WRTC-2014
Sponsored Teams 4 teams Sponsored Team #1 – #4
Wild Card 2 teams WRTC-2014 Committee selection
Total 8 teams

The Youth Team Leader position is awarded to the applicant born after July 12, 1989 with the highest qualifying score that does not already qualify for a “regular” Team Leader slot. Scores are calculated in the same manner as for all other applicants.  The Youth TL must select another youth operator as his/her Teammate.
Wild Cards are reserved for the WRTC-2014 Committee to acknowledge exceptional efforts within the pool of applicants that did not otherwise qualify.

5. Qualifying Event Score Calculation
The Event Score for each qualifying event will be calculated based on the following formula. Event Score = (Contest value) x (Category weighting factor) x (Published final score / Maximum score in applicant’s category from Selection Area*) * If the “Maximum published score in applicant’s category from Selection Area” is lower than the highest published score in any “lower” category from the same Selection Area, substitute the higher score as the reference score using the following category order and revised formula below.

Category order:

MM
M2
MS (only HP in ARRL DX, SS)
SO Assisted (only HP in ARRL DX, SS, CQ WPX, CQ WW)
SO HP (AB or SB)
SO Single Mode HP
MS LP (ARRL DX, SS only)
SO Assisted LP (ARRL DX, SS, CQ WPX, CQ WW only)
SO LP (AB or SB)
SO Single Mode LP
SO Assisted QRP (CQ WW only)
SO AB QRP
Event Score = (Contest value) x (Category weighting factor) x (Published final score / Maximum score in lower category from Selection Area)

Example: W1AAA has a published final score of 3,000,000 in CQ WPX CW (Value = 950) as a M2 entry (Category Weighting Factor = 0.8). The maximum score in M2 in W1AAA’s selection area (NA #1) is 4,000,000.  Up to 3 operators at W1AAA may submit the following result from this contest: 950 x 0.8 x (3,000,000 / 4,000,000) = 570.0

If there was a MS (a “lower” category than W1AAA’s entry category of M2) in NA #1 that had a published score of 5,000,000, then the calculation is: 950 x 0.8 x (3,000,000 / 5,000,000) = 456.0

Event Scores made outside an operator’s home Selection Area are evaluated against the top score in the Selection Area from which the score was made. Example:  W1BBB (NA #1), operating from KP2, receives points from evaluating the score against other scores from NA #13 instead of against scores from NA #1.

6. Qualification Score Calculation
The Qualification Score is the sum of up to 12 Event Scores. The maximum possible qualification score is 11,600.

1) A maximum of 6 event scores may be from multi-ops (MS/M2/MM).
2) A maximum of 6 event scores can be from outside an applicant’s home Selection Area (i.e., DXpeditions).
3) A maximum of 2 operators may submit scores for a single contest from a MS, 3 from a M2, and 5 from a MM.
4) If an operator’s callsign appears with more than one entry in a single qualifying event (e.g., from operating at more than one station), they may not use any scores from that contest.
5) In the unlikely case of a tie score for the final qualifying spot in a Selection Area, the applicants will be asked for additional scores beyond those submitted on the application until the tie is broken.

7. Team Leader (TL) Qualifications
The qualification process results in the selection of Team Leaders for each selection area based on the following:

