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The 24 hour time span was created to allow operators to fit some operating time into their busy lives. Some of the WES events focus on a particular theme or activity. Three popular themes that repeat each year are Homebrew Keys, QRP, and Boat Anchors. Some themes may have special rules and scoring that are different from those given below. Announcements about themes and special rules are made via email notice to the SKCC group.
Participants in the WES should use a mechanical key approved by the rules of the Straight Key Century Club. These include straight keys, sideswipers (Cooties) and bugs. Exceptions are granted to those with physical disabilities that prevent the use of such keys. Please be reminded that although it is like a contest in that scores are posted based in part on the number of QSOs, the WES is rather informal, and has as its main objective to bring together operators with different skill levels. Operating speed should be adjusted accordingly.
PLEASE NOTE THAT SOME LOCALITIES MAY BE CHANGING THEIR CLOCKS TO DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME DURING THIS WEEKEND. THESE CHANGEOVERS DO NOT CHANGE UTC. THE SPRINT STILL STARTS AT 0000 UTC AND ENDS AT 2359 UTC. YOUR CORRESPONDING LOCAL TIME IS THE TIME THAT IS BEING CHANGED.
The SKCC has in the past run a WES in late winter or early spring with a Junkbox Key theme. The March 2010 WES will follow in that tradition but will also pay tribute to Dave Ingram (Silent Key), SKCC# 2684. Dave wrote a column for CQ Magazine. Many of his articles were about keys - from keys of yesteryear to those of the present, from simple contrivances to elegant pieces from master craftsmen. To pay tribute to Dave use the letters and numbers of the call signs of the stations you work to spell out "DAVE INGRAM 2684". Use each letter and number only once. For extra bonus points you will be asked on the submit form how many of the fourteen letters and numbers you have collected. The analysis program will give you four points for each.
For the Junkbox part of this sprint you are asked to put together a key from stuff you find in your junkbox and go on the air with it. The emphasis is on uniqueness and imagination rather than craftsmanship. The photo submit place is where you can show off your creation. If you build something that doesn't work right, use whatever key you want. You don't even have to try building a key to participate. Have fun.
------------ February-2010 ------------
The Special SKCC Member for the February 14, 2010 WES is Bert, F6HKA SKCC# 6069T. Bert will be operating from Limoges, France. He will be making use of the K3UK sked page to indicate his presence.
The basic rules for operating and scoring apply to this sprint. Have fun.
------------ January-2010 ------------
The Special SKCC Member for the January 10, 2010 WES is Brian, VE5CUL 1672. Brian will be operating from Dinsmore, Saskatchewan, Canada. He will be making use of the K3UK sked page to indicate his presence.
Please note that this sprint occurs during K3Y so special rules for QSOs, with and from, K3Y apply. Since K3Y operators give their SKCC number in the QSO, use that number as the key to the home call and QTH for the QSO. Accept or reject the QSO as a duplicate according to the home call and QTH information.
K3Y OPERATORS ARE NOT TO SUBMIT SPRINT RESULTS UNDER A K3Y CALLSIGN.
K3Y operators may apply their K3Y QSOs to their sprint result under their home call.
This sprint will have an optional poll question on the submit form. You will be asked what you think the final QSO count will be for K3Y. The person coming closest to the final answer will be awarded a prize, yet to be determined. In the case of a tie, the earliest entry will be declared the winner. Don't forget to enter a guess. You can't win it if you are not in it.
------------ December-2009 ------------
The Special SKCC Member for the December 13, 2009 WES is Vince, S52CC, 5011. He will be operating from Maribor, Slovenia. His antenna works best on 40m so he plans to spend most of his time on that band. He will be on the K3UK webpage and he will do his best to make contacts through that webpage.
One hundred years ago this month Guglielmo Marconi won the Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on wireless communication. This bit or radio history will serve as the basis for extra bonus points for this month's sprint. On your sprint worksheet write the phrase "GUGLIELMO MARCONI NOBEL PRIZE 1909". Use the letters and numbers from the call signs of the stations you work to check off the letters and numbers in the phrase. Use each letter and number only once. When submitting your results you will be asked how many letters and numbers you have checked off. The results analysis program will award two points for each one checked off.
As we did last December, use the photo section on the results submit page to show us how you have your ham shack, key, rig, or antenna decorated for the holidays.
