RULES:

Adventure Radio Society 2018 Flight of the Bumblebees, Sunday, July 29

            The Adventure Radio Society Flight of the Bumblebees is a four-hour event held annually on the last Sunday of July. It is open to all radio amateurs.

2018 ARS Flight of the Bumblebees

Sunday, July 29

1700 to 2100 UTC

CONTEST PERIOD BY TIMEZONE (Local Time)

·                    1 p.m. to 5 p.m.   – Eastern

·                    12 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Central

·                    11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Mountain

·                    10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Pacific

·                    7 a.m. to 11 a.m. – Hawaii

The contest period accommodates multiple time zones simultaneously. No matter where you live, there will be time for Bumblebees to travel to a field operating site, set up their station, operate the contest, and travel home.

WHO CAN PLAY?

Both home-based and portable operations are encouraged.

WHAT QUALIFIES AS A BUMBLEBEE?

Participants who operate portable from field locations are designated as Bumblebees. They get to their operating site principally under their own power by walking, biking, boating, and so on. The distance traveled to the site is at the Bumblebee’s discretion. Bumblebees add /BB to their calls. (NOTE: Home-based stations do not add /BB to their callsign.)

IF YOU’RE ELIGIBLE, GET A BUMBLEBEE NUMBER

If you plan to operate the 2018 FOBB portable – in other words, from a field location – you’re invited to request a Bumblebee identification number. Instructions for obtaining a Bumblebee number are in the next section, below, headlined "Apply for a 2018 Flight of the Bumblebees Number."

There is no limit to the number of Bumblebees. You may apply for, and receive a Bee number at any time up to July 29 prior to the contest.

GROUP OPERATION

Group operation is welcome in the Flight of the Bumblebees. You may operate under a single call and report a single score, or under multiple calls and report multiple scores. In any event, you are limited to operating a single transmitter at a time.

POWER OUTPUT

To keep with its minimalist theme, maximum FOBB power output is 5 watts.

OPERATION

We operate CW on 40, 20, 15 and 10 meters, around standard QRP frequencies.

           

EXCHANGE

• /BB: If you are a Bumblebee, your exchange is RST, state/province/country, and your Bumblebee number.
• Home Stations: If you are home based, your exchange is RST, state/province/country, and your power.

Here are examples of exchanges:

Bumblebee NE6SW / BB (Bumblebee No. 73) sends:

579

CA

BB 73 or NR 73

Home-based station WN1DWL sends:

579

MA

5W

PLAYING IN 2018 FOBB

Everyone in the contest can work anyone else in the contest. In other words:

·                    Home-based stations can work other home-based stations and Bumblebees.

·                    Bumblebees can work other Bumblebees and home-based stations.

SCORING

Here are the details:

·                    Each contact is worth one point.

·                    The same station can be worked on different bands for additional QSO points and multipliers.

·                    Contacts with Bumblebees generate a multiplier of three. NOTE: If you worked NE6SW/BB on two bands, it counts as two Bumblebee contacts.

Here’s an example of how your score will be calculated:

• Say, you make 21 FOBB contacts on 40 meters.
• You make 32 FOBB contacts on 20 meters.
• In that combined total of QSOs, you contacted 14 Bumblebees. NOTE: If you worked KI6SN/BB on two bands, it counts as two Bumblebee contacts.
• To determine your multiplier, multiply 14 Bumblebees times 3.

Using the FOBB Scoring Formuala:

• Contacts: 21 + 32 = 53
• BB Multiplier: 14 X 3 = 42
• Total: 53 QSOs X 42 BB Multiplier = 2,226 Total points

COMMENDATIONS

Separate but equal commendations are awarded to the high scores for the home based and Bumblebee participants. We will also commend Bumblebees in the following categories:

• Most interesting equipment
• Most fascinating FOBB venture
• Most beautiful site

SUBMITTING YOUR FOBB DATA:

Send your FOBB 2018 Reports via email to:

ARSBumblebees@gmail.com

REPORT FORM:

Your:

• Full name
• Callsign
• Location of FOBB operation
• Total number of contacts (all bands)
• Total number of Bumblebees (all bands)
• Comments about your 2015 FOBB experience:

Photographs of your adventure are welcome and encouraged.

