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Contest Update Issues

Preview
The ARRL Contest Update
March 31, 2021
Editor: Paul Bourque, N1SFE
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IN THIS ISSUE
NEW HF OPERATORS -- THINGS TO DO

The Mississippi and Louisiana QSO Parties are this weekend. Mississippi allows the use of the FTx modes to make contacts, only requiring a grid square to be exchanged for that mode. For some DX opportunities, try the EA RTTY Contest, where everyone works everyone, but contacts with Spanish stations are worth more. Only Polish stations on CW and SSB count for points during the SP DX Contest, also this weekend. If you've never done a sprint-format contest, try the North American SSB Sprint for 4 hours on Saturday evening. Sprints can be unnerving for the first-timer.

On April 10-11, look for four state QSO parties: Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Georgia. Nebraska allows FTx mode contacts, but they are in a separate competition from the other modes. North Dakota QSO Party allows FTx modes to be used, but you still need to exchange the correct information. The Georgia QSO Party allows multiple stations in a single Georgia county to combine as one due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Yuri Gagarin International DX Contest this weekend is another everyone-works-everyone event. There are multiple categories, some handsome trophies, and the rules even allow contacts made via satellites (both kinds, geostationary and regular), which is kind of a fitting tribute to the first human flight to space made in April 1961.

With all contests, and especially with QSO parties, check the rules for special bonus stations, suggested frequencies, and operating hints.

CONTEST SUMMARY

Complete information for all contests follows the Conversation section

1 Apr - 14 Apr 2021

April 1

April 2

April 3

April 4

April 5

April 6

April 7

April 8

April 9

April 10

April 11

April 12

April 13

April 14

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NEWS, PRESS RELEASES, AND GENERAL INTEREST

If you entered the unassisted class in last weekend's CQ WPX SSB Contest, the Unassisted Challenge sponsors also ask that you upload your logs to their website: http://www.unassisted.org/logs.

Last weekend's CQ WPX SSB Contest revealed many challenging call signs to copy. One of them, OH100SRAL, was the special call sign for the Finnish Radio Amateur League (SRAL). According to OH1NOA, the operator for the contest, some stations were just unable to comprehend this call - "it didn't help to say it slow, repeat or use different phonetics."

If you like participating in QSO parties, don't forget the State QSO Party Challenge, and the new Worked All QSO Party awards program, both sponsored by Icom. There are currently 45 separate events that qualify, and all that an operator needs to do is "simply submit their scores to 3830Scores.com to be included in the Challenge."

The North American SSB Sprint Contest is coming up April 4, 2021, from 0000 - 0359 UTC. That is Saturday evening, April 3, starting at 8 PM EDT in North America. All previous results have been updated on the contest website, and for the upcoming contest, there's a Planned Activity page. You can team up for the contest to increase the fun. This contest features a chance at a "door prize" for participation with a minimum number of contacts, and a Worked All States T-shirt if you work all states! (Bob, KW8N)

The JIDX CW and SSB Contests features a new Multi-2 category starting in 2021. According to the rules, "A maximum of two transmitted signals on two different bands may be used at any time (Two Running stations).

  • Each station/signal may make a maximum of 8 band changes in any clock hour (00 through 59 minutes).
  • The log must indicate which station (station 1 or 2) made each QSO.
  • All transmitters of the station must be located in a circle of 500m diameter."

Chris, NX4N, writes: "The 2021 Florida QSO Party coming up April 24-25 has some rules changes/notes:

  • Mobile and Expedition categories are again ACTIVE this year! All 67 counties will be active.
  • Multi-Operator Fixed entries may be Distributed within a QTH (Florida County, State/Province, or DXCC entity).
  • 2021 FQP Feeding Frenzy Spelling Bee! We will have a total of 5 special event 1x1 stations that spell SHARK; the calls will be N4S-N4H-N4A-N4R-N4K and will be very active on both modes. Those ops who sweep the SHARK stations earn a very nice certificate (printable). As they say, the chase is the fun -- last year we spelled LOVEBUGS and had 564 sweepers!

