Michael

Honouring the Fallen: The 2024 Remembrance Day Contest

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The Remembrance Day (RD) Contest is more than just a radio contest—it’s a tribute to the brave radio amateurs who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II. This annual event, held on the weekend closest to August 15th, marks the cessation of hostilities in the South West Pacific in 1945. The 2024 contest will take place from 0300 UTC (1:00 pm local time) on Saturday, August 17th, to 0300 UTC on Sunday, August 18th.

A Brief History of the Remembrance Day Contest

The Remembrance Day Contest has a long and storied history, beginning shortly after World War II. Originally conceived as a way to honour the amateur radio operators who lost their lives during the war, the contest has since evolved into a tradition that fosters camaraderie among radio enthusiasts while preserving the memory of those who served.

The event was established by the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA), the oldest national amateur radio society in the world, founded in 1910. The WIA wanted to create a meaningful way to remember the contributions of amateur radio operators who played crucial roles in wartime communications. These operators provided vital communication links, especially in the South West Pacific, where conventional communication methods were often unreliable or non-existent.

Each year, the contest brings together amateur radio operators from Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea, along with many others from around the world. Participants engage in friendly competition, aiming to improve their operating skills and make as many contacts as possible on various frequency bands.

Contest Details and Participation

The RD Contest is designed to encourage participation from all levels of amateur radio enthusiasts. The aim is to contact stations in VK call areas (Australia), ZL (New Zealand), and P29 (Papua New Guinea) across all bands, excluding the WARC bands (10, 18, and 24 MHz) as per International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) agreement. Permitted modes include PHONE, CW, and RTTY, reflecting the communication methods of the era being remembered.

For this year’s event, HF SSB voice transmissions are to be made within the following frequency ranges:

  • 1843-1875 kHz
  • 3535-3570 kHz and 3600-3700 kHz
  • 7080-7300 kHz
  • 14112-14300 kHz
  • 21150-21450 kHz
  • 28300-29100 kHz

The contest provides an excellent opportunity for shortwave listeners to test their equipment and hone their shortwave receiving skills. This event is not just about competition; it’s about improving technical abilities, making connections, and remembering those who paved the way for today’s amateur radio community.

The Men Behind the Contest: A Roll of Honor

The Remembrance Day Contest also serves as a poignant reminder of the individuals who paid the ultimate price during World War II. The following is a roll of honour of WIA members who sacrificed their lives:

Royal Australian Navy

  • J.E. Mann VK3IE
  • A.H.G. Rippen VK6GR

Australian Military Forces

  • C.D. Roberts VK2JV
  • J.D. Morris VK3DQ
  • J. McCandlish VK3HN
  • S.W. Jones VK3SF
  • D.A. Laws VK4DR
  • J.G. Phillips VK5BW
  • K.S. Anderson VK6KS

Royal Australian Air Force

  • F.W.S. Easton VK2BQ
  • V.J.E. Jarvis VK2VJ
  • W. Abbott VK2YK
  • G.C. Curle VK2AJB
  • T. Stephens VK3GO
  • M.D. Orr VK3OR
  • J.F. Colthrop VK3PL
  • J.A. Burrage VK3UW
  • J.E. Snadden VK3VE
  • F.J. Starr VK4FS
  • R. Allen VK4PR
  • C.A. Ives VK5AF
  • B. James VK5BL
  • J.E. Goddard VK6JG
  • P.P. Paterson VK6PP

Merchant Marine

  • N.E. Gunter VK3NG

A Moment of Silence

As a mark of respect, all participating stations are asked to observe 15 minutes of silence before the start of the contest. During this time, the opening ceremony will be broadcast, setting the tone for a respectful and solemn competition.

Conclusion

The Remembrance Day Contest is a unique event that combines the thrill of amateur radio with the solemn duty of remembrance. It’s an opportunity for radio enthusiasts to connect, share their passion, and honour the memory of those who served and sacrificed. Whether you’re a seasoned operator or a newcomer to the world of amateur radio, the RD Contest offers a meaningful way to test your skills and pay tribute to history.

Credit: This blog is inspired by the historical significance of the Remembrance Day Contest, honouring the sacrifices of radio amateurs during World War II.

