RULES:

Adventure Radio Society 2021 Flight of the Bumblebees, Sunday, July 25

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.

2021 ARS Flight of the Bumblebees

Sunday, July 25

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 2021 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 2021 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 25 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 2021 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 Formula:

• 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 2021 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 2021 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 email group.

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.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

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FIELD STATIONS:

Apply for a 2021 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.

2021 ARS Flight of the Bumblebees

Sunday, July 25

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 2021 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/4r3bzez3

2. OFFER THREE NUMBER OPTIONS: Check the database 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/4r3bzez3 after submitting your top three choices to see which number you have been assigned. The number listed in the database is your official 2021 FOBB number.

– 73, Richard Fisher, KI6SN,

The Adventure Radio Society

RESULTS: July 2021 ARS Spartan Sprint

 For an enlarged view, click on the Scoreboard.

SOAPBOX: July 2021 ARS Spartan Sprint

W1PID

I operated 12 minutes. 3 QSOs on 20. 4 QSOs on 40. Thanks everyone. 72 Jim W1PID

 

K3RLL

So great to be away from the hurricanes and be back in PA for the summer with a real, honest-to-goodness outdoor antenna for a change! Great propagation tonight also, with many solid-to-strong signals, 3 watts and up.  Delighted to make my 10 contacts in 29 minutes - a tribute to the skill of our Spartan Sprinters.  72/73 … Don

 

NØTA

4 on 20m, 13 on 40m. Tnx for the Q's. K3 at 5 watts. Doublet & Vertical, GenLog.

 

NØAR

I arrived about an hour late to the party and was glad the qrn hadn't left! 20 meters was marginal up here with 40 being the workhorse tonight. I ran the Kwd 590 at 5 watts and fed the 43' vertical. Rx was off the loop since the static crashes were pretty loud. Hope you all had a good Fourth of July. 72 Scott NØAR

 

K4PQC

Good weather here in Bishop, GA but not for long with a hurricane on her way....  I didn't hear any stations on 20 meters and most of the activity was on 40.  One station, W3KC, was worked both on 40 & 80.  A couple of stations answered my CQs but I couldn't pull them in...  Rig AT 3B @ 3W 160 Meter Loop at 25. Thanks to all for the Q's 72 Phil - K4PQC.

 

AG4CC

First sprint, did not hear any CQs so called CQ SP on 20m.

 

K3JZD

40m only.  Very little QSB and QRN this month.  Naked QCX transciever w/500 mAH LiPo Battery Pack running at 4w with K0MBT 3D Printed Mini-Mini Key and Earbuds to a 40m dipole up 25'.   73 - Jody - K3JZD

 

WB5BKL

K3/10 @ 5W to a 40M extended double Zepp or a 40M dipole. Worked NK6A on three bands - thanks Don!  Best signals:  15M - NK6A, 20M - NK6A, 40M - K4BAI, 80M - WA8ZBT. 80M seemed very noisy here. Two QRO QSOs not counted. Had fun.

 

W3KC

Arrived late but was able to make a few contacts on 20, 40, and 80. IC-703 @ 5 watts into an end fed  wireup 24 feet.

 

WB9HFK

Rig: Icom 7300 @ 5W. Antenna: Hustler 6BTV - Gnd Mounted with 60 Radials. Weight: 30 Lbs.

 

WA4AAK

Enjoyed working WØITT with his 1W station, and 9 others. Most were heard on 40m, a few on 20m and 80m. Ran 3W to an 80m CF Zepp. 72 to all! Evan WA4AAK Alabama

 

K4BAI

Nice sprint tonight. 2 QSOs on 40 and 16 on 80. Two were on both bands, N0TA and NK6A. Called a lot of CQs on 80, but got no replies and heard no one else in the Sprint on 80. About one hour of actual operation. 73/72, John, K4BAI.

 

 

RESULTS: June 2021 ARS Spartan Sprint

 

For an enlarged view, please click on the Scoreboard.

SOAPBOX: June 2021 ARS Spartan Sprint

WB5BKL

K3/10 @ 5W to a 40M extended double Zepp.  6 QSOs on 20M, 3 on 40 and 1 on 80. 6 states this month. Best signals: 20M - NØTA, 40 and 80M - K4BAI.  Remarkable signal:  K4PQC @ 2W! Gave up after an hour and a half, but still had fun. Holding a good thought for Andy, W5ACM (SK) . . .

W1PID

4 Qs on 40M. 1 on 20M. Thanks all.

NØTA

4 on 20m, 6 on 40m. Worked the first 45 minutes. K3, Doublet, GenLog.

K3RLL

Started out on an empty 40m band, wondering where everyone was.  Yep, 20m was open (in and out) and that's where the party was tonight. At last, there is hope for improved propagation in my lifetime!  Thanks for the nice contacts this evening and for the Spartan Sprint .  72 ... Don

K4PQC

Terrible weather here in Bishop, GA with severe lightning storms approaching.  I couldn't hear many stations so I decided to just call CQ and go as long as my battery would last.  It only lasted for one hour and this was OK as I had to shut down my station anyway because of the lightning.  Using a modified Steve Weber design ATS-3B and 160 meter loop at 25'.

WVØH

Another fun night with the little red radio. I shaved off some ounces and got my station down to 0.606 pounds using a different battery, ear buds and paddle made with some smaller wood.

