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MRAC FM SIMPLEX CONTEST
This contest, the afternoon of Sunday, February 9, 2014, is sponsored by
The Milwaukee Radio Amateurs’ Club — which has been continuously meeting for more
than 90 years. The purpose of this contest is to encourage amateurs to learn the
basics of contesting and simplex operations and expand the scope of their VHF-UHF
operating techniques beyond that needed for repeater operation.
1. This event is a sprint, lasting 2 % hours from 1:00pm untit 3:30pm CST. Contacts are
limited to FM simplex on the following amateur bands: 2 meter (1pm—2pm), 70 centimeter
(2:00 pm — 2:30 pm), 6 meter (2:30pm-3:00pm) and 1.25 meter (3:00pm—3:30pm)
2. Contest frequencies: Contest frequencies correspond to recommendations in the
Wisconsin Association of Repeaters band plan.
2 meters (Primary 146.550, 146.565, 146.580 and 146.595 MHz)
(Secondary 147.540 147.555 147.570 and 147.585 MHz)
70 centimeters (Primary 446.025, 446.050, 446.075 and 446.100 MHz)
(Secondary 446.125, 446.150, 446.175, 446.200 MHz)
6 meters (Primary 52.530, 52.550, 52.570 and 52.590 MHz)
(Secondary 52.730, 52.750, 52.770, 52.780 MHz)
1.25 meters (223.520, 223.540, 223.560 and 223.580 MHz)
3. Frequencies essentially follow the ARRL VHF Contest rules and Wisconsin Association of
Repeaters’ band plans.
e On2 meters no contacts on the 146.52 calling frequency, or the guard channels 15 KHz
above and below .52. (Using the Wisconsin Band Plan's 30 KHz spacing and 15 KHz
splits). Any entry from a station heard making QSO’s on these frequencies will be
disqualified. Try to limit activity to the primary frequencies.
e Asa matter of courtesy and good amateur practice, avoid the other calling frequencies of
52.525, 223.500 and 446.000 MHz.
e Solicitation for simplex contacts on repeaters, but not 146.52, is permitted.
4. Exchange — Call Sign and four character Maidenhead Grid square.
5. Scoring
« Each QSO on 2 meters would be worth one point. 70 centimeter and 6 meter QSO’s would be
worth two points and 1.25 meter QSO’s three points.
» Astation can be worked once per band. A mobile station could be worked more than once
per band if it moves to a different grid square.
« Each grid square can be used once per band as a multiplier.
e Score would be calculated by multiplying total QSO points by total multipliers.
¢ Technicians would multiply their final score by 1.5 for a bonus.
© Sonus of 10 points added to final score for working club station W9RH once on
any band.
6. There would be Four entry classifications:
BASE - less than 150 watts on 6 and 2 meters and jess than 100 watts on 1.25m and 70cm.
(ARRL classification of low power for V-UHF contests using common solid-state amplifiers.)
MOBILE- must work from a minimum of two gtid squares on any of the bands and power levels
same as those specified for the BASE station classification.
HT- (not mobile units run at reduced power) - non-amplified, using any type of antenna, mobile or
fixed operation (to encourage innovation and creativity).
CLUBS- compete by having their members note their affiliation when they send in an entry. The
winning club is recognized on a plaque at AES Milwaukee.
7, Awards - Second and third place awards are at the committee's discretion.
e First in each of the four entry classifications. (Four possible)
¢ High score in individual band and in each classification where significant activity exists. (Eight
Possible)
Limit of one award per person. Award will be in highest attained category.
e Awards to be presented at the March MRAC club meeting or will be available for pickup at
MRAC table during Superfest.
8. All entries will include a copy of their contest log showing the following data for each QSO: “Band -
Local time - Call sign of station worked - Grid Square”. An entry should state number of QSO’s, QSO
points, grid square multipliers by band, claimed total score and a copy of the contest log. If indicated,
Nofe the club you are assigning your score to. Entries should be sent in by March 10, 2014.
THE MILWAUKEE RADIO AMATEURS’ CLUB
FM SIMPLEX CONTEST ENTRY FORM
SUBMIT WITH LOG BY MARCH 10, 2014 TO
MRAC, P.O. BOX 26233, MILWAUKEE, Wi 53226
Or send electronic copy to [email protected]
CLAIMED SCORE
NAME.
CLASSIFICATION (Check only one): = BASE. MOBILE HT,
CALL SIGN. LICENSE CLASS. GRID SQUARE(S).
(MOBILES, LIST ALL GRIDS ACTIVATED — A STATION CAN BE WORKED MORE
THAN ONCE IF YOU/THEY ARE INA DIFFERENT GRID SQUARE EACH TIME)
ADDRESS.
EMAIL PHONE.
CLUB AFFILIATION (One Club only Please)
CONTACTS
BAND. QSO'S. Q-PTS POINTS. GRID SQUARES __
2m pr x1=
70cm 2s x2=
6m —— x2=
1.25m x3=
TOTALS x
SCORE EQUALS TOTAL POINTS TIMES TOTAL GRIDS
TECHNICIANS, MULTIPLY SCORE BY 1.5.
ADD 10 POINTS FOR CONTACT WITH W8RH
TRANSFER FINAL TOTAL TO ‘CLAIMED SCORE’ BLANK AT TOP OF PAGE.
| HAVE READ, UNDERSTAND AND HAVE FOLLOWED THE PUBLISHED RULES FOR THIS CONTEST. | HAVE
OPERATED WITHIN THE LEGAL LIMITS OF MY AMATEUR RADID LICENSE.
SIGNATURE DATE.
HINTS FOR THE NON-CONTESTER - NEW CONTESTER
1. If you take advantage of the rule that permits solicitation of contacts on a repeater, be sure to
specify the frequency you are moving to — and confirm that itis not in use. This would prevent
someone from automatically moving to a calling frequency. Use the secondary frequencies on two
meters for this purpose if a primary is not available. Check first!
2. Turn off PL and Tone Squelch (Encode - Decode).
3. The Maidenhead Grid Square is the most common multiplier in VHF/UHF contests, and is more
important than states. In the Milwaukee area, a stations relationship to the intersection of
Lincoin and 70" Street is the key (Intersection of 4 grids listed below). Stations can also look up
their grid square on the QRZ Web Site (if you are near a “square” boundary that source may not be
accurate). In relation to that intersection:
A. Northwest quadrant is EN53
B. Southwest quadrant is EN52
C. Northeast quadrant is EN63
D. Southeast quadrant is EN62
Also contacts with other grids are welcomed and will count as additional multipliers.
4. Mast contests have a specific og sheet available, which can be downloaded from the Internet.
Check out the forms available for the ARRL VHF Contests. Here is an example of a satisfactory
format for logging and scoring . . .
Station New Grid aso
Freq Time Worked Grid Grids Muitiplier Points
2mtrs 1:48 N9AUI EN53 EN53 1 1
2:10 KASDNU/M EN53 1
217 KASDNU/M EN63 EN63 1 1
70cm 2:35 NSAUI EN53 EN53 1 2
2:45 KB9Q ENS2 EN52 1 2
6mtrs 3:05 N9AUI ENS53 EN53 1 2
3:15 KBgSQ EN52 EN52 1 2
3:20 KASDNU EN53 2
1.25m 3:40 KA9DNU EN53 EN53 1 3
3:45 N9AUI EN53 3
3:50 KBSQ EN52 EN52 1 3
TOTALS 8 22
EXAMPLE SCORE = 8 x 22 = 176
In this example, an entry from @ Technician Class operator would be multiplied by 1.5 for a score of 264.
f bonus 10 points to final score if work club station: 264+10=274