Network105 HF AX.25 Packet Contest February 4-5, 2023 Sponsored by the Hackettstown Center for the Arts Radio Society Prof. Chris Lance, WW2BSA, Artistic Director This was a great success last year! Stay tuned for more in 2024! 1. Objective: Welcome to the First Packet-Only Contest! The spirit of the contest is to develop a functional 300 baud HF AX.25 packet station, to test the ability of the operator and to make as many qualifying contacts as possible while having fun! Amateurs worldwide contact and exchange QSO information with other amateurs using AX.25 packet on 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 meter bands. Any station may work any other station. Stations may be worked once per band. 2. Date and Contest Period: First full weekend of February. Begins 1800 UTC Saturday, ends 2359 UTC Sunday (February 4-5, 2023). 3. Operating Period: Entrants may operate any time during the entire 30-hour contest period. 4. Frequencies (LSB) 3.580-3.589 7.104 Network40 Frequency 14.095-14.0995 14.1005-14.112 14.105 Network105 Frequency 21.070-21.110 28.070-28.150 28.080-28.089 IMPORTANT: Avoid all IBP/NCDXF beacon frequencies. Always practice proper operating etiquette. 5. Entry Categories 5.1 Single Operator: The use of spotting assistance or automated, multi-channel decoders is permitted. 100 watts transmitter output or less: Designate as LOW in the Cabrillo log file. Above 100 watts transmitter output: Designate as HIGH in the Cabrillo log file. 5.2 All entrants are allowed only one transmitted signal at any given time. 6. Exchange: Call sign and 6 character Grid Square designator. Example: WW2BSA FN20ou 7. Scoring: 7.1 QSO Points: Count one (1) point for each completed QSO. RF keyboard to RF keyboard direct or through a HF node. No Internet Gateway contacts. Examples: Originate Destination RF Keyboard <--------------------> RF Keyboard Yes! RF Keyboard <----> Node <-------> RF Keyboard Yes! RF Keyboard <----> Node <-------> Any Mailbox or BBS Yes! See Bonus Points Non-RF Internet <---------------> RF No. 7.2 Bonus Points 7.2.1 Mailbox Scavenger Hunt (5 points) They are out there! Packet mailboxes set up by individual operators or clubs for local messages. They may handle third party traffic and may or may not forward. The most common mailboxes are configured for the Kantronics KPC series or AEA/Timewave PK-232 series TNCs. You must connect to and leave a short message using the SB (send bulletin) command. The body of the message should say HF Packet Contest. Send an email or make a note in Log file of the connect. Connecting to your own mailbox is not valid. 7.2.2 Connect to a Network105 BBS on 14.105 (5 points) Connect to a HF BBS and send a one-time private message to WW2BSA@WW2BSA.NJ.USA.NOAM with “HF Packet Contest” in the Subject Field. Enter your Call Sign and Grid Square in the body of the message. Completing this bonus tests the forwarding capabilities of the packet BBS network. 7.2.3 Send one NTS Packet Message to WW2BSA from a Network105 BBS on 14.105 (5 points) Packet National Traffic System™ messages can be sent from most BBS systems. The format is as follows: At the BBS prompt, issue the command ST 07840@NTSNJ When the BBS responds with the "Title/Subject" prompt enter: QTC HACKETTSTOWN 973-632 Then in the body of the message, type in the following message substituting your info where necessary: R 001 R YOURCALL 4 YOURTOWN STATE/PROVIDENCE MONTH DAY CHRIS LANCE WW2BSA PO BOX 243 HACKETTSTOWN NJ 07840 973-632-0693 BT HF PACKET CONTEST BONUS BT YOURNAME YOURCALL AR The BT and AR are used in the same fashion as on Morse Code and Phone. At the end of the message, enter either a Control-Z key combination or /ex to tell the BBS that you have finished entering the message. The BBS will then start to relay the message according to the address. Completing this bonus tests the cohesion of NTS links. 7.2.4 Volunteers On the Air (VOTA) Yours truly, Chris Lance, WW2BSA, is a Life Member and worth 2 points towards your VOTA leader board score. In other words, all you have to do is make a live contact with me without the Internet and when I upload my log to LOTW, you will automatically get 2 points towards your Leaderboard score. For more info: https://www.arrl.org/volunteers-on-the-air 8. Reporting/Submitting Your Logs 8.1 Seven (7) Day Deadline: All entries must be postmarked or emailed by 2359 UTC February 12, 2023. 8.2 Submit logs in Cabrillo format. Example: Ham Radio Deluxe, or your favorite logging program. 8.3 File name should simply include your call sign. Ex: W1ABC.ADI 8.4 E-Mail Address: ww2bsa@arrl.net 8.5 If you to mail you log: Chris Lance, WW2BSA, PO Box 243, Hackettstown, NJ 07840 9. Miscellaneous: 9.1 Always practice proper operating etiquette. Check the frequency before operating. 9.2 Only AX.25 packet mode is permitted. 9.3 Entrants must operate within the limits of their chosen category when performing any activity that could impact their submitted score. 9.4 Do not exceed the total output power limitation of the chosen entry category on any band. Total output power on any band at any time is measured at the output of the active amplifier(s). 9.5 Self-spotting or asking to be spotted is not permitted. 9.6 Alternating CQs on two or more frequencies on a band is not permitted. 9.7 All requests for contacts, responses to calls, and copying of call signs and contest exchanges must be accomplished during the contest period using the mode and frequencies of the contest. 9.8 Correction of logged call signs and exchanges after the contest, by use of any database, recordings, email or other methods is not allowed. 9.9 Call signs logged must be the same as those exchanged over the air by the entrants during the QSO. 9.10 QSO finding assistance is permitted in all entry categories. 10. Awards: Participant Certificates, will be awarded to all contestants who submit a log and can be downloaded online when available. In addition, certificates to the Top Ten Single Operators will be awarded. 10.1 Log Checking: All logs are checked using software and human judgment. 10.2 Duplicate contacts are removed with no additional penalty. 10.3 Contacts with an incorrect received exchange are removed with no additional penalty. 10.4 Call sign errors (bust) or call signs not in the other log (NIL) are removed and receive a penalty of the QSO point value for that contact. 11.0 Contact: Email all questions, logs, and bonus information to: hfcontest@ww2bsa.org Paper logs and bonus material may be sent to: Chris Lance, WW2BSA, PO Box 243, Hackettstown, NJ 07840. 12.0 Post-Contest Comments Voice your opinion on what you liked or didn’t like. What was challenging? Suggestions?