1) To qualify, a Team Leader must apply for WRTC-2014. There are no automatic qualifiers (except the Defending Champions).
2) Applicants are strongly urged to follow all rules in all qualifying contests, including the observance of power limits, use of spotting assistance, usage of remote receivers, Skimmer, etc. Personal integrity is an integral element of a WRTC participant.
3) Any operator whose callsign is published as being disqualified from any WRTC 2014 qualifying event forfeits the right to apply.  Anyone receiving 1 Red Card or 2 Yellow Cards in CQ WW 2010/2011/2012 or CQ WPX 2011/2012 forfeits the right to apply. If the entry is in a multi-operator category, all listed operators forfeit the right to apply.
4) If a TL qualifies and then declines the invitation to attend WRTC-2014, the next qualifying applicant is then invited.
5) A TL must be prepared to provide proof of valid residence in his claimed Home Selection Area at the time of submitting an application in 2013. Such proof may include passport, resident alien status document, landed immigrant status document, work permit, tax bills, and the like, and should be sufficient to demonstrate legitimate residence and presence in the Selection Area.
6) A TL must be prepared to provide proof of valid residence in his claimed Home Selection Area at the time of all contests for which results are submitted. Such proof may include passport, resident alien status document, landed immigrant status document, work permit, tax bills, and the like, and should be sufficient to demonstrate legitimate residence and presence in the Selection Area.
7) The WRTC2014 Committee has sole authority in deciding whether a TL candidate has provided sufficient proof to demonstrate residence in the claimed Home Selection Area for each contest and at the time of application. The Committee reserves the right to re-classify an applicant's Home Selection Area based on its own judgment. Any applicant providing fraudulent documents relating to residency will be declared ineligible to participate in WRTC2014 as TL, TM or referee, and will be reported to the WRTC Sanctioning Committee for possible disqualification from future WRTCs.

The application form and entry deadline (likely to be September, 2013), will be announced at a later date.

8. Teammate (TM) Qualifications
Each Team Leader may select a Teammate (TM) from anywhere in the world.

1) An operator whose callsign is published as being disqualified from any WRTC 2014 qualifying event, and/or receiving 1 Red Card or 2 Yellow Cards in CQ WW 2010/2011/2012 or CQ WPX 2011/2012 forfeits the right to participate as a Teammate. If the entry is in a multi-operator category, all listed operators forfeit the right to participate as a Teammate.



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World Radio Team Championship (WRTC) History

World Radio Team Championship (WRTC) History


The World Radiosport Team Championship (WRTC) is held every four years and consists of approximately 50 two-person teams of amateur radio operators competing in a test of operating skill. Unlike most on-the-air competitions, all stations are required to use identical antennas from the same geographic region, eliminating all variables except operating ability.

Background
Amateur radio is a unique passion of all ages, with the radio spectrum providing a playing field for technical innovation and global human communication in pursuit of giving 4 million amateur radio operators a chance to experience telecommunications as a way of life and a source of technological innovation, taking our wonderful world a step closer to better and more human communication – or just simply, connecting people.

The World Radiosport Team Championship – WRTC in short – represents a large gathering of the world’s best in radio traffic – as selected Regionally – coming from any country and all continents in the spirit of competition, using the same playing field and allowing pure skills to determine world champions in two-man team, 24-hour nonstop competition.



Seattle, USA – 1990
Developed and hosted by a team of Seattle-area contesters, the first WRTC was conducted in 1990 at the same time as the Goodwill Games. WRTC-1990 was independent of the Games but brought contesters together from around the world in the style of Olympic athletic events. Also like the Olympics, WRTC-1990 had significant cultural aspects, emphasizing camaraderie and social events. The social aspects were carried forward into later WRTCs and have become a significant element of the event. The Seattle WRTC was the first time that contesters all competed from the same general location in a world-class event, rather than from their home stations. Minimizing the geographic variation unavoidable in a world-wide competition, WRTC enabled operators to compete on the basis of team skills in a common setting.

Top 3 teams
K1AR – K1DG
W9RE – K7JA
KR0Y(N5TJ) – KQ2M

San Francisco, USA – 1996
In 1996, the WRTC traveled to San Francisco, and in the shadow of the Golden Gate the event provided an historical setting and a ticket of continuity. At the same time, the WRTC Steering Team was born in the U.S. to promote the concept, to select future sites and to be of valuable help to future events. This time the WRTC was a pure Radio Amateur event and assumed more clearly defined proportions of the Olympics. The WRTC began to emerge as a worldwide radio contest and, in particular, a warm-hearted get-together of radio-contesters.

