VLF Contest Announcement

HCRA & SOTA Jerks
VLF Competition

As you know the FCC has recently approved amateur radio use on the VLF (Very Low Frequency) bands starting September 15^th, 2017. These bands are 135.7 to 135.8 kHZ (2,200 meters) and 472 to 479 kHz (630 meters). More information can be found about the authorization and bands by clicking the links.

It’s unlikely anyone will be using these bands for a SOTA activation but nevertheless the SOTA Jerks have proposed a QSO competition to spark interest in the new allocations. Our two clubs have gathered together $100 to award the winner of the competition. In the spirit of keeping things simple we’ve made the rules easy to follow. It’s up to you, the station builder/operators to do the heavy lifting on this one!

Rules:

1. Eligibility
   1. All participants must be hold the proper license and permissions to use the VLF bands.
      1. Bands are open to General and above and permission must be secured by applying to UTC.
   2. All participants must be a member in good standing in either club.
   3. No participant shall have held an experimental license for these bands. We are looking for new folks to give VLF a try
2. Contest Period
   1. Contest starts October 15^th, 2017 at 0000z
   2. Contest ends March 15^th, 2018 at 2359z
   3. Winner will be announced at HCRA’s April 6^th 2018 meeting
3. Bands
   1. 630 or 2,200 meters only
4. Mode
   1. Any mode authorized for 630m or 2,200m
5. Prize
   1. The winner will receive a $100 gift certificate to DX Engineering
6. Selection criteria
   1. The winner is the operator with the longest distance, confirmed QSO.
      1. Distance determined by Latitude/Longitude of each station.
         1. Here’s a handy on-line calculator: https://www.mapdevelopers.com/distance_from_to.php
      2. Confirmation Proof by LotW or card only
      3. All entries must contain proof of confirmation and the distance calculated between the two stations.
      4. In the event of a tie a drawing will be held to determine the winner.

7. Entry Requirements
   1. Submit your longest confirmed QSO to Jim Mullen via email or USPS by March 15^th 2018
      1. Email: kk1w.jim@gmail.com or USPS to 144 Tower Hill Rd, Brimfield, MA 01010
         1. Enclose an SASE for return of any submitted cards

That’s all there is to it. As of this writing there are at least two transceivers that can be used without modification on VLF frequencies: Kenwood TS590 and Elecraft K3s. The Elecraft K3 can be modified to use these bands. Transverter kits for VLF are available, here’s one for under $100.

These bands are more like our AM broadcast bands (think WHYN-AM 560) than traditional bands. Antenna size and power levels are limited so it shouldn’t cost a lot to be QRV on either of the bands. It will take some ingenuity and good ole’ ham ‘experimentation and modification’, which is exactly what amateur radio is all about.

There are many blogs on the web about VLF and the new bands. Here’s one from AE5X to get you started. These bands can be really interesting once you start digging a little deeper. Your efforts represent the start of a new ham radio frontier!

Good luck and may the longest QSO win!

’73…
HCRA and SOTA Jerks