 

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Michael

How In-Depth is Your Knowledge of Shortwave Radio?

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Are you a shortwave radio aficionado or just getting started in this fascinating hobby? Answer our quiz to find out your score and see which category you fall into: Very In-Depth Knowledge, Moderate Knowledge, or Very Little Knowledge. Challenge yourself and share the quiz with friends to see who knows more about shortwave radio! Dive in and discover how much you really know!

Quiz Questions

 

  1. What is the typical frequency range for shortwave radio?

   – A) 3 to 30 MHz

   – B) 30 to 300 MHz

   – C) 300 to 3000 MHz

 

   *(Fun Fact: Shortwave radios can even pick up signals from other continents, thanks to ionospheric reflection!)*

 

  1. Who is considered the father of shortwave radio?**

   – A) Nikola Tesla

   – B) Guglielmo Marconi

   – C) Edwin Howard Armstrong

 

   *(Fun Fact: Marconi once tried to communicate with Mars using radio waves. He didn’t succeed, but he did pioneer some incredible technology!)*

 

  1. What does the term ‘DXing’ mean in the context of shortwave radio?**

   – A) Broadcasting music

   – B) Listening to distant radio signals

   – C) Talking to local stations

 

   *(Fun Fact: DXing enthusiasts often collect QSL cards from distant stations they’ve tuned into!)*

 

  1. Which mode of transmission is commonly used in shortwave broadcasting?

   – A) Frequency Modulation (FM)

   – B) Amplitude Modulation (AM)

   – C) Single Sideband (SSB)

 

   *(Historical Fact: During World War II, AM shortwave broadcasts were a primary means of sending news and propaganda across borders.)*

 

  1. What is the purpose of a BFO (Beat Frequency Oscillator) in shortwave radio?**

   – A) To improve sound quality

   – B) To tune in Morse code signals

   – C) To increase transmission range

 

   *(Interesting Fact: The BFO makes those dots and dashes in Morse code audible, turning beeps into letters and words!)*

 

  1. What is the role of the ITU (International Telecommunication Union) in shortwave radio?**

   – A) Manufacturing radios

   – B) Regulating frequencies and standards

   – C) Broadcasting weather reports

 

   *(Quirky Fact: The ITU has been regulating international radio frequencies since 1865, long before the first shortwave broadcasts!)*

 

  1. What is the ‘skip zone’ in shortwave radio terminology?**

   – A) An area where signals are strongest

   – B) An area where signals cannot be received

   – C) An area where signals overlap

 

   *(Funny Fact: Imagine a ‘skip zone’ like a radio wave’s version of a no-fly zone – the signals just won’t land there!)*

 

  1. What phenomenon causes shortwave signals to travel long distances?**

   – A) Ground wave propagation

   – B) Line-of-sight propagation

   – C) Ionospheric reflection

 

   *(Historical Fact: Ionospheric reflection was discovered in the early 20th century and revolutionized global communications!)*

 

  1. Which of these is a famous shortwave radio station known for its interval signal and time announcements?**

   – A) WWV

   – B) KDKA

   – C) Radio Luxembourg

 

   *(Fun Fact: WWV has been broadcasting time signals since 1923, making it one of the oldest radio stations in the world!)*

 

  1. What is a QSL card in shortwave radio?

    – A) A confirmation of a received transmission

    – B) A type of antenna

    – C) A broadcasting schedule

 

    *(Interesting Fact: QSL cards are like postcards from the airwaves, confirming that you’ve successfully tuned into a distant broadcast!)*

 

  1. Where is the most trusted place to buy your shortwave radio in Australia and NZ?**

    – A) Tecsun Radios Australia

    – B) Off a super cheap website written in broken English

    – C) Kmart

 

    *(Helpful Fact: Buying from a trusted retailer ensures you get quality equipment and customer support!)*

 

—

 

 **Scoring:**

– **Correct Answer Key:**

  1. A) 3 to 30 MHz
  2. B) Guglielmo Marconi
  3. B) Listening to distant radio signals
  4. B) Amplitude Modulation (AM)
  5. B) To tune in Morse code signals
  6. B) Regulating frequencies and standards
  7. B) An area where signals cannot be received
  8. C) Ionospheric reflection
  9. A) WWV
  10. A) A confirmation of a received transmission
  11. A) Tecsun Radios Australia

