XPost: rec.radio.info

********************************************
The ARRL Contest Update

Published by the American Radio Relay League ********************************************

November 8, 2023

Editor: Paul Bourque, N1SFE <contest-update@arrl.org>

IN THIS ISSUE:

Your Editor, Paul Bourque, N1SFE, is on leave. While he's out, Brian
Moran, N9ADG, will be filling in as ARRL Contest Update Editor.

- Upcoming Contests -- Things to Do
- Bulletins
- Contest Summary
- News
- Word to the Wise
- Sights and Sounds
- Results
- Operating Tip
- Technical Topics and Information
- Conversation
- Contests
- Log Due Dates

UPCOMING CONTESTS - THINGS TO DO

There are quite a few contests coming up this weekend, including the NA
SSB Sprint Contest <https://ssbsprint.com/>. The Sprint format can
really pump up the excitement level.

The German Amateur Radio Club's (DARC <https://www.darc.de/>) Worked
All Europe (WAE) RTTY Contest <https://www.darc.de/der-club/referate/conteste/wae-dx-contest/en/>
format is also a little different from the normal fare, with a QTC
feature <https://gu0sup.com/wae-contest/> that can boost scores (make
sure you review the contest rules and are aware of the allowed
frequencies). If you hear RTTY on 10 meters, it could be the 10-10 Int.
Fall Digital Contest <http://www.ten-ten.org/index.php/activity/2013-07-22-20-26-48/qso-party-rules>.
Phone operators may enjoy the Japan International DX (JIDX) Phone
Contest <http://www.jidx.org/jidxrule-e.html>, and CW operators can
participate in the OK/OM DX Contest <http://okomdx.crk.cz/index.php?page=english>.

ARRL Phone Sweepstakes <http://www.arrl.org/sweepstakes>returns the
weekend of November 18. See the previous issue of the Contest Update <http://arrl.org/contest-update-issues?issue=2023-10-25> for changes to Sweepstakes for 2023.

Contest Summary

See the "Contests" section below for complete contest information.

November 9 - November 23, 2023

November 9

- CWops Test (CWT) <https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/>
- EACW Meeting <https://www.eacwspain.es/eacwmeeting/>

November 10

- NCCC FT4 Sprint <https://www.ncccsprint.com/ft4ns.html>
- NCCC RTTY Sprint <https://ncccsprint.com/rttyns.html>
- QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm>
- NCCC Sprint <https://ncccsprint.com/rules.html>
- K1USN Slow Speed Test <http://www.k1usn.com/sst.html>

November 11

- WAE DX Contest, RTTY <https://www.darc.de/der-club/referate/conteste/wae-dx-contest/en/>
- PODXS 070 Club Triple Play Low Band Sprint <http://www.podxs070.com/o7o-club-sponsored-contests/triple-play-low-band-sprint>
- FISTS Saturday Sprint <https://fistsna.org/operating.html#sprints>
- 10-10 Int. Fall Contest, Digital <http://www.ten-ten.org/index.php/activity/2013-07-22-20-26-48/qso-party-rules> - SARL VHF/UHF Analogue Contest <http://www.sarl.org.za/public/contests/contestrules.asp>
- JIDX Phone Contest <http://www.jidx.org/jidxrule-e.html>
- SKCC Weekend Sprintathon <https://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/weekend_sprintathon/>
- OK/OM DX Contest, CW <http://okomdx.crk.cz/index.php?page=english>
- CQ-WE Contest <https://w8zpf.com/cqwe/>
- AWA Bruce Kelley 1929 QSO Party <https://antiquewireless.org/homepage/bk-qso-party-details/>

November 12

- North American SSB Sprint Contest <http://ssbsprint.com/rules/>
- FIRAC HF Contest <http://www.firac.de/FIRAC_HF_CONTEST_E.pdf>

November 13

- K1USN Slow Speed Test <http://www.k1usn.com/sst.html>
- 4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint <http://www.4sqrp.com/SSS/sss_rules.pdf>
- ICWC Medium Speed Test
<https://internationalcwcouncil.org/mst-contest/>
- OK1WC Memorial (MWC)
<https://memorial-ok1wc.cz/index.php?page=rules2l>
- ICWC Medium Speed Test
<https://internationalcwcouncil.org/mst-contest/>

