[OZ-CONTEST] SAC 2013 is approaching

[Kim Östman]

Dear fellow hams,

Welcome to SAC 2013! The arctic region is still basking in the summer sun,
but the autumn and its Scandinavian Activity Contest are around the corner.
The SAC Contest Committee is pleased to invite you to take part in SAC 2013,
which takes place as follows:

CW: 21 - 22 September, 12:00 UTC - 11:59 UTC
SSB: 12 - 13 October, 12:00 UTC - 11:59 UTC

Be sure to reserve these weekends for this annual "Polar Battle."
Promotional efforts are under way, and we are hoping to see lively bands
with a minimum amount of aurora and polar flutter! The rules of the contest
are available in English at http://www.sactest.net/blog/rules/.

=====================
* Announce your activity *
=====================

Challenge your neighbors and local club members by announcing your battle
plans on the web: 

http://www.sactest.net/blog/announce_form/

More Scandinavian signals on the bands translate to more non-Scandinavian
stations keeping their radios on. Those who have already signed up can be
seen at

CW: http://www.sactest.net/blog/announcements.php?mode=CW
SSB: http://www.sactest.net/blog/announcements.php?mode=SSB

==================================
* National team contesting trial continued *
==================================

In addition to the traditional Scandinavian Cup, SAC 2012 featured a trial
in National Team Contesting (NTC) where each Scandinavian country competed
with a team of up to six top-tier stations. Their race could be followed
through a real-time internet scoreboard, with audio and video streaming
included from many of the stations. 

The trial will continue with unchanged rules in SAC 2013, as an effort to
introduce new media-friendly spectator aspects to radiosporting. The Nordic
national leagues are again encouraged to summon their best for this part of
the Polar Battle. The other NTC webpages are being updated, but the
up-to-date rules are found at: 

http://www.sactest.net/blog/rules/national-team-contesting-trial-sac-2012/

================
* Spread the word *
================

The website http://www.sactest.net functions as the SAC information hub. SAC
also has a new social media presence, and you can "like" the Facebook page
at http://www.facebook.com/ScandinavianActivityContest . 

Please invite your ham friends -- within Scandinavia and beyond -- to visit
these sites and to participate in this autumn's contest.

-----
73 & CU!
SAC Contest Committee

Ingemar SM5AJV, Team leader
Bjørn LB1GB
Kim OH6KZP
Peter OZ3ABE