 

– **Score Calculation:**

  – **9-11 correct answers:** Very In-Depth Knowledge

  – **5-8 correct answers:** Moderate Knowledge

  – **0-4 correct answers:** Very Little Knowledge

 

—

 Results Description:

 

– **Very In-Depth Knowledge (9-11 correct answers):**

  Congratulations! You have a comprehensive understanding of shortwave radio. Your knowledge spans key concepts, historical figures, and technical details. You’re well-equipped to explore and enjoy the fascinating world of shortwave radio. Did you know that during the Cold War, shortwave radio was used for covert communication? You’d fit right in with those spy games!

 

– **Moderate Knowledge (5-8 correct answers):**

  Great job! You have a solid grasp of shortwave radio fundamentals. While there’s always more to learn, you already possess a good understanding of the key aspects of shortwave radio. Keep exploring and building on your knowledge! Fun fact: Pirates used to broadcast illegal stations on shortwave frequencies – maybe you’ll stumble upon one!

 

– **Very Little Knowledge (0-4 correct answers):**

  It looks like you’re just starting out with shortwave radio. Don’t worry, there’s a lot to discover! Consider diving into some beginner resources to expand your knowledge. Shortwave radio is an exciting field with a rich history and plenty of interesting facts to learn. Did you know that in the early days, people believed that shortwave signals could communicate with aliens? Keep learning, and soon you might be reaching for the stars too!

 

Feel free to share your results and challenge your friends to see how they fare!

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Michael

Competition time! Uniting Through Shortwave:

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Tecsun Radios Australia Invites You to Share Your best Radio Shack Memories.

In a world buzzing with digital noise, there’s a timeless charm to the crackle and hum of a shortwave radio. It’s more than just a hobby; it’s a journey through time and space, a solitary pursuit that connects us across vast distances. At Tecsun Radios Australia, we understand the magic of shortwave, and we want to celebrate it with you.

Shortwave radio may seem like a solitary hobby, but it has a unique power to bring people together. Whether you’re tuning in to distant broadcasts or chatting with fellow enthusiasts online, there’s a sense of camaraderie that transcends borders and time zones. It’s about more than just the technology; it’s about the memories we create and the connections we forge.

That’s why we’re excited to invite you to participate in our latest competition. We want to see your favourite radio shacks and radios, old and new, and hear the stories behind them.

Whether it’s a vintage set passed down through generations or the latest Tecsun PL 990x, we want to celebrate the rich tapestry of shortwave radio culture.

To enter, simply snap a photo of you holding your oldest radio!  Tell us about the memories it holds, the places it’s taken you, and the people you’ve met along the way. We will also need your permission to share this across our social media, blog, and EDM (our email newsletter)

One lucky winner will receive a free copy of “Southern Signals” by Hugh Tranter – a fascinating exploration of Australia’s history through the lens of communication.

“Southern Signals” reminds us that communication has always been at the heart of human history. From sea-stained dispatches to data sent back from deep space, it’s a story of how we’ve bridged vast distances through war and peace, exploration and growth. It’s a reminder of the power of technology to shape our world and bring us closer together.

So dust off your old radios, fire up your new ones, and join us in celebrating the magic of shortwave radio. Together, let’s create new memories and honour the rich legacy of this timeless hobby. Share your photos, share your stories, and let’s keep the spirit of shortwave alive for generations to come.

Please note this competition runs till the end of March 2024.

To enter the competition simply send a photo of you with your oldest radio and send it via email to hello@tecsunradios.com.au we will reply once received!

Join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #TecsunRadioMemories. We can’t wait to see what treasures you uncover and the memories you share.

Want to know more about this fantastic prize book?  Click here https://www.nla.gov.au/stories/national-library-publishing/book-title/southern-signals

 

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Michael

Operation Rti- An initiative from Radio Taiwan

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Operation Rti- An initiative from Radio Taiwan.

When was the last time you sent a postcard? It might be time to get out your pen and participate in Dear Rti!

To celebrate the 95th Birthday of Radio Taiwan International (RTI) and in response to current global unrest, Rti is collecting postcards from people around the world.

