2008 Spring VHF/UHF Sprints
Sponsored by
John
Kalenowsky, K9JK, and Steve Gilmore,
W4SHG
John Kalenowsky, K9JK, and
Steve Gilmore, W4SHG, with support from Ham Radio Outlet of Virginia, are
pleased to announce the 2008 Spring VHF/UHF Sprints. Everyone is encouraged to
participate, even if only in a small way. The rules have intentionally remained
simple, and the contest's focus continues to be for single operator, single
transmitter entries, both "fixed" and "rover". Again we
will have for 2008, the "Rookie" classification, to recognize
'first-time' participants, from their own stations OR as "guest-op"
at an "experienced" station to introduce newcomers to weak signal
vhf/uhf operations and, hopefully, encourage their participation in the future.
Guidance from an experienced operator for a "Rookie" is permitted as
long as entries in this class are clearly identified by comments in the
SOAPBOX: lines for Cabrillo formatted logs or on the Summary Sheet for paper
logs. The detail should identify who is the "Rookie" and list any
"experienced" operator(s) who were present.
Please note that, for 2008, we
still have the shortened submission date window and STRONGLY encouraging
electronic log submissions using the Cabrillo format, but we will continue to
accept paper logs (though the shorter deadline will apply to paper log
submissions as well). A summary
Sheet which includes your total contacts, multipliers and calculated score
WILL BE required with Paper Logs (see sample at: http://www.sysadnet.com/vhfsprintsummary.pdf).
Such summary info is not required for electronic logs but may be included in
the SOAPBOX: area of the Cabrillo formatted log if participants so desire. Be
sure to include the grid square you operated from in either your log or summary
sheet.
Please take a look at the sponsors for
this year's events at http://www.sysadnet.com/springsprintsponsors-2008.htm.
Several sponsorship opportunities are still available. If interested in
becoming a prize sponsor or sponsoring a plaque for the events in 2008 (or in
the future), please email us at springsprintquestions@sysadnet.com
** Log submissions for 2008 may
be viewed here.
**
** Awards for 2007 may be
viewed here. The complete scores database for 2007 can be
viewed here.
We wish you the very best of
VHF! 73,
John Kalenowsky, K9JK, and
Steve Gilmore, W4SHG
1. Object: To work as many amateur stations in as many 2 degree by 1
degree grid squares as possible, using authorized amateur frequencies on the
50, 144, 222, 432, 902 MHz and above bands.
2. Contest Period:
2.1. - 144 MHz
The 144 MHz Sprint will be from 7 PM until 11 PM local time on Monday,
April 7, 2008.
2.2. - 222 MHz
The 222 MHz Sprint will be from 7 PM until 11 PM local time on Tuesday,
April 15, 2008.
2.3. - 432 MHz
The 432 MHz Sprint will be from 7 PM until 11 PM local time on Wednesday,
April 23, 2008.
2.4. - Microwave (902+)
The Microwave Sprint will be on Saturday, May 3, 2008, from 6 AM until 1
PM local time. This includes all Amateur frequencies above 902 MHz. Please
include band data in summaries and logs. NOTE: use of Liaison Frequency is
encouraged.
2.5. - 50 MHz
The 50 MHz Sprint will be from 2300Z Saturday, May 10, until 0300Z
Sunday, May 11, 2008.
3. Exchange: Grid-square locator - PLEASE EXCHANGE and LOG SIX-Character
Grid Locators where possible. Correct exchange of FOUR-Character Grid Locator
is the minimum requirement for a valid contact but we'd REALLY like to see
SIX-Character locators exchanged and recorded in the submitted logs.
What's that, you say you have no clue what your
SIX-Character Grid Locator is? To assist you with that, please try the
following...
When you click the "Show me my
4. Scoring:
4.1. QSO Points: Count one point for each complete QSO.
4.2. Multipliers: The total number of different FOUR-Character Grid
Squares worked. Each FOUR-Character Grid Locator represents a 2 degree by 1
degree area on the earth's surface, the SIX-character designators are just
sub-divisions of that. So, to be clear, if you work a station in EN53bj and
another in EN53we, that is only ONE Multiplier, EN53.
4.3. Final score: Multiply QSO points by multipliers. Each Sprint is
scored separately.
4.4. Rovers use same QSO Point and Multiplier criteria but scoring for
Rovers is cumulative, total # of multipliers worked from each grid activated
multiplied by total # of complete QSOs from each grid activated. Segregation of
rover logs by grid activated is no longer required as long as the log makes it
clear from which FOUR-Character grid locator each contact was made.
Example: Scores from EM98 5 qso's , 3 grids / EM99 10
qso's, 4 grids / EM89 3 qso's, 2 grids.
Total score would be 18 qso's x 9 grids = 162 points
4.5. Microwave Sprint scoring is cumulative, total # of grids worked from
each band activated multiplied by total # of stations worked in each band
activated.
