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FISTS Down Under - Activities
Regions
1. New
Zealand and Australian Based Events
2. United
Kingdom Base Events
3. United
States Based Events
4. Other
Popular Activities
NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIAN BASED EVENTS
1.Sangster
Shield Contest
2. Trans-Tasman
Contest
3. NZART
Straight Key Night
SUGGESTED FISTS CLUB CALLING FREQUENCIES
1.808 MHz (160m) – 3.528 MHz (80m) – 7.028 MHz (40m) –
10.118 MHz (30m) – 14.058 MHz (20m) – 18.085
MHz (17m) – 21.058 MHz (15m) – 24.908 MHz (12m) – 28.058 MHz (10m).
Members are reminded that the above frequencies are suggested calling
frequencies. If they are busy, it is
suggested that once you establish contact with a station, it may be
prudent to change frequency down the band,
avoiding other calling frequencies of known clubs.
NZART SANGSTER
SHIELD CONTEST RULES
Presented to the amateurs of New Zealand by Mr R Sangster in 1927, the
Sangster Shield is for annual competition to be won by the most
efficient station. In this respect it should be pointed out, that in
addition to the efficiency of the equipment used, the efficiency of the
operator is of the utmost importance. To win this contest marks an
operator as one who not only knows how to obtain the most effectiveness
from low power but also one who is most proficient in the art of
telegraphic communication.
RULES
1. When? Third full weekend of May each year, between the hours of 2000
NZST and 2300 NZST on each evening. The maximum period of operation
will be six hours.
2. Power: To compete for the Sangster Shield and Trophies the output of
the transmitter must not exceed 5 Watts.
3. CW to CW contacts only are permitted.
4. All operations must be in the 80 m band.
5. Contacts
a. QSOs with any one station are permitted once only each half hour,
based on an "even half hour" basis, eg 2000 to 2030,2031 to 2100 etc.
b. It is not permissible to claim QSOs with the same station "twice
running", i.e. at the end of one half hour period and at the beginning
of the next, unless a different station is contacted by one of the two
stations between QSO's, or a time delay of at least 5 minutes elapses
between QSO's.
6. All ZL entrants must be financial members of NZART, except for first
time entrants qualifying for the Transistor Trophy.
7. All Radio Regulations must be observed.
8. To give QRP contestants a fair chance (particularly with DX
stations) higher power stations are requested to operate above 3530
KHz.
9. Logs
a. Quarto or A4 size paper -preferably NZART log sheets.
b. Data in this order:-Date, Time, Station Callsign, Cypher Sent,
Cypher Received, Points Claimed.
c. ON A SEPARATE SHEET a summary to show:
i. Entrant's callsign, name and address in BLOCK LETTERS.
ii. Number of contacts with stations using 5 W or less.
iii. Number of contacts with stations using 6 W or more.
iv. Number of contacts with overseas stations.
v. List of different branches worked with the number and name of each
branch as given in the Call Book (in branch number order) plus the
callsign of the station claimed for that branch.
vi. Total score -(total points multiplied by the number of branches
worked)
vii. Description of equipment, antenna and output power used.
viii. Signed declaration that all contest rules have been observed.
10. Cypher system
a. RST followed by branch number followed by power output -eg
569/11/04. Indicating a 569 report; branch 11; and power of 4 W. Power
will always be given as two figures: -over 100 W will be given as 99,
while below 10 W will be preceded by 0.
b. Overseas stations are required to give RST plus a serial number
beginning at 001.
11. SCORING
For ZL Entrants:
a. ZL to Overseas -10 points
b. ZL to ZL with Power given as 5 W or less -5 points.
c. ZL using 5 W or less to ZL with Power given as 6 W or more -1 point.
d. ZL using 6 W or more to ZL with Power given as 5 W or less -1 point.
e. ZL using 6 W or more to ZL with Power given as 6 W or more -Not
permitted for contest purposes.
For Overseas entrants:
a. Overseas using 5 W or less to ZL with Power given as 5 W or less -
10 points.
b. Overseas using 5 W or less to ZL with Power given as 6 W or more - 5
points.
c. Overseas using 6 W or more to ZL with Power given as 5 W or less - 5
points.
d. Overseas using 6 W or more to ZL with Power given as 6 W or more -
Not permitted for contest purposes.
e. Overseas to Overseas -Not permitted for contest purposes. Final
score is total points multiplied by the Number of Branches worked.
NOTE: Contacts with a Contestant's own Branch
are OK for points but are not to be counted as a multiplier.
12. Mobile or Mobile/Portable operation will be permitted for New
Zealand stations, however, the station must be operated from ONE
LOCATION each evening. This means a station could operate from one
location the first evening and another location on the second evening.
