LZ DX Contest – Frequently Asked Questions
- Is it allowed to work in more than one category?
You are allowed to claim participation in your summary sheet in only one category, but you are encouraged to operate for example on all bands in case you claim score in SOSB category. Put all the contacts you have made into your log. The computer will find out the score in the claimed category. The rest QSOs will be treated like check log.
- Is it allowed to use DX cluster during the contest?
Use of the DX cluster is allowed, but the self-spotting is NOT!
- Is my QSO considered valid in case receiving station haven’t received exchange sent by me correctly?
The QSO of the transmitting station is valid, but the QSO for the receiving station will be invalid.
- What happens in case the transmitting station is not transmitting its exchange correctly (ITU zone or LZ district abbreviation)?
The QSO of the receiving station that received the “wrong” exchange correctly is counted valid, but the QSO of the transmitting station will not be counted valid. This QSO however will not be counted as multiplier for the RX station! Logs of stations transmitting wrong ITU zone (LZ district abbreviation) will be treated like check logs.
- A station is transmitting wrong ITU zone or non-standard LZ district abbreviation. What should I put in the log - received wrong zone (wrong LZ district abbreviation) or correct zone (correct LZ district abbreviation) taken from the official source of information?
You should put in the log the ITU zone (LZ district abbreviation) really transmitted by the other station.
- Is it allowed using more than one transceiver?
Yes, it is allowed to use any number of transceivers, but only one signal at any given time should be on the air.
- How often operator may change band or mode? Are there restrictions on band or mode changes for multi operators stations?
After changing the mode, the operator in any of the categories should stay on this mode for at least 10 min. Band changes are allowed without restrictions for all categories. During the band change the entrant must also observe the 10min rule for mode.
Example - if one was on 20m SSB for 5 min and change to 15m band he/she must continue to operate on SSB for another 5 min before changing the mode to CW 15m.
- Is it allowed to send logs in Cabrillo, Word, etc.?
You are encouraged to send log files in CABRILLO format.
Log files in any other electronic format are accepted too, but consider that the Contest Committee needs much more time to convert all files into an appropriate format. So, please try to make our life easier – THANKS!
- If I use computer logging should I send paper copy of my log?
The Contest Committee encourages participants to send logs by email or on floppy disc.
- Is it allowed to send the summary sheet and QSOs log in the same file?
Yes! Contest Committee recommends putting the summary sheet information in the beginning of the file.
- If I am not using a computer logging will the Contest Committee accept my paper log?
Yes, but consider that the Contest Committee needs much more time to convert all paper logs into an appropriate electronic format. So, we strongly advise participants to use computer logging and to send logs via e-mail. Participants who pretend to place in top three in their respective category MUST send an electronic log via e-mail.
- I have done my logging on paper, shall I transform it into computer log?
Contest Committee encourages participants to submit their logs in electronic forms (email, floppy disk). You can use any text editor and submit ASCII file, but CABRILLO format is the preferable one.
- Should I submit my log band by band or in chronological order?
Submit it as you want.
- Should I count points and multipliers in my log?
As you want, but it isn’t necessary. The log-checking program will do it for you.
- Should I mark duplicate QSO's in my log?
No, every QSO, even duplicate, should be put in the log. The log-checking program will mark duplicate QSO’s. They will count zero points, no penalty points will be applied. If the first QSO is invalid (e.g. wrong received exchange), the second QSO will give you necessary points or multiplier, if the received exchange is correct.
- What shall I do if after the contest I notice that my computer clock is not correct - e.g. 7 minutes fast or slow, or is 1 hour ahead or back?
You have to correct this time shift in your log. If you will not, you may lose points.
Only QSOs with time difference up to 10 minutes in between both logs will be counted as valid.
- If particular call in my log is unique will this QSO be counted as valid?
Yes, but the Contest Committee will check in detail all unique calls of the top three stations in every category. If the number of the unique calls found to be “bad” exceeds 30 % of all unique QSOs in the log, then this log will be treated as check log. A unique call WILL NOT be counted as multiplier.
- How can I get my UBN file (list of mistakes)?
You can receive your UBN report via e-mail from the Contest Committee upon request made only by e-mail.
- Are the decisions of the Contest Committee final?
Yes, all decisions of the Contest Committee are official and final!