The initiative will represent a collective effort to combine individual wishes and messages for peace and stability together as a unified movement, as well as celebrate the station’s 95th birthday!

Imagine messages sent from all over the world to Taiwan, a huge collection of colourful postcards displayed.

Score yourself a limited edition 95th birthday postcard to commemorate the event in return for your postcard. As well as go in the running to win other prizes.

Postcards with messages can be sent to the radio station 

These cards will be displayed as messages of hope in various locations around Taiwan and the world including.

Showcased at Rti’s gala dinners
Read aloud on Rti’s programs
Interacted with, on different Rti’s social media platforms

You can learn more by clicking here https://event.rti.org.tw/dearrti/en/

It would be great to see some messages from Australia in that display.

Eligibility is below ( provided via th RTI website)

  1. Eligibility
    • This contest is open to people all over the world regardless of nationality.
    • Descriptions of submitted entries must be written in one of the 19 language services currently on Rti.
  2. Registration
    • Date: from now on to June 18, 2023 (Sunday) Taiwan Time (GMT+8)
    • Mailing Address: P.O. Box 123-199, Taipei 111, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
    • How to register:
      • Write according to the prompts listed under Rules for Entry (You can design your own postcard or buy one.)
      • Mail your postcards from the country or region your located
  3. Rules for Entry
    • Postcard cover design: We suggest showcasing features of the country, city, or region you’re writing from. For example:
      • A famous landmark: the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Westminster Abbey in London, the Statue of Liberty in the U.S., the Louvre in France, the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy, etc.
      • A scenic spot: Mount Fuji in Japan, Halong Bay in Vietnam, the Grand Canyon in the US, the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, Angel Falls in Venezuela, etc.
      • Religion and Customs: Erawan Buddha in Thailand, Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Pyramids in Egypt, the Hagia Sophia Mosque in Istanbul, St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, etc.
      • Culture and Lifestyle: taking a Turkish hot air balloon trip, seeing the Northern lights; diving near the Great Barrier Reef, enjoying your local cuisines (Feel free to introduce us to your favorite ones) , etc.
    • Postcard content: Please hand write as follows (word count depending on the space of your postcard).
      • The sender’s greeting must read: “Dear Rti, I am __________ (full name) from __________ (country or city).
        Example: Dear Rti, I am Grace Wu from Singapore.
      • The sender’s words of blessing for world peace
      • The sender’s return address and full name in English. (For the purpose of returning postcards. Please provide your full name and address in English. If you have privacy concerns, please complete this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1_sFQZGSwZgMXYVPrrhahZHXpF4OzLdySwvkkul-003A. If you cannot access the form, please email your complete address and full name in English to dearrti@gmail.com)
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Michael

The SPRING VHF/UHF Field day 2022- All The Details

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Spring VHF/UHF Field Day 2022

SPRING VHF/UHF Field day 

Contest is this Saturday November 26th at  01:00 UTC ( around midday Sydney time)

Running for 34 years now, the VHF/UHF Field day was originally run as a trial in January 1989. It was very well received and consequently became an annual event. An additional event was trialled in Spring, a Spring Field day, which also proved very successful, so much so that a 3rd event was launched, the Winter Field day which was introduced in 2008

The duration of the Field Day is 24 hours and consists of separate sections for both group and individual entrants giving radio operators an opportunity to “head for the hills” to see how many stations they can work and from how far away.

It is possible to do very well with only modest antennas if you pick a good hilltop. Another option, if your station is easily transportable, is to operate from more than one location during the contest period.

Interestingly, the Field Days  generate a lot of activity from home stations, so there is also a separate Home Station section.

All contacts must be simplex: There is plenty of FM activity, but one feature of the Field Days is a high level of SSB activity. (contacts through repeaters or satellites are not allowed).

Aim Of The Contest

The overriding aim is to get away for the weekend and have fun! But next after that, the aims are:

  To encourage more activity on VHF and microwave bands;

  To encourage people to work greater distances than usual by operating portable, and

  To provide opportunities for people to activate or work into new grid squares.

 

Contest Rules

Full details of the contest rules are available in the “Files for Download” section below.

Contest Scoring

VHF-UHF Field Days employ distance-based scoring, using your 6-character Maidenhead locator (the Sub-Square).