November 14

- Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest <https://wwsac.com/rules.html>
- ICWC Medium Speed Test
<https://internationalcwcouncil.org/mst-contest/>
- DARC FT4 Contest <https://www.darc.de/der-club/referate/conteste/ft4-contest/ft4-rules/>

November 15

- QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm>
- Phone Weekly Test
<http://www.perluma.com/Phone_Fray_Contest_Rules.pdf>
- A1Club AWT <https://a1club.org/contest/awt/>
- CWops Test (CWT) <https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/>
- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest
<http://www.ft8activity.eu/index.php/en/>
- Mini-Test 40 <http://minitest.narod.ru/>
- Mini-Test 80 <http://minitest.narod.ru/>
- CWops Test (CWT) <https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/>
- RSGB 80m Autumn Series, SSB <https://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2023/rautumn.shtml>

November 16

- Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest <https://qrpcontest.com/pigwalk20/>
- NAQCC CW Sprint <http://naqcc.info/sprint_rules.html>
- CWops Test (CWT) <https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/>
- NTC QSO Party <https://pi4ntc.nl/ntcqp/>

November 17

- NCCC FT4 Sprint <https://www.ncccsprint.com/ft4ns.html>
- NCCC RTTY Sprint <https://ncccsprint.com/rttyns.html>
- QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm>
- NCCC Sprint <https://ncccsprint.com/rules.html>
- K1USN Slow Speed Test <http://www.k1usn.com/sst.html>

November 18

- LZ DX Contest <http://lzdx.bfra.org/rulesen.html>
- All Austrian 160-Meter Contest <https://www.oevsv.at/export/shared/.content/.galleries/Downloads_Referate/HF-Referat-Downloads/Rules_AOEC_160m.pdf>
- REF 160-Meter Contest <https://concours.r-e-f.org/reglements/actuels/202212_reg_ref160_en.pdf>
- South American Integration Contest CW <https://sacw.cwsp.com.br/en/2021/09/21/for-reading/>
- Feld Hell Sprint <https://sites.google.com/site/feldhellclub/Home/contests/sprints/turkey-hunt-sprint>
- RSGB 1.8 MHz Contest
<https://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2023/r160m.shtml>
- ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, SSB <http://www.arrl.org/sweepstakes>

November 19

- FISTS Sunday Sprint <https://fistsna.org/operating.html#sprints>
- Homebrew and Oldtime Equipment Party <http://www.qrpcc.de/contestrules/hotr.html>
- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest <http://qrpcontest.com/pigrun/>

November 20

- K1USN Slow Speed Test <http://www.k1usn.com/sst.html>
- ICWC Medium Speed Test
<https://internationalcwcouncil.org/mst-contest/>
- OK1WC Memorial (MWC)
<https://memorial-ok1wc.cz/index.php?page=rules2l>
- ICWC Medium Speed Test
<https://internationalcwcouncil.org/mst-contest/>

November 21

- Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest <https://wwsac.com/rules.html>
- ICWC Medium Speed Test
<https://internationalcwcouncil.org/mst-contest/>

November 22

- SKCC Sprint
<https://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/weekday_sprint/>
- Phone Weekly Test
<http://www.perluma.com/Phone_Fray_Contest_Rules.pdf>
- A1Club AWT <https://a1club.org/contest/awt/>
- CWops Test (CWT) <https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/>
- Mini-Test 40 <http://minitest.narod.ru/>
- Mini-Test 80 <http://minitest.narod.ru/>
- CWops Test (CWT) <https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/>

News, Press Releases, and Special Interest

As mentioned above, the NA SSB Sprint Contest <https://ssbsprint.com/>
is this weekend on November 12, from 0000 - 0359 UTC (this is Saturday
evening, November 11, in NA time zones). According to the Bob Hayes,
KW8N, Contest Manager, there are no state QSO parties to compete for
your contesting attention during this time. "This is a 4-hour SSB
contest with many trophies, plaques, and certificates and a drawing for
door prizes from all of the entries scoring at least 1,500 points." To encourage participation across all of the possible state and province multipliers, the sponsors have set up a Planned Activity <https://ssbsprint.com/planned-activity/> web page for this event and
are encouraging sign-ups.

