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Contest Update Issues

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The ARRL Contest Update
July 19, 2023
Editor: Paul Bourque, N1SFE
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In this Issue:

 

Upcoming Contests - Things to Do

Round Two of the YOTA Contest is This Weekend

The second round of the Youngsters On The Air (YOTA) Contest, will be held on Saturday, July 22, starting at 1000 UTC. The objective of the event is to increase the amount of ham radio youth activities. The contest is organized by IARU Region 1 Youth Working Group, in cooperation with the Hungarian Radio Amateur Society. For more information, visit the YOTA website at www.ham-yota.com/contest/.


The yearlong ARRL Volunteers On the Air event, recognizing the support and contributions of ARRL volunteers, continues. Get on the air and make contacts with as many ARRL volunteers or members as possible. There will be week-long activations of portable W1AW/# stations in all 50 states, and in several US possessions/territories. For a schedule of W1AW/# portable operations, see the W1AW Portable Activations Schedule. Be sure to upload your logs to LoTW and check your score online. Check out the full details at http://vota.arrl.org.

Bulletins

2023 IARU HF World Championship a Success

Judging by the number of logs submitted, the 2023 IARU HF World Championship was a great success. There were 5,568 logs submitted by the deadline of July 17, which is the second highest number of logs in the history of the event. Participants should check that their entries are included on the logs received page at https://contests.arrl.org/logsreceived.php.

Volunteer operators from ARRL Headquarters staff participated in the event as NU1AW, the IARU Headquarters station. They logged more than 1,000 contacts from the W1AW Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station during the event.

As part of the yearlong W1AW portable operations, W1AW/KH6 served as the ARRL Headquarters station on SSB from KH6YY in Oahu, Hawaii (https://kh6yy.net), and on CW from KH6LC in Keaau, Hawaii (https://www.kh6lc.com).


2023 North American QSO Parties (CW and SSB)

Mark Aaker, K6UFO, reminds us that in addition to the North American QSO Party (NAQP) RTTY contest, which was held on July 15, there are CW and SSB events occurring later this summer. The NAQP CW contest will be held on August 5, followed by the NAQP SSB contest on August 19.

The North American QSO Party contests are fun, friendly and fast paced. The exchange is your name and state, Canadian province or DXCC entity. NAQP events run for 12 hours starting at 1800 UTC. Single-operator stations may operate up to 10 of the 12 hours. Rules, results, and records are available on the National Contest Journal website at https://ncjweb.com/naqp/.

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Contest Summary

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

July 20

July 21

July 22

July 24

July 25

July 26

July 27

July 28

July 29

July 30

July 31

August 1

August 2

News, Press Releases, and Special Interest

New Scoring Rules for ARRL 10 GHz and Up Contest Announced

New scoring rules have been introduced for the 2023 ARRL 10 GHz and Up contest, which occurs on the third full weekend of August and September. For 2023, distance point multipliers for each band have been added. To encourage contacts on the higher microwave bands, contacts made on bands higher than 10 GHz will accrue greater distance points. While distance points for 10 GHz remain the same, contacts made on the higher bands will be multiplied by a band factor as follows: 24 GHz (2x), 47 GHz (3x), 77 GHz (4x), 122 GHz and higher (5x).

This year's 10 GHz and Up Contest weekends are August 19 - 20 and September 16 - 17, 2023. Visit www.arrl.org/10-ghz-up for more details.

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Results and Records

WRTC 2022 Results Announced

Judging for the World Radiosport Team Championship (WRTC) 2022, held July 8 - 9, 2023, is complete. The event was postponed for 1 year in 2022.

The WRTC judges analyzed each log to verify the contacts made during the competition and cross-referenced them to the official records to ensure accuracy. Once the log-checking process was complete, the judges posted the winners. All of the logs, the final score list, and a YouTube video of the closing ceremony are available on the WRTC website.

Information regarding the next WRTC event was announced on July 11, 2023. It will be hosted by the United Kingdom in 2026.

Technical Topics and Discussion

The WSJT-X development team has announced that Release Candidate WSJT-X 2.7.0-rc2 is ready for download by beta testers. This update is mostly a bug-fix release. A full
list of enhancements can be found in the release notes at https://wsjt.sourceforge.io/wsjtx-doc/Release_Notes_2.7.0-rc2.txt.

