2 Meter Simplex Challenge - Saturday 5/15/21

 

2021

Keuka Lake Amateur Radio Association

2 Meter Simplex Challenge

The purpose of this contest is to encourage amateurs to:

● learn the basics of contesting

● learn some new simplex operating techniques

● expand the scope of their 2 meter operating beyond that needed 

for repeater operations.

 More info and contest documentation at: https://klara.us/

It is open to any licensed amateur, the object being to make as many

contacts with as many different amateurs, in as many towns, using 2

meter simplex, as possible; during the four hour contest period.

Please try to remember that this is a FUN contest. All contest

participants are encouraged to submit their logs, even if they only

have a few contacts.

The intent is to work from the towns on the attached map. You may

work into any town where your signal will reach (and where you can

get someone to answer you).

1) Date and Contest Period

The contest period is from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM (local time), Saturday,

May 15, 2021. Contest contacts are 2 meter simplex phone ONLY. 

Contacts via a repeater (or via Echolink or digi-modes) will not be

eligible for contest credit. Contest is limited to FM or SSB contacts

using voice.

In sharp contrast to most other contests; you may use a repeater to

set up (or schedule) simplex contacts! Do not log these contacts in

your contest logs.

 

2) Station Divisions / Classes

There are two divisions (FM and SSB), two classes (Fixed and Rover),

and two power sub-classes (QRP – operating 5 W or less), and full -

more than 5 W – 50W FM or 100 watts SSB). Power is capped at 50

watts for FM and 100 watts for SSB to assure minimum RF exposure.

Contestants should conduct their own RF surveys based on their

individual power levels and equipment.

Fixed stations operate from a single location for the duration of the

contest period (but not necessarily from their home). Fixed stations

declare their intentions at the beginning of the contest.

Rover stations will operate from several towns during the contest, and

also declare their intentions at the beginning of the contest.

They may be either mobile (designed to operate from a vehicle in

motion) or portable (set up and tear down at each location).

 

3) Contest Frequencies

Any frequency in the 2 meter band may be used, subject to the

nationwide and local section band plans. Contest exchanges are

limited to phone emissions.

Frequencies that have potential conflicts with repeater inputs or

outputs should not be used. The National Calling Frequency may be

used to initiate contacts. After contact has been established, please

move (QSY) to another frequency!

Share the frequencies - remember this is meant as a fun contest, so if

someone jumps in after you’ve made a contact, let it go. Have a good

time, and try to make sure everyone else does, as well!

 

4) Contest Exchange

Stations who are looking for QSO's may call “CQ Contest … 2 Meter

Simplex Challenge” either preceded or followed by their call sign.

The exchange for an answering station consists of four items – call

sign, town, power level, and station class.

Power level is as indicated on the display of the rig initiating contact.

So a possible exchange might look like this:

K2XYZ: “K2XYZ calling CQ Contest, CQ Contest … 2 Meter Simplex

Challenge”

KC2ABC: “K2XYZ, please copy KC2ABC, Town of Howard, QRP, Fixed”

K2XYZ: “KC2ABC, I have you in my log … please copy K2XYZ, Town of

Hornby, Full, Rover”

KC2ABC: “K2XYZ I have you in my log … Good luck in the contest!”

K2XYZ: “Thank you, good luck to you, as well … K2XYZ calling CQ

Contest, CQ Contest ...”

It should not be necessary to indicate “FM” vs “SSB” in the exchange,

as this should be self evident. You should however, note this in your

log!

 

 

5) Logging

Logging should be done on paper sheets, as attached. In addition to

the exchange items shown above, the log will also show mode (i.e.,

FM vs. SSB).

If you choose to work as a group of operators, please run a

separate log for each person. Please do not try to mix call signs

within a single log.

6) Scoring

● 1 point per QSO.

● You may only work a fixed station once per town and

configuration for credit. (e.g. if a station cuts or increases their

power it's a separate QSO. If they change modes, it’s a separate

QSO.)

● You may work the rovers as often as they change towns /

configurations. (See note above as regards power class. Also

Rovers may work the same fixed station multiple times if the

Rover occupies different towns.)

● Everybody works everybody – fixed to fixed, fixed to rover, rover

to fixed, rover to rover, etc.

● Multipliers –

◦ after you add up your QSO score, you will receive a multiplier

if you have worked more than one town.

◦ Rover stations receive a 2 x multiplier against their sub-total

● Multiplier example –

◦ Your rover station conducts 10 QSO's from 5 different towns.

Your score is ,then, 10 points for QSO's x 5 different towns =

50 points x 2 for a rover station = 100 points total.

◦ Your fixed station conducts 60 QSO’s from a single town. Your

score is then 60 points for QSO’s x 1 different town = 60

points total.

7) Recognition

Everyone who submits a log gets a paper “Certificate of Participation”.

Keep in mind that this is intended as a fun contest … we hope no one

will be “cut throat” about this!

8) Log Submission

Please submit your logs to:

KLARA

P.O. Box 250

Bath, NY 14810

Attn: Simplex Challenge logs enclosed

In order to get everyone’s log scored in a timely fashion we are asking

you submit your logs by May 30, 2021. We are hopeful that we will be

able to have paper certificates ready to distribute by June 14, 2021.

9) Miscellaneous

• Keep a copy of you amateur license handy. It is very easy to sign

into the ULS to retrieve a copy of your license. Sign it, laminate

it, and keep it with you.

• You may be questioned by local law enforcement about what you

are doing and why. Do your best to explain. If requested to move

to another location, please do so. Remain calm, confident and

respectful.

• As a corollary to the above, make sure that your operating

position is safe and does not block traffic. Comply with any

“Posted” signs you may find!

• Keep your antenna structures, masts, and so forth, well away

from power and phone lines, etc. Make sure we model safe

behavior and the best of amateur practice!

 

Have Fun

Explain What You Are Doing

Be an Amateur Radio Ambassador!