The ARRL Contest Rate Sheet is getting a new look and name this week. Now known as the ARRL Contest Update -- News and Techniques for the Active Operator, the biweekly e-letter offers a useful source of timely information for both the active and casual contester. The Contest Update includes information about events during the following two-week period, time-sensitive news items, upcoming deadlines, and other news of interest to contesters.

The Contest Update will be sent out in a combined HTML and text-only format (readers who prefer text-only will still be able to read it that way using most e-mail clients). The HTML format will present a more attractive newsletter that is easier to read, and photos and graphics will also be included for the first time. According to Contest Update Editor H. Ward Silver, N0AX, "We're going to start slow with a limited amount of HTML snazziness and a few photos. Please bear with us during the growing pain period and soon the HTML version will seem like the old friend that the text-only version has become."

To subscribe to the Contest Update, ARRL members first must register on the Members Only portion of the ARRL Web site. During registration, members will have an opportunity to sign up for e-mail delivery of various ARRL e-newsletters, such as The ARRL Letter and the ARRL Contest Update, as well as W1AW bulletins, and other material. ARRL members may subscribe to the ARRL Contest Update by going to the Member Data Page. You must be logged in to the site to access this page. Scroll down to the section "Which of the following would you like to receive automatically via email from ARRL?" Check the box for "ARRL Contest Update (biweekly contest newsletter)" and you're all set. ARRL e-letters are free for ARRL members.