K4BAI

3 QSOs on 20M; 13 QSOs on 40M; 3 QSOs on 80M.  Only one heard and not worked was WVØH on 20 and I worked Myron on 40. Thanks for all QSOs.  73/72, John, K4BAI.

K9DRP

Set up my mcHF rig for the sprint.  The LiFePO4 battery I use with it outweighs the rig! The contacts were great for the first hour But activity disappeared during the second.  K4PQC was sounding FB with 2 watts! TNX to AB9CA for 2 bands.  Worked 2 on 20, 2 on 80, and the rest on 40.  SRI to the couple stations I couldn't pull out due to QRN. 72, Don

WB9HFK

Celebrating my 50th year as an amateur radio operator.

W4NLT

Very frustrating evening. Started on 20M with 5 qsos, then shifted to 40M and 80M. That's where things fell apart. Local noise was high and although I could copy them none of the stations I called heard me. Heard WA9TGT, K4BAI and WVØH on 40M; K4BAI, WVØH and AB9CA on 80M. 73/72, Andy, W4NLT.

WA9TGT

40 meter band seemed rather noisy again, all my contacts were made on 40 meters except for 1 which was on 80 meters. I was using my KX2 with a 12v 4000 mAh 12v Lithium-ion battery. Participation in the Spartan Sprint seems pretty low again this month.

AB9CA

Ran the K3 at 5w to the usual wires. This is the first time in a looong time that 20 has been the main band. The band breakdown is 11/9/3 for 20/40/80. Total of 23. The noise seemed to be pretty bad on 40 and 80, made it tough to hear. Was hearing stations on 20 who were east of the Mississippi. Been a while since hearing that. Thanks to all for the Q's. Hope to hear everyone, and a few more, next month. 73 de Dave, AB9CA

WA4AAK

Many thanks to the unknown heroic operator who worked so hard to cut through my local QRN - wish I could have completed that contact! Made one contact on 20m, 6 on 40m, and then K4BAI and AB9CA for a second time on 80m. Always enjoy listening to such highly skilled CW operators! 72, Evan - Huntsville, AL

RESULTS: May 2021 ARS Spartan Sprint

 For an enlarged view, please click on the Scoreboard.

SOAPBOX: May 2021 ARS Spartan Sprint

 K3RLL

Not many Sprinters on 40m this evening but at least those of us there could space ourselves out easily. (But that's not usually a good sign; is it?)  40m was really up and down here in FL and very strong into New England tonight Big signal was KB1M - a nice change after months of barely copying each other.  72 and thanks for the contacts ... Don

K4BAI

Thunderstorms in GA tonight and QRN very bad on 40 and 80 Worked only VE3EDX on 20, 12 stations including NK6A in CA on 40, and AB9CA on both 40 and 80.  Hope for better conditions next month. Now that we are into summer like conditions, it will pay to start on 20M. 

73/72, John, K4BAI.

K3JZD

Used 40m only.  Seemed like pretty good conditions.  Naked 40m QCX w/500 mAH LiPo Battery Pack running 4w with K0MBT 3D Printed Mini-Mini Key and Earbuds to a 40m dipole.   73 - Jody - K3JZD

WVØH

I used my usual MTR4B-v2 but decided to exclude my Palm Paddle and larger battery (if you can call my 650mAh LiPo a ‘larger’ battery). I used an 1/8-inch stereo plug for my paddles. I rigged a wooden paddle to it from a hamburger skewer and bent the contacts of the plug to allow for single-lever iambic keying. Very fun to have the rig positioned sideways in front of me.

Here is the run down.

Total Weight: 0.62 pounds (0.112 pounds for Panasonic ear buds, battery and paddle)

Input power: 9v battery (EBL Nickel Metal Hydride)

Output power: 3W at start and 0W at 1 hour into SP; battery died.

Total QSOs: 2 on 40m, KF9NL and VE3EDX

Station fun: 100% - 72, Myron. WVØH

NØTA

Three contacts on 20, the rest on 40m. Used a QCX for both bands, which caused me to miss some weaker callers. Quite a bit of static crashes on 40m making things tough. Tried 80m but no luck. Vertical on 20, doublet on 40.

WB5BKL

K3/10 @ 5W to a 40M extended double Zepp.  Operated only 30 min - a serious electrical storm developed almost overhead at about 0130Z. Closest strike < 200 feet away.  1.5" of (much needed) rain in an hour and a half + some hail. Enjoyed 20 and 40M contacts with NØTA (x2), NK6A, VE3DX and K4BAI but pulled the plug and disconnected everything. Still had fun...

N7QR

I haven't done this one in a while.  KX3 dialed down to 5 Watts with a modified QRPGuys paddle into a Buddistik on my sister's 4th floor balcony railing in Park Ridge, IL.  Stayed on 40.  Heard no SpartanSprint contesters but a lot of stations on the air.  No answers to my half dozen CQs. A lot of fun and easier than at home in Portland OR. - Russ

WA9TGT

Using my KX2 with outboard 12V LifePo4 battery. Antenna 100’ cfzepp. I heard very few stations calling CQ SP, all 4 of my contacts were on 40 meters. Band was very noisy due to storm cell passing through.Hope next month will be better. - Donnie Garrett / WA9TGT

W5ACM

Fun times on 20M and 40M this month. I spent the first 25 minutes of the event prepping the ATS3a. It has been a few months since I last used it. With new batteries and somewhat clean key contacts, it did well. The new vertical is also a great help. Looking forward to more 20M ops next time! - 72 de Andy W5ACM, Houston, Texas.