The FQP enjoyed a whopping 70% increase in QSOs last year, thanks to all of you -- hope to see you again April 24 and 25! The rules, results, details, and much more are at floridaqsoparty.org."

Tuner Genius XL is a soon-to-be-available fully automatic antenna tuner from Flex Radio Systems. Mack, W4AX, talked about the anticipated features and capabilities of this unit in this YouTube video. One interesting aspect is that it handles SO2R out of the box, in concert with the PGXL ampligier. There are some field units undergoing testing under real-world conditions in various locations, the commercial release is anticipated later this year.

WORD TO THE WISE

Splatter

Interference caused by a signal with spectral components outside of normal and/or accepted boundaries for an emission type. It can be caused by distortion when an amplifier is driven outside of its linear range, when the input signal to an amplifier is itself is overly broad, or when one stage of the signal chain is overloaded. It is poor operating practice, and against the rules for most contests, for stations to purposefully use splatter as a means to keep adjacent frequencies clear during contests.

Splatter: In this picture, the arrows points out energy being emitted over approximately 9 kHz of spectrum. This is more than is necessary for an SSB signal.

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS

LZ9W was in the recent Russian DX Contest, and made a YouTube video of the station. It's nice to see the online contest scoreboard featured prominently on the "big screen" to keep the multi properly motivated.

The Mercer County Amateur Radio Club hosted well-known contester Doug, K1DG, via a Zoom meeting. The topic of Doug's talk was moonbounce!

WW1X was a Multi Distributed entry in last weekend's CQ WW WPX Contest. Twenty-six operators, including ten under the age of 21, took part in the operation with a claimed score of nearly 24 million points. All operators had FCC licenses, and the seasoned operators, including some past WRTC competitors, mentored the younger ops. You can view photos from the weekend, and learn about the operation's details on 3830scores.com.

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RESULTS AND RECORDS

Bill, AC0W, writes: "While the final results for the Winter 2021 NAQP (North American QSO Party) contests are to the editors for publishing, certificates are now available for download by those that earned them via the NCJ website (ignore the date on the "Print Your Certificate" - Ed.)" The criteria for earning a certificate is the "highest single-op score in their state, province or NA country OR top-3 overall M2 finishers."

OPERATING TIP

Inspection and Preventative Maintenance

Don't forget to make time for your annual station inspection, including your outdoor equipment. Before you get to the antenna and cable part, take some time to review Frank's, W3LPL, "Contest Antennas and Coaxial Cables" presentation from Contest University. There are so many details, it's easy to forget some simple things that can cause problems, like using an inappropriate type of cable for burial, or not preventing energy-discharge-created pinholes in the cable running up the tower.

TECHNICAL TOPICS AND INFORMATION

Grant, KZ1W, recommends the The Crosby Group for information regarding wire rope, wire rope terminations, and sheaves. Their catalog includes product information as well as reference information for all types of rigging.

Most of the knobs on radios of today are attached to rotary encoders. These devices are relatively inexpensive, and come in many variations, for example with/without detents ("clicks") or high and low pulse per revolution counts. It's easy to use your favorite search engine to find code examples to incorporate encoders into your Arduino or other microcontroller project. Hackaday featured an article that uses a more advanced technique for handling encoders using the STM32 family of CPUs. The technique utilizes the interrupt handling capabilities of the microcontroller to handle faster knob movements with more reliability than a polling method.

For a different kind of knob solution, Gerry, W1VE, announces the availability of his "CatMapper" software. It is a sort of "universal translator" between radio CAT streams, using Alex, VE3NEA's Omni-Rig in the middle to "map" one type of radio to another. Here's the application: If you have, say, a K3/0, and you want to control a friend's FlexRadio using SmartSDR, you can set up the CatMapper to do it. Turning the knob on the K3/0 tunes the FlexRadio. With an appropriate Omni-Rig configuration software also opens up the possibility of building whatever type of tuning knob you like and configuring an appropriate description for it for Omni-Rig.