The station must use the Branch number applicable to its location at
the time. The entrant may combine both logs for contest purposes, but
the logs must indicate their locations on both evenings. In this case
then only one branch (either) is to be eliminated as an "own Branch"
multiplier. Overseas Stations may be mobile or portable, but a maritime
mobile station must be outside New Zealand's territorial waters to be
counted as a DX contact.
13. Discounted Contacts: The Contest Manager expects that participating
stations will provide a fair chance for all entrants to make contact
with them. While it is not intended to discourage contestants from
operating only part of the full contest it is considered that at least
20 contacts should be made and station operation should be over at
least 3 half hour operating periods. Stations considered to have worked
less than this requirement will have their contacts and branch
multiplier contribution deducted from contest logs.
14. Awards
a. SANGSTER SHIELD: to the highest
scoring entrant using 5 W or less and observing the rules as
enumerated. (Note that all first time entrants qualifying for the
Transistor Trophy will also be eligible for the Sangster Shield Award)
b. TRANSISTOR TROPHY: to the highest scoring
entrant using 5 W or less and observing the rules as enumerated, but in
addition who has been licensed for 12 months or less. Entrants must
give Operator's Certificate number together with date of issue.
c. The "ARTHUR STEVENS TROPHY" will be presented to
the highest scoring South Island entrant using 5 W or less. (This
trophy is in honour of Arthur, formerly ZL1MT, a very long time
stalwart of the Sangster Shield Contest).
d. Certificates to the first three entrants using 5 W or less, also to
the first three "newly licensed" entrants qualifying for the Transistor
trophy.
e. Certificate to entrant using 6 W or more with the highest score.
f. Certificates to Overseas entrants with the highest score in their
respective call areas.
g. Certificate to the branch with the highest aggregate score from
three entrants operating in the QRP section. A minimum of three
entrants are required to be eligible for this section. The top three
scoring entrants for any Branch will automatically be aggregated -it is
not necessary for a Branch to send in an entry for this section.
15. Logs must be posted to reach the Contest Manager, Glenn Kingston
ZL2KZ, 53 Tannadyce Street, Wellington 6003, on or before the third
Thursday of June.
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VK/TRANS-TASMAN
CONTESTS
Trans-Tasman CW & Digital Contest
Welcome to the home page of the Trans-Tasman CW & Digital
contest!
For Contest Dates Click Here
80m CW & Digital
160m CW & Digital
0800-1300UTC (best 4 hours out of 5)
CW, RTTY, PSK31, and others.
PLEASE NOTE: This contest is run separately
from the original VK/TransTasman contest. All logs should be sent to
ZL3AKM at the address given in the rules.
This contest has been introduced to fill the gap left by the demise of
the previous VK/Trans-Tasman CW contests. While there have been around
50 active stations each year in each of the CW contests, the lack of
submitted logs, and the structure of the scoring system made the
contest unnavigable. To address this, the new Trans-Tasman CW &
Digital contest aims to boost activity and contact rates
by: introducing digital modes to the contest,
allowing stations to be contacted twice per hour
(once on CW and once on digital), and actively encouraging
the use of CW decoding software to boost CW activity.
Statistically, the relatively low number of active ZL stations results
in wide fluctuations in the number of ZL stations from year to year.
This leads to a wildly varying Participation Factor from year to year,
ranging from 0.33 to 0.62, resulting in widely varying ZL scores while
VK scores are dominated by local contacts with less statistical
variation. Furthermore, when there are few ZL stations, not only is the
PF low, but ZL's also make fewer ZL-ZL contacts, further reducing ZL
scores... and visa versa when ZL participation is high. To combat this
wildly random effect, and to simplify the scoring system, the
participation factor has been replaced by a change to the scoring
table. All ZL scores are now reduced by 6 points per VK contact. The
adjustment will be made after the contest in 2009 so that SSB logging
programs can be used without modification. The change is equivalent to
a fixed participation factor of 0.4.
Have Fun! Check for rules on the web site: Click Here
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NZART STRAIGHT
KEY NIGHT RULES
Polish and lubricate that old morse key and enjoy an evening of old
time radio fun. An activity night in which everyone can be a winner
with a certificate to prove it.
When
First Sunday in November 2000-2300 NZST.
Band
80 m (3.5 MHz) only
Mode
CW sent with STRAIGHT KEY ie characters formed manually, no system of
automatic dots, dashes or spacing permitted.
Divisions
1. Vintage QRP, 2. Vintage QRO, 3. Open QRP, and 4. Open QRO.
Explanation
Vintage receivers and transmitters or transceivers using valves, no
solid-state devices in the signal line permitted. QRP: 5 watts or less
rf output.