5. Reporting: Logs (Cabrillo format preferred) must be received via
e-mail or paper logs WITH
summary sheet postmarked no later than following deadlines (roughly two
weeks after the close of each event):
5.1. - 144 MHz - April 23, 2008
5.2. - 222 MHz – May 1, 2008
5.3. - 432 MHz - May 9, 2008
5.4. - Microwave (902+) - May 19, 2008
5.5. - 50 MHz - May 27, 2008
6. Awards:
6.1. Certificates/Plaques (if sponsored) will be awarded as follows:
6.1.1. TOP FIVE individual scores for each of the five Sprint "band"
events (Single-Op Fixed, Rover and Rookie will be considered for this ranking).
6.1.2. TOP FIVE cumulative Single-Op Fixed scores (adding scores together by
callsign used from each of the events, up to 5, for which valid logs are
received).
6.1.3. TOP FIVE cumulative Rover scores (adding scores together by callsign
used from each of the events, up to 5, for which valid logs are received).
6.1.4. TOP FIVE cumulative Rookie scores (adding scores together by callsign
used from each of the events, up to 5, for which valid logs are received).
6.1.5. If a plaque is not sponsored for a particular finish above, a
certificate (similar to what other VHF Contest sponsors provide) will be sent.
"Specialty" plaques will also be considered (such as for best finish
in a region) if anyone wants to sponsor such (and can provide a clear
criteria). Please contact John or Steve regarding that. To view what plaques
have been sponsored (and criteria) for 2008, click here.
6.2. Prizes: As they are sponsored, prizes will be awarded based on criteria of
the sponsor. As an example, the simplest criteria will be "random drawing
from all logs received." To view what prizes have been sponsored (and
criteria) for 2008, click here.
7. Submission of Logs:
7.1. By submitting a log, participants confirm that they have observed all
contest rules, as well as all regulations established for amateur radio in
their country and that their log submission is true and accurate to the best of
their knowledge. Participants further agree to be bound by the decisions of the
Spring Sprint sponsors.
7.2. Electronic Logs:
7.2.1. The "Cabrillo" log format is now the standard for the Spring
Sprints.
7.2.1.1. Use the following names for the Cabrillo "CONTEST:" field:
For 144 MHz, use CONTEST: VHF-SPRINT-144MHZ-SPRING
For 222 MHz, use CONTEST: VHF-SPRINT-222MHZ-SPRING
For 432 MHz, use CONTEST: VHF-SPRINT-432MHZ-SPRING
For "Microwave" (902 MHz & Up), use CONTEST: VHF-SPRINT-MICROWAVE-SPRING
For 50 MHz, use CONTEST: VHF-SPRINT-50MHZ-SPRING
7.2.1.2. Until logging programs with 'official' support
for these events become more available, the closest format is probably for the
June or September ARRL VHF QSO Parties (as long as the logging program knows
how to handle SIX-Character Grid Square input and can properly 'ignore' the 5th
and 6th characters for Multiplier counting). It may be necessary to manually
edit the "CONTEST:" line in the file and Claimed Score may be
incorrect for bands 222 MHz and above but the QSO data should be correct.
7.2.1.3. E-mail logs to: springvhfsprints@sysadnet.com
preferably using a "Plain Text" e-mail format, with ONLY "your
call" and the "band" in the subject line (W4SHG 144 -or- K9JK
MICROWAVE for example) and with the log file as an attachment named
"<your call>.LOG" (e.g. W4SHG.LOG)
7.2.2. "Web-to-Cabrillo": Bruce Horn, WA7BNM, has graciously agreed
to provide 'web forms' to facilitate generation and AUTOMATIC SUBMISSION of
Cabrillo-formatted logs for the Spring VHF & Up Sprints at the http://b4h.net/cabforms web site that
he maintains. You may have to scroll down the homepage a bit to the "Other
Contests" area to find the ones for the Spring VHF Sprints and they may
not be there until just before the actual contests. PLEASE consider using these
to generate and submit electronically instead of submitting a paper log. Our
thanks to Bruce!
7.3. Paper logs:
7.3.1. Paper logs must include a Summary
Sheet and the log sheets themselves should include the following
information:
Band (in MHz, e.g. 50, 144, 222, 432, 902. For above 902, change to GHz, e.g. 1.2, 2.3, 3.4, etc.)
Mode (e.g. CW, PH, DIG)
Date/Time (PLEASE indicate whether the dates & times are "local" or UTC)
Callsign SENT (can be listed at the top of a page OR on each line)
Grid Locator SENT (PLEASE give your SIX-character locator when known)
Other Station's Callsign
Other Station's Grid Locator (PLEASE ask for and record SIX-character when the other station provides it)
7.3.2. "Snail Mail" paper logs to:
Steve Gilmore — W4SHG
11 Ryan Way
Questions ? Email springsprintquestions@sysadnet.com
This page last updated February 11, 2008jk version c-draft1