eHam
eHam Forums => Contesting => Topic started by: K3TN on February 28, 2023, 03:55:20 AM
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Today brings an end to February and ushers in the ARRL DX SSB Contest (http://www.arrl.org/arrl-dx), from 0000Z March 4th - 2359 March 5th.
Exchange is RS State/Province for US/VE stations, RS Power for everyone else.
Forecast is for phenomenal solar conditions, so a good weekend for phone contesters - also a great opportunity to chase 3B7M on CW and digital while the phone ops are busy in the contest!
73 John K3TN
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Oh no not another contest. Here we go all the freq will be loaded with stations the just take a freq that there is a
QSO and talk right on top of each other. A mess weekend. Should only have freq for contest only.
Bob
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Today brings an end to February and ushers in the ARRL DX SSB Contest (http://www.arrl.org/arrl-dx), from 0000Z March 4th - 2359 March 5th.
Exchange is RS State/Province for US/VE stations, RS Power for everyone else.
Forecast is for phenomenal solar conditions, so a good weekend for phone contesters - also a great opportunity to chase 3B7M on CW and digital while the phone ops are busy in the contest!
73 John K3TN
So, being that I'm US, being in the VI, does this make me non DX?
Or, since I'm NOT in the contiguous USA, does this make me DX again?
Inquiring minds want to know. The rules where somewhat ambiguous and asking around only confused more.
--Shane
WP2ASS / ex KD6VXI
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Oh no not another contest. Here we go all the freq will be loaded with stations the just take a freq that there is a
QSO and talk right on top of each other. A mess weekend. Should only have freq for contest only.
Bob
Go use the WARC bands.
There are bands that give you what you want.
People who enjoy contesting don't get it every weekend. Matter of fact, there are a TON more non contest weekends than there are contest weekends, so why are you complaining?
--Shane
WP2ASS / ex KD6VXI
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That is where I will go to keep away from all the inconsiderate hams.
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Great - that will make more room for us CQing. Much appreciated.
Ed N1UR
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So, being that I'm US, being in the VI, does this make me non DX?
Or, since I'm NOT in the contiguous USA, does this make me DX again?
Inquiring minds want to know. The rules where somewhat ambiguous and asking around only confused more.
--Shane
WP2ASS / ex KD6VXI
As typical for the ARRL, yes they are ambiguous because they can't just provide the complete rules for every contest. They have to provide "general contest rules," then you need to find the specific rules for the contest.
You are considered DX. For this contest North America is the 48 contiguous states plus all the Canadian providences.
Give a signal report and your transmitter power. Be prepared to copy signal report and state/providence - if you care to turn in a log.
If you do plan on turning in a log, then it might be helpful to have a list: https://www.mapability.com/ei8ic/maps/sections.php#:~:text=AK%2C%20AL%2C%20AR%2C%20AZ,%2C%20WI%2C%20WV%2C%20WY.
Since most contest programs are looking for a specific two letter abbreviation for each state/providence. IE: PE instead of PEI.
Hope to work you!
Tom, N2SR
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I hope this is the last one for a few weeks. I'm getting tired of not being able to chat with my friends on weekends due to inconsiderate contest stations that run illegal power and don't care if the frequency is occupied by a QSO.
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There hasn't been a major SSB contest since October. What frequencies have you been experiencing contest QRM on the last few weeks?
Ed N1UR
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So, being that I'm US, being in the VI, does this make me non DX?
Or, since I'm NOT in the contiguous USA, does this make me DX again?
Ok, this is a DX contest, so US stations CANNOT work Canada, which is a foreign country, but they can work Alaska and Hawaii, which are US states. They can work the UN building which is in New York City, but they cannot work any other station in New York City. They cannot work Canada, but they can work Sable Island, and St. Paul Island, which are part of Canada.
Confused, yet? we all should be. Don't try to use logic here, just follow the rules.
Yes, if you are in KP2 land, you are considered DX and can work the 48 US states (minus AK and HI and 4U1UN) and Canada (Minus CY9 and CY0).
73 John AF5CC
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Amazing that anyone has figured out how to write or talk, given how complex the spelling and pronunciation rules are!
For those who read contesting forums because they enjoy operating in contests:
The main rules for this contest say: "DX stations: Work as many W/VE stations in as many of the 48 contiguous states and provinces as possible." This pretty much answers the question about AK, HI, KP2, KP4, etc.
But, the full rules only explicitly state: " DX stations may only contact W/VE stations.
Hawaii (KH6), Alaska (KL7), St. Paul Is. (CY9), and Sable Is. (CYØ) stations participate as DX stations."
This explicitly addresses those four places but not KP4/KP2 type territories.
I have forwarded this issue to the ARRL Contest Advisory Committee to try to get it elaborated on in the rules for future contests.
73 John K3TN
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I will be doing single band 10 meters with 100 watts portable. This is a fun contest for KH6s; just aim at NA and call CQ. I'm just learning phone contesting so I will be on a learning curve.
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Today brings an end to February and ushers in the ARRL DX SSB Contest (http://www.arrl.org/arrl-dx), from 0000Z March 4th - 2359 March 5th.
Exchange is RS State/Province for US/VE stations, RS Power for everyone else.
Forecast is for phenomenal solar conditions, so a good weekend for phone contesters - also a great opportunity to chase 3B7M on CW and digital while the phone ops are busy in the contest!
73 John K3TN
So, being that I'm US, being in the VI, does this make me non DX?
Or, since I'm NOT in the contiguous USA, does this make me DX again?
Inquiring minds want to know. The rules where somewhat ambiguous and asking around only confused more.
