Rove Plan Winter 2025 Jan ARRL  VHF Contest Plan AA2SD/R  Rover

2025 Information

The Central States VHF Society is proud to sponsor the 2025 Spring Sprints! 

Your Central States VHF Society Spring Sprints Committee:

Kent O'Dell, KA2KQM

Mike Metroka, WB8BZK

Jon Platt, W0ZQ

Below are the complete rules for the sprints. 

All are welcome and encouraged to participate!

Please see rules highlighted in blue for updates!

1.0 Contest Purpose:  Encourage weak signal VHF/UHF amateur radio operation & have fun.

2.0  Contest Date and Time:

• 144 MHz Monday April 14, 2025.  2300z (7pm EDT) to 0600z (11pm PDT), operate no more than four hours between your first contact and your last contact.

• 222 MHz Tuesday April 22, 2025.  2300z (7pm EDT) to 0600z (11pm PDT), operate no more than four hours between your first contact and your last contact.

• 432 MHz Wednesday April 30, 2025.  2300z (7pm EDT) to 0600z (11pm PDT), operate no more than four hours between your first contact and your last contact.

• Microwave (902 MHz and up) Saturday May 3, 2025.  0800 AM – 0200 PM Local

• 50 MHz Saturday May 10, 2025.    2300z through Sunday May 11, 2025, 0300z

3.0 Modes of Operation: 

3.1 All simplex modes of operation are allowed. (SSB, CW, FM, AM, Digital etc.) EME via your preferred analog or digital mode is also allowed. 

3.2 For all Sprint events other than the Microwave Sprint, a station may be worked once on SSB, CW, FM or AM (i.e. Analog) and once again using a digital mode for a total of two times per band.  Analog contacts cannot be made on generally recognized digital frequencies while digit contacts must be made on generally recognized digital frequencies (see Operating Hints).  For the Microwave Sprint work a station only once per band regardless of mode.

3.3 Contacts through repeaters or via satellite are not allowed and will not count as contest contacts. 

4.0 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!

4.1 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! **

4.2 A transmitter used to contact one or more stations may not be subsequently used under any other call sign during the contest period, except

a) for family stations where more than one call sign has been issued, and then only if the second call sign is used by a different operator.

b) for remote stations used by individual amateurs that have limited or no access to their own stations.

This rule does not permit any operator to use multiple call signs at the same station to manufacture contacts to another station in the contest. 

5.0  Exchange:  Maidenhead Grid Square.  Microwave contest exchange must be the full 6 character grid.

6.0 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 a complete log to the contest chairman in place of a 3830 entry. A 3830 entry 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.

Contestants with winning entries MUST SUPPLY A LOG for review by the sprint chairman to make score official.  The Log can be a mailed paper log or emailed as an attached text file in an ARRL recognized format. (ASCII, .txt, .log, Cabrillo)  ARRL log sheets are the preferred paper format.

Your Central States VHF Society Sponsored Spring Sprints Chairman is:

Kent O’Dell, KA2KQM

Email: moreeirp@gmail.com

Or postal mail:

Kent O'Dell

KA2KQM

2752 Monument Road

Jasper, GA 30143

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.

6.1  Scoring: Scoring: 50, 144, 222 and 432 MHz, 1 point per QSO on any band. Multiplier would be the total number of grid squares worked for that specific band/Sprint.  Count grids worked only once per band regardless of mode worked.  Example: Working EM73 on both Digital and on Analog counts as one multiplier, not two.

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. )

6.2 Rover Scoring:  Rover Scoring:  50, 144, 222 and 432MHz ,  1 point per QSO on any band. Multiplier would be the total number of grid squares worked regardless of mode 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.  When you move to a new grid, you start over on additional new multipliers. 

Example:  Rover in EM73 works EM84 as a multiplier.  Rover moves to EM74 and works EM84 for a new multiplier

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.     

6.3  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.

Minimum contact distance is 1 kilometer. Thus, contacts within a 6 digit grid count as 1 kilometer. 

6.4 Microwave Rover Scoring:   Scored like Single Op Microwave, except stations can be contacted again for score after moving to a new grid.  Grids activated are not used directly for scoring and are not reported on 3830 web site.

6.5 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. And, the  Sprints Committee or Chairman reserves the right to request to review the actual contest log for any entrant for review if required.

7.0 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.

8.0 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 another communications channel.  The alternate channel will not be available in any way to the operator 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  

VHF Contest Roving AA2SD/R

• What is a VHF Contest Rover ?  - Mobile station that travels during a contest to activate multiple geographic locations (typically grid squares) during the course of a contest.