------------ November-2009 ------------
The Special SKCC Member for the November 8, 2009 WES is Bob, I0QM, 4954. He will be operating from a QTH near Rome, Italy at grid JN61ir. He will make use of the K3UK web page to post times and frequencies. Depending on band conditions, you might find him as follows:
00:01-01:20 7025/7116 or 14050 if 20m wide open
01:20-01:59 3550 or back on 40m if 80m too hard
08:30-10:30 7025 or 14053 if 20m better
10:30-11:59 21050 or 14050 if 15m closed
13:30-15:00 21125/21050 and/or 28050; back on 14053 if 15m also closed
15:00-18:59 14053 and/or 21125/21050-28050 if 15m-10m open
20:00-22:00 14050 or 7025 if 20m closed
22:00-23:59 7025/7116 or 14050 if 20m wide open
------------ October-2009 ------------
The Special SKCC Member for the October 11, 2009 WES is Jeff, G4ELZ, 4910C. He will be operating from Newton Abbot, Devon, UK and has sent along the following schedule:
Jeff will operate for a while at the start of the sprint and then for several hours at the ednd of the sprint. He has an inverted vee for 80/40 and a 3-element yagi for the upper bands. He will make use of the K3UK spotter page so you can find his whereabouts by checking there.
Craftsman Key Sprint
The February 2009 sprint was devoted to junkbox keys where the idea was to build and use a key using simple hand tools from stuff you found in your junkbox. This sprint also involves building and using a new key but this time you can use any materials and use any tools. You can use store bought parts or parts from other keys. Please, no key restorations or building from a kit. The final result should be an original item. The sprint is called the Craftsman Key Sprint to encourage the skilled craft persons out there to show us their stuff. Use the photo and soapbox sections on the submit form to show off your masterpiece. In the past, some SKCC members have also entered their homebrew keys in the competition sponsored by The Society for the Preservation of Amateur Radio. Information found here: (SPAR).
Official SKCC keys include straight keys (STK), bugs (BUG), and side swipers (SSW). For the purpose of this sprint, choose one of these types as your favorite and stay with it during the sprint. You "stay with it" in the exchange but you do not have to stay with it in use during the sprint. Switch keys in use as you see fit.
Sample exchange: KB4QQJ DE NT9K UR 589 FL BILL 1629T SSW BK
As you log your contacts you can check off the key info you get in the grid shown below. If you don't get key info you should ask for it. If you get something specific like "NAVY FLAMEPROOF" you can translate that to appropriate category. QSOs with no key info sent do not count for grid filling.
| STK | BUG | SSW | FREE |
If you have more than five QSOs with any one type you can check the extras off in a FREE box. When you report your results you will be asked how many boxes you have filled in. The analysis program will award you "Extra" bonus points based on that amount. Have fun with it.
------------ September-2009 ------------
The Special SKCC Member for the September 13, 2009 WES is Walt, VE3HNE, 4893C. He will be operating from Woodstock, Ontario, Canada and has sent along the following schedule:
7.050/7.112 from 00:05 UTC to 01:30 UTC
3.550 from 01:30 UTC to 02:00 UTC
7.050 from 14:00 UTC to 15:00 UTC
14.050 from 18:00 UTC to 19:00 UTC
7.050 from 23:00 UTC to 24:00 UTC
Back to School Bingo
September generally marks the beginning of a new school year so the theme for this sprint relates to those wonderful times you had in school. Think back to the subject or class you enjoyed most. Match it with one of these broad categories: Math, Science, Literature (reading and composition), and Social Studies (history, government, cultures). All others like lunch, recess, art, gym, shops, etc. will be classified as OTHER. If you were a late bloomer that didn't care much for early schooling but then found something of interest later in life, fit that into one the categories and use it. Whatever you pick, stay with it during the entire sprint.
Pass along the subject category in the exchange. You can use a three letter abbreviation like this example:
NT9K DE K2RFP UR 589 NY DICK 2099T LIT BK
Keeping Track and Claiming Extra Bounus Points
On your QSO worksheet make up a grid like this:
| Subject or Class | |||||
| Band | SCI | MAT | LIT | SOC | FREE |
| 80 | |||||
| 40 | |||||
| 20 | |||||
| Free | |||||
| Free | |||||
Use a checkmark or X to fill in the appropriate box for the stations you work. Use only one mark per box. You can count any subject in the "Free" column and any band in the "Free" row. So if you worked five stations with three that sent you SCI and two that sent you SOC, you can check one box in the SCI column, one box in the SOC column, and have three more for the Free column. At the end of the sprint you can claim an extra bonus of two points for each box that you checked off. If you don't get the info during a QSO you can't count it toward the extra bonus points.
