In December each year, Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) sponsors the Canada Winter Contest. Amateurs all over the world are invited to participate.
Contest Period: 0000 UTC to 2359 UTC on
December 17, 2022.
Bands and Modes: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6 and 2 metres, CW and
phone (SSB, FM, AM, etc.)
Suggested frequencies: CW – 25 kHz up from the band edge and for
SSB – 1850, 3775, 7075*, 7225, 14175, 21250 and 28500 kHz. Check for
CW activity on the half-hour.
*Note: For 7075 kHz please watch for conflicts in the band plan where
there are overlaps with other modes of operation.
Exchange: Stations in Canada send RS(T) and province or territory.
VEØs and stations outside Canada send RS(T) and a serial number.
QSOs: Contacts with stations in Canada or VEØs are worth 10 points.
Contacts with stations outside Canada are worth 2 points. Contacts with
RAC official stations are worth 20 points.
RAC official stations are: VA2RAC, VA3RAC, VE1RAC, VE4RAC, VE5RAC,
VE6RAC, VE7RAC, VE8RAC, VE9RAC, VO1RAC, VO2RAC, VY0RAC, VY1RAC
and VY2RAC.
For more information, please click here.
Rumors are swirling, when Kenwood was noticed missing from the Dayton Hamvention. It was reported that Kenwood has decide to step away from the Amateur Radio sector and focus on the business unit.
It is certain that the global computer chip shortage and cost increases are playing a large role in the decision.
As of today, there are only 3 transceivers on their Canadian site and 8 mobile and station radios on the US site.
It is with regret that the 2022 International DX convention in Visalia, California has been canceled. The convention committee of the Southern California DX Club acted in response to the current covid virus threat. We look forward to 2023. Those who had hotel reservations please contact the hotel to ensure they are canceled.
Note: EVERYONE WHO HAS HOTEL RESERVATIONS, it is your responsibility to cancel your reservation as soon as possible so that the hotels can resell their rooms.
Respectfully
Bill Kendrick, N6RV
Mel Hughes, K6SY
The ARRL International Digital Contest will debut at 1800 UTC on June 4, ending at 2359 on June 5, 2022. All non-RTTY modes are permitted. Going forward, RTTY will be the sole mode for the ARRL RTTY Roundup, which will continue to take place in January.
In broad strokes, this will be an HF – 6-meter event, on 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, and 6 meters, with single-operator and multi-single entry categories. These are Single Operator, One Radio (SO1R), Single Operator, Two Radio (SO2R), and Multi-Single (MS). Overlays in the single-operator categories will include “all enclosed antennas” and “maximum of 8 operating hours.” Single-operator entries may operate for 24 hours (with off times taken in one or two breaks that are at least 60 minutes long), while MS entries may operate for the full 30 hours.
Operating assistance is permitted for all operating categories.
Power categories will be QRP (5 W transmitter output or less) and low-power (maximum 100 W PEP transmitter output).
The exchange for the International Digital Contest will be a station’s four-character grid square designation. Stations may work each other once per band, regardless of digital mode. Participants will earn 1 point for each contact, plus 1 point for each 500 kilometers (310 miles) between stations. So, a contact between stations 1,000 kilometers apart would be worth 3 points. The total score is total contact points.
ARRL makes available a grid-center distance calculation tool. Options include kilometers (always rounded up), distance between pairs, and points.
For instructions on how to submit logs, visit the ARRL Contest page. Logs will be due 7 days after the event has concluded.
In succeeding years, the International Digital Contest will take place on the first full weekend of June.
Full details on the new operating event are on the ARRL website.
Winter Field Day, sponsored by the Winter Field Day Association (WFDA), will take place this coming weekend January 29-30.
Purpose: To foster camaraderie, field operation, emergency operating preparedness, and just plain on the air, outdoor fun in the midst of winter for Canadian, American and DX Amateurs.
When: Winter Field Day runs for 24 hours during the last full weekend in January each year from 1900 UTC (2pm EST) Saturday to 1900 UTC (2pm EST) Sunday. For 2021 the dates are January 30 and 31.
The following is an extract from their website:
“The Winter Field Day Association (WFDA) is a dedicated group of Amateur Radio Operators who believe that emergency communications in a winter environment is just as important as the preparations and practice that is done each summer but with some additional unique operational concerns.
We believe as do those entities of ARRL Organizations like ARES & RACES that maintaining your operational skills should not be limited to fair weather scenarios. The addition of Winter Field Day will enhance those already important skills of those that who generously volunteer their time and equipment to these organizations. This is why WFD is open to all licensed Amateur Radio operators worldwide.
Disasters are unpredictable by nature and can strike when you least expect them. WFDA’s goal is to help enhance your skills and ready you for all environmental conditions found in the US and Canada during the spring, summer, fall and winter Preparedness is the key to a professional and timely response during any event and this is what local and state authorities are expecting when they reach out to the emergency service groups that offer their services.
If you are serious about emergency communications as we are; we welcome you to join us for our yearly event. We are sure you will find this event a pleasant change and challenge to that of a normal summer time Field Day.”
For more information about Winter Field Day visit: