With the Rookie Roundup beginning its third year of competition, 2012 bring some new changes in the event -- including new entry categories. The first Rookie Roundup of 2012 will use SSB (phone) and will be held on Sunday, April 15 from 1800-2359 UTC. All amateurs are welcome to participate, especially those in DX locations.

The focus of the Rookie Roundup remains those who are newly licensed -- hams who received their very first license during the current year or the two previous calendar years (2012, 2011 or 2010). Those licensed before 2010 are encouraged to get on and work the Rookies. Or consider acting as an Elmer and coaching Rookies in their contest efforts without actually making QSOs or performing logging or any other station functions.

There are three big changes for the 2012 Rookie Roundup (find more information on these changes on page 85 of the April 2012 issue of QST):

• Multioperator Category: Any number of rookies may operate from a single station, use a single radio, use a single call and exchange info -- and submit as a Multi-op. All operators in the multi-op category must qualify as a Rookie.
• Team Competition: Up to five Rookies in the Single Operator category may operate from different locations and combine their scores to submit as a team. Team members may be located anywhere; they do not have to be in the same county, state or country. Each Single-op entrant submits their log individually. A Single-op may be on only one team. Teams may be registered up to a week in advance on the ARRL Rookie Roundup page. Multi-operator entrants are not permitted to be a part of a team.
• Band Elimination: Due to very little Rookie Roundup activity on 6 meters, this band has been eliminated from the Rookie Roundup.

If your club is looking for a way to get your newly-licensed hams active, the Rookie Roundup is the way to do it! Here are just a few suggestions for your club:

• Break out the club’s emergency communications gear and set up an HF station.
• Create two teams of rookies and have a competition within your club.
• Challenge another local club to a multi-operator competition.
• Combine the Rookie Roundup with a post-contest pizza party to share stories.
• Pair up individual mentors and rookies and form teams to combine scores.
• Set up a “mini-Field Day” station in a public place for some ham radio publicity.
• Invite non-hams to participate as spectators.
• Have young rookies challenge the older rookies.
• Award prizes for different categories, such as the most contacts made, most states contacted or most rookies worked.
• Once your club participates in the Rookie Roundup, be sure to let us know how you did -- submit a Soapbox entry! Include the operators, hi-resolution photos and a description of your club’s effort and the fun your members had.

Complete info on the Rookie Roundup can be found at the Rookie Roundup page. All score summaries must be submitted by 2359 UTC Wednesday, April 18, 2012 via the score submission form on the ARRL Rookie Roundup page. No late entries will be accepted. Results will be published online within one week. Certificates for all Rookie Roundup participants will be e-mailed to the winners shortly after the results are published. For more information, or if you have a question, just ask Contest Branch Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X, via e-mail.