[VHFcontesting] VHF Fall Sprint Contests (144 MHz) TODAY, Monday, September 18, 7 - 11 pm (Local Time)

[Mark Thompson]

VHF/UHF Fall Sprint 2023


Rules for 2023 VHF Fall Sprint Contests R0 
 1.0 Contest Purpose: Encourage weak signal VHF/UHF amateur radio operation & have fun.  2.0 Contest Time and Date:  1. 50MHz: 2300Z Saturday, August 26, 2023 to 0300Z Sunday, August 27, 2023  2. 144MHz: 7PM to 11PM local time on Monday, September 18, 2023  3. 222MHz: 7PM to 11PM local time on Tuesday, September 26, 2023  4. 432MHz: 7PM to 11PM local time on Wednesday, October 4, 2023  5. Microwave 902MHz and up: 8AM to 2PM local time on Saturday, October 7, 2023 
3.0 Classes: Stations will be classified as either Single Op or Rover. A portable or mobile station that operates from only one grid is considered a Single Op station. A Rover must operate from at least 2 grid squares. A Rover can have more than one operator, but only one operator on the air at a time! Two person teams are encouraged for safety. 
3.1 Power: Power output used for contacts is for informational purposes only. Power output will not be used to separate contestants into different groups or categories. You may want to place your station information such as rig, output power, antenna etc. in the notes section of your entry. That being said, the following are the suggested power levels for the HP, LP and QRP groupings on the 3830 web site.
   a. QRP: up to 5 watts PEP. (any band)    b. Low Power: up to 200 watts PEP. (any band)    c. High Power: up to 1500 watts PEP. (any band)    d. ** Please note: Rookie Class is for informational purposes only! ** 
4.0 Exchange: Maidenhead Grid Square. Microwave contest exchange must be the full 6 character grid. 
5.0 Reporting: Score will be entered on the 3830 web page in the form provided for the particular sprint. The web page is http://www.3830scores.com/ . 
Alternatively, you can postal mail or email a complete log to the contest chairman in place of a 3830 entry. A 3830 entry is preferred. Email attachment must be an ASCII text file. (.txt or .log file, Cabrillo format is preferred.) 
 Your grid square goes in the web site box for “QTH”. Microwave use 6 digit grid. Rovers use the first grid activated as QTH. 
Winning entries MUST SUPPLY A LOG for review by the sprint chairman if requested to make the score official. The Log can be a mailed paper log or emailed as an attached text file in an ARRL recognized format. ARRL log sheets are the preferred paper format. 
Send Requested Logs to Sprint Chairman: 
Bruce Randall NT4RT at ARRL.net or 
Bruce Randall 928 Falls Rd. Rock Hill, SC 29730 
The results must be posted on the 3830 web page within 14 days of the event. Paper logs may be mailed to the Sprint Chairman for this event. Mailed logs must be post marked within 14 days of the event. The Sprint Chairman will post the results from a paper log on the 3830 web page. 
5.1 Scoring: 50, 144, 222 and 432MHz , 1 point per QSO on any band. Multiplier would be the total number of grid squares worked for that specific band/Sprint. 
Final score: Multiply QSO points by the multipliers. Each Sprint is scored separately. Distance based total kilometers worked would be an optional entry for information only. ( Distances are not very accurate from 4 digit grids. ) 
5.2 Rover Scoring: 50, 144, 222 and 432MHz , 1 point per QSO on any band. Multiplier would be the total number of grid squares worked for that specific band/Sprint. 
If the rover moves to a new grid, then works a station again, a new contact is made for both stations. The new grid will be a new multiplier if the grid was not worked before. 
   Rover in EM73 works EM84 as a multiplier 
   Rover in EM74 works EM84 as a new multiplier 
When you move to a new grid, you start over on additional new multipliers. 
Final score: Multiply QSO points by the multipliers. Each Sprint is scored separately. Distance based total kilometers worked would be an optional entry for information only. 
5.3 Microwave Scoring: For Microwave, 902 MHz and above use the sum of the distance of all contacts in kilometers. A station worked on a new band is a new contact. If a rover moves to a new grid (4 digit) he/she can be worked again for another contact. 
  The 6 digit grid square exchange is required for accurate distance calculation. 
  Contacts within a 6 digit grid count as 1 kilometer. 
5.4 Microwave Rover Scoring: Scored like Single Op Microwave, except stations can be contacted again for score after moving to a new grid. Grids activated is not used directly for scoring and is not reported on 3830 web site. 
5.5 The contest scoring is intended to be done mostly on the "Honor System". But, after the submission period has expired, 14 days after that particular operating event, the Sprints Committee or Chairman for that particular event will review the top 3 submissions to validate accuracy of the submission. The Sprints Chairman reserves the right to request for review, the actual contest log for any entrant for review if required. 
6.0 Rover Operation: A rover must be a portable or mobile station that makes contacts from at least two different Grid Squares. For all sprints, including microwave the rover must move to a new 4 digit Grid Square. 
7.0 Assistance: Use of telephone, packet or internet methods to schedule contacts during the contest is acceptable. The telephone, packet or internet channel will not be used while the contact is in progress. No “OK I am hearing you now” over the other communications channel. The alternate channel will not be available in any way to the operators during the contact. The complete exchange of call signs and grids must be accomplished on the relevant amateur radio band. The preferred scheduling method is on an amateur frequency such as 144.250MHz or 432.090MHz. 
See following for 3830 site information. Underline identifies a user entry box. 
 3830 information 50 to 432 MHz Spring/Fall Sprint 
*** Note: Please do not post your entire log into the comments section on the 3830 Scores Web site. With the ability of entrants being able to update and make changes to their entry, we want to avoid bringing the integrity of the Sprint's events into question. *** 
 (band is 50MHz, 144MHz, 222MHz, or 432MHz) for 4 separate contest entries 
Submitter’s E-mail Address* _________________ __ Send copy to this email address 
Call Used* ______________ Class* ^Single Op/Rover Power ^HP/LP/QRP 
Operator Call _____________ Station Call ___________ 
Op Time (hrs) _____________ QTH* ________________ Club ^(none) QSOs 
Mults Total Score Total Distance, km(optional)  band *_____ *______ *________ _______ 
Comments __________________________________________________(optional) 
3830 information Microwave Spring/Fall Sprint 
Submitter’s E-mail Address* _________________ __ Send copy to this email address 
Call Used* ______________ Class* ^Single Op/Rover Power ^HP/LP/QRP 
Operator Call _____________ Station Call ___________ 
Op Time (hrs) _____________ QTH* ________________ Club ^(none) 
QSOs Total Distance, km Best DX QSO, km *_____ *___________ *__________ Comments __________________________________________________(optional) 
Information is included in all forms on 3830 site:           Log submission info                  By contest sponsor.           Link to contest rules                  By contest sponsor