Release Candidates are intended for beta testers. If you download and
use WSJT-X 2.7.0-rc2, please remember to provide the developers with feedback on the new features in version 2.7, and on anything that does not seem to work properly.

Direct links to installation packages for Windows, Linux, and macOS can be found on the WSJT-X website at https://wsjt.sourceforge.io/wsjtx.html.

- Thanks to Joe Taylor, K1JT

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, Paul, N1SFE

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Contests

July 20, 2023 - August 2, 2023

An expanded, downloadable version of QST's Contest Corral is available as a PDF. Check the sponsors' website for information on operating time restrictions and other instructions.

HF CONTESTS

Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest, Jul 20, 0000z to Jul 21, 0300z; CW; Bands: 20; Maximum 13 wpm, RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (Member No./power); Logs due: Jul 27.

NAQCC CW Sprint, Jul 20, 0030z to Jul 20, 0230z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20; RST + (state/province/country) + (NAQCC No./power); Logs due: Jul 23.

CWops Test (CWT), Jul 20, 0300z to Jul 20, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jul 22.

CWops Test (CWT), Jul 20, 0700z to Jul 20, 0800z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jul 22.

NTC QSO Party, Jul 20, 1900z to Jul 20, 2000z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20; NTC Member: RST + Member No., non-Member: RST + "NM", Less than 25 wpm; Logs due: Jul 23.

QRP Fox Hunt, Jul 21, 0100z to Jul 21, 0230z; CW; Bands: 20; RST + (state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: Jul 22.

NCCC FT4 Sprint, Jul 21, 0100z to Jul 21, 0130z; FT4; Bands: (see rules); 4-character grid square; Logs due: Jul 23.

NCCC RTTY Sprint, Jul 21, 0145z to Jul 21, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: Jul 23.

NCCC Sprint, Jul 21, 0230z to Jul 21, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: Jul 23.

K1USN Slow Speed Test, Jul 21, 2000z to Jul 21, 2100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jul 23.

Maidenhead Mayhem Contest, Jul 22, 0000z to Jul 30, 2359z; CW, SSB, Digital; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; 2-character grid field or 4-character grid square; Logs due: Aug 14.

YOTA Contest, Jul 22, 1000z to Jul 22, 2159z; CW, SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Single Op: RS(T) + age (on Jan 1 of year of contest), Multi-Op: RS(T) + average age of ops (on Jan 1 of year of contest); Logs due: Jul 29.

K1USN Slow Speed Test, Jul 24, 0000z to Jul 24, 0100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jul 26.

ICWC Medium Speed Test, Jul 24, 1300z to Jul 24, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: Jul 27.

OK1WC Memorial (MWC), Jul 24, 1630z to Jul 24, 1729z; CW; Bands: 80, 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Jul 28.

ICWC Medium Speed Test, Jul 24, 1900z to Jul 24, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: Jul 27.

Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest, Jul 25, 0100z to Jul 25, 0159z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; RS + age group (OM, YL, Youth YL or Youth); Logs due: Jul 26.

ICWC Medium Speed Test, Jul 25, 0300z to Jul 25, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: Jul 27.

SKCC Sprint, Jul 26, 0000z to Jul 26, 0200z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (SKCC No./"NONE"); Logs due: Jul 30.

Phone Weekly Test, Jul 26, 0230z to Jul 26, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15; NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: Jul 28.

A1Club AWT, Jul 26, 1200z to Jul 26, 1300z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: RST + Name; Logs due: Jul 31.

CWops Test (CWT), Jul 26, 1300z to Jul 26, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jul 29.

Mini-Test 40, Jul 26, 1700z to Jul 26, 1759z; CW; Bands: 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Jul 28.

Mini-Test 80, Jul 26, 1800z to Jul 26, 1859z; CW; Bands: 80; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Jul 28.

CWops Test (CWT), Jul 26, 1900z to Jul 26, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jul 29.

CWops Test (CWT), Jul 27, 0300z to Jul 27, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jul 29.

CWops Test (CWT), Jul 27, 0700z to Jul 27, 0800z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jul 29.

RSGB 80m Club Championship, Data, Jul 27, 1900z to Jul 27, 2030z; RTTY, PSK; Bands: 80; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Jul 28.

QRP Fox Hunt, Jul 28, 0100z to Jul 28, 0230z; CW; Bands: 20; RST + (state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: Jul 29.

