Subject: Seeking PSC lead to engage BoD help to identify W1AW/# Stations to activate all 50 States in celebration of '2023 Volunteers On The Air'
Hello Mike,
As discussed earlier this year, in 2023 ARRL will hold a year-long ‘Year of The Volunteer’ celebration. There will be many facets on and off the air.
On the air, we will be holding a year-long ‘Volunteers On The Air’ (VOTA) operating event. As template, in 2014, we had the “Centennial QSO Party”. It activated W1AW in all 50 States twice, plus it included activations of possessions where possible.
We’d like to enlist the Board’s help in identifying Stations in each state and possession to coordinate these two activations locally. Could you ask the BoD (on behalf of the PSC and Staff) to assist in identifying stations?
Attached is a PDF file with example of what was done for the Centennial (2014 activations were scheduled to begin on a Wednesday, and ran through the following Tuesday; we’ve maintained that concept for 2023). I’ve also attached an EXCEL version that we can work from for 2023, leaving out a few strategic weekends where there may be large operating events or Holiday’s (ARRL DX Phone, Hamvention, Field Day, IARU, ARRL SS Phone, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc) where there could be challenge for personal air time, or event exchanges/confusion.
Each State is represented in two separate week activations, and we’ve tossed in Possessions who’s dates can be moved to suit such stations. While the attached is a relatively solid guide for state activations/distributions, changes as needed could be made.
As example, here’s the announcement of the 2014 Centennial event:
In conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the ARRL, the ARRL Centennial QSO Party is set to kick off January 1 for a year-long operating event in which participants can accumulate points and win awards, as well as working new stations and making new friends. During 2014 W1AW will be on the air from every state (at least twice) and most US territories, and it will be easy to work all states solely by contacting W1AW portable operations. This marks the first ARRL-sponsored operating event where every member is worth at least one point. The event is open to all, although only ARRL members and appointees, elected officials, HQ staff and W1AW are worth points. Working ARRL’s president, for example, earns 300 points! To qualify for points all contacts must be two-way (no cross-band or cross-mode contacts), using CW, phone (FM, SSB, AM, digital voice), digital (any digital mode, such as PSK31, RTTY) on 160, 80, 40, 30, 20, 17, 15, 12, 10, 6, 2 and 1.25 meters, plus 70 centimeters and satellite.
Stations exchange signal report and ARRL abbreviation. Contacts do not have to be contest-style and it isn’t necessary to give the ARRL organizational information. A centennial database will assign point values to all logs submitted electronically. Those not submitting electronically, however, will need to obtain the QSO information during the contact. This event is not a contest, so participants may make contacts in any fashion they prefer.
The Centennial QSO Party is scored by totaling the values of all eligible contacts. There are no multipliers or bonus points. Logs submitted via Logbook of the World (LoTW) will be scored automatically.
Awards
Work W1AW operating portable from all 50 states. Working W1AW or W1ØØAW in Connecticut does not count for Connecticut, however. Participants can earn W1AW Connecticut credit only for working W1AW/1 in Connecticut. A W1AW WAS certificate and plaque will be available (pricing not yet announced). For an extra challenge, work all 100 W1AW portable operations — essentially a double WAS with W1AW!
Endorse the W1AW WAS Certificate with the Territorial Stickers for working W1AW/KH2, W1AW/KP4, W1AW/KP2, and any others that may be active, and also endorse with W1AW/3 from the District of Columbia (stickers are $1 each)
Centennial Points Challenge
To compete in the Centennial Points Challenge, submit logs via Logbook of the World (LoTW). The system will automatically look for points-qualifying contacts from submitted logs and apply them to each participant’s Centennial QSO Points table. QSOs do not have to be matched in LoTW for points to be achieved — this is an honor-based event. No paper forms or information will be accepted for the Centennial Points Challenge, however. Some points worth noting:
Club call signs do not count for points.
Repeater contacts are not valid for credit.
Mobile and portable operations are okay but do not count for points in addition to home operation — ie, a contact with KØGW counts for KØGW, whether it is made with KØGW/4, KØGW/m, or PJ4/KØGW.
Stations outside of the US may also count for points. More than 10,000 ARRL members live outside the US, and some of these are also volunteer examiners or DXCC card checkers.