--Shane
WP2ASS / ex KD6VXI
For purposes of this DX contest, you’re DX.
USVI has been DX in this contest for decades, longer than I can remember.
Nothing ambiguous about that.
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I hope this is the last one for a few weeks. I'm getting tired of not being able to chat with my friends on weekends due to inconsiderate contest stations that run illegal power and don't care if the frequency is occupied by a QSO.
Show us your documented proof that "inconsiderate" contest stations run illegal power.
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I have forwarded this issue to the ARRL Contest Advisory Committee to try to get it elaborated on in the rules for future contests.
73 John K3TN
Good luck on that. You would have better luck with the PSC, since they seem to make all the rules now. For instance earlier this week, they decided to make the point values the same for all modes in Field Day. Huge uproar in a few hours, so by the end of the day they decided to "allow for member comments...."
The CAC is just that, Advisory. They, as well as the DXAC and other committees make their recommendation to the PSC. If the PSC votes no, it goes nowhere. That's why it took several attempts for the CAC to get the PSC to change the low power rule to 100 watts instead of 150 watts.
The ARRL has become as bureaucratic as the government.
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I got a very quick reply from W5OV, Director of Operations, agreeing to have the rules updated to be more specific about KP2 and KP4 being considered DX in ARRL contests, as they are in DXCC awards.
I've found over the years that contacting contest sponsors with issues generally leads to action for minor changes. Major changes take more people raising the issue to the sponsors and often I don't agree with the changes. But always better to reach out to sponsors than rely on co-rumination on social media!
You can find the email addresses of the ARRL Contest Advisory Committee members here (https://www.arrl.org/arrl-staff-cac).
For CQ WW contests you will find a contact button here (https://www.cqww.com/organization.htm).
73 John K3TN
I have forwarded this issue to the ARRL Contest Advisory Committee to try to get it elaborated on in the rules for future contests.
73 John K3TN
Good luck on that. You would have better luck with the PSC, since they seem to make all the rules now. For instance earlier this week, they decided to make the point values the same for all modes in Field Day. Huge uproar in a few hours, so by the end of the day they decided to "allow for member comments...."
The CAC is just that, Advisory. They, as well as the DXAC and other committees make their recommendation to the PSC. If the PSC votes no, it goes nowhere. That's why it took several attempts for the CAC to get the PSC to change the low power rule to 100 watts instead of 150 watts.
The ARRL has become as bureaucratic as the government.
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I got a very quick reply from W5OV, Director of Operations, agreeing to have the rules updated to be more specific about KP2 and KP4 being considered DX in ARRL contests, as they are in DXCC awards.
I've found over the years that contacting contest sponsors with issues generally leads to action for minor changes. Major changes take more people raising the issue to the sponsors and often I don't agree with the changes. But always better to reach out to sponsors than rely on co-rumination on social media!
73 John K3TN
Good work! I've known Bob for 30 years, and have operated several contests with him.
I wasn't questioning your ability or your email. I was just saying that it seems that the PSC "runs the show" now.
IMHO, the ARRL needs to do a complete rewrite of the rules for each contest, toss out the "general ARRL contest rules," and just create one complete contest rules document for each contest. Why the need to look in two places for two different documents for the rules for a specific contest? "General ARRL contest rules" and then you need to find the rules for the specific contest. And several times, there have been contradictions between the two documents.
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I will be doing single band 10 meters with 100 watts portable. This is a fun contest for KH6s; just aim at NA and call CQ. I'm just learning phone contesting so I will be on a learning curve.
You are going to have a blast. I am envious. Love working KL7s and KH6s from the Great Lakes. Europe is fairly easy from here. With SS cycle on the upswing, it's going to be fun from just about anywhere. Good luck, and hope to catch you this weekend.
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Thank you to all whom got it figured out.
My wife, on her last 2 days on the island, helped me put up a new 10 meter antenna, so I am going to be concentrating this effort on 10, although I can operate 10-40 and will be on the lower bands at night.
My son comes tomorrow night, so will be qrt at that point.
I really need to get my priorities in order and get the family coming around contests, not during.
See everyone this evening and tomorrow. And again, thanks for the definitive answer. At least no serial numbers, etc. on this one!!
--Shane
WP2ASS / ex KD6VXI
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There hasn't been a major SSB contest since October. What frequencies have you been experiencing contest QRM on the last few weeks?
Ed N1UR
He probably means POTA and State QSO Parties.
I enjoy seeing the bands busy. There are a lot of pre contest stations testing things out this week and it's allowed me some great conversation with other Countries.
I was working Brazil last night when another station stole the frequency and his pileup. It would be nice if people played fair.
However, as far as the guys who want to talk to their buddies across town only on Major Contest weekends and on the most active DX bands, because they can; no sympathy here.
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I'll look for you and spot you.
I was KP2/K3TN back in 2012, renting the KP2M station. It was similar point in the solar cycle, I think we were down there in June.
I had loads of fun - during this contest you will get nice US pileups but if you get on outside of the contest any time the band is open to JA (which is large chunks of the day and night), you will get huuuge and very polite JA pileups.
73 John K3TN
Thank you to all whom got it figured out.
My wife, on her last 2 days on the island, helped me put up a new 10 meter antenna, so I am going to be concentrating this effort on 10, although I can operate 10-40 and will be on the lower bands at night.
My son comes tomorrow night, so will be qrt at that point.
I really need to get my priorities in order and get the family coming around contests, not during.
See everyone this evening and tomorrow. And again, thanks for the definitive answer. At least no serial numbers, etc. on this one!!
--Shane
WP2ASS / ex KD6VXI