Beacon CS3B has been destroyed by a wildfire (https://www.iaru-r1.org/2023/hf-beacon-cs3b-madeira-destroyed-in-wildfire/). This beacon site was installed relatively recently, and was a part of
the Northern California DX Foundation's (NCDXF) International Beacon
Project (IBP), a series of HF beacons operating on 14.100, 18.110,
21.150, 24.930, and 28.200 MHz.

KD9SV Products has been acquired by DX Engineering <https://dxengineering.com/>. Since 1987, Gary Nichols, KD9SV, has been producing well-regarded low-band receiving equipment. Production of his
gear for 160 and 80 meters will be assumed by DX Engineering. DX
Engineering CEO Tim Duffy, K3LR, said: "We remain dedicated to making
sure these types of well-respected legacy devices, which have helped so
many operators around the globe, continue to be available for improved contesting and DXing results."

AU2JCB is a special event call sign commemorating the birth date and
radio accomplishments of Indian scientist Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jagadish_Chandra_Bose>. Bose was a
pioneer in early radio, especially at microwave frequencies, starting
his work in 1894. He was even experimenting with semiconductors around
the turn of the century. AU2JCB will be active from November 23 through December 11, 2023. AU3JCB and AU5JCB will also be active during this
period. Thanks to Datta Deogaonkar, VU2DSI, for this information.

Registration for 2024's Contest University <https://www.contestuniversity.com/registration/> will open on December
16. This event will be held at the Hope Hotel in Dayton, Ohio, on May
16, the day before the official opening of the Dayton Hamvention.
Advance registration is the only way to attend Contest University in
person. Note that the Hope Hotel registration
<https://www.hopehotel.com/> has been open since July, and rooms may
already be limited.

Find out how a lost cell phone turned into a version of a modern-day
foxhunt <https://manas.tech/blog/2023/10/25/approaching-unconventional-problems/>,
with the biggest challenge being that it was lost in an area with no
cellular coverage. The story might inspire other license-free hunts
without specialized equipment.

Word to the Wise

Off Time

Periods of non-operation during a contest. Operation includes the
activity of listening, so listening during off-times is not allowed.

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS

Randy Foltz, K7TQ, made a short video overview of the installation
of Bob Lee's, N7AU, 80-meter three-element Yagi antenna <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOQyAVURvDs&t=2s> by Hector Garcia,
XE2K.

RESULTS AND RECORDS

While the World Series distracted some during the recent CQ World Wide
SSB Contest, conditions were good to great on the high bands, but many
found 160, 80, and 40 meters to be lacking. You can catch up with the self-reported scores on www.3830scores.com <https://3830scores.com/currecscores.php?arg=E2ccq3zxvvqvo>, and peruse
the raw scores at https://cqww.com/raw.htm?mode=ph.

The ARRL CW Sweepstakes was held last weekend. Early conditions were
favorable for many, however a solar storm affected propagation later on
in the contest. West coast operator Bob Norin, W7YAQ, noted that 10 and
15 meters were shut down on Sunday <https://3830scores.com/showrumor.php?arg=EOaTzxyvyygao>, and on 20
meters, the east coast signals sounded watery.

Operating Tip

Caution: Software Updates before a Contest

In today's world of self-updating computers, be mindful of changes to
your configuration that may inadvertently happen when software is
upgraded. Microsoft Windows can change port assignments, sound devices,
and so forth after updates, which could make radio control problematic.
Updates to any software involved in your contest operation should be
treated with caution just before a contest starts. A prudent person
might spend a half hour before the contest verifying that everything is operating as it should be.

TECHNICAL TOPICS AND DISCUSSION

An accurate time setting for your PC is critical for operating the FTX
modes and for when time is used in a networked multi-operator setting.
On a DXpedition, where there's limited or no access to the internet,
this could be a challenge. Inexpensive GPS USB dongles can be used in combination with software like NMEATime2 <https://www.visualgps.net/"
\l "nmeatime2-content> to obtain accurate time from GPS satellites, and
a computer running Windows can be made into an NTP server <https://windospc.com/how-to-make-your-computer-a-time-server-ntp-server/>
for all of the computers on your network.

Be careful with spray lubricant, as it may be incompatible with some
plastics. Here's an article from This Old House that offers the best
practices for using WD-40 <https://www.thisoldhouse.com/21097071/wd-40-best-practices>. According
to the article, you should be especially careful around polystyrenes
and polycarbonates.

An article on the CAIG Laboratories website <http://store.caig.com/s.nl/ctype.KB/it.I/id.316/KB.215/.f> recommends
that their DeoxIT D5 liquids be used exclusively on metal contacts, and
not the surrounding non-metallic materials, such as phenolic. Phenolic
and other materials can absorb the liquid with unintended negative consequences.

CONVERSATION

NN Problems with Cut Numbers

The topic of cut numbers <http://www.arrl.org/contest-glossary> comes
up periodically, especially for contests that use serial numbers or
power numbers in the exchange, such as February's ARRL International DX contests, or some CQ World Wide contests. Cut numbers, originally only
for CW, substitute letters with fewer elements for numbers. For
example, N with two elements is used instead of 9 with five
(disregarding the difference in time between dots and dashes, which
makes the savings even greater).

Using cut numbers for RST is so common, we sometimes forget that they
are actually cut numbers. RST is not usually checked during contest log
scoring and acts more as a placeholder, denoting that "the exchange
part you need to copy is next." No running station in a contest wants a
true and accurate signal report. For CW RST, sending 5NN is customary
and expected. For RTTY RST, you should send 599. Sending 5NN in Baudot
takes more time.For SSB readability and strength, 59 is as short as it
needs to be. The decision to use cut numbers for other parts of the
exchange is more nuanced.

It may seem faster to send ETT instead of a number (500). But if cut
numbers have to be repeated because a short exchange was covered by
noise, the other operator is not familiar with cut numbers and asks for repeats, or the other operator is confused about what to log after
copying the cut numbers, then they aren't serving their intended
purpose.

Those who make thousands of contacts in a weekend, operating for the
full contest interval and running for hours on end, might make more
contacts using cut numbers. The small savings per contact could add up
to matter. But how many S&Pers who aren't familiar with cut numbers,
requiring repeats, does it take before any savings are consumed by the
extra time taken for those contacts?

Less experienced S&Pers may face challenges in receiving cut numbers --
logging them, and even submitting the log. A logging program may not
accept letters instead of numbers for the contest exchange. If a log is submitted with cut numbers in the exchange field, does the contest
sponsor score it as-is? Turns out, it depends on the contest! For CQ
World Wide contests, per the Rules FAQ
<https://www.cqww.com/rules_faq.htm>:

"Q: A station sends me 'cut numbers' on CW. What should I enter in the
log?

The log checking software is expecting to see a log with sent and
received zone numbers. No matter what someone sends you, it is your responsibility to convert it into the zone number you thought they were
trying to communicate."

It's different for ARRL contests. The ARRL International DX Contest
will accept cut numbers for power in Cabrillo logs and convert them to
regular numbers
<http://www.arrl.org/contest-update-issues?issue=2020-02-05" \l "_650494956541323-News>. You might hear 1K or K as a shortcut - not
technically cut numbers, but both are understandable as 1,000.

Another potential drawback: Someone that has found cut numbers to be
confusing in the past may be inclined to not call the running stations
using them.

How about if both stations are fluent in cut numbers? Not as safe as
you'd think. Most CW sending these days is handled by the logging
software, so saving time using a cut number would probably require
special case handling using a paddle, alternative macro, or some other
means. Anything outside of the normal flow of QSOs is risky.

For varying parts of the exchange, such as a serial number, a good
practice is to only use cut numbers in one instance -- T for any
leading zeroes. There's even a N1MM Logger+ setting to do this
automatically for you.