In the soapbox submissions, why not take a break from details of rigs, keys and antennas and instead, tell about one of your memorable school experiences.
Coming up next month: Craftsman Key Sprint
Earlier in the year we had a Junkbox Key theme where participants were encouraged to build a key from stuff found in their junkbox and use simple hand tools for assembly. For this sprint you can build a key from whatever materials you want with no limit on materials or tools. It is meant to give the craftspersons out there an opportunity to show their stuff. In the past, some participants in the SKCC Craftsman Key sprint also also submitted entries in the SPAR key contest. Here's a link to past SPAR key contests:
http://www.spar-hams.org/contests/keymonth/index.php
So get those lathes and milling machines humming.
------------ August-2009 ------------
The Special SKCC Member for the August 9, 2009 WES is John, ZS6JBJ, SKCC# 3808. He will be operating from Staalveld, Republic of South Africa. John has a Yagi for operating on 10,15, and 20 m, and a dipole for 40m. He does not have access to the internet spotter pages from his station but his plans are to operate on 7.050 MHz from 02:00 to 04:00 UTC and on 14:050 MHz from 14:00 to 20:00.UTC. Band conditions may require a change in plans. Since it is a WES you are welcome to spot his location on any of the web spotter pages.
We will continue to offer the Shortwave Listeners category for this sprint. See last month's sprints below for details. Standard scoring rules apply. No special theme for this sprint but we can still have fun with it.
------------ July-2009 ------------
The Special SKCC Member for the July 12, 2009 WES is Allan, HC2A, SKCC# 3671T. He will be operating from Guayaquil, Ecuador. Since it is a WES you are welcome to spot his location on any of the web spotter pages.
The theme for the sprint is "QRP". For the purpose of this sprint, QRP is taken as five watts or less. Although participants are encouraged to go on the air at a QRP power level you do not have to do so to participate.
| 1) 15 bonus points if you can eke out at least 1 QSO at a QRP level. |
| 2) two bonus points per QSO at QRP level. |
As is always with the SKCC sprints, the themes are presented as activities to generate a little more fun during the sprint. If, for whatever reason you can not meet the requirements of the theme, you are still welcome to participate in the sprint. Use the soapbox and photo option for show and tell of your QRP setup.
*** SOMETHING NEW ***
If you are a ham, either with or without an SKCC number, or a ShortWave Listener, you are invited to participate in this sprint in the SWL category. Here are the basics:
| 1) If you copy both sides of a QSO you can count that as two QSOs. |
| 2) You can count the same call again in another QSO only if it is on a different band. |
| 3) Follow the rules that apply to hams for counting multipliers and C/T bonus points. |
| 1) Enter in the SWL category. |
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2) If you are a ham, enter your call sign. If you are not a ham but have a unique SWL club identification, enter that as your call sign. If you do not have such an identification, enter your last name. Please note, it should be just a one word identification. |
| 3) For SKCC number, if you have one, enter it else enter SWL. |
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4) Enter your counts for QSOs, Multipliers, Cs and Ts as determined by the rules given above. You are not eligible for the Extra bonus points for operating QRP. |
------------ June-2009 ------------
The Special SKCC Member for the June 14, 2009 WES is Jan, (PA3CLQ), SKCC# 2765. He will be operating from Geertruidenberg, NB, Netherlands. Please note that the start time of the WES is in the middle of the night for Jan so his operation at the start may be limited. Since it is a WES you are welcome to spot his location on any of the web spotter pages. He will be making use of the K3UK sked page.
The theme for the sprint is "Boat Anchors". Participants are encouraged to go on the air using some boat anchor equipment. For the purpose of this sprint a "Boat Anchor" is loosely defined as a transmitter or receiver that has some, or all, tube components. You can claim extra bonus points if you have made AT LEAST TWO CONTACTS while you were using a boat anchor. Go by the following:
15 Extra bonus points if your rig has a mix of tube and solid state components.
25 Extra bonus points if your rig uses only tube components.
In the optional photo submit you can show us your rig and tell us about it.
As is always with the SKCC sprints, the themes are presented as activities to generate a little more fun during the sprint. If, for whatever reason you can not meet the requirements of the theme, you are still welcome to participate in the sprint.
*** SPECIAL NOTICE ***
This sprint will also mark the start date of a new SKCC DX award and it should provide a good opportunity to start racking up some QSOs/Countries toward that award.