NCCC FT4 Sprint, Jul 28, 0100z to Jul 28, 0130z; FT4; Bands: (see rules); 4-character grid square; Logs due: Jul 30.

NCCC RTTY Sprint, Jul 28, 0145z to Jul 28, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: Jul 30.

NCCC Sprint, Jul 28, 0230z to Jul 28, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: Jul 30.

K1USN Slow Speed Test, Jul 28, 2000z to Jul 28, 2100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jul 30.

MARAC US Counties QSO Party, Jul 29, 0000z to Jul 30, 2359z; CW, Phone; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6, 2; RS(T) + (state+county/"DX"); Logs due: Sep 1.

Feld Hell Sprint, Jul 29, 0000z to Jul 29, 2359z; Feld Hell; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; (see rules); Logs due: Aug 1.

RSGB IOTA Contest, Jul 29, 1200z to Jul 30, 1200z; CW, SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RS(T) + Serial No. + IOTA No.(if applicable); Logs due: Aug 4.

ARS Flight of the Bumblebees, Jul 30, 1700z to Jul 30, 2100z; CW; Bands: 40, 20, 15, 10; Home: RST + (state/province/country) + Power, Bumblebee: RST + (state/province/country) + Bumblebee no.; Logs due: Aug 13.

K1USN Slow Speed Test, Jul 31, 0000z to Jul 31, 0100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Aug 2.

QCX Challenge, Jul 31, 1300z to Jul 31, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + Name + (state/province/country) + Rig; Logs due: Aug 6.

ICWC Medium Speed Test, Jul 31, 1300z to Jul 31, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: Aug 3.

OK1WC Memorial (MWC), Jul 31, 1630z to Jul 31, 1729z; CW; Bands: 80, 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Aug 4.

QCX Challenge, Jul 31, 1900z to Jul 31, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + Name + (state/province/country) + Rig; Logs due: Aug 6.

ICWC Medium Speed Test, Jul 31, 1900z to Jul 31, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: Aug 3.

Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest, Aug 1, 0100z to Aug 1, 0159z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; RS + age group (OM, YL, Youth YL or Youth); Logs due: Aug 2.

QCX Challenge, Aug 1, 0300z to Aug 1, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + Name + (state/province/country) + Rig; Logs due: Aug 6.

ICWC Medium Speed Test, Aug 1, 0300z to Aug 1, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: Aug 3.

ZL Sprint, Aug 1, 0800z to Aug 1, 0859z; CW, SSB; Bands: 80; RS(T) + Outside Temperature (C); Logs due: Aug 2.

Phone Weekly Test,Aug 2, 0230z to Aug 2, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15; NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: Aug 4.

A1Club AWT, Aug 2, 1200z to Aug 2, 1300z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: RST + Name; Logs due: Aug 7.

CWops Test (CWT), Aug 2, 1300z to Aug 2, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Aug 5.

Mini-Test 40, Aug 2, 1700z to Aug 2, 1759z; CW; Bands: 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Aug 4.

Mini-Test 80, Aug 2, 1800z to Aug 2, 1859z; CW; Bands: 80; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Aug 4.

CWops Test (CWT), Aug 2, 1900z to Aug 2, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Aug 5.

VHF+ CONTESTS

ARAM 50 MHz Contest, Jul 22, 1200z to Jul 23, 1200z; CW, Phone; Bands: 6; RS(T) + Serial number + 6-character grid square; Logs due: Aug 15.

WAB 144 MHz Low Power Phone, Jul 29, 1400z to Jul 29, 1800z; Phone; Bands: 2; British Isles: RS + serial no. + WAB square, Other: RS + serial no. + country; Logs due: Aug 8.

VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest, Aug 2, 1700z to Aug 2, 2100z; FT8; Bands: 144 MHz; 4-character grid square; Logs due: Aug 7.

See Also: NCCC FT4 Sprint, Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest, SKCC Sprint, MARAC US Counties QSO Party, Feld Hell Sprint

Log Due Dates

July 20

July 21

July 22

July 23

July 24

July 25

July 26

July 27

July 28

July 29

July 30

July 31

August 1

August 2

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Acknowledgements

ARRL Contest Update wishes to acknowledge information from WA7BNM's Contest Calendar.

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