Exchange
1. RST, 2. QTH, 3. Operator's name (one word), 4. Key used (e.g. ZC1,
P&T), 5. TX type (eg ZC1, FT1000, homebrew), and 6. TX power
(watts).
Except for DX stations (ie non ZL mainland) only RST, operators name,
and QTH need be exchanged.
Scoring
ONE Point per QSO.
Stations may be worked once, CW to CW only. All stations submitting
logs MUST use a straight key throughout, but straight key stations may
QSO stations using bugs, electronic keyers or keyboards.
Multipliers
1. Vintage QRP multiply total points by 2, 2. Open QRP multiply total
points by 1.5, 3. Vintage QRO multiply total points by 1.2, and 4. Open
QRO multiply total points by 1.
Logs
Suggest using standard NZART log pages (not contest log sheets).
Each log QSO entry to show of station worked:
1. Time (NZST or Z ), 2. Callsign, 3. RST, 4. QTH, 5. Name,
6. Key type, 7. Tx type, and 8. Tx power.
Calculate total score then multiply by the appropriate multiplier to
give total score claimed.
Logs to have associated data sheet giving entrant's:
1. Name, 2. Callsign, 3. QTH, 4. Age (optional),
Full description of equipment used including: 5. Key, 6. Tx/rx, 7. Tx
power, and 8. Antenna.
Send logs by mail by 30 November to:
Ken McCormack, ZL1AIH, 181 Ararimu Valley Road, Waimauku, AUCKLAND, or
email zl1aih@xtra.co.nz
All (including DX stations) who send a log will receive a certificate.
Special certificates to top three in each division. Annotated
certificates e.g. Best ZC1, Youngest/oldest op, etc., at manager's
discretion.
Any photos of operators and/or equipment gratefully received.
FISTS Down Under Prize
FISTS Down Under awards a prize to the leaders in each of the four
divisions, consisting of a certificate and a year's subscription to
FISTS Down Under.
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UNITED KINGDOM BASED
EVENTS
1. UK FISTS coordinated events
2. RSGB Commonwealth Contest
UK FISTS COORDINATED EVENTS
Details of UK FISTS activities and events can be found at: Click Here
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RSGB COMMONWEALTH CONTEST
The Commonwealth Contest promotes contacts between stations in the
Commonwealth and Mandated Territories. Although not a FISTS
organised event, it is very popular among FISTS members and all VK and
ZL operators generally. Some participating operators go out
of their way to activate rare Commonwealth call signs so in a more
relaxed contest environment it gives the opportunity to work some
choice DX.
Rules
Date: Second weekend in March.
Time: 1000 -1000UTC.
Bands: 3.5, 7, 14, 21, 28MHz. Activity is normally
concentrated in the lower 30kHz of each band.
Mode: CW.
Exchange: RST plus serial number. HQ stations will
additionally send HQ, which must be logged.
1. Eligible entrants:
Land-based stations operated by licensed radio amateurs within the
Commonwealth or British Mandated Territories (as defined by the RSGB
call-area list) are eligible to enter. UK entrants must be members of
the RSGB. Sections (a) and (b) are for single-operator stations who may
not receive any assistance whatsoever during the contest, including the
use of spotting nets, packet cluster or other assistance in finding new
contacts or bonuses. Additionally, with the specific exception of the
HQ station GB5CC, UK stations may not use any special callsign. Remote
operation is permitted, but all elements of the station (transmitters,
receivers, antennas and operators) must be within the same Commonwealth
Call Area.
2. Sections:
(a) Open
24 hour operation - full legal limit on power - no antenna
restrictions.
OR
12 hour operation - full legal limit on power - no antenna
restrictions.
(b) Restricted
24 hour operation - output power limited to 100 watts - antenna
restricted to single element.
OR
12 hour operation - output power limited to 100 watts - antenna
restricted to single element.
For stations in the 12-hour categories, off periods must be clearly
defined in the Soapbox field of the Cabrillo file and a minimum of 60
minutes in length. However, time before the first contact, and after
the final contact, may be of any length. Stations opting to operate for
a maximum of 12 hours will be annotated in the results
listings.
The term single element defines each antenna (eg. dipole, vertical,
long-wire, etc), and does not preclude the use of different
single-element antennas during the contest. However, the concurrent use
of one single-element antenna for transmitting and another (eg
beverage) for receiving is not permitted.
(c) Multi-Operator
24 hour operation - single transmitted signal - full legal limit on
power - no antenna restrictions - packet cluster use permitted.
3. Scoring: Contacts may be made with any station using
a Commonwealth Call Area prefix, except those within the entrant's own
call area. Note that for this contest, the entire UK counts as one call
area, and therefore UK stations may not work each other. Each contact
scores 5 points with a bonus of 20 points for each of the first three
contacts with each Commonwealth Call Area on each band. Commonwealth
Call Areas.