 

Full details of the scoring system are set out in the Rules.

 

Further Information on Maidenhead Locators

 

Each four-digit Maidenhead locator (Square) identifies an area which covers one degree of latitude and two degrees of longitude. Detailed explanation of the Maidenhead locator system can be found in the Download section below. Also available is a computer program that can convert latitude and longitude into grid locators, and vice versa.

 

To find the six digit Maidenhead locator for any location, click this Link.

Submitting Your Log

Logs should be accompanied by a cover sheet, as described in the rules. A sample scoring sheet is available for download at the bottom of this page.

 

Only electronic logs in ASCII (.txt) format are accepted now, unless some disability necessitates a paper log, which must be submitted as set out in the Rules. Upload your log files to the Field Day website via this Link

Contest Results

The aim is to have results finalised approximately four weeks after the Field Day, with the results posted here, publicised via the usual WIA channels and then published subsequently in Amateur Radio magazine.

 

Contest Award

Each top-scoring station in every Section–Sub-section will receive a colour certificate in .PDF format, sent to the contact email address on their log cover sheet.

 

Top-scoring Foundation stations will also receive a colour certificate.

Logging Software

Any logging software can be used so long as the necessary information is included in the log. Please refer to the rules for details about this.

 

 This information has been provided by the https://www.wia.org.au/ Wireless Institute of Australia all rights reserved.

The National Association for Amateur Radio in Australia

Click here for further information 

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Michael

AMATEUR RADIO REMEMBRANCE DAY CONTEST AUGUST 13 AND 14 2022

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remembrance day radio contest

 This event is held to commemorate the Amateurs who died during World War II.

This year, the event will be held on the weekend of August 13 and 14, 0300 UTC Saturday to 0300 UTC Sunday.

The Aim of the contest: Amateurs try to contact amateurs in VK call areas, ZL and P2 on all bands except WARC bands. Modes allowed are PHONE, CW and RTTY, modes that were used during WW2. 

The prize for this contest is a perpetual trophy awarded to the state or territory with the best performance.

This is also a great opportunity for shortwave listeners to test their antennas, receivers and reception techniques over the weekend.

Contest Rules

As a mark of respect, stations are asked to observe 15 minutes silence prior to the start of the contest, during which the opening ceremony will be broadcast.

Categories

Single Operator

Single Operator – QRP

Multi-Operator – Single Transmitter (Multi-Single)

Multi-Operator – Unlimited (Multi-Multi)

Sub-Category Modes for Single Operators

Phone (AM, FM & SSB)

CW (CW & RTTY)

Mixed

Permitted Bands

Contacts may be made on MF (160M), HF and VHF & above bands except for WARC bands (10, 18 & 24 MHz) which are excluded by IARU agreement from all contest operations.

HF SSB Voice transmissions should be within:

1843-1875, 3535-3570 and 3600-3700, 7080-7300, 14112-14300, 21150-21450, 28300-29100KHz,

otherwise, disqualification or points reduction may result.

For additional contest rules, how to enter please click here. 

Operators using Ex WW2 equipment will be awarded with a special certificate acknowledging their participation and use of such.

 

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Michael

International Lighthouse Weekend 2022

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lighthouse radio competition

Have you heard of the International Lighthouse weekend? This is an annual event held by International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend (ILLW) where radio operators connect with each other from all around the globe on this one weekend in August. But the difference, they are all operating from different lighthouses around the world!!

 

This year it falls on August 20-21. This will be the 25th anniversary of the event. Because it is not a contest, amateurs may operate on any authorised frequency and mode permitted by their licence. 

We came across an interesting article containing suggestions of the origins of this event.

This idea originated after a cold winter in 1992-1993  after two avid amateur operators wanted to encourage operators to get out in the summer and “play radio” . Originally some ideas like historic Scottish castles, however, they decided that the lighthouses of Scotland would be ideal!! The event was not to be a contest but simply “fun” time for the whole family. Take your family to the beach for a picnic and use your radio as an added bonus that day/ weekend. 

It would appear that two lighthouse events were held for many years until eventually, the ‘The Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society assumed sponsorship and management of the ILLW event.