RESULTS:

Results and soapbox comments will be reported on the ARS Spartan Sprint and FOBB website. That posting will be announced on the QRP-L mailgroup.

SAFETY:

As with all ARS events, please keep safety in front of mind when conducting operations in the field. Such things as weather, power lines, terrain, dehydration and fatigue can be lethal. Above all, we want all participants to have a fabulous and safe experience.

– 73, Richard Fisher, KI6SN,
The Adventure Radio Society

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

FIELD STATIONS:

Apply for a 2018 Flight of the Bumblebees Number

            The Adventure Radio Society Flight of the Bumblebees is a four-hour event held annually on the last Sunday of July. It is open to all radio amateurs.

2018 ARS Flight of the Bumblebees

Sunday, July 29

1700 to 2100 UTC

CONTEST PERIOD BY TIMEZONE (Local Time)

·                    1 p.m. to 5 p.m.   – Eastern

·                    12 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Central

·                    11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Mountain

·                    10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Pacific

·                    7 a.m. to 11 a.m. – Hawaii

The contest period accommodates multiple time zones simultaneously. No matter where you live, there will be time for Bumblebees to travel to a field operating site, set up their station, operate the contest, and travel home.

IF YOU’RE ELIGIBLE, GET A BUMBLEBEE NUMBER

If you plan to operate the 2018 FOBB portable – in other words, from a field location – you’re invited to request a Bumblebee identification number. Here’s how:

1. CHECK THE DATABASE: An online database has been set up to show assigned Bumblebee numbers. Visit: https://tinyurl.com/yaxaarvr 
2. OFFER THREE OPTIONS: Check the database https://tinyurl.com/yaxaarvr for eligibility. Then send an email to:

ARSBumblebees@gmail.com with:

• Your Callsign

• Your First Name

• The field location you anticipate to be operating from

• Your Top 3 Choices for FOBB Number

3. YOUR FOBB NUMBER ASSIGNMENT: Check the database, https://tinyurl.com/yaxaarvr after submitting your top three choices to see which number you have been assigned. The number listed in the database is your official 2018 FOBB number.

RESULTS: July 2018 Adventure Radio Society Spartan Sprint

Please click on the Scoreboard for an enlarged view

SOAPBOX: July 2018 Adventure Radio Society Spartan Sprint

KE9V

First time in the Spartan Sprint in a long, long time. Band conditions, meh. Stayed on 40M and took the first thirty minutes to find the activity. Finally worked K4BAI and WB5BKL for only two Qs of the night. Dropped out after an hour. Hope to be back next month and do a little better. 72/73 de Jeff, KE9V

K3RLL

Back in rural PA tonight and expecting great things, but such was not to be.  RBN reports tapered off through the first hour as did my contacts but I appreciate those who heard me on 40m.  See you next month.  72/73 … Don

K3JZD

KX3 on batteries with KK1B mini key and 40m Dipole.  40m Only.  Lots of QRN from storms tonight.   Could not pull one station out of the noise.   Jody - K3JZD

N5EM

Nothing on 20M, but 3 Qs on 40M.  Heard a number of stations, but too weak to work.  Spots - we need sunspots.

K4BAI

Only 13 QSOs tonight, all but one (AB9CA) on 40M.  No answers to CQs and no sprint activity heard on 80. Thanks for all QSOs.  73/72, John, K4BAI.