KA9Q tweeted that a second version of a marine buoy transmitter carrying a WSPR beacon transmitter is now floating in the Pacific Ocean. You can track progress on the APRS website. It's based on some of the same electronics that are used for high-altitude balloon flights. One of his later tweets: "Our buoy continues to work well, but we're getting concerned that, with our luck, we may actually hit Guadalupe Island."

Ward, N0AX, writes: "For receiving antenna builders, these two specialty cables for home installations could come in handy:

Using cables with separate power conductors would get around the need for bias tees and that sort of thing. Or the power pair could be used as a control cable if the RG-6 shield/drain was the signal return. I'm thinking of my pair of switched-direction Beverages, for example." (Ward, N0AX)

Some experienced station builders recommend using always using separate conductors, keeping DC voltages off of conductors carrying RF signals. It's too easy for electrolysis to occur with any ambient moisture, causing corrosion at connectors or mechanical connections between dissimilar metals. Corrosion can be the source of RF noise, particularly in the presence of high RF fields.

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CONVERSATION

The Contest Update is Serious

This issue of the Contest Update "lands" on March 31. Many will read this issue on April 1, also known as "April Fools Day," and so might expect to see some humorous, satirical, fantastical, or outright deceptive item or tidbit. Alas, you will not.

Not long after I started in the role as the Contest Update editor, I inquired about whether or not it would be possible to have an issue that was a complete farce. There would be a serious analysis of the annual Poisson D'Avril contest (link to last year's rules post by Doug, K1DG -- sorry, you already missed this year's contest, though I heard it was a lot of fun as usual - this year there were bonus points for spelling "GODOT"). Announcement of the new N1MM Logger+ "Dupe Sheet" window for those who like the old way of keeping track. The Word to the Wise, which is usually a phrase anyway, due to the fact that all of the good contest words have been used up already, was going to be a detailed examination of "Please Copy" and its translation into various languages for use in DX contests.

I was rebuffed, for multiple reasons. One problem is that even though they don't look like it, radio contesters are a very diverse group, and having a joke "land" with everyone is even more difficult than getting a Starship back in one piece. One W4's hyperbole could be a sensible power choice for an N6. How can we possibly have a common basis for humor, when we as a group cannot even agree on a good method for installing PL-259s?

Another big concern involves the "fact" that the Contest Update is just like some of this new-fangled spooky quantum physics stuff, where "reality" is defined in most of the ways that matter by the observer, you, the Contest Update reader. If a "funny" story were put in the 'Update about, say, cats being able to copy CW and log via keyboard, and enough people thought the satire was real, well, there's a larger non-zero probability that we'd need a lot of Friskies at the next WRTC.

Safe, non-hobby-changing content includes facts about solder, contesting anecdotes, and the features and fixes in this week's release of N1MM Logger+.

We had some nice video of solder melting in the last issue of the Contest Update, so that's out until at least next issue. Because I'm writing this on Sunday, and the next Logger+ release comes out Tuesday, I only have this operating anecdote to relate:

Sometimes, members of our radio club play tricks on each other, and sometimes this even occurs during contests. A few years ago, during the Salmon Run (a QSO-party-like event for Washington State, not occurring in April), I was operating in the contest, working through a modest pile of callers, and I heard one of our members, Denny, W7SNH (SK), calling me on 20 meters. His signal was pretty weak, since he's local but not local enough to be loud on 20 meters during the day. You know, a contest 59. He was strong enough that I could hear him "ok enough," and knew exactly who was calling. So the following happened:

N9ADG: Q-R-Zed Salmon Run, November Nine Alpha Delta Golf

W7SNH: W7SNH

N9ADG: Is there a W7 W7? This could be tough, I have some QRN. W7 again?

W7SNH: W7SNH, W7SNH

N9ADG: W7S... W7S... Again?

W7SNH: Whiskey Seven Sierra November Hotel

N9ADG: Whisky Seven Sierra, Whisky Seven Sierra Something?

W7SNH: Whisky Seven Sierra November Hotel

N9ADG: Whiskey Seven Sierra November? Denny, I just need the last letter. Give me the last letter, Denny!

W7SNH: Whiskey Seven Sierra November Hotel!

N9ADG: W7SNH, 59, King County!