Top 3 teams
KR0Y(N5TJ) – K1TO
K4BAI – KM9P(W4AN)
K6LL – N2IC

Bled, Slovenia – 2000
It was in 2000 that WRTC expanded internationally, as the newly born country of Slovenia – on the sunny side of the Alps – set the stage. WRTC 2000 was another historical event for the benefit of those present as well as those following the event on the radiowaves from all corners of the globe. The entire country of Slovenia was actively involved, once again upholding the spirit of WRTC and its Olympic flame. A big and successful event by a small country, those that were there have an experience they never will forget.

Top 3 teams
K1TO – N5TJ
RA3AUU – RV1AW
K1DG – K1AR

Helsinki, Finland – 2002
Honoring the declining sunspot cycle – the source of shortwave radio propagation – the 2002 event came only two years after the previous competition, a true 50 years celebration of the Helsinki Olympic games 1952. Here, Contest Club Finland (CCF) and the Finnish Amateur Radio League (SRAL) jointly hosted the event. While the actual on-site race was organized in the Helsinki area, the week prior to the competition saw these world competitors spending several days together with the entire amateur radio population of Finland as well with many international guests. Some 2000 people gathered in the SRAL Summer camp (field day). This time 53 teams from 30 countries were competing, with almost real-time score presentation on monitors at the WRTC HQ and on the Internet, Finnish hi-tech at its best.

Top 3 teams
N5TJ – K1TO
RA3AUU – RV1AW
DL2CC – DL6FBL

Florianopolis, Brazil – 2006
At the bottom of the sunspot cycle the competition will be held in Florianopolis at the Atlantic coastal area in southern Brazil. 47 WRTC and up to 15 Multi-National Multi-Single Teams (MN MS) with participants from 47 countries, will participate. In line with the qualification principles for the Olympic games, the competitors have this time been selected on basis of real performance within their Region (total 14 Regions). To encourage participation of ladies and young radio amateurs, special selection criteria have been created for them. The MN MS Teams will serve as a booster for the Radio hobby in Brazil, at the same time develop international friendship and contesting experience between the participants.

Due to the poor propagations (sunspot cycle) and the remoteness from the radio amateur population centers, the WRTC is for the first time providing a linear amplifier and a beam for the 40 m. band, this in addition to the standard set-up. Further, the rules have been modified to give the second operator a more active role.

Another significant step towards globalization and international friendship is that all teams are not longer National but there are also Bi-National Teams.

Top 3 teams
VE3EJ – VE7ZO
N6MJ – N2NL
K1DG – N2NT

Moscow, Russia – 2010
The World Radiosport Team Championship was the major HAM Radio contest event of year 2010. WRTC-2010 will took place near Russia’s capital Moscow where 50 teams from all over the world competed in the same field conditions. The event was held by Soyuz Radioljubiteley Rossii – Russian National amateur radio society.

Top 3 teams
RW1AC – RA1AIP
ES5TV – ES2RR
N6MJ – KL9A


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Wednesday, November 23, 2011

CQWW DX CW 2011, THE ACTIVATIONS

CQWW DX CW 2011, THE ACTIVATIONS



The most famouse contest for CW and DXer lovers is coming. This year it will be held on the 26th and 27th of November. As always there will be a lot of stations from rare and nice DX locations.

Here, following, a brief list of some stations active during the contest:

- 9H Malta: OH2BH will be active from Malta as 9H3BH

- EA8 Canarie: Luis, EA8AY, will be active from Tenerife Island (DIE S-012, WLOTA 1276) in SOAB category. QSL via LoTW. Valery (RD3A) will be active from his station in Gran Canaria Island as EF8M in SOAB HP.

- 5B Cyprus: RN3QO will be operating from Cyprus as 5B/US7IDX in SOAB LP

- C5 Gambia: OM0C group will be QRV again as C5A in M/M category. QSL via OM2FY

- KH8 Samoa: A multinational team will be active from Samoa Island as K8A. QSL via W4PA

- P4 Aruba: W2GD will be active as P40W from Aruba in SOAB HP category.