4. Headquarters stations: A number of Commonwealth
Society HQ stations will be active during the contest and will send HQ
after their serial number, to identify themselves. Only one HQ station
is permitted per Commonwealth Call Area. Each HQ station counts as an
additional call area, and entrants may contact any HQ station
(including one in their own call area) for points and bonuses, the
annotation HQ being made in the log where appropriate.
5. Team Competition:
(a) Each team will consist of up to ten stations. In addition to
Australia, Canada, Great Britain, New Zealand and Rest of the World
teams, any Commonwealth country or geographical region may enter one or
more teams. An individual station may only represent one team, and may
compete in the Open or Restricted section. Each station's log must be
submitted in the normal way.
(b) Each team will have a captain who must submit a list of the team
members to commonwealth.contest@rsgbcc.org no later than seven days
before the start of the contest. Substitutions may be accepted up to
the start of the contest.
(c) Stations in the Rest of the World team(s) may only be drawn from
countries not submitting their own team.
6. Team Scoring:
(a) The team score is the sum of individual adjudicated scores, with
all stations located in the southern hemisphere or on the equator
having their final score multiplied by a latitude factor.
(b) The latitude factor will be re-calculated each year based on
published scores: for each hemisphere, the highest-scoring team total
for each of the last three years will be used to give an overall total
and the factor will be calculated as the ratio of the northern to the
southern grand totals rounded down to the nearest two decimal places.
Transitional arrangements will apply in determining the factor for each
year. Full details can be supplied on request. The latitude factor for
2009 will be 1.34.
(c) Each team member is competing as a single-operator within the
overall contest, and no passing of information between team members
during the event is permitted, except that team members may work each
other for points and/or bonuses where the contest rules allow.
7. Logs: Each entry must indicate the section entered,
and should contain the full postal address of the entrant. Electronic
logs must be submitted as an e-mail attachment in Cabrillo format
to commonwealth.contest@rsgbcc.org
Paper logs must be submitted in chronological QSO order and show time;
band; callsign worked; RST+serial sent; received exchange; points. For
full details see the general rules at www.rsgbcc.org/hf. The
address for paper logs is - RSGB G3UFY, 77 Bensham Manor Road, Thornton
Heath, Surrey, CR7 7AF, UK. Entrants are reminded that logs sent to any
other address may not reach the adjudicator.
An example of a Commonwealth Contest log in Cabrillo format can be
found at -
http://www.vhfcc.org/hfcc/formats/BERU.txt
Further information regarding the Cabrillo format can be found at -
http://www.vhfcc.org/hfcc/information/cabrillo.shtml
8. Closing date for logs: Logs must be received no later
than one calendar month after the end of the contest.
9. Awards:
(a) Open: The Senior Rose Bowl to the overall leader. The Col Thomas
Rose Bowl to the highest-placed UK station.
(b) Restricted: The Junior Rose Bowl to the section leader. The John
Dunnington Trophy to the highest-placed UK station who has not won the
trophy in the preceding two years.
(c) The Ross Carey Rose Bowl to the highest-placed UK station in the
12-hour category, regardless of section. The VP8GQ Trophy to the
highest-placed non-UK station (who has not won the trophy in the
preceding two years) in the 12-hour category, regardless of section.
(d) A Commonwealth Medal will be awarded to the entrant who in the
opinion of the HF Contests Committee has most improved their score or
contributed to the contest over the years.
(e) A special Commonwealth Traveller certificate will be
awarded to the highest-scoring entrant in the Open or Restricted
sections who operates from a Commonwealth Call Area not represented in
the published results of the previous year contest. At the discretion
of the HF Contests Committee, additional Commonwealth Traveller
certificates may be awarded to entrants from especially inaccessible
Call Areas.
(f) A certificate will be awarded to the highest-scoring station using
QRP (5 watts or less).
Notes:
Single-operator entrants are recommended to try SDC by EI5DI. It is
dedicated to the Commonwealth Contest, runs on any Windows PC, and is
free. It may be downloaded from - http://www.ei5di.com/sd/sdcsetup.exe
A vast amount of background information, statistics and photographs
related to the Commonwealth Contest may be found on G3PJT website. Click
Here
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UNITED STATES BASED
EVENTS
Information on North American based events can be found on the US FISTS
website, Click
Here
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OTHER POPULAR
ACTIVITIES
This is a selection of popular contests. If you have a
favorite contest that you would like included in this list, please let
us know, Click Here
Click on the links below:
Oceania DX Contest
Scandinavian
Activity Contest
CQ
World Wide DX Contest
Worked
All Europe Contest
ARRL Contest Calendar
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