Want to listen in on the event? Most operation will take place on the HF bands, so this is an opportunity to listen on your Tecsun shortwave receiver. Normal operating conventions apply, so frequencies below 10MHz utilise LSB and frequencies above 10MHz use USB (upper sideband).

the lighthouse radio event

The Tecsun PL-365, Pl-368, PL-880, PL-990x, and H-501x can all be used for this event and we recommend our Outdoors MW/SW antenna also!!

Click this link to see a list of light houses in Australia for interested operators and listeners!!

https://wllw.org/index.php/en/

Please note, this is by no means the complete list but will give listeners an idea if the lighthouse closest to them will be operational. 

 

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Michael

MAYHAM 2022

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Mayham 2022

 

The event will be held 1st of May, with a large portion of the event undercover.

Entry Ticket Presales Begin at 8:00 AM

General Entry Opens at 8:30 AM

Tecsun Radios Australia are proud to attend this event that features educational lectures, car boot sales, new product releases, opportunities to attain or extend or upgrade your radio licence, topics by keynote speakers include Collins T-195  transmitter restoration (100 watts output, 2-18 Mhz, 26 valves !), WINLINK HF email system, and Club Owned Remote Stations and integrating the Flex 6000 into such stations (Zoom presentation).

Tune in to the event broadcast while you find a bargain at the car boot sale.

As always, the Tecsun team will be there exhibiting our best sellers and will be available for a chat about all things shortwave. Pick up your free copy of our latest Shortwave Radio Listening Guide. Come and say hi!

One of the most exciting events as part of Mayham happens on the Saturday.

The FOX HUNT!

What is a Fox Hunt, you say?

                                                 Mayham 2022

Fox hunting is one of the many side quests of amateur radio. Fox Hunting or Amateur radio direction finding (ARDF) is an interactive amateur radio sport where individuals use the two meter amateur radio band whilst navigating through varying terrain and locations, searching for hidden radio transmitters. 

All competitors must carry equipment capable of receiving the signal being transmitted by multiple transmitters. You may see quite the array of specialised equipment, including a radio receiver, signal attenuator, and directional antenna. Most equipment designs integrate all three components into one handheld device.

For this year the CCARC is promising to really mix things up!! 

The details!!!

 There will be three hunts operating sequentially.

  1. Short Pedestrian of approximately 30 minutes
  2. Mobile / Pedestrian hunt of approximately 45mins – 1 hour
  3. Long Mobile hunt to last approx. 1½ hours

Participants will be required to assemble on the footpath Wyong Commuter Carpark, Located at Rose Street Wyong. This is due to current access restrictions to the site.

 

Proposed timeline of events: (Allow additional time for any changes and transitions between hunts)

12:45 – Pedestrian footpath, Rose Street, Wyong.

This is for initial gathering, registration, and discussion of rules

13:00 First Fox Transmitter activated on low power. Good luck!

13:45 First hunt to finish, regroup for start of the first Mobile / Pedestrian hunt.

This fox will be on High power for first 15-20 Minutes, then reverts to LOW POWER

14:45 Second hunt ends, reassemble for start of longer Mobile “hunt”

17:00 – End of Mayham Fox Hunt for 2022.

 

Important Information:

1st Prize winner will receive Deluxe hotspot kit and Clear acrylic case courtesy of VK Direct and VK4NGA Amateur Radio to the value of $200

2nd Prize winner will receive $100 Westfield gift card

3rd Prize winner will receive a $50 Westfield gift card.

 

For the full rules of the event and further information click here

 

There will be a great selection of food available on the day. To see the full menu click here.

General Entry Gate Opening Times

 

Entry via Rose Street

Pre-Sales begins at 8:00AM

Entry Gates open at 8:30AM

Cash and Eftpos Facilities available on the day

 

Address

 

69 – 73 Howarth St,

Wyong NSW 2259

Car park entry is located in Rose Street

By Rail

Only a short walk from Wyong Railway Station

For the full details on this event including information about the lectures click here

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Michael

RADIO COMPETITION: THE QRP HOURS CONTEST – 80m – THIS WEEKEND

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There is a fantastic radio competition this weekend brought to you by the VKQRP CLUB.