That's all for this time. Remember to send contesting-related stories,
book reviews, tips, techniques, press releases, errata, schematics,
club information, pictures, stories, blog links, and predictions to contest-update@arrl.org.

73, Brian, N9ADG (filling in temporarily for Paul, N1SFE)

CONTESTS

November 9 - November 23, 2023

An expanded, downloadable version of QST's Contest Corral <http://www.arrl.org/contest-calendar> is available as a PDF. Check the sponsors' website for information on operating time restrictions and
other instructions.

HF CONTESTS

CWops Test (CWT) <https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/>, Nov 9, 0300z to Nov
9, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member
No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Nov
11.

CWops Test (CWT) <https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/>, Nov 9, 0700z to Nov
9, 0800z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member
No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Nov
11.

EACW Meeting <https://www.eacwspain.es/eacwmeeting/>, Nov 9, 1900z to
Nov 9, 2000z; CW; Bands: 80, 40; EACW Member: RST + Member No. +
Nickname, EA non-Member: RST + Nickname + EA province, non-EA: RST +
Nickname + DXCC prefix; Logs due: Nov 11.

NCCC FT4 Sprint <https://www.ncccsprint.com/ft4ns.html>, Nov 10, 0100z
to Nov 10, 0130z; FT4; Bands: (see rules); 4-character grid square;
Logs due: Nov 12.

NCCC RTTY Sprint <https://ncccsprint.com/rttyns.html>, Nov 10, 0145z
to Nov 10, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH;
Logs due: Nov 12.

QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm>, Nov 10,
0200z to Nov 10, 0330z; CW; Bands: 20; RST + (state/province/country) +
name + power output; Logs due: Nov 11.

NCCC Sprint <https://ncccsprint.com/rules.html>, Nov 10, 0230z to Nov
10, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due:
Nov 12.

K1USN Slow Speed Test <http://www.k1usn.com/sst.html>, Nov 10, 2000z
to Nov 10, 2100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm,
Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Nov 12.

WAE DX Contest, RTTY <https://www.darc.de/der-club/referate/conteste/wae-dx-contest/en/>,
Nov 11, 0000z to Nov 12, 2359z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST +
Serial No.; Logs due: Nov 19.

PODXS 070 Club Triple Play Low Band Sprint <http://www.podxs070.com/o7o-club-sponsored-contests/triple-play-low-band-sprint>,
Nov 11, 0000z to Nov 13, 2359z; PSK31; Bands: 160, 80, 40; RST + (state/province/country); Logs due: Nov 20.

FISTS Saturday Sprint <https://fistsna.org/operating.html#sprints>,
Nov 11, 0000z to Nov 11, 2359z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; FISTS:
RST + first name + FISTS No. + (state/province/country), non-FISTS: RST
+ first name + "0" + (state/province/country); Logs due: Nov 18.

10-10 Int. Fall Contest, Digital <http://www.ten-ten.org/index.php/activity/2013-07-22-20-26-48/qso-party-rules>,
Nov 11, 0001z to Nov 12, 2359z; Digital; Bands: 10; 10-10 Member: Name
+ 10-10 number + (state/province/country), Non-Member: Name + 0 + (state/province/country); Logs due: Nov 20.

JIDX Phone Contest <http://www.jidx.org/jidxrule-e.html>, Nov 11,
0700z to Nov 12, 1300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; JA: RST + Prefecture No., non-JA: RST + CQ Zone No.; Logs due: Dec 14.

SKCC Weekend Sprintathon <https://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/weekend_sprintathon/>,
Nov 11, 1200z to Nov 12, 2359z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6;
RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (SKCC No./"NONE"); Logs due:
Nov 19.

OK/OM DX Contest, CW <http://okomdx.crk.cz/index.php?page=english>,
Nov 11, 1200z to Nov 12, 1200z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10;
OK/OM: RST + 3-letter district code, non-OK/OM: RST + Serial No.; Logs
due: Nov 19.

CQ-WE Contest <https://w8zpf.com/cqwe/>, Nov 11, 1900z to Nov 13,
0500z; CW, Phone, Digital; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6, 2, 432
MHz; Name + Location Code (see rules) + Years of Service (see rules);
Logs due: Dec 1.