W7SNH: 59, King!

Okay, if you already understand the humor of the situation, please stop reading now. You get it. I'm going to explain what's funny about it, and just reading the explanation could change your opinion of that practical joke from "humorous" to "mildly amusing."

Still reading? This is a good example of why the Contest Update must remain serious - only 62% of the readers stopped reading after the last paragraph!

What makes the situation funny is related to the context of this contest: I was in a QSO party, from Washington state. My call sign is from call area nine, while the contest was for a state in call area seven. I should have been using N9ADG stroke seven, to indicate to potential callers that I was an in-state station! I thought I was pulling a fast one, but Denny turned it around: Because he didn't ask me to repeat my state, he was in on the joke, and just accepted my exchange, completely turning the situation around -- so the joke was on me! Denny was quite the kidder!

We all HI-HI'd it up after that one.

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

CONTESTS

1 Apr - 14 Apr 2021

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

CWops Mini-CWT Test, Apr 1, 0300z to Apr 1, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: April 3.

RTTYOPS Weeksprint, Apr 1, 1700z to Apr 1, 1900z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20m; [other station's call] + [your call] + [serial no.] + [your name]; Logs due: April 6.

SARL 80m QSO Party, Apr 1, 1700z to Apr 1, 2000z; SSB; Bands: 80m Only; RS + Serial No. + Grid Locator or QTH; Logs due: April 6.

NRAU 10m Activity Contest, Apr 1, 1800z to Apr 1, 1900z (cw) and, Apr 1, 1900z to Apr 1, 2000z (ssb) and, Apr 1, 2000z to Apr 1, 2100z (fm) and, Apr 1, 2100z to Apr 1, 2200z (dig); CW, SSB, FM, Digital; Bands: 10m Only; RS(T) + 6-character grid square; Logs due: April 15.

SKCC Sprint Europe, Apr 1, 1900z to Apr 1, 2100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6m; RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (SKCC No./"NONE"); Logs due: April 8.

QRP Fox Hunt, Apr 2, 0100z to Apr 2, 0230z; CW; Bands: 20m Only; RST + (state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: April 8.

NCCC RTTY Sprint, Apr 2, 0145z to Apr 2, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: April 4.

NCCC Sprint, Apr 2, 0230z to Apr 2, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: April 4.

K1USN Slow Speed Test, Apr 2, 2000z to Apr 2, 2100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20m; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: April 4.

PODXS 070 Club PSK 31 Flavors Contest, Apr 3, 1000z to Apr 4, 0400z; BPSK31, QPSK31, BPSK63, QPSK63, BPSK125, QPSK125; Bands: 20m Only; 070 members: (state/province/country) + member no., Non-members: (state/province/country) + name; Logs due: April 11.

Florida State Parks on the Air, Apr 3, 1400z to Apr 3, 2200z and, Apr 4, 1400z to Apr 4, 2200z; Any; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; FL Park: park ID), non-FL Park: (state/province), DX: RS(T) + "DX"; Logs due: April 18.

Mississippi QSO Party, Apr 3, 1400z to Apr 4, 0200z; CW, SSB, RTTY, FT4/8; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6, 2m; MS: RS(T) + county, non-MS: RS(T) + (state/province/country), FT4/8: Signal report + 4-character grid square; Logs due: April 30.

Louisiana QSO Party, Apr 3, 1400z to Apr 4, 0200z; CW/Digital, Phone; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6, 2m; LA: RS(T) + Parish, non-LA: RS(T) + (state/province/country); Logs due: April 14.

SP DX Contest, Apr 3, 1500z to Apr 4, 1500z; CW, SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; SP: RS(T) + 1-character province, non-SP: RS(T) + Serial No.; Logs due: April 18.

EA RTTY Contest, Apr 3, 1600z to Apr 4, 1600z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; EA: RSQ + province, non-EA: RSQ + Serial No.; Logs due: April 19.

North American SSB Sprint Contest, Apr 4, 0000z to Apr 4, 0400z; SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20m; [other station's call] + [your call] + [serial no.] + [your name] + [your state/province/country]; Logs due: April 11.