QRP HOURS CONTEST – 80m –  is on 9th April 2022 

shortwave radio competition

Image and information via the VKQRP CLUB: The VK QRP Club exists for those who enjoy low power amateur radio.

What is it?

the AIM of this contest is to make as many contacts as possible on the 80 metre amateur band only and only during 2 separate time intervals: 1000-1059 UTC – for CW and digital modes, and  1100-1159 UTC – for SSB and digital voice.

Who can enter? The competition is open to Both QRP Club Members and all licensed amateurs.

What gear do I need?  The Xiegu G-90 is ideal for this contest because it covers the 80 metre amateur band and the power can be adjusted to the 10 watt SSB or 5 watt CW limits.

Our TRA HF Portable Dipole antenna would also be perfectly suited to this comp.

The Contest Rules

Output Power Limit: 5 watts CW/Digital, 10 watts peak on SSB. Modes: First Hour – CW/Digital Second Hour – SSB/Digital voice Frequencies: CW 3.500-3.535 MHz Digital 3.570-3.600 MHz – 3570 Dial freq suggested SSB/Digital voice 3.535-3.570 and 3.600-3.700 MHz Exchange a three-digit serial number starting at 001 and incrementing by 1 for each new contact.

Those continuing from the first hour to the second (in a new mode) can optionally continue to increment exchange numbers.

There is no need to restart from 001 in the 2nd block. Score one point per contact.

Digital: Any digital mode may be used subject to the power being limited to 5 W and the mode being allowed by the operator’s licence. Modes such as FT8, FT4, PSK31, RTTY are the most likely to be used.

Every digital contact must be initiated and controlled by the operator, no auto-sequencing is to be used.

Logging Software: 1. VKCL Logger now has an option for this contest. It outputs in Cabrillo V3 format and is compatible with the VK Log Checker. After completing the contest, navigate the menu to export the Cabrillo file as that is the only file accepted by the log checker. Details below

2. N1MM logger: go to Alan VK4SN’s website for his instructions on how to use N1MM+ with a user defined contest file, at https://www.vk4sn.com/Contests/N1MMVK and download the UDC file at https://vk4sn.com/downloads/QRPHRSRTTY-N1MM-UDC.zip 3. Another log capture option is to use Fast Log Entry (FLE) in contest mode so it will capture numbers sent and received. Read the user manual. Save log as Cabrillo. Can be used live or after the contest. You may need to edit the output file to be sure it has selected all the options you want.

You can edit with any plain text editor – not Word! ADIF output available for upload to your station log.

Logs produced via VKCL and N1MM (in Cabrillo format only) should be uploaded directly to https://www.vklogchecker.com where you will find a “log upload” option under QRP Hours contest. An automated receipt for the log will be emailed to you.

If uploading the Cabrillo file fails, please email your Cabrillo file to contests@vkqrpclub.org.

If you cannot use one of those loggers, please send your log by email as a text file, or excel spreadsheet. No PDFs please. Log deadline is 8 days after the contest.

Certificates will be awarded to the highest scorers in each Mode.

 

 

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Michael

76th 2021 Oceania DX (OCDX) Contest

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What is the contest?

Every year a contest is held that promotes HF contacts to and from amateur radio stations in the Oceana region as well as contacts between stations inside Oceania. Points are allocated for each contact depending upon the location. There is no penalty for working non-Oceania stations but contacts between non-Oceania stations will score no points or multiplier credits. Each contact or QSO is credited with twenty points on 160M; ten points on 80M; five points on 40M; one point on 20M; two points on 15M; and three points on 10M. Note that the same station may only be counted once on each band for contact points.

The aim is for Oceania entrants to contact as many stations as possible, anywhere in the world !! In 2020 over 1600 stations participated.

Oceania shortwave listeners should try to log as many stations as possible both inside and outside Oceania.

When is it on?

This year there are two separate contests held a week apart. The phone contest will be held on Saturday October 2nd from 06:00 UTC to Sunday, October 3rd 06:00 UTC . The CW contest will be held on Saturday 9 October from 06:00 UTC to Sunday 10 October 06:00 UTC.

Enter one contest or both! See summarised notes provided by the contest holders.

