Contesting
There's a new exclusively-FT8/FT4 Contest, sponsored by the World Wide Radio Operators
Foundation (WWROF), and the Slovenia Contest Club: The World Wide Digi DX Contest.
The inaugural 24-hour event will occur August 31 starting at 1200 UTC, and features
distance-based scoring based on the exchange of grids. Multipliers are grid fields (the
letter part of a grid, for example "CN" of "CN87"), and are per band, so it will pay to get
multipliers on multiple bands. There are entry categories for single operators of various
power levels in addition to Multi-One, Multi-Two, and Multi-Unlimited categories. See the
contest rules for more information. An N1MM Logger+ version to be released later this
week will have support for this new contest, including a new Grid Field Map display to
visually show the multipliers.
The organizers of the World Wide Digi DX Contest would like your help in
testing their log submittal and log checking. Ed, W0YK, states: "At the end of May 2019, I
worked over 600 QSOs on FT8 and FT4 as P49X. I would appreciate it if anyone who
worked P49X on the FT modes would please send me their ADIF log file. It can be any date
range as long as it includes the end of May QSOs with P49X. Our software can ignore
QSOs outside that period. Just forward your ADIF log file to P49X Log Contacts to help us
get ready for log processing." (W0YK)
Attention Midwest Contesters - The Society of Midwest Contesters' SMC Fest will be held
August 24, 2019 in Normal, Illinois. The program includes practical information on station
building, maximizing contest scores even with part-time effort, SO2R from small lots,
mobile and rover operations, and more. See you there?
A Call History file with IARU Headquarter multiplier stations for the upcoming IARU
contest is available for download. Updates go to Joe, OZ0J.
In a recent blog entry Bob, KB6NU, discusses three areas he'd like to improve on for his
next ARRL Field Day: Schedule Operators, Train Operators, and Better Antennas.
Contesting has a big information management component. More computer screen real
estate allows the display and management of more information, and it's typical to see
multiple monitors attached to computers used for contesting. A startup is addressing the
particular multi-screen needs of laptops with a product called the 'Trio' - it brings two
additional HD-resolution screens that can be flexibly used in landscape or portrait mode.
The extra two screens combined weigh less than 1.8 pounds, so they might be suitable for
portable or travel operation. (Dennis, N6KI)
A typical pre-contest task is to load the new "country files" into our logging programs. This
file helps logging programs keep track of what zones and countries have been worked for
multiplier purposes based on the call sign. Jim, AD1C, compiles these files and periodically
releases new versions for different logging programs and different contests. If you've
never done so before, take a look at a typical change log to appreciate the detail of this
information.
-ARRL Contest Letter