K1USN Slow Speed Test, Apr 5, 0000z to Apr 5, 0100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20m; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: April 11.

DARC Easter Contest, Apr 5, 1500z to Apr 5, 1730z; CW, SSB; Bands: 80, 40m; DL: RS(T) + DOK (or "NM" if not a DARC member), non-DL: RS(T) + QSO No.; Logs due: April 12.

OK1WC Memorial (MWC), Apr 5, 1630z to Apr 5, 1729z; CW; Bands: 80, 40m; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: April 9.

Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest, Apr 6, 0100z to Apr 6, 0159z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6m; RS + age group (OM, YL, Youth YL or Youth); Logs due: March 31.

ARS Spartan Sprint, Apr 6, 0100z to Apr 6, 0300z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; RST + (state/province/country) + Power; Logs due: April 8.

RTTYOPS Weeksprint, Apr 6, 1700z to Apr 6, 1900z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20m; [other station's call] + [your call] + [serial no.] + [your name]; Logs due: April 6.

Phone Weekly Test - Fray, Apr 7, 0230z to Apr 7, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15m; NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: April 9.

CWops Mini-CWT Test, Apr 7, 1300z to Apr 7, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: April 10.

VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest, Apr 7, 1700z to Apr 7, 2000z; FT8; Bands: (see rules); 4-character grid square; Logs due: April 12.

RSGB FT4 Contest Series, Apr 7, 1900z to Apr 7, 2030z; FT4; Bands: 80, 40, 20m; 4-character grid square; Logs due: April 8.

CWops Mini-CWT Test, Apr 7, 1900z to Apr 7, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: April 10.

UKEICC 80m Contest, Apr 7, 2000z to Apr 7, 2100z; ; Bands: 80m Only; 6-Character grid square; Logs due: March 31.

CWops Mini-CWT Test, Apr 8, 0300z to Apr 8, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: April 10.

RTTYOPS Weeksprint, Apr 8, 1700z to Apr 8, 1900z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20m; [other station's call] + [your call] + [serial no.] + [your name]; Logs due: April 13.

NCCC RTTY Sprint, Apr 9, 0145z to Apr 9, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: April 11.

NCCC Sprint, Apr 9, 0230z to Apr 9, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: April 11.

K1USN Slow Speed Test, Apr 9, 2000z to Apr 9, 2100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20m; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: April 11.

QRP ARCI Spring QSO Party, Apr 10, 0000z to Apr 10, 0600z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; RS + (state/province/country) + (ARCI number/power); Logs due: April 28.

JIDX CW Contest, Apr 10, 0700z to Apr 11, 1300z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; JA: RST + Prefecture No., non-JA: RST + CQ Zone No.; Logs due: May 11.

DIG QSO Party, CW, Apr 10, 1200z to Apr 10, 1700z (20m-10m) and, Apr 11, 0700z to Apr 11, 0900z (80m) and, Apr 11, 0900z to Apr 11, 1100z (40m); CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; DIG Member: RST + Member No., non-Member: RST; Logs due: May 31.

IG-RY World Wide RTTY Contest, Apr 10, 1200z to Apr 11, 1800z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; RST + 4-digit year license first issued; Logs due: April 15.

SKCC Weekend Sprintathon, Apr 10, 1200z to Apr 12, 0000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6m; RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (SKCC No./"NONE"); Logs due: April 18.

OK/OM DX Contest, SSB, Apr 10, 1200z to Apr 11, 1200z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; OK/OM: RS + 3-letter county code, non-OK/OM: RS + Serial No.; Logs due: April 18.

FTn DX Contest, Apr 10, 1200z to Apr 11, 1200z; ; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; W: RST + state, VE: RST + province/territory, non-W/VE: RST + Serial No.; Logs due: April 18.

Nebraska QSO Party, Apr 10, 1300z to Apr 11, 0100z and, Apr 11, 1300z to Apr 11, 2200z; CW, Phone, Digital (non-FT8), FT8; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, VHF/UHF; NE (non-FT8): county, non-NE (non-FT8): (state/province/country), FT8: grid square; Logs due: April 25.