AB9CA

Activity seemed to be up a bit, which is good. Started on 20 and worked a few but 40 was the main band despite being fairly noisy. WB5BKL was the only 2-bander. QSB was noticeable. Lost one or two due to that and it generated quite a few repeats. No one further west than TX. SPC's on 20 were GA ON TX TX and on 40 were PA IL PA TX PA PA NH FL TX. Where were the west coast stations? Rig was K3 at 5w to 56' Inv Vee up 40'. Fed by ladder line. Thanks to everyone who stopped by. Hope to hear all of you along with a few new ones next month. 73 de dave  AB9CA

WB5BKL

K2/10 @ 5W to a 20M delta loop, a 40M dipole or a 40M extended double Zepp (a near-miss lightning strike got the K3 again - sigh - but the K2 is always fun).  Tried 10, 15 and 80M with no joy. Only 4 states this time.  Best signals:  20M - WB9HFK, 40M - N5EM. 2-Banders with WB9HFK and AB9CA.  My thanks to all.  Had fun.

KB1M

Hot weather, humidity, distractions, not my best effort, thanks for the QSO's. 73 Walt 

W5ACM

I was hoping for some good conditions this month, but it was not to be. Field Day was pretty good, but times change. I did get contacts with K4BAI, WB5BKL and N5EM – all via 40M. Lots of fun, but need more participants! 72 de Andy W5ACM, Houston, Texas.

So, What's a Spartan Sprint, and How Do I Play?

Spartan Sprints are two-hour gatherings sponsored by the Adventure Radio Society, held the first Monday of every month. The Spartan Sprints have a unique, three-faceted focus. They encourage outdoor operation with back country radio gear (if outdoor operation isn't practical, home-based operation is fine). They gather fascinating information about the upper atmosphere, documenting how low power signals can travel long distancs. And they encourage the growth of a like-minded community of amateur radio operator who generously share their knowledge and experiences.

Which Bands?

Bands of operation are 80 meters, 40 meters, 20 meters, 15 meters and 10 meters. You may operate any number of bands - your choice. Many Spartan Sprint operators gravitate to the QRP CW calling frequencies on these bands.

Equipment and Antennas

Spartan Sprinters use 5 Watts or less. We encourage you to experiment with 1 Watt or less. You will be surprised at how effective these low levels can be, and how much fun QRPp really is. Similarly, we encourage you to experiment with simple wire antennas. And we encourage Sprinters to use equpment they built from "scratch" - that is, equipment built from schematics.

Exchange

Exchange RST, SPC (state, province or country) and power output. If you choose to call CQ, use the format "CQ SP," or "CQ QRP TEST." You can give yourself credit for working the same station on a second, third, or fourth band.

What Is the Weight of My Station?

The weight of your station is determined by weighing everything at your operating position up to, but not including, your feedline and antenna. In other words, your rig, key, keyer, antenna tuning unit, battery, headphones and so on. 

Submit Your Spartan Sprint Log

Please send the following information in an email to: SpartanSprint@yahoo.com

• Your call sign
• Total number of contacts during Sprint
• The weight of your station (in pounds - includes all gear except antenna and feedline)
• Soapbox comments about your Sprint experience

Check Out the Spartan Sprint Results

The results of each month's contest appear on the Friday following each month's first-Monday Sprint. They are posted here on this website. You can find results from previous months here, as well.

- Richard Fisher, KI6SN

RESULTS: June 2018 ARS Spartan Sprint

For an enlarged view, please click on the Scoreboard

SOAPBOX: June 2018 ARS Spartan Sprint

K3RLL

Once again, I was beginning to think I had forgotten to connect the antenna, but then RBN was giving me fairly reasonable spots.  Okay, antenna must be connected (this time).  Well, maybe I have the wrong evening?  Nope, my buddy from NH, KB1M answered my plaintive CQs at 01:15.  Whew! Well, if we’re getting to NH, all is well.  And then, ever so slowly, bit by bit, things started to pick up until there were (count ‘em) EIGHT contacts in the log!  Wahoo! Thanks to the extensive, hard-working staff of A.R.S. and for the patient and skilled Spartan Sprinters, we had another enjoyable night here in low sunspot country.  Hope to have the good fortune to hear you all again next month and, ... bring a friend! 72/73 … Don

K4BAI

Missed the first 20 minutes and most of the 20M activity.station in MD,, but never his call and no answers to CQs on that band.  40M seemed quite good, but ran out of stations to work after 15.  CQs on 80M produced no QSOs. Next month I hope to do better. 73/72, John, K4BAI.