Click here:http://www.skccgroup.com/dx/ for details on this new award.
------------ May-2009 ------------
The Special SKCC Member for the May 10, 2009 WES is Martin (IK2RMZ), SKCC#5278. He will be operating from Ispra, Italy. He will start early on 40m and later from around 1800-2000 UTC you might find him on 20m, 14030-14050 kHz. when he will also be particpating in
the EUCW Fratinizing CW QSO Party.
Since it is a WES you are welcome to spot his location on any of the web spotter pages.
The theme for the sprint is "It's Not My Usual Antenna". The weather should be nice for getting outdoors and putting up a new antenna to try out. You can use a proven design, or a modification of a known design, or dream up something yourself. You can use commercially available parts but please no complete antenna kits. Put up the antenna before the sprint and use whatever test equipment you want to "tune it up". You can go on the air with it beforehand with as many QSOs you want to verify that it works and determine if you need to make adjustments to improve its performance. You can make more than one new antenna and switch between them during the sprint. If you find out during the sprint that the new antenna is not working out, you can go back to your regular antenna.
On the results submit form you can claim a special bonus of 15 points if you made at least ONE contact with a new antenna but 25 points for more than one contact. In the optional photo submit you can show us your creation. In the soapbox describe how it was made and tell how it performed in case others want to duplicate it.
As is always with the SKCC sprints, the themes are presented as activities to generate a little more fun during the sprint. If, for whatever reason you can not meet the requirements of the theme, you are still welcome to participate in the sprint.
------------ April-2009 ------------
The April 12, 2009 WES will feature Rob (G4LMW) SKCC# 4454C as the Special SKCC Member. Note that it is after midnight at Rob's QTH (Berkshire, UK) when the WES starts. He will put in a little time on 40/80m at the start. Then around 1300 UTC you might find him on 20m and again around 2100 UTC on the lower bands. Check the K3UK sked page for spots.
On April 25, 2009, the Cornish Radio Amateur Club from the UK will run a special event in celebration of Marconi's birthday. So as a tribute to Marconi our WES this month will provide for an extra bonus of points when you submit your results.
On your notepad write: "Guglielmo Marconi, April 25, 1874". As you work stations during the WES, use the call letters from the station to cross off the letters and numbers in the name and birthdate. Use each letter/number from a call sign only once, unless you work the same station on another band. When you submit your results at the end of the sprint, give yourself 5 extra points for each letter/number you have crossed off.
Visit the International Marconi Day website here:
IMD Homepage
In addition to the Extra bonus points, the standard scoring rules apply and that means you can claim a 25 point bonus for each band that you work Rob on.
------------ March-2009 ------------
The March 8, 2009 WES will feature Fred (VE3FAL) as the Special SKCC Member. Although Fred likes to work QRP he will work the sprint as QRO at 50 watts into a loop antenna and be pounding away on his Kent straight key. You are likely to find him on 40m and 80m but you can check the K3UK sked page for spots.
The standard scoring rules apply and that means you can claim a 25 point bonus for each band that you work Fred on.
------------ February-2009 ------------
The February 8, 2009 WES will feature John (G0RDO) as the Special SKCC Member. John is a frequent user of the K3UK sked page so you might find out what he is up to during the sprint by checking there. Remember, the 24 hour WES does allow the use of internet sked pages. The standard scoring rules apply and that means you can claim a 25 point bonus for each band that you work John on.
The theme for the sprint is the traditional Junkbox Key Sprint. The idea is to put together a key from stuff you find in your junkbox and go on the air with it. The emphasis is on uniqueness and imagination rather than craftsmanship. The photo submit place is where you can show off your creation.
If you build something that doesn't work right, use whatever key you want. You don't even have to try building a key to participate. Have fun.
------------ January-2009 ------------
The January 11, 2009 SKCC sprint (WES) will feature Walt (LW3EX) as the Special SKCC Member for the sprint. Walt has been very active in SKCC, particpating in many of the sprints, and engaging in numerous non-contest chats with other SKCC members. As the Special SKCC Member for this sprint there will be a special bonus of 25 points for each band you work him on. This is in addition to the 10 points for his Tribune status.
Walt will work 20m, 15m, and 10m and use the K3UK sked page to announce his whereabouts on the bands.