AWA Bruce Kelley 1929 QSO Party <https://antiquewireless.org/homepage/bk-qso-party-details/>, Nov 11,
2300z to Nov 20, 0300z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20; RST + Name + QTH +
Eqpt Year + Transmitter Type (see rules for format) + Input Power(W);
Logs due: Dec 11.

North American SSB Sprint Contest <http://ssbsprint.com/rules/>, Nov
12, 0000z to Nov 12, 0400z; SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20; [other station's
call] + [your call] + [serial no.] + [your name] + [your state/province/country]; Logs due: Nov 19.

FIRAC HF Contest <http://www.firac.de/FIRAC_HF_CONTEST_E.pdf>, Nov 12,
0700z to Nov 12, 1700z; SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: RS(T) +
Serial No. + "F", Non-member: RS(T); Logs due: Nov 26.

K1USN Slow Speed Test <http://www.k1usn.com/sst.html>, Nov 13, 0000z
to Nov 13, 0100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm,
Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Nov 15.

4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint <http://www.4sqrp.com/SSS/sss_rules.pdf>, Nov 13, 0100z to Nov 13,
0300z; CW, SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: RS(T) + (State/Province/Country) + Member No., Non-member: RS(T) + (State/Province/Country) + Power; Logs due: Nov 15.

ICWC Medium Speed Test
<https://internationalcwcouncil.org/mst-contest/>, Nov 13, 1300z to Nov
13, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs
due: Nov 16.

OK1WC Memorial (MWC)
<https://memorial-ok1wc.cz/index.php?page=rules2l>, Nov 13, 1630z to
Nov 13, 1729z; CW; Bands: 80, 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Nov 17.

ICWC Medium Speed Test
<https://internationalcwcouncil.org/mst-contest/>, Nov 13, 1900z to Nov
13, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs
due: Nov 16.

Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest <https://wwsac.com/rules.html>,
Nov 14, 0100z to Nov 14, 0159z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6;
RS + age group (OM, YL, Youth YL or Youth); Logs due: Nov 15.

ICWC Medium Speed Test
<https://internationalcwcouncil.org/mst-contest/>, Nov 14, 0300z to Nov
14, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs
due: Nov 16.

DARC FT4 Contest <https://www.darc.de/der-club/referate/conteste/ft4-contest/ft4-rules/>,
Nov 14, 1900z to Nov 14, 2000z; FT4; Bands: 80; DL: RST + 4-character
grid square; Logs due: Nov 21.

QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm>, Nov 15,
0200z to Nov 15, 0330z; CW; Bands: 20; RST + (state/province/country) +
name + power output; Logs due: Nov 16.

Phone Weekly Test
<http://www.perluma.com/Phone_Fray_Contest_Rules.pdf>, Nov 15, 0230z to
Nov 15, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15; NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: Nov 17.

A1Club AWT <https://a1club.org/contest/awt/>, Nov 15, 1200z to Nov 15,
1300z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: RST + Name; Logs
due: Nov 20.

CWops Test (CWT) <https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/>, Nov 15, 1300z to
Nov 15, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name +
Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs
due: Nov 18.

Mini-Test 40 <http://minitest.narod.ru/>, Nov 15, 1700z to Nov 15,
1759z; CW; Bands: 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Nov 17.

Mini-Test 80 <http://minitest.narod.ru/>, Nov 15, 1800z to Nov 15,
1859z; CW; Bands: 80; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Nov 17.

CWops Test (CWT) <https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/>, Nov 15, 1900z to
Nov 15, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name +
Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs
due: Nov 18.

RSGB 80m Autumn Series, SSB <https://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2023/rautumn.shtml>, Nov 15, 2000z to
Nov 15, 2030z; SSB; Bands: 80; RS + Serial No.; Logs due: Nov 18.

Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest <https://qrpcontest.com/pigwalk20/>,
Nov 16, 0000z to Nov 17, 0300z; CW; Bands: 20; Maximum 13 wpm, RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (Member No./power); Logs due: Nov 23.