- PJ4 Bonaire: K4BAI KU8E K1XM W1FJ will be operating as  PJ4A in M/2 category. QSL via K4BAI

- VP2 Virgin Islands: Arthur N3DXX will be in SOAB category using VP2V/N3DXX. QSL via AA7V

- ZF Cayman: The callsign ZF1A will be used by K6AM K5WA e AC6T in M/S category. QSL via LoTW

- ZK2 Niue: GM3WOJ will be in SOAB HP category as ZK2V. QSL via N3SL

- 9M6 East Malaysia : JE1JKL will be active as 9M6NA as SOAB from IOTA OC-133. QSL via bureau or direct

- EL Liberia: A multinational team composed by AA7A G3SXW G4BWP KC7V KY7M N7CW will be active as EL2A as M/M. QSLs can be requested to G3SWX.

- TK Corsica: TK4W will be used by  DJ2MX DJ4MZ DK4YJ DK5TX DK9TN DL2MLU DL6RAI taking part in the contest in M/2 category

- FM Matrinique Isl: UT5UGR will be active in SOAB HP from Martinique Island as TO7A. QSL via Home call
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Sunday, November 20, 2011

Ten Commandments for Contesters



Ten Commandments for Contesters


Log every QSO
Not logging a QSO just because it is a zero-pointer for you (or you think it is a dupe) is rude, unfair to the other op, and ultimately self-defeating.

Play by the rules
Use your national rules, and the rules of the contest, even if you think they are stupid.

Ask before CQing
A CW "QRL?" takes about 2 seconds at 30 wpm, and listening for an answer before launching your CQ takes another second. On phone, it's just as quick.



Repeat on Request
Repeats are a fact of life. Repeat only what information is requested. Everyone knows they are 59/599.

QRS?
Speed kills. If someone isn't copying you at 40 WPM, and it's usually easy enough to tell, QRS for them. Why go through multiple repeats when one at 26 will do the trick?

Listen for YOUR callsign
If the station you are calling says "The Whiskey Five again", and your callsign doesn't contain "W5", don't say a word. Standby! You will only cause QRM and slow the rate for everyone.

Operate Lots of Contests
We all have our favorite contests, but if everyone only operated their favorite contests there would not be many people on the air to work. Even a short appearance in a contest that might not be that important to you will help make it a better contest for those who are serious in that contest.

Do not ask to be spotted on DX Cluster or self-spot
It is an easy to do thing, but in most contests it is breaking the rules
I was once doing this as cluster was a new tool and it became a habit Once I was politely reminded on the air it helped me remember Embarrassment does that :)

-- submitted by Steve KG5VK
Give your call sign frequently while running
If not every QSO, do so at least every third one. There are many operators in the unassisted category listening for it. Many packet spots contain errors in the call. This means that people may try to work a station based on incorrect call sign data resulting in duplicate contacts. Signing your call often can prevent these needless dupes.

Call with your complete call sign
Calling with the "last two" is a bad habit, wastes everybody's time, and probably violates regulations somewhere.






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Wednesday, November 16, 2011

A PROJECT FOR THE FURTHERING OF DXPEDITIONING FROM THE LAND OF “DX HUNTERS”

A PROJECT FOR THE FURTHERING OF DXPEDITIONING FROM THE LAND OF “DX HUNTERS”


Imagine a city of two million four hundred thousand inhabitants in which reside twenty individuals on the DXCC “Honor Roll.” One for every one hundred twenty thousand inhabitants. Having done two calculations respective of the numbers characterizing our hobby, these figures are certainly high. Don’t think of this as some kind of “dream world,” because this place really exists. The place is Fortaleza in Brazil, in the state of Ceará, which is assigned the prefix PT7.



Not surprisingly, this is the place where the “Fortaleza DX Group” was born, with a nucleus of operators who, since the seventies have been on the hunt for DX in interpreting the hobby their way. Their work has always been sustained unambiguously: ask DXpedition enthusiasts of rare entities or islands from the 70s and 80s and they’ll tell you of calls in industrial quantities with the prefix “Papa Tango Seven.”