New Mexico QSO Party, Apr 10, 1400z to Apr 11, 0200z; CW, Phone, Digital; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6, 2m; NM: Name + county, non-NM: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: April 24.

North Dakota QSO Party, Apr 10, 1800z to Apr 11, 1800z; CW, Phone, Digital (including FT4/8); Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6, 2m; ND: RS(T) + County, non-ND: RS(T) + (state/province/country); Logs due: May 15.

Georgia QSO Party, Apr 10, 1800z to Apr 11, 0359z and, Apr 11, 1400z to Apr 11, 2359z; CW, SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6m; GA: RST + county, non-GA: RST + (state/province/"DX"); Logs due: April 25.

Yuri Gagarin International DX Contest, Apr 10, 2100z to Apr 11, 2100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, Satellites; RST + ITU Zone No.; Logs due: May 6.

WAB 3.5/7/14 MHz Data Modes, Apr 11, 1000z to Apr 11, 1400z and, Apr 11, 1700z to Apr 11, 2100z; RTTY, PSK31; Bands: 80, 40, 20m; British Isles: RS + serial no. + WAB square, Other: RS + serial no. + country; Logs due: April 21.

Hungarian Straight Key Contest, Apr 11, 1500z to Apr 11, 1600z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; RST + Serial No. + Power Code; Logs due: April 26.

RSGB RoLo SSB, Apr 11, 1900z to Apr 11, 2030z; SSB; Bands: 80m Only; RS + previous 6-character grid square received; Logs due: April 12.

K1USN Slow Speed Test, Apr 12, 0000z to Apr 12, 0100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20m; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: April 18.

4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint, Apr 12, 0000z to Apr 12, 0200z; CW, SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Member: RS(T) + (State/Province/Country) + Member No., Non-member: RS(T) + (State/Province/Country) + Power; Logs due: April 14.

OK1WC Memorial (MWC), Apr 12, 1630z to Apr 12, 1729z; CW; Bands: 80, 40m; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: April 16.

RSGB 80m Club Championship, CW, Apr 12, 1900z to Apr 12, 2030z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: April 13.

Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest, Apr 13, 0100z to Apr 13, 0159z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6m; RS + age group (OM, YL, Youth YL or Youth); Logs due: March 31.

RTTYOPS Weeksprint, Apr 13, 1700z to Apr 13, 1900z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20m; [other station's call] + [your call] + [serial no.] + [your name]; Logs due: April 13.

NAQCC CW Sprint, Apr 14, 0030z to Apr 14, 0230z; CW; Bands: (see rules); RST + (state/province/country) + (NAQCC No./power); Logs due: April 18.

Phone Weekly Test - Fray, Apr 14, 0230z to Apr 14, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15m; NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: April 16.

CWops Mini-CWT Test, Apr 14, 1300z to Apr 14, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: April 17.

CWops Mini-CWT Test, Apr 14, 1900z to Apr 14, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: April 17.

VHF+ CONTESTS

144 MHz Spring Sprint, Apr 5, 1900z to Apr 5, 2300z; Any; Bands: 2m Only; 4-character grid square; Logs due: April 19.

222 MHz Spring Sprint, Apr 13, 1900z to Apr 13, 2300z; (not specified); Bands: 222 Mhz; 4-character grid square; Logs due: April 27.

VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest, Apr 14, 1700z to Apr 14, 2000z; FT8; Bands: (see rules); 4-character grid square; Logs due: April 19.

Also, see SKCC Sprint Europe, Mississippi QSO Party, Louisiana QSO Party, Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest, SKCC Weekend Sprintathon, Nebraska QSO Party, New Mexico QSO Party, North Dakota QSO Party, Georgia QSO Party

LOG DUE DATES

1 Apr - 14 Apr 2021

April 1, 2021

April 2, 2021

April 3, 2021

April 4, 2021

April 5, 2021

April 6, 2021

April 7, 2021

April 8, 2021

April 9, 2021

April 10, 2021

April 11, 2021

April 12, 2021

April 13, 2021

April 14, 2021

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

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

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