NAQCC CW Sprint <http://naqcc.info/sprint_rules.html>, Nov 16, 0130z
to Nov 16, 0330z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20; RST + (state/province/country)
+ (NAQCC No./power); Logs due: Nov 19.

CWops Test (CWT) <https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/>, Nov 16, 0300z to
Nov 16, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name +
Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs
due: Nov 18.

CWops Test (CWT) <https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/>, Nov 16, 0700z to
Nov 16, 0800z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name +
Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs
due: Nov 18.

NTC QSO Party <https://pi4ntc.nl/ntcqp/>, Nov 16, 1900z to Nov 16,
2000z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20; NTC Member: RST + Member No., non-Member:
RST + "NM", Less than 25 wpm; Logs due: Nov 19.

NCCC FT4 Sprint <https://www.ncccsprint.com/ft4ns.html>, Nov 17, 0100z
to Nov 17, 0130z; FT4; Bands: (see rules); 4-character grid square;
Logs due: Nov 19.

NCCC RTTY Sprint <https://ncccsprint.com/rttyns.html>, Nov 17, 0145z
to Nov 17, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH;
Logs due: Nov 19.

QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm>, Nov 17,
0200z to Nov 17, 0330z; CW; Bands: 20; RST + (state/province/country) +
name + power output; Logs due: Nov 18.

NCCC Sprint <https://ncccsprint.com/rules.html>, Nov 17, 0230z to Nov
17, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due:
Nov 19.

K1USN Slow Speed Test <http://www.k1usn.com/sst.html>, Nov 17, 2000z
to Nov 17, 2100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm,
Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Nov 19.

LZ DX Contest <http://lzdx.bfra.org/rulesen.html>, Nov 18, 1200z to
Nov 19, 1200z; CW, SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; LZ: RS(T) + 2-letter district, non-LZ: RS(T) + ITU Zone No.; Logs due: Dec 4.

All Austrian 160-Meter Contest <https://www.oevsv.at/export/shared/.content/.galleries/Downloads_Referate/HF-Referat-Downloads/Rules_AOEC_160m.pdf>,
Nov 18, 1600z to Nov 18, 2359z; CW; Bands: 160; OE: RST + Serial No. +
District Code, non-OE: RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Nov 30.

REF 160-Meter Contest <https://concours.r-e-f.org/reglements/actuels/202212_reg_ref160_en.pdf>,
Nov 18, 1700z to Nov 18, 2359z; CW; Bands: 160; RST + Serial No. +
Department Code; Logs due: Nov 27.

South American Integration Contest CW <https://sacw.cwsp.com.br/en/2021/09/21/for-reading/>, Nov 18, 1800z to
Nov 19, 2100z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 15, 10; CWSP Members: RST + "M", QRP:
RST + "QRP", YL: RST + "YL", All Others: RST + ITU Zone No.; Logs due:
Dec 4.

Feld Hell Sprint <https://sites.google.com/site/feldhellclub/Home/contests/sprints/turkey-hunt-sprint>,
Nov 18, 1900z to Nov 18, 2059z; Feld Hell; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15,
10, 6; (see rules); Logs due: Nov 21.

RSGB 1.8 MHz Contest
<https://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2023/r160m.shtml>, Nov 18, 1900z to
Nov 18, 2300z; CW; Bands: 160; UK: RST + Serial No. + District Code,
non-UK: RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Nov 19.

ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, SSB <http://www.arrl.org/sweepstakes>, Nov
18, 2100z to Nov 20, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Serial
No. + Precedence (Q/A/B/U/M/S) + [your call sign] + Check + ARRL/RAC
Section; Logs due: Nov 27.

FISTS Sunday Sprint <https://fistsna.org/operating.html#sprints>, Nov
19, 0000z to Nov 19, 2359z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; FISTS: RST + (state/province/country) + first name + FISTS No., non-FISTS: RST + (state/province/country) + first name + "0"; Logs due: Nov 26.

Homebrew and Oldtime Equipment Party <http://www.qrpcc.de/contestrules/hotr.html>, Nov 19, 1300z to Nov 19,
1700z; CW; Bands: 80, 40; RST + Serial No. + "/" + class; Logs due: Dec
20.

