Subj : CW QRP Events To : All From : n2qfd Date : Mon Jul 29 2024 12:50 pm From the WA7BNM Contest Calendar: QCX Challenge - includes QDX and QMX The QCX challenge is our monthly operating event to encourage operators to get on the air with their QRP Labs (or other) radios and enjoy the pleasures and benefits of CW, phone and selected conversational data modes. It started in early 2019 with a discussion on the QRP labs reflector when Harv K2PI asked "why don't we have a QCX QSO party" Good idea! So this is it. It's designed to be a fun and friendly opportunity to get on the air with your QCX or QCX-mini or QCX+ or QDX or QMX (or QSX as soon as it is released) and explore its potential. For simplicity, we will keep the name "QCX Challenge" covering all models that exist and may emerge in the future. Although QRP is nice, the QCX Challenge is not limited to 5W, you can also use the QRP Labs 50W amplifier, or any other (homebrew) amplifier in the 50W range (+/- 3dB which would mean 25-100W). The QCX Challenge is for everyone, experienced contest operator or cw beginner. And you don't need a QCX to take part: The three one-hour sessions are timed so that most people in the world can join in and each is scored separately. When: Last Monday of the month 1300z to 1400z, 1900z to 2000z, 0300z to 0400z (note, this is the LAST session, it is technically Tuesday 0300-0400Z, but will be Monday evening local time in US). Bands: all non WARC bands Frequencies: when operating QRP, suggested frequencies are 1 to 3 kHz below the QRP calling frequencies (e.g. 14.060, 7.030, 3.560 etc for CW). When operating QRO, suggested frequencies are 3 to 5 kHz below those frequencies. If your region has other QRP calling frequencies, adjust accordingly. Please spread out and use spotting aids (see below) to see where people are. Of course, QSOs anywhere on the band can be counted. Mode: CW, Phone (whenever it becomes available in the QMX or QSX) + any "conversational" datamode so RTTY, JS8Call, Olivia, are acceptable, but FT8/FT4 (read: all modes that are in WSJT X) are not, since it is (nearly) impossible to send the required exchange for a valid QSO, or ask a question and get a decent reply Focus: Worldwide Eligibility: Any QRP Labs radio with or without an external amplifier of up to 100W = "a QCX operator" (this includes the QDX, QMX, QSX etc). Any other qrp radio (QRP up to legal max, but it is not advised to use more than 100W) Any radio (up to legal max) Rules: Use of high gain antennas is allowed Spotting is encouraged. QRP signals can be weak and it helps to know where to look. The Reverse Beacon Network (RBN) is an excellent tool (http://www.reversebeacon.net/), and this interpretation of RBN data helps to see where people are on the band (https://dxcluster.ha8tks.hu/rbn_ct1boh/). Use the sliders to narrow down the frequency range. To increase the chances of finding each other, it is advised to use this QRP sked page:https://discord.com/invite/GdZzmhuU8p (on a PC, you can use the browser, but on a phone or tablet, you must install the Discord app). The first time, you have to accept the "invitation" by Joe N3XLS. Then you must provide an e-mail address, select a password, and enter your screen name in the format "Name Callsign" (e.g. Luc ON7DQ). Then join the #qrp-operating channel (see left column). Any feature of the QCX/QCX-mini/QCX+/QDX/QMX/QSX is allowed specifically for the avoidance of doubt this includes the use of message banks, keyer, the inbuilt decoder and any other standard functionality Power: to keep things fun, it is advised not to use more than 100W Exchange: true RST, name, rig, power (optional info: QTH, antenna, WX, ) If signals are good enough; please specify your model of QCX: QCX Plus or QCX Mini, or QDX or QMX (or QSX when it?s available). Scoring: Work a non-QCX operator 1 point per QSO Work a QCX operator, but one or both stations in the QSO are using an amplifier 3 points per QSO Work a QCX operator, and BOTH sides are using QRP power 5 points per QSO Note: scoring is for fun, this is a party, not intended to be a serious contest! Scores: please submit your score to 3830scores.com, and give some detail of your station, power, antenna, etc. in the comment field. Logs: Not required. Remember, the important thing is to be active, explore the limits of your QRP Labs rig and have fun on the bands. The QCX QSO Party manager is Luc ON7DQ. http://www.qrp-labs.com/party.html Flying Pigs QRP Club, International is proud to announce Walk For The Bacon (40 Meter Edition) AKA PigWalk40 CW Contest This Is a 2 Hour (Total Time) S L O W CW Only Contest For 40 Meters Only Part 1 Operating Window Starts Every First Wednesday Night Of Every Month (8-9 PM EDT) = (7-8 PM EST) = (0000Z - 0100Z) Suggested Frequencies from 7050 to 7065 with 7060 the hot spot Part 2 Operating Window Starts The Very Next Night (10-11 PM EDT) = (9-10 PM EST) = (0200Z - 0300Z) Suggested Frequencies from 7110 to 7125 with 7123 the hot spot SIMPLE RULES: Work CW stations only on 40 Meters only Work the same stations on both days for double points Maximum CW Speed is 13 WPM (Recommend using Farnsworth Method, maintaining 10-13 WPM or less) Minimum Exchange: RST, SPC (State/Province/Country), Name and FP# (if a member) QSO Points: Member = 3 points QSO Points: Any DX = 5 points (Canada:US Contacts not considered DX) QSO Points: Non-Member = 1 point Contest Points = Total of all QSO points for both days. Power: QRP only ( qrp defined as 5 watts or less RF transmitter output) Suggest calling "CQ FP" or "CQ OINK." "---..