However, many of the OMs who so intensely surrendered themselves to the burning passion of ham radio in that part of Latin America are silent keys today, or have long since hung up their headphones. Still, the hunt for DXCC or for IOTA references can account for more than enough such people. With regard to the “award” which recognizes contacts with the islands, it’s impossible not to mention the role of Luke, PT7WA, one of the legendary members of the “DX group” and IOTA “check point” for South America.

Back in 2003, members of the Fortaleza DX Group decided to dedicate themselves, with the same vigor which had always set them apart, to contesting. A club station was thus born which first had the callsign ZY7C. Seven years later, with their stats on-hand, this callsign was changed to PW7T to avoid confusion on the air. The setup is impressive: eight towers with stacked yagis on 40 through 10 meters, as well as antennas dedicated to the low bands, equally impressive in size.

The station is active as a Multi-op Two-TX operation. In every contest, OMs from all of Brazil head to Fortaleza to live the experience of operating at a facility of this caliber. However, in checking out PW7T or ZY7T in the stats of the major international contests, you’ll easily take note of the volume of contacts and the results of which we speak.



If today we find ourselves talking about this DX group, it’s because of a project of theirs which merits mentioning. It’s called the ForDX Foundation and is rooted in the idea, common to this group of operators, that South America (and Brazil) should be represented in a major way on the DXpedition scene. One of the ways to incentive this type of operation is by offering financial support to those operators who set off for remote locations, leaving house and home to afford all of us a juicy “new one.”

The strong belief of its promoters is that this initiative is unique to South America and that it would be able to ultimately increase the level of DX activity on the continent. In the end, members of the Fortaleza DX Group (but any other DXer could do the same) are obligated to pay a monthly amount to the fund. The funds raised will be used to finance DXpeditions deemed worthy by the group. The main criterion would be that of supporting funding of large expeditions to especially rare DXCC entities or IOTA islands.

How do you make yourself available for support from the ForDX Group? It’s easy enough: drop an e-mail to the address fordxfoundation@dxbrasil.net, providing detailed information on your DXpedition, including setup and budget, and of course, event duration and destination. This project was just recently launched and further information will be published soon on the PW7T website. These webpages already address the possibility for those wanting to make a donation and have published the list of DXpeditions supported ny the Foundation of the Fortaleza DX Group.


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Saturday, November 12, 2011

JAPAN INTERNATIONAL DX CONTEST RULE

JAPAN INTERNATIONAL DX CONTEST RULE


** RULE CHANGE! ** 1. Deadline is shortened. 1month after the contest.

OBJECTIVE: For amateurs around the world(DX) to contact JA stations in
as many JA prefectures + JD1 islands as possible.
For amateurs in Japan to contact DX stations in as many DXCC entities
and CQ Zones as possible.

1. CONTEST PERIOD

CW Start Sat. 0700 -Sun. 1300UTC 2nd full weekend of April
PH Start Sat. 0700 -Sun. 1300UTC 2nd full weekend of November

CW 2011-04-09 0700 - 2011-04-10 1300 UTC
PH 2011-11-12 0700 - 2011-11-13 1300 UTC


2. BANDS:

PH 3.5/7/14/21/28MHz
(JAs on 3525-3575, 3599-3612, 3680-3687, 3702-3716 3745-3770 & 3791-3805KHz
7030-7200KHz also)
CW 1.8/3.5/7/14/21/28MHz (JAs on 1810-1825 & 1907.5-1912.5KHz)

Except for the WARC bands.