Run for the Bacon QRP Contest <http://qrpcontest.com/pigrun/>, Nov 19,
2300z to Nov 20, 0100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + (state/province/country) + (Member No./power); Logs due: Nov 25.

K1USN Slow Speed Test <http://www.k1usn.com/sst.html>, Nov 20, 0000z
to Nov 20, 0100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm,
Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Nov 22.

ICWC Medium Speed Test
<https://internationalcwcouncil.org/mst-contest/>, Nov 20, 1300z to Nov
20, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs
due: Nov 23.

OK1WC Memorial (MWC)
<https://memorial-ok1wc.cz/index.php?page=rules2l>, Nov 20, 1630z to
Nov 20, 1729z; CW; Bands: 80, 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Nov 24.

ICWC Medium Speed Test
<https://internationalcwcouncil.org/mst-contest/>, Nov 20, 1900z to Nov
20, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs
due: Nov 23.

Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest <https://wwsac.com/rules.html>,
Nov 21, 0100z to Nov 21, 0159z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6;
RS + age group (OM, YL, Youth YL or Youth); Logs due: Nov 22.

ICWC Medium Speed Test
<https://internationalcwcouncil.org/mst-contest/>, Nov 21, 0300z to Nov
21, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs
due: Nov 23.

SKCC Sprint
<https://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/weekday_sprint/>, Nov
22, 0000z to Nov 22, 0200z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; RST
+ (state/province/country) + Name + (SKCC No./"NONE"); Logs due: Nov
26.

Phone Weekly Test
<http://www.perluma.com/Phone_Fray_Contest_Rules.pdf>, Nov 22, 0230z to
Nov 22, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15; NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: Nov 24.

A1Club AWT <https://a1club.org/contest/awt/>, Nov 22, 1200z to Nov 22,
1300z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: RST + Name; Logs
due: Nov 27.

CWops Test (CWT) <https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/>, Nov 22, 1300z to
Nov 22, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name +
Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs
due: Nov 25.

Mini-Test 40 <http://minitest.narod.ru/>, Nov 22, 1700z to Nov 22,
1759z; CW; Bands: 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Nov 24.

Mini-Test 80 <http://minitest.narod.ru/>, Nov 22, 1800z to Nov 22,
1859z; CW; Bands: 80; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Nov 24.

CWops Test (CWT) <https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/>, Nov 22, 1900z to
Nov 22, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name +
Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs
due: Nov 25.

VHF+ CONTESTS
SARL VHF/UHF Analogue Contest <http://www.sarl.org.za/public/contests/contestrules.asp>, Nov 11,
0300z to Nov 12, 0900z; SSB; Bands: 50 MHz, 70 MHz, 144 MHz, 432 MHz,
1296 MHz; RS(T) + 6-character grid locator; Logs due: Nov 19.

VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest
<http://www.ft8activity.eu/index.php/en/>, Nov 15, 1700z to Nov 15,
2100z; FT8; Bands: 1.2G; 4-character grid square; Logs due: Nov 20.

LOG DUE DATES

November 9- November 23, 2023

November 9

- ARS Spartan Sprint <http://arsqrp.blogspot.com/2009/02/so-whats-spartan-sprint-and-how-do-i.html> - SKCC Sprint Europe
<https://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/skse/>
- Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest <https://qrpcontest.com/pigwalk40/>
- QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm>
- ICWC Medium Speed Test
<https://internationalcwcouncil.org/mst-contest/>
- RSGB 80m Autumn Series, Data <https://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2023/rautumn.shtml>

November 10

- Mini-Test 40 <http://minitest.narod.ru/>
- Mini-Test 80 <http://minitest.narod.ru/>
- Phone Weekly Test
<http://www.perluma.com/Phone_Fray_Contest_Rules.pdf>
- OK1WC Memorial (MWC)
<https://memorial-ok1wc.cz/index.php?page=rules2l>

November 11

- Solar Eclipse QSO Party <https://hamsci.org/seqp-rules>
- QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm>
- CWops Test (CWT) <https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/>

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