Australian 2 x 1 contest Amateur Radio Callsigns

Discussions have taken place between the RASA and the regulator ACMA about issuing 2 by 1 amateur radio contest callsigns such as VK1A

Radio Amateur Society of Australia Inc. (RASA) recently met with the ACMA and discussed several topics. One topic that received positive feedback was the possibility of 2*1 callsigns for use during contests.

Until such time as the ACMA tender outcome has been made public, this
proposal is on hold. It is likely that a committee will be formed to review options at that time.

Further information is on the Radio Amateur Society of Australia Inc. site -
http://vkradioamateurs.org/contest-callsigns-vk1a-21-callsigns/

CW Classic Exchange 2019

This winter's running of the CW "Classic Exchange" will take place on Sunday 13th January 2019 and on Tuesday 15th January 2019.

The "CX" encourages participants to use older vintage gear including any homebrew equipment, both receivers and transmitters. A unique scoring system provides bonus points for various equipment and combinations as well as encouraging 'repeat contacts' when you switch to different equipment.

Even Amateur Radio Operators without Vintage Radios are invited to participate and get in on the fun no matter what they are using and submit their scores.

The CX is a low-key relaxing affair and the 'extra' Tuesday operating period should encourage a lot of midweek activity from the vast numbers of retired operators who cherish and run older gear.

More Information - http://www.classicexchange.org/jan19/Winter_2019_CX_Rules.pdf

North American Collegiate Championship Expanded to NAQP RTTY

The Society of Midwest Contesters (SMC) has announced an expansion of the North American Collegiate Championship (NACC), which takes place in conjunction with the North American QSO Party (NAQP). The inaugural event last January only covered the NAQP SSB event. This year, the NACC will also cover the NAQP RTTY event. NCJ (National Contest Journal) sponsors the NAQPs. The NAQP SSB runs from 1800 UTC on January 19 to 0600 UTC on 20th January 2019. The NAQP RTTY runs 1800 UTC on February 23 to 0600 UTC on 24th February 2019. The NACC format is generally the same as those for the NAQP, but here are some differences.

“This is an opportunity for your college club station to compete with any college and university in North America,” the SMC said in announcing the 2019 running of the NACC. “You can take on your state or conference rivals. With planning and practice, it is possible to win a national championship.” NACC stations can follow the action on a real-time online scoreboard. Participants must registercollege/university and call sign. Once registered stations will receive instructions on how to set up, which includes inserting and activating a link in the participating stations contest logging software.

Collegiate stations will use their college club call signs, and the station must be located on the school’s physical campus. The NAQPs impose a 100 W power limit. All operators must be enrolled students and club members. The exchange for the NAQPs is name and state/province/North American country, and participants may use any name associated with the school, which must remain the same for the entire event.

The College Contest Class will be multioperator, single radio (M1). Stations may use assistance similar to the M2 class and will submit logs in the M2 class via the NAQP log submission page. NCJ will publish college stations in their own class. Awards will be based on the adjudicated logs and not the online finish. Participants may operate the entire 12 hours of the contest.

Awards will be given out for National Champion, Runner-up, and State Champions. Awards will be sponsored by SMC, NCJ, and Icom.