3. ENTRY CLASSIFICATIONS:

**** CHOOSE ONLY ONE! ****

3-1.Single Operator(*1) High Power(*2)
Abbreviation = category
AB = SINGLE-OP ALL-BAND HIGH-POWER
28 = SINGLE-OP 28MHz SINGLE-BAND HIGH-POWER
21 = SINGLE-OP 21MHz SINGLE-BAND HIGH-POWER
14 = SINGLE-OP 14MHz SINGLE-BAND HIGH-POWER
7 = SINGLE-OP 7MHz SINGLE-BAND HIGH-POWER
3.5 = SINGLE-OP 3.5MHz SINGLE-BAND HIGH-POWER
1.8 = SINGLE-OP 1.8MHz SINGLE-BAND HIGH-POWER
3-2.Single Operator Low Power(*3)
ABL = SINGLE-OP ALL-BAND LOW-POWER
28L = SINGLE-OP 28MHz SINGLE-BAND LOW-POWER
21L = SINGLE-OP 21MHz SINGLE-BAND LOW-POWER
14L = SINGLE-OP 14MHz SINGLE-BAND LOW-POWER
7L = SINGLE-OP 7MHz SINGLE-BAND LOW-POWER
3.5L = SINGLE-OP 3.5MHz SINGLE-BAND LOW-POWER
1.8L = SINGLE-OP 1.8MHz SINGLE-BAND LOW-POWER
3-3.Multi Operator (*4)
MOP = MULTI-OP (SINGLE-TX ALL-BAND HIGH-POWER)
3-4.Maritime Mobile(*5)
MM = MARITIME-MOBILE

# All categories, except Multi Op, only one transmitted signal is
allowed at any one time.
# All stations can use the spotting network(like DXsummit).
# No SELF-SPOTTING of any form is allowed in all categories.
Self-spotting is defined as generating spots for your contest
callsign by yourself.
# All stations, except Maritime Mobile, must not change the operating
location in entire contest period.
# Anyone may only submit one entry in spite of the callsign used.
Submission of check logs for operation on other bands or other
callsigns are encouraged.
# JA stations must sign their call area as "/#" if they operate from
different call area against their callsign.

*1 Single operator must do all contest related things by himself.
+Single-Operator can change bands at any time.
+Multiple Single-Operator entries from the same location must use
different callsigns.
*2 High Power: Output power 100w over
*3 Low Power: Output power 100w or less
*4 Multi Op station must remain the same band at least 10 minutes
when they make the contact on that band (RUNNING station).
They can transmit one other band simultaneously only when the
station worked is a new multiplier (MULTIPLIER station).
The above 10 minutes rule will be applied to each RUNNING station
and MULTIPLIER station separately.
*5 All Maritime Mobile stations must sign "/MM" after the callsign.
They will send CQ-Zone number for exchange with JA stations only.
Their scores will be listed in the result but not eligible for the
awards.


4. CONTEST EXCHANGE:

JAs : RS(T) + Prefecture number(01 to 50)
Others: RS(T) + CQ Zone number

You can download the Prefecture number= jidxmult.lst

5. POINTS:

Only contacts between JA and DX(+/MM) are worth contest points.
(DX-DX, DX-/MM or JA-JA contacts are no point and no multi)
1.8MHz................. 4pts
3.5/3.8MHz ............ 2 points
7MHz, 14MHz and 21MHz.. 1 point
28MHz.................. 2 Points
The same station may be worked only once per band.
No cross mode, cross band nor repeater contacts are allowed.

6. MULTIPLIER:

JAs :The number of different DXCC country (except JD1) and CQ
Zone worked on each band.
QSO with /MM stations is worth for Point and Zone multi but
no Country multi.
Others:The number of different Japanese Prefecture plus Ogasawara
Is.(JD1), Minami-Torishima Is.(JD1) and Okino-Torishima Is.
worked on each band. Maximum of 50 (See the List) per band.

7. SCORING:

The final score is the result of the
(Total QSO points) multiplied by (Total multiplier).
Ex. 100 QSO points x 59 multi = 5,900

8. LOG INSTRUCTIONS:

** Only one log is accepted for the result regardless of the callsign used.
8-1. All times must be in UTC.
8-2. All sent and received exchanges are to be logged.
**DO NOT FORGET TO RECORD YOUR ZONE/PREFECTURE ON EITHER LOG or SUMMARY**
8-3. Indicate the new multiplier only the FIRST TIME it is worked
on each band.
8-4. Duplicate contacts on same band must be clearly shown and
marked as 0 QSO point.
8-5. Electronic Log:
Please follow the ELECTRONIC LOG instructions. You can send it by
following 2ways to the committee.
DISK LOG: MS-DOS compatible 3.5" disk only. (No 5" disk or Mac format)
EMAIL LOG: send the Log file as email attatchement.
The instruction [jidxelog-e.html] is here.
send your email logs to
cw@jidx.org
ph@jidx.org

