Operating

ARRL SSB DX Contest, March 6-7, 2021

by

ARRL International DX Contest logoContest Objective: 

To encourage W/VE stations to expand knowledge of DX propagation on the HF and MF bands, improve operating skills, and improve station capability by creating a competition in which DX stations may only contact W/VE stations. One contest period is CW-only and one is Phone-only.  Use only the 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meter bands.

W/VE amateurs: Work as many DX stations in as many DXCC entities as possible.

DX stations: Work as many W/VE stations in as many of the 48 contiguous states and provinces as possible.

Date: Phone: First full weekend in March (March 6-7, 2021).

Contest Period: Begins 0000 UTC Saturday and runs through 2359 UTC Sunday.

2021 Multoperator Accommodations:

ARRL has issued temporary accommodations for multioperator stations competing in the 2021 International ARRL DX Contest (CW and phone). Individual team members may operate from their home stations in conjunction with the multi-op station. The home stations must be within a radius of 100 kilometers (62 miles) of the multiop station, and must be within the same DXCC entity, US State, or Canadian province.  For more information, visit the link below.

www.arrl.org/news/guidelines-issued-for-arrl-dx-contest-multioperator-stations

Contest rules are now maintained as a single downloadable document (see “Full Contest Rules” below).

For contest information contact contests@arrl.org or (860) 594-0232

RAC World Amateur Radio Day Special On-Air Event, April 18, 2021

by

RAC World Amateur Radio Day colorful flyerEvery year on April 18, radio amateurs worldwide take to the airwaves in celebration of Amateur Radio and to commemorate the formation of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) on April 18, 1925.

Radio Amateurs of Canada is once again holding a “Get on the Air on World Amateur Radio Day” special event in which we encourage as many Amateurs as possible to get on the air and contact as many RAC stations as possible.

  • RAC official stations will operate across Canada from 0000Z to 2359Z on April 18. The RAC official station call signs are VA2RAC, VA3RAC, VE1RAC, VE4RAC, VE5RAC, VE6RAC, VE7RAC, VE8RAC, VE9RAC, VO1RAC, VO2RAC, VY0RAC, VY1RAC and VY2RAC.
  • Those contacting one or more of these stations will be eligible for a special commemorative certificate noting their participation in RAC’s Get on the Air on World Amateur Radio Day Event.
  • Participants simply need to complete one or more contacts, on any band and mode, with RAC official stations to earn their certificates.
  • No logs need to be submitted; simply check back on the RAC website when instructed and enter your call sign to download your certificate.

Note: From 0000z to 0500z and again from 1200z to 1800z, VA3RAC will be active in the Ontario QSO Party and will be sending the contest exchange. Stations contacting VA3RAC during those time periods are encouraged to send their contest exchange in return (state/province/country or Ontario county).

Thank you for your continuing support and understanding during this time of crisis. As with many of our Amateur Radio activities, overcoming challenges is a great way to learn. Please take care of yourself and your loved ones, stay safe and have fun while celebrating World Amateur Radio Day.

For more information on World Amateur Radio Day and the RAC “Get on the Air on World Amateur Radio Day”  special event please visit:

https://www.rac.ca/operating/world-amateur-radio-day-april-18/

Glenn MacDonell, VE3XRA
President, Radio Amateurs of Canada

-via K1USN Happenings, 3/5/21

Hampden County (MA) RA Begins “New Ham Net”

by

Hampden Co RA logoKen Dion, KD1KU, writes on the HCRA mailing list:

The Hampden County Radio Association hosts a New Ham Net every Thursday evening at 7 pm on the W1BR repeater in Holyoke, MA, 146.715 (negative offset) with a PL tone of 100.0.

This Net is geared towards helping new hams get over mic shyness, proper operating procedure or with any questions they may have regarding any aspect of the hobby in a relaxed and friendly environment.

The new ham net is only open to NEW hams who have received their licenses within the last 5 years, hams that have returned to the hobby recently and all HCRA members. Net control is Gary, KC1JZR who is a newer ham himself.

As HCRA members please support this net by stopping by to say hello! Netlogger is used during this net and can be downloaded free at https://www.netlogger.org (not required),

If you are a new ham or know someone licensed during the last 5 years and can access the 146.715 repeater please join us on Thursdays at 7 pm!

73, Ken – KD1KU

ARRL DX Contest, CW, February 20-21, 2021

by

ARRL International DX Contest logoContest Objective: 

To encourage W/VE stations to expand knowledge of DX propagation on the HF and MF bands, improve operating skills, and improve station capability by creating a competition in which DX stations may only contact W/VE stations. One contest period is CW-only and one is Phone-only.  Use only the 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meter bands.

W/VE amateurs: Work as many DX stations in as many DXCC entities as possible.

DX stations: Work as many W/VE stations in as many of the 48 contiguous states and provinces as possible.

Dates:

CW: Third full weekend in February (February 20-21, 2021).

Phone: First full weekend in March (March 6-7, 2021).

Contest Period: Begins 0000 UTC Saturday and runs through 2359 UTC Sunday.