KØEAP

This was my second sprint and once again I had a great time. I seem to be stuck at two contacts since that is what I had in May as well. I was calling CQ using 1W and had no takers. But I did get picked up by the beacon and I had coverage coast to coast so that was good. I thought the bands were a little tough last night. 40m was very noisy for me. So honestly I was happy with my contacts in Indiana and Iowa. Can't wait for next month. 73 de KØEAP

WB9HFK

Rig: Icom 7300 @ 5W. Antennas: 40M - Gnd Mtd Hustler 6BTV with 60 radials. 80M - 150 ft. random wire. Lots of fun as always. Sorry to those I may have missed down in the noise.

72, Mark WB9HFK

W5TM

Thanks for the QSOs. Nothing heard on 80 or 20, no answers to CQs. Using K3s running 5 watts. Low dipole. ED GILLILAND

KD3FG

It's been a number of years since I've been active in these sprints.  It was a static filled challenging evening but I persisted for 10 S&P contacts in 7 states.  I started with a couple of Texans on 20m, moved down to 40m and worked 7 Qs, then finished on 80m with 1 Q.  Highlights were: a hat-trick with WB5BKL, working a very loud KB1M in NH on 40 (true 5nn!), and stumbling onto J32FIFA special event station on 40m (did not count this in my total and I spent too much time trying to grok that callsign!).  I was uber-tubby with my K3/P3 combo and my 150m horizontal loop.  Next time I'll try calling CQ and maybe skinny ops on the back porch.  72, Jon, KD3FG in MD.

KFØN

Used an ATS-3 and T-1 Tuner. After a rather slow start, things picked up about 0122 Z.  It was nice to work Eric, KØEAP. Nice signal from that K-3, Eric. I hope to see you often in the coming months. 20 meters seemed to be open to parts of the US but no activity.  The beacons on 14.1 MHz indicated good openings to both coasts but I guess everybody assumes the low flux numbers mean no propagation.  40 M was the place to be. Conditions were quiet here for June, but July and August may be another story. Many thanks to the “regulars” who passed through my little ATS-3’s front end. I hope to see all of you in July. Larry, KFØN

N5GW

I was using my K1 at 2 watts with internal ATU, 800 mAh Lipo battery and CFZ. Started out on 20M but didn't hear any sprinters. Moving to 40M, things picked up a bit but the skip was rather short. Couldn't try 80M because I had the 40/20 board installed.

KB1M

On 20 only heard a few letters but no complete call signs. QRN on 40 was a steady S3-4, not optimum conditions but a lot of fun just the same! 10 QSO's for 10 states. 72/73, Walt

WB5BKL

K3/10 @ 5W to a 40M extended double Zepp or a 20M wire delta loop. Only 8 states this time. Best signals:  20M - KD3FG, 40m - W5TM and 80M - KD3FG again. Jon was not only my only multiple contact (3X) but also my only contact on 20 and 80M. As always, my thanks to all. Had fun.

AB9CA

Had only 30 min tonight. Started on 20 and got 1 RBN spot and 2 Q's. Moved to 40 for the remainder of the time. Got 3 spots and 9 Qs there. Only 2-bander was W5QLF. SPC's on 20 were TX MN. On 40 they were IA MN IL TX NH MI MS GA GA. Nothing further away than TX. The bands did not seem to be in very good shape. I had worked some SOTA stations during the day and they were very weak. Just poor condx it seems. Rig was K3 at 5W to 56' Inv V at 40 ft. No wire for 80 right now. Thanks to everyone who stopped by and hope to hear all of you plus more next month! 73 de dave  ab9ca

NW2K

9 on 40 and 1 on 80. 9 states.  Dipoles on each band, up 40'.  Kenwood 590s at 5w.  72, Dean

SCOREBOARD: May 2018 ARS Spartan Sprint

Please click on the Scoreboard for an enlarged view.