8-6. Use a separate sheet for each band.
Use a separate sheet for Multi Op, RUNNING and MULTI station.
8-7. Each entry must be accompanied by a summary sheet showing all scoring
information, class of entries, name and address in BLOCK LETTERS, and a
signed declaration that "All contest rules and regulations for amateur
radio in the entity of operation have been observed. JIDX Contest committee
decision is final"
8-8. All entrants, except Electronic Log submittion, are required to submit
dupe-check sheets (an alphabetical list of calls worked) for each band if
200 or more QSOs were made on that band, or for all bands if a total of 500
or more QSOs were made.


9. PLAQUES:

Plaques will be awarded to the winners which have donnors.
The Single Op/Sigle band plaques will be awarded to the highest
scorer regardless of the High/Low power category.




10.AWARDS:

First(plus 2nd & 3rd, depending on number of entries) place
certificates will be awarded in each class in every entity and
in each call area of the USA if the station got SUFFICIENT* score.
*What is sufficient? Depending on the band conditions, activities
etc, judged by the committee.
*Plaque winners will not receive the printed award.


11.REPORTING:

A original log and a summary sheet will be requested with a SAE
with one IRC but any log forms will be accepted.
All logs should be sent to
JIDX "PHONE/CW" Contest
c/o FIVE-NINE MAGAZINE
P.O.Box 59, Kamata, Tokyo, 144-8691 Japan
The contest results will be sent with one IRC and SAE.

Email log submissions will be judged with the time stamp of the email
and it should be sent to;
Separate addresses for each (Phone & CW) contests NOW!!

Please use the following email addresses;
CW : cw@jidx.org
Phone: ph@jidx.org

(Log submissions only)
The acknowledgment will be sent when the email log is received and
the result also will be sent by email.

Email Log Submission Guide is available here.
CABRILLO FORMAT is recommeneded.

13.Deadline:

No later than ONE month after the end of contest.
** SHORTENED **
CW 2011-05-11
PH 2011-12-14

The deadline will be extended up to 2 weeks if the JIDX contest
committee accept the request with the reason byemail prior to the deadline.
Email: jidx-chairman@jidx.org

12.DISQUALIFICATION:

Violation of the contest rules.
False statement in the report.
The decision of the JIDX contest committee is final.


13.Information on the Internet

You'll be able to get JIDX related informations at the
JIDX Official HomePage.
http://jidx.org/


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Thursday, November 10, 2011

A Quick Guide to QSLs and QSLing

A Quick Guide to QSLs and QSLing

With so many GVARC members getting on HF for the first time, a short review of QSL cards and practices may be helpful.

What’s a QSL?

On the air, the abbreviation "QSL" literally means "Can you acknowledge receipt." For about as long as hams have been contacting one another by radio, they have sought written confirmation of their contacts by means of QSL cards. For decades, "the final courtesy of a QSO is (was) a QSL." For most of us today, the automatic sending of QSL cards has become a casualty of high postage rates, but it’s still considered good form to reply to those QSLs you receive.

Collecting QSL cards that confirm meaningful contacts we have made is still a source of pleasure. In addition, most of the better-known and more prestigious operating awards, such as DX Century Club (DXCC), Worked All States (WAS) and Worked All Zones (WAZ), require written proof that the required contacts have been made, through the submission of QSL cards or the equivalent (see below).

QSLs are generally not exchanged for contacts made through repeaters (other than orbiting satellites), nor for those made through such media as Echolink. Such contacts, fun though they are, generally are not valid for operating award purposes.

Your Own QSLs

Designing QSL cards for your own station can also be fun. You can find, or make, QSLs to fit every need and every budget. If you only need a few cards at a time, making them on your computer might be the way to go, depending upon your desktop-publishing skills and software library. Some clubs and on-the-air groups, such as the FISTS CW Club and the Quarter Century Wireless Association, offer club QSL card designs at attractive prices. You can find QSL card printers by checking the classified ads in QST and Worldradio, as well as Google.