For a clearer map of Oceania click here

SPECIAL NOTES FOR THE 2021 CONTEST

  1. A reminder that the Phone and CW sections each start at 06:00 on Saturday and end at 06:00 on Sunday.
  2. The deadline for submitting logs is 31 October 2021.
  3. Entrants are reminded of the need to observe any COVID related restrictions (e.g. social distancing and travel constraints) that may be in place for the contest dates.
  4. Electronic logs are to be submitted using the form at https://ocdx.contesting.com/submitlog.php. Please contact the Contest Committee at info@oceaniadxcontest.com if you are encountering difficulty in submitting your log.
  5. Electronic logs are to be in Cabrillo format which is generated by all popular contest logging software programs. Alternatively, entrants can use the forms at http://www.b4h.net/cabforms.
  6. Only one entry may be submitted by each operator or team of operators (Rule 6a).
  7. If the station worked does not provide a serial number for the Oceania DX Contest, then log the received number as 001. See Rule 8.
  8. A reminder that logs from Single Band entrants must record all contacts made during the contest period, even if on other bands. Only contacts made on the band specified in the Cabrillo header or summary sheet will be used for scoring purposes.
  9. Indonesia entrants are reminded that the Indonesia amateur radio regulations do not permit the YH club prefix to be used in the OCDX and other national or international amateur radio contests. Only the 7A, &I, 8A or 8I club prefixes may be used for this purpose.
  10. All entrants are reminded that UTC must be used for recording the date and time of each QSO and that care must be taken to ensure the times are recorded correctly.

The Phone and CW contests are scored separately.

Prefixes are multipliers (e.g. N8, W8, WD8, HG1, HG19, KC2, OE2, OE25, LY1000, VK2 …) on each band on which you work them.

    • For multiplier purposes, prefixes and callsigns without numbers are notionally assigned a zero e.g. PA/N8BJQ counts as PA0, and XE/KT5W counts as XE0. All callsigns should however be logged as sent.
    • Maritime mobile, mobile, /A, /E, /J, /P, or interim license class identifiers do not count as prefixes.
    • Special event, commemorative and other unique prefix stations are welcome.
  • The total score is the (sum of the Contact Points) multiplied by the (sum of the Multipliers).

 CATEGORIES

  • Transmitting Single Operator:
    • QRP (SO QRP) 5 watts
    • low power (SO LP) 100 watts
    • high power (SO HP) the lesser of license limit or 1500 watts
  • Transmitting Multiple Operators
    • Single Transmitter (M1)
    • Two Transmitters (M2)
    • Multiple Transmitters (MM)
  • Short Wave Listener (SWL)
  • DXcluster assistance is permitted in all categories, with the usual restrictions (see the full rules for details)
  • Entries on individual bands are supported.
  • World Stations operate in a separate category to Oceania stations

 CQs and EXCHANGES

  • Participants typically call “CQ Oceania” on phone, and “CQ OC” on CW.
  • Contest exchanges are signal reports plus a serial number, starting at 001.
  • Be careful to log callsigns and reports accurately, especially multipliers, since typos can be costly.
  • If someone does not send you a serial number, log them as serial number 001.
  • To help the adjudicators cross-check other entrants’ logs, please log every completed QSO:
    • Log zero-point QSOs (e.g. if DX stations work other DX stations)’
    • Log any duplicate QSOs’
    • Single band entrants: log your QSOs made on all bands (the Cabrillo header tells us which band you are entering)’
    • If you participate but choose not to enter, a checklog would be welcome for the same reason.

 SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY

  • The OCDX contests are adjudicated electronically, hence we need your electronic logs.
  • If possible, use contest logging software to generate a Cabrillo file, then upload it using the on-line submission form.
  • Otherwise please use the online form or some other means to generate a valid plain text column-aligned Cabrillo file, then upload that.Provided you made less than 50 contacts, you can mail in a legible paper log with a summary sheet (see the official rules for details).
  • Get your log in before November!
  • Every submitted entry will be checked and given a final score as part of the adjudication process … but naturally you are welcome to calculate your claimed score and hope that’s close!
  • A veritable profusion of certificates, trophies and plaques will be awarded.
  • Please email the Committee at info@oceaniadxcontest.com if you have any problems entering.
  • Good luck!
  • Click here for the contest rules

 

 

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