-.-.-" has a nice ring to it. Email the Contest Manager: Poorkey, W8PIG https://qrpcontest.com/pigwalk40/ QRP FOX HUNT Rules: GENERAL The hunts will take place each Thursday evening (US time) on 20 Meters, for ten weeks. Each hunt will start at 0100Z, and last for 90 minutes (last log entry can be no later than 0229Z.) The local Thursday evening starting times will be as follows in North America: 6:00pm Pacific 7:00pm Mountain 8:00pm Central 9:00pm Eastern In each week there will be two Hunts, that is, two Foxes operating simultaneously. GUIDELINES 1.1 The Fox tries to complete as many CW QRP QSOs as possible during the 90 minute hunt. 1.2 Each Fox will have two sessions or "runs" during the season, and the Fox's score for the season will be the aggregate QSO total for the two runs. 1.3 No later than 5PM EDT on the day before a Hunt, the Fox will post a notice on QFOX (and optionally on QRP-L) providing useful details such as his QTH, equipment, antenna(s), etc. Because many Hounds read the list's daily digest, changes after that time are to be avoided, as far as possible. Since it's a "Hunt," the Fox will not post his starting frequency. 1.4 The Fox will operate within +/- 10Khz of 14.060 MHz. 1.5 The Fox will operate at an output level of 5W. 1.6 The Fox will call "CQ FOX [callsign]," "QRZ FOX," or otherwise identify himself as the Fox during the progress of the hunt. 1.7 The Fox may QSY to avoid QRM, but will indicate his intention to do so by sending "FOX QSY," or similar. 1.8 The Hounds should avoid transmitting on the Fox's transmitting frequency. Split (separate transmit/receive capability or (XIT/RIT) of up to 5 Khz may be used by the Fox, and the Fox may indicate where he is listening. The Fox can be expected to change his listening frequency often, depending on the number of stations calling and the frequency spread. Hounds who cannot work "split" or do not have RIT should, nevertheless, operate as far from the Fox's transmitting frequency as possible, or wait until late in the Hunt when the Fox is working zero-beat. 1.9 The dissemination, posting, or use of "spots" (i.e. reports about Fox activity that indicate a Fox's operating frequency) is strictly prohibited during a hunt and will result in disqualification. 1.10 A valid QSO is defined as the accurate exchange of: Signal Report QTH Operator's Name, and Power Output Examples: 559 WY LEE 1W 579 MT DOC 5W or 579 REG* CA 5W, 599 CO PETE* 5W REGGIE and PETER are NOT what was sent, therefore not accurate and should not be counted for score. The Fox's information may, in some cases, be "deemed" to be exchanged. That is, the Hound need not acknowledge the Fox's information, and the Fox may work a list. For example, the Fox may call several stations and acknowledge their information one by one, while sending his own information only once for the list. Hounds must be operating at QRP power levels (5W or less) if the contact is to count in the competition. Hounds may participate at QRPp power levels (1W or less,) in which case they should report their power as 1W or as mW, as appropriate. Hounds may work each Fox only once per session. Hounds, having worked a Fox, must not work the Fox again using a different call sign (e.g. a club call). Foxes may also compete as Hounds, and may claim one point for their own sessions as the Fox, and one point for each other Fox operating at the same time (this is to avoid having Foxes abandon their frequencies in order to work each other). 1.11 Each Fox will post his log to the QFOX list as soon as practical after the completion of each hunt, ideally within 24 hours of completion of the Hunt. The log is to be in ASCII text format, showing one QSO per line with the following information: Time, Call, RST (received), QTH, Operator, Power For example: 0101 WC7S 559 WY LEE 5W Extraneous information such as colons in the time entries, dates, and "QSO numbers" are to be deleted from the Fox's log before posting. 2.0 Hounds will ANSWER a CQ or QRZ call by the FOX. Hounds may not call CQ or call the Fox, nor should they work each other in close proximity to the Hunt. 2.1 In his notice to QFOX and QRP-L, the Fox may include suggestions as to preferred operating procedure, but in the absence of any other instructions, the Hound should send his call sign only once after a call by the Fox or the conclusion of a QSO. 2.2 At the end of the Hunt, the winners will be everyone who participated! Certificates will be sent to the Hound who has worked the most Foxes, and the Fox who has worked the most Hounds. 2.3 Good hunting, and make FUN your First Priority! http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/summer_rules.htm North American CW QSO Party 26 November/December 2023 NCJ Rules: 2024 North American QSO Party (CW/SSB/RTTY) Eligibility: Any amateur radio licensee may enter. Object: To work as many North American stations as possible during the contest period. North American Station: Defined by the ARRL DXCC List, with the addition of Hawaii. Contest calendar: Mode Times/Dates Logs Due Contest Weekend CW 1800 UTC Jan 13 to 0559 UTC Jan 14 0600 UTC January 21 2nd full weekend January 1800 UTC Aug 3 to 0559 UTC Aug 4 0600 UTC August 11 1st full weekend August https://www.ncjweb.com/NAQP-Rules.pdf N2QFD{Queen City BBS}:// "Does this need to be said? Does this need to be said by me? Does this need to be said by me right now?" - Craig Ferguson --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A48 (Raspberry Pi/32) * Origin: Queen City BBS (21:1/154) .