The general rules and standard scoring given below also apply, however, since this sprint occurs during K3Y, you should be made aware of the following:
> If you contact a K3Y station you should use the SKCC NUMBER of the K3Y operator to determine if is a duplicate and count it accordingly. So a QSO with K3Y/2 operated by K2ABC and later, one with K3Y/2 operated by K2XYZ are not duplicates and can both be counted. To encourage making contact with K3Y stations there will be a "special bonus" of 10 points for each countable K3Y contact. You will need to keep a tally for that and enter the total points on the submit form. The special bonus points for these contacts is on top of the points you would otherwise get for that contact.
If you are operating as K3Y during the sprint you can count those QSOs for the sprint as though you are using your own call. Use your own call on the submit form. Do NOT use K3Y.
Eligibility:
You do not have to be an SKCC member to participate. All participants must use a manual key (straight key, sideswiper or bug) unless granted an exception by SKCC. Shortwave listeners can also participate under the rules given below.
Suggested Frequencies:
The frequencies listed below are those most frequented by SKCC members and are where you are likely to make contact. Look around. Just make sure you are operating on a frequency allowed by your license class.
| 160 m, 1820 kHz | 80 m, 3550 kHz | 40 m, 7055 and 7114 kHz | 20 m, 14050 kHz |
| 15 m, 21050 kHz | 10 m, 28050 kHz | 6 m, 50090 kHz |
Bands other than those specified above are NOT permitted. 40 m counts as one band.
The use of the K3UK sked page or similiar aids IS allowed for WES.
Exchange:
The minimum exchange of data must include RST, QTH, NAME, and SKCC#. Please be realistic with RST, don't just give 599 because you have to. If you do not get a signal report you are obliged to ask for one.
QTH info is needed to count multipliers so it must be unique. USA stations should send the two character state code for QTH. Canadian stations should send the two character province code. All other countries can send the 3-alpha country code found here:
http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/units/codes/country.htm
Here is an example: NT9K DE K2RFP HR 589 NY DICK 2099T BK
The use of cut numbers for RST and SKCC# is not recommended for the first pass of the data but may be used in a repeat.
Scoring:
Score = (Total QSO points x Total multiplier Points) + Total Bonus Points
Bonus points vary and are specific to the current sprint. In general bonus points is the sum of bonus points earned for working Centurions, Tribunes, and the designated special SKCC member for the sprint. In some cases, an addition special bonus may also be granted. Unless otherwise specified, the following "Standard" scoring will be used:
Total QSO points:
You earn one point for each unique station worked per band. Working the same station on the same band does not earn another point but, working the same station on a different band does earn a second point.
Total Multiplier Points:
You earn one point for each unique USA state, or Canadian province, or other non-USA, non-Canada country worked during the sprint. Note that this is per sprint, not per band. So, for example, once you work a station in NY, working a second in NY does not increase your multiplier count.
Centurion Bonus Points:
The number of bonus points for working Centurions is 5 for each Centurion worked during the sprint. Note that this per sprint, not per band. So, for example, working the same Centurion on a second band does not give you an extra 5 points since it is the same centurion.
Tribune Bonus Points:
Tribune bonus points work the same way as the Centurion bonus points except the numerical value is 10 points per Tribune.
Designated Special SKCC Member Bonus Points:
You get 25 points for each band on which you make contact with the Designated Special SKCC Member.
Extra Bonus Points:
Unless otherwise specified, the standard Extra bonus is zero.
Submissions:
Logs are not required unless requested by the sprint manager. Scores are submitted via the web submission page linked at the top of this page. Scores must be submitted no later than the Friday following the event. If you discover a mistake in your entry after it has been submitted you can correct it by resubmitting the data, provided the time window for submitting is still open. When resubmitting, you must re-enter ALL of the data, not just the correction.
------------ Rules for Shortwave Listeners ------------
| 1) If you copy both sides of a QSO you can count that as two QSOs. |
| 2) You can count the same call again in another QSO only if it is on a different band. |
| 3) Follow the rules that apply to hams for counting multipliers and C/T bonus points. |
| 4) You can claim Extra bonus points as explained in the month's theme unless it specifically says you can't for that sprint. |
| 1) Enter in the SWL category. |
|
2) If you are a ham, enter your call sign/SWL. If you are not a ham but have a unique SWL club identification, enter that as your call sign. If you do not have such an identification, make up a name to go by. Please note, it should be just a one word identification. |
| 3) For SKCC number, if you have one, enter it else enter SWL as the number. |
| 4) Enter your counts for QSOs, Multipliers, etc. as determined by the rules given above. |