Most QSL printers offer stock designs that you can adapt for your own use, or will print your own custom design from your artwork. My own QSL card, for example, features a cartoon by the late Philip "Gil" Gildersleeve, W1CJD, originally published with the first article I wrote for QST when I was 17 years old. I’m sure glad I saved Gil’s original pen-and-ink drawing, which ARRL gave me permission to use.

Whatever the design, a QSL must state that it confirms a two-way contact and include the necessary information: both call signs, date and time of QSO (please use GMT/UTC, and remember that in most of the world, "3/2/07" means February 3, not March 2), signal report (RST), band and mode. If the QSO was made via satellite or some unusual propagation mode, that should be specified too. The QSL must also include your location. Since some hams collect counties and/or Maidenhead grid squares, it’s a good idea to include those too (Green Valley is in grid square DM41).

Sending and Receiving

Now that you have a supply of QSL cards, how do you send them? The simplest and most effective way, as well as the most expensive, is to send them direct via first class mail or international airmail. If you don’t already have the recipient’s address, you can generally find it on http://www.qrz.com.

You’ll soon find that many DX stations, especially those in rare locations, use volunteer "QSL managers" rather than handling their own cards. Many QSL managers are listed in the various DX bulletins, or you can often find them through qrz.com or Google.

QSL managers, as well as most stations whose cards are likely to be sought after, will greatly appreciate your including a self-addressed envelope and return postage. If the addressee is outside the USA, you can use an International Reply Coupon from the Post Office, or simply include dollar bills (often referred to as "green stamps"). The latter, however, can be expensive. At this writing, airmail postage to the US from Germany, for example, costs 1.75 euros, which would require three "green stamps" at the current exchange rate of $1.32 to the euro.

In my experience, sending QSLs direct is by far the most effective way of getting one in return, but there are cheaper alternatives. ARRL and most other national radio societies maintain a system of QSL Bureaus for international (DX) contacts. To send QSLs via the ARRL outgoing bureau, go to http://www.arrl.org, click on "Services," then "QSL Service," then select "Outgoing." You’ll find all the info you need, including the charges which are $5 per half-pound of cards.

The same Web site also has the information you’ll need to subscribe to the incoming bureau. This is strongly recommended for anyone who makes international contacts; ARRL membership is not required. Just select "Incoming" instead of "Outgoing." You’ll find that the address and procedures depend upon the number in your call sign, not your actual location. Since I’m W2RS, I subscribe through the North Jersey DX Association in New Jersey. If your call has a "7" in it, your incoming bureau is run by the Willamette Valley DX Club in Oregon.

LotW

There’s an even cheaper alternative, which I recommend in addition to (not instead of) the QSL bureau. It’s called Logbook of the World (LotW), and it’s also run by ARRL for members and non-members alike. LotW is a database that matches QSOs from electronic logs submitted by subscribers. Most computer-logging programs will produce output in LotW format (also called "Cabrillo" format) or, if you’re like me and still keep your log on paper (you do keep a log, don’t you?), the LotW software you download from ARRL allows you to enter QSO data manually. For more info, and to sign up, go to http://www.arrl.org/lotw.

The problem with LotW is that it’s still new, so many of the stations you work will not yet be participating. However, the database already includes over 75,000,000 QSOs and is growing rapidly. Most major DXpeditions are on the system, as are entries in ARRL contests. You should be too; signing up and submitting QSO data are free. You pay only if you submit LotW QSOs for an operating award, currently at 25 cents per QSO.

LotW is a highly secure system and should not be confused with eQSL.cc, whose "eQSLs" are not accepted for ARRL and other major operating awards because they are too easy to forge. Yes, some hams have been known to cheat, and LotW is designed to make that as difficult as possible while still being easy to use for the rest of us.

MNI TNX QSO. PSE QSL


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