CQ World-Wide WPX Contest

Announcing:

The 43rd Annual CQ
World-Wide WPX Contest

SSB: March 25-26, 2000
CW: May 27-28, 2000

Starts: 0000 GMT Saturday Ends: 2400 GMT Sunday

I. Contest Period	Only 36 hours of the 48 hour contest period permitted for Single Operator stations. Off periods must be a minimum of 60 minutes in length and clearly marked in the log. Listening time counts as operating time. Multi-Operator stations may operate the full 48 hours.
II. Objective	Object of the contest is for amateurs around the world to contact as many amateurs in other parts of the world as possible during the contest period.
III. Bands	The 1.8, 3.5, 7, 14, 21 & 28 MHz bands may be use. No WARC bands.
IV. Types of Competition	(For All Categories) All entrants must operate within the limits of their chosen category when performing any activity that could impact their submitted score. Transmitters and receivers must be located within a 500 meter diameter circle or within the property limits of the station licensee, which ever is greater. All antennas must be physically connected by wires to the transmitters and receivers used by the entrant. Only the entrants callsign can be used to aid the entrants score. 1. Single Operator (Single band and All band) (a). Single operator stations are those at which one person performs all of the operating, logging and spotting functions. Only one transmitted signal is allowed at any time. (b) Low Power: Same as 1 (a) except that output power shall not exceed 100 watts. Stations in this category will compete with other low power stations only. (c) QRP/p: Same as 1 (a) except that output power shall not exceed 5 watts. Stations in this category will compete with other QRP/p stations only. (d) Assisted: Same as 1(a) except the passive use (no self spotting) of DX spotting nets or other forms of DX alerting is permitted. Stations in this category will compete with other Assisted stations only. (e) Tribander/Single Element (TS): Tribander (any type) with a single feedline from the transmitter to the antenna and single element (TS) category. During the contest, an entrant shall use only one (1) tribander for 10,15,20 meters and single element antennas on 40,80 and 160. (f) Band Restricted (BR): An eligible entrant must hold a license restricting operation to less than the six (6) contest bands (160,80,40,20,15,10) on both modes. Examples of such licenses are: novice, technician, 4 class license etc. Since frequency privileges differ from country to country, competition is within one's own country. (g) Rookie (R): An entrant in this category shall have been licensed as a radio amateur three (3) years or less. 2. Multi Operator (All band operation only) (a) Single-Transmitter: Only one transmitter and one band permitted during the same time period (defined as 10 minutes). (b) Multi-Transmitter: No limit to transmitters, but only one signal and running station allowed per band. Note: All transmitters and receivers must be located within a 500 meter diameter area or within property limits of the station licensee, whichever is greater. All operation must take place from the same operating site.
V. Exchange	RS(T) report plus a progressive contact three digit serial number starting with 001 for the first contact. (Continue to four digits if past 999). Multi operator multi transmitter stations use separate serial numbers for each band.
VI. Points	(a) Contacts between stations on different continents are worth three (3) points on 28, 21 & 14 MHz and six (6) points on 7, 3.5 & 1.8 MHz. (b) Contacts between stations on the same continent, but different countries, are worth one (1) point on 28, 21 & 14 MHz and two (2) points on 7, 3.5 & 1.8 MHz. Exception: For North American stations only - contacts between stations with the North American boundaries are worth two (2) points on 28, 21 & 14 MHz and four (4) points on 7, 3.5 & 1.8 MHz. (c) Contacts between stations in the same country are are worth 1 point regardless of band.
VII. Multiplier	The multiplier is the number of "valid" prefixes worked. A PREFIX is counted only once regardless of the number of times the same prefix is worked. (a) A PREFIX is the letter/numeral combination which form the first part of the amateur call. Examples: N8, W8, WD8, HG1, HG19, KC2, OE2, OE25, etc. Any difference in the numbering, lettering, or order of same shall constitute a separate prefix. A station operating from a DXCC country different from that indicated by its callsign is required to sign portable. The portable prefix must be an authorized prefix of the country/call area of operation. In cases of portable operation, the portable designator will then become the prefix. Example N8BJQ operating from Wake Island would sign N8BJQ/KH9 or N8BJQ/NH9. KH6XXX operating from Ohio must use an authorized prefix for the US 8th district (W8, K8, etc.). Portable designators without numbers will be assigned a zero (0) after the second letter of the portable designator to form the prefix. Example: N8BJQ/PA would become PA0. All calls without numbers will be assigned a zero (0) after the first two letters to form the prefix. Example XEFTJW would count as XE0. Maritime mobile, mobile, /A, /E, /J, /P or interim license class identifiers do not count as prefixes. (b) Special event, commemorative, and other unique prefix stations are encouraged to participate.
VIII. Scoring	1. Single Operator: (a) All Band score = total QSO points from all bands multiplied by the number of different prefixes worked (prefixes are counted only once). (b) Single band score = total QSO points on the band multiplied by the number of different prefixes worked. 2. Multi Operator: Scoring is the same as Single Operator, All Band. 3. A station may be worked once one each band for QSO point credit. Prefix credit can be taken only once.
IX. QRP/p Section	Single Operator only. Output power must not exceed 5 watts. You must denote QRP/p on the summary sheet and state the actual maximum output power used for all claimed contacts. Results will be listed in a separate QRP/p section and certificates will be awarded to each top scoring QRP/p station in the order indicated in Section XI.
X. Low Power Section	Low Power Section: Single Operator only. Output power must not exceed 100 watts. You must indicate low power on the summary sheet and state the actual maximum output power used for all claimed contacts. Results will be listed in a separate low power section and certificates will be awarded to each top scoring low power station in the order indicated in Section XI.
XI. Awards	Certificates will be awarded to the highest scoring station in each category listed under Section IV; 1. In every participating country 2. In each call area of the United States, Canada, Australia and Asiatic Russia All scores will be published. To be eligible for an award, a single operator station must show a minimum of 12 hours of operation and multi operator stations must show a minimum of 24 hours of operation. A single band log will be eligible for a single band award only. If a log contains more than one band, it will be judged as an all band entry unless specified otherwise. In countries or sections where entries justify, second and third place awards will be made.
XII. Trophies, Plaques, and Donors	SSB Single Operator, All Band WORLD - Stanley Cohen, WD8QDQ USA - Atilano de Oms, PY5EG EUROPE - Jim Hoffman, N5FA SOUTH AMERICA - Ron Moorefield, W8ILC OCEANIA- Phillip Fraizer, K6ZM Memorial AFRICA- Peter Sprengel, PY5CC * JAPAN - The DX Family Foundation WORLD Low Power - Steve Bolia, N8BJQ CANADA Low Power - Amateur Radio League of Alberta WORLD QRP/p - Dayton Amateur Radio Association USA QRP/p - Doug Zwiebel, KR2Q Single Operator, Single Band WORLD - John N. Reichert, N4RV WORLD 7 MHz - William D. Johnson, KV0Q OCEANIA - D. Craig Boyer, AH9B USA 28 MHz Novice/Tech - Jon Engelhardt, KA0ZFX USA 21 MHz - Bernie Welch , W8IMZ Memorial USA 3.7 MHz - Lance Johnson Digital Graphics Multi-Operator, Single Transmitter USA - D. Craig Boyer, AH9B Multi-Operator, Multi Transmitter NORTH AMERICA - Burt Curwen, KL7IRT Memorial USA - Glenn Tracey, KC