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Not unlike state based QSO parties in the US, hams in Australia will present to the world a new contest next weekend, with multipliers based on local government entities known as "shires," with mobiles on the road to add in even more contest action.
"This year being the first, I am unsure just how many will actually be mobile in various shires, other than to say there will be some," said Bill Horner VK4FW, one of the main organizers.
"I do know of some stations that will set up full blown multi band stations in rare shires. All in all I think there will be plenty of stations to be chased on the bands."
One of those who will be on the road is the new contest column editor for the Wireless Institute of Australia's Amateur Radio magazine, Craig Edwards VK5HRT.
"I'll be activating a rare shire, (CO5) and operating in the dead of winter in a tent with a vertical for 40 meters and a 2 element full size yagi for 20 meters, right by the water," an excited Edwards told radio-sport.net.
"I’m the sponsor for the North American category winner so hopefully lots of people from North America will dive in to see what exotic little VK shire-fish are swimming around in the clear blue water down-under during this 24 hour period," he added.
As with any contest endeavor, it's not enough just to announce a new test, as rules have to be hammered out, publicity is needed and more.
"Over the years many contests have stagnated in this country," said Horner VK4FW, who tipped his hat to Trent Sampson VK4TI for his work to create the Shires contest.
"His knowledge as a past contest manager and a keen contester made the task of getting this right just that so much easier."
"The biggest challenge is to get the rules right from day 1," said Horner. "Many hours were spent making the final set of rules. Basically after I had a set of rules that I figured were not far off the mark we then invited about 20 contesters to look over them."
"The other big challenge was to find various contest software writers who would be prepared to put this contest into their software."
So far that reach is limited, but it's not dampening the enthusiasm.
"Obviously the more participants the better, that goes without saying," said VK4FW . But to me the most important thing of all will be that all the participants throughout the world have plenty of good old fashioned fun."
"The incredible response from VK hams to sponsor the various contest categories is also very reassuring. The whole program is so popular we had no hesitation in creating a Worked All VK Shires Award."
The inaugural VK Shires Contest runs for 24 hours from 0600z Saturday June 6 to 0600z Sunday June 7.
For more details about the contest and the new VK Shires Award, check out the vkshires.info web site.
"There are a record number of mobiles that are preparing to hit the highways of Alabama this Saturday," said Jim Johnson KC4HW.
Johnson says behind the scenes work seems to have produced a lot of stations promising to be on the air for the 2009 AQP.
"We have never (that I am aware of) had all 67 counties activated during a single event," he told radio-sport.net
"There is a "First to Work All Alabama Counties" plaque, sure would be nice to give that away for 2009!"
The Alabama QSO Party also features a club competition plaque, which can be used to generate even more activity.
Last year's winner was the Tennessee Contest Group. The Florida Contest Group was the champ back in 2007.
"Our event continues to grow and members of the Alabama Contest Group have worked very hard to promote the participation and activity both within and outside of Alabama," added Johnson.
"This is shaping up to be our best event ever."
You can find out more information about the rules and the running of this year's contest at the Alabama QSO Party website.