Please view the google slide deck on a recent club presentation of my own style of Roving during a VHF Contest.

JOIN US AT THE PACK RAT BOWL

SUNDAY JANUARY 19 TH  19:00 TO 22:00 UTC

Take advantage of the Sunday afternoon contest doldrums, join the Pack Rats on 2M

SSB and move stations up the bands. Increase your higher band Q’s and grid totals.

More efficient than sending endless unanswered CQs on FT8. Tell everyone you know 

the place to be on Sunday afternoon from 2 PM to 5 PM EST is 2M SSB/CW and QSY UP.

Follow the AA2SD You Tube at the link below

ARRL VHF Contest Awards

Jan VHF Contest First Place in Division as Limited Rover

What is a Contest Rover on VHF 

What is Contest Roving in VHF ? A  Mobile station that travels during a contest to activate multiple geographic locations (typically grid squares) during the course of a contest. Working Grid Squares  

How many Maidenhead grid squares are there in the US?  488 grid squares     approximately 70 × 100 miles  

There are 488 grid squares in the contiguous US, Each square is further divided into 576 sub-squares, represented by two additional characters, 'aa' through 'xx'.

What is a VHF Contest Rover?

Parks on the Air Activator Awards

View the most recent Parks on the Air Activations Below

View my most recent POTA Activations below 

2023 ARRL Field Day — June 24 – 25th 2023

South Jersey Radio Association  Ham Radio Operators On the Air for Nationwide Event June 24th to 25th 2023

For Immediate Release

Ham radio operators from the South Jersey Radio Association in Southern New Jersey will be participating in a national amateur radio exercise from 2:00 PM June 24th on Saturday local time and will continue to operate for 24 hrs. until 2:00 PM on Sunday June 25thd. The event is ARRL Field Day (www.arrl.org/FieldDay), an annual amateur radio activity organized since 1933 by ARRL, The National Association for Amateur Radio in the United States.

Hams from across North America ordinarily participate in Field Day by establishing temporary ham radio stations in public locations to demonstrate their skill and service. Their use of radio signals, which reach beyond borders, bring people together while providing essential communication in the service of communities. Field Day highlights ham radio’s ability to work reliably under any conditions from almost any location and create an independent, wireless communications network.

Ham Radio operators all over the country will also use the radio stations set up in their homes or taken to their backyards and other locations to operate individually or with their families. Many hams have portable radio communication capability that includes alternative energy sources such as generators, solar panels, and batteries to power their equipment. 

This year's event is also noteworthy given that a particularly active hurricane season is predicted. “Hams have a long history of serving our communities when storms or other disasters damage critical communication infrastructure, including cell towers,” said Scott S, South Jersey club member, (call sign AA2SD). “Ham radio functions completely independently of the internet and phone systems and a station can be set up almost anywhere in minutes. Hams can quickly raise a wire antenna in a tree or on a mast, connect it to a radio and power source, and communicate effectively with others,”Scott D added. 

During Field Day 2021, more than 26,000 hams participated from thousands of locations across North America. According to ARRL, there are more than 750,000 amateur radio licensees in the US, and an estimated 3 million worldwide. 

Among the tenets of the Amateur Radio Service is developing and practicing skills in radio technology and radio communications, and even contributing to international goodwill. Hams range in age from as young as 9 to older than 100. A self-study license guide is available from ARRL: The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual (www.arrl.org/shop/Ham-Radio-License-Manual) and for Kindle (https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B07DFSW94G).

For more information about ARRL Field Day South Jersey Radio event, contact 

In the South Jersey Area, the South Jersey Radio Association will be demonstrating Amateur Radio at the Savich Farm Field, which is across Main Street in Marlton from the Indian Springs Golf Course, Marlton, NJ 08053. The public is invited to come see amateur radio in action. Additional areas can be found on our web site www.sjra.org and arrl.org.

Ken Botterbrodt
15 Pelham Road
Marlton, NJ 08053

856.983.1924 x3 (Home) 609.304.7699 (Cell)

ken@k2wb.com

www.sjra.org

visit www.arrl.org/what-is-ham-radio. 

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The South Jersey Radio Association Established in 1916 is the Oldest Continuously Meeting Amateur Club in North America. Over the years Amateur Radio Operators have stood to provide critical communications in the event of various emergencies.  About South Jersey Radio Association - The SJRA operates the K2AA Repeater located in Medford, NJ and the K2UK Repeater located in Pine Hill, NJ. Both Repeaters are FM and C4FM compatible. The repeaters are open for use without restriction to all licensed amateur operators. 

Dear Fellow Club Members and Operators