2021 Multoperator Accommodations:

ARRL has issued temporary accommodations for multioperator stations competing in the 2021 International ARRL DX Contest (CW and phone). Individual team members may operate from their home stations in conjunction with the multi-op station. The home stations must be within a radius of 100 kilometers (62 miles) of the multiop station, and must be within the same DXCC entity, US State, or Canadian province.  For more information, visit the link below.

www.arrl.org/news/guidelines-issued-for-arrl-dx-contest-multioperator-stations

Contest rules are now maintained as a single downloadable document (see “Full Contest Rules” below).

For contest information contact contests@arrl.org or (860) 594-0232

Nashua, NH High School Scheduled for ARISS Contact, February 19, 2021

by

ARISS logoThe Bishop Guertin High School in Nashua has been scheduled for an ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) contact on Friday, February 19, 2021 at 17:56:36 UTC. The school’s population includes students from both New Hampshire and Massachusetts.  ARISS Technical Mentor Fred, AB1OC, from the Nashua Area Radio Society (NARS) is coordinating the event.

NARS has been mentoring the students for the past two years, and now three students are licensed, according to ARISS-US Delegate Rosalie White, K1STO.  “The STEM Club advisor and a number of students were inspired by ham radio and space after attending an ARISS contact at a school mentored by NARS three years ago,” she adds.

Bishop Guertin High School hopes the ARISS contact activities will support students’ growth in STEM related curriculum topics. A number of student activities are planned, including:

  • An introduction to amateur radio
  • The ability to understand how important radio communication is in the world and how it is used to communicate in space 
  • The opportunity and motivation to become licensed ham radio operators
  • A partnership with the Nashua Radio Society whose members will mentor the students about radio communication and teach them the skills necessary to assist in building radio equipment 
  • Leadership roles in promoting, organizing and running the ISS contact

The ARISS contact will be live streamed on YouTube, and can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/0-Dsel4_7gM.

ARRL to Extend Field Day Rule Waivers from 2020, Add Class D and E Power Limit

by

From ARRL Web:

The COVID-19 pandemic-modified ARRL Field Day rules from 2020 will continue this June with the addition of a power limit imposed on Class D (Home Stations) and Class E (Home Stations-Emergency Power) participants. The news from the ARRL Board’s Programs and Services Committee comes as many clubs and groups are starting preparations for Field Day in earnest. Field Day 2021 will take place June 26 – 27.

“This early decision should alleviate any hesitancy that radio clubs and individual Field Day participants may have with their planning for the event,” said ARRL Contest Program Manager Paul Bourque, N1SFE. [More]

It’s Time for School Roundup, February, 2021 Edition

by

School Roundup logoSchool Club Roundup (SCR) comes but twice a year, in February and October, and the February edition is upon us. The 5-day event runs from Monday, February 8 at 1300 UTC to Friday, February 12 at 2359 UTC. Any mode — SSB, CW, or digital — is allowed for the event, but only digital modes that support the full exchange of required contact information are permitted. [Full story]

Hearty New Englanders Brave the Cold for 2021 Winter Field Day

by

Winter Field Day Association logoAmateurs from across New England are braving record cold temperatures this weekend to participate in the annual Winter Field Day event–like Jay Hoisington, KB1RZA, who writes on the Connecticut Valley FM Association list:

“Any Brave souls going to set up for Winter Field Day 2021? I plan on taking a stab at 1-O , battery power this afternoon.  I’ll be heading out to set up in awhile.   It is going to be a chilly one.  It is an Even 0.0 F here on top of the hill right now. A bit of an improvement from -4 F  at 5:30AM this morning.  Wind chill advisory until 11AM. Wind is calm here for the moment but forecasted to be N-NW at 5-10MPH.  Bundle up!”

Greater Bridgeport (CT) ARC QRV for Winter Field Day 2021

by

Winter Field Day Association logoGBARC President Emily Clarke, N1DID, writes:

This weekend is Winter Field Day, and all GBARC members are eligible to participate from their home QTH.  All hams from Extra to Technician can make contacts and contribute to the overall GBARC Score on many different bands and modes.

I’ve done a complete write-up and you can read all you need to know to get started on the GBARC Winter Field Day page. 

I am also offering to loan my Xeigu G-90 and a 40m dipole that will let you get on 40 and 15 meters.  If you are a technician and adventurous you can use this radio to try out operating CW.   Contact me if you are interested in borrowing it – first come first served.

Winter Field Day starts tomorrow at 2pm local time, and will run through 2pm on Sunday.

Cheers,

Emily N1DID

Winter Field Day/Parks On The Air Event, Lincoln Woods State Park, R.I., January 30, 2021

by

Sean McGrath, W1SMM writes:

RI ARES Winter Field Day

Saturday January 30th and Sunday January 31st

Lincoln Woods State Park

Main Beach Parking Lot.

Address:  2 Les Pawson Loop, Lincoln, RI 02865

Saturday:  Set-up starting at 10am. After set-up, we will operate as a Parks on the Air Station K-2878 until the official start of Winter Field Day at 2pm.  We will run as the Winter Field Day Station until the Park Closes around sunset.

Sunday:  Set-up starting at 9am. After set-up, we will operate as the Winter Field Day Station until 2pm, which is the official end of Winter Field Day. We can then continue operating as a Parks on the Air Station K-2878 until the park closes around sunset. 

Email w1smm@arrl.net to advise what day/time you will arrive, and how long you will stay.

map of Lincoln Woods State Park, R.I.