ARRL appointees, staffers, and officers should choose for their contact exchange the appointment or office held that offers the highest point value (this is how the database will work also). For example, KI9XX is an ARRL Life Member (a LM is worth 2 points), a Volunteer Examiner (VE is worth 5 points) and a State Government Liaison (SGL is worth 30 points), so KI9XX should use “SGL,” since that offers the highest point value. In any event, the database will give credit for the proper point value.
The top-scoring operator from each ARRL Section, Canadian Province and DXCC entity will receive a First Place certificate. The Top Five overall point scorers will receive awards. There is a charge for award certificates. For complete information, visit the ARRL Centennial QSO Party web page. Contact us if you have questions.
We will have a similar announcement published for VOTA, and there will be some differences. One is that every ARRL Member can participate, and there will be special point values depending on their member status or official role as a volunteer.
We will have Rules, Leaderboard and Certificates available online on a dedicated event web page (there will be a Facebook page as well).
The current need is to enlist the support of Directors (and/or their Section Managers and any other appointees {eg, perhaps CAC Representatives} that they want to involve in soliciting for W1AW/# groups) who would like to activate W1AW/1, W1AW/2, W1AW/3, W1AW/KP4, etc, throughout the year.
Here are some notes regarding criteria W1AW/portable stations must heed:
- All activity takes place on what are considered “Contest” frequency bands 160 Meters and Up (VHF, UHF, SHF, uWave bands are included in the event). No 60 Meter, or WARC 30, 17, or 12 Meter activity; and no activity on 2200 or 630 Meters. No exceptions.
- *ALL* station logs must be in ADI format ONLY as the event is managed through Logbook of The World (BUT, participating stations DO NOT upload any logs to LoTW – ARRL will upload the logs, as we hold the W1AW/# call sign certificates). No paper logs. No logs in Cabrillo format. All station information (data fields) – callsign, state, county, grid square, zones, etc. – must be contained in the ADI file QSO lines.
- Designated W1AW Station Managers must confirm that ADI files meets specifications.
- ADI logs will have the following naming convention: Callsign_State_(2-letter). For example, W1AW_6_CA_logweek1.adi
- Operator takes steps necessary to ensure no loss of logs (check and recheck your backup systems).
- All logs must be emailed to w1aw@arrl.org after each state/possession 1-week activation.
- One station per grid square or county. If multiple stations – assigned by authorized W1AW/xx control operator – all ADI logs must be merged to one, with all pertinent station information included.
- Authorized station(s) must adhere to good operating practices. Good information can be found here: http://www.arrl.org/hf-contesting-guidelines
- The use of W1AW is a privilege. Operators must be overtly polite. Should it be necessary, W1AW/xx operators should surrender a frequency (be courteous – propagation changes over time).
- No activity on calling frequencies such as the SSTV frequency of 14230 kHz, or 14300 kHz Maritime Net, FM on 146.520 MHz, etc. Be aware of events like Hurricane Watch Nets, if applicable.
- Activity should be on as many eligible bands (see 1. Above) and modes as possible.
- If asked, operators should take the time – if feasible – to briefly explain the purpose of the VOTA and the reason for the W1AW/xx activation.
- If asked, there are NO QSL cards for any of the W1AW/xx stations. All contacts will be confirmed via LoTW only. QSL cards for contacts made with W1AW in Newington, 2023 IARU, and other activities (National Convention, ARRL Division Conventions, etc.) will be available.
- W1AW/KH6 will be on the air from Hawaii during IARU HF in July. We are not considering that as one of the two W1AW/KH6 state activations, as the event is sho4rt and will be in quick contest exchange cadence.
Again, each State (as in 2014) will have two weekends on which to activate as W1AW/#. These W1AW/# operations will have a special point value, so they will be sought after.
Time is short -- and we need to have these scheduled no later than December 15th to allow others to plan their activities.
Let us know if you have any questions, and if we can assist in any way?
PS – Joel Harrison, W5ZN, has advised us that he will have Arkansas covered 😊
73, Bart
Bart Jahnke, W9JJ
Radiosport and Regulatory Information Manager
ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio®
225 Main Street
Newington CT 06111-1400
Telephone: 860-594-0272
Fax: 860-594-0346