Objectives:

1.  Provide a coordinated microwave operating activity between RMG and NTMS.

2.  Increase activity on 902 MHz and above.

3.  Provide an opportunity for microwave enthusiasts to test their equipment before the summer contest season.

4.  Work as many stations in as many Texas subgrids as possible. Stations outside of Texas may only work stations within Texas for contact points.

Date and Contest Period:

1.  DATE: Saturday, 8 April 2006

2.  TIME: 0700 to 2100 local central time (1200 GMT- 0200 GMT)

Entry Categories:

1.  Fixed Stations - each operates from a single, fixed location.

2.  Rover Stations - each operates from at least two different six-digit maidenhead subsquares.

3.  Guest Operators - persons not owning 902+ equipment who operate existing fixed or rover stations using their callsign.

Exchange:

The six character Maidenhead designation of the sub-grid in which each station is located.

For a general treatment of the subject of maidenhead grid locators, see April 1994 QST, p 86 or go to the ARRL web site.

A specific breakout of the six-digit subgrids within a four-digit grid is provided HERE.

To download an exellent program to convert between lat-lon and maidenhead grids, and to calculate bearing (including reverse) and distance in miles or kilometers, go to the W4SM site; scroll down to and select "New Improved" WinGrid Ver4.1 (wingrid.exe).

Miscellaneous:

Rovers are encouraged to operate in locations where it may be possible to work both NTMS and RMG member stations.

Minimum contact distance = 1 km.

A Rover must move to a different sub-grid before repeating a QSO with the same station.

Rovers are encouraged to car pool or caravan to sites.

All stations are encouraged to invite members without stations (Shotgun Riders/Navigator) to assist in operation both Fixed and Rover operations.

HOW THIS CONTEST DIFFERS FROM OTHERS:

Guest operators ARE ENCOURAGED use their own calls from both fixed and rover stations to make contacts in this event. The goal is to encourage participation by prospective microwave band enthusiasts and get new callsigns into logs of established microwave operators.

Scoring:

Total score:  The total number of contacts multiplied by the sum of all distance multipliers.

Distance multiplier:  The distance in kilometers between stations successfully completing a QSO.

QSO score:  Count one point for each contact completed.

Rovers score:  The total number of contacts from all grids activated multiplied by the total of all distance multipliers.

Guest Operator:  Same as Fixed or Rover categories, as applicable.

Bonus Points:

1000 bonus points are awarded to fixed and rover entries for each participating guest operator sharing their station.

Calculating Distance multipliers:

Distance used for score calculation may be simply that between the centers of the subgrids in which each station is located, or may be measured off a map with a ruler, or calculated from stations' exact latitude-longitude coordinates. Use of GPS receivers is encouraged to determine station location for distance calculations, but the manual map method may be used as well. A simple, available calculation tool is W4SM's "New Improved" WinGrid Ver4.1 (wingrid.exe) - link is given above under "Exchange".

Schedules:

Use of 144.260 MHz is suggested for scheduling and coordination during the contest.

Non amateur communications are allowed to schedule contacts both before and during the contest.

Reporting:

Summary sheets be turned in to NM5M (nm5m "at" aol dot com) by April 30, 2006.

Paper or electronic submissions accepted. Format of report should follow the summary sheet form. All participants assisting with a station should be listed on the form.

PLEASE NOTE LOG SUBMISSION IS NOT REQUIRED ONLY SUMMARY SHEETS NEED TO BE SUBMITTED.

Summary sheets may be mailed to:

Eric Silverthorn, NM5M
6404 Castlemere Drive
Plano, Texas 75093

Certificates:

Top 10 scores in both the Rover and Fixed categories will receive certificates.

Scores by bands of each call sign submitting logs to be published in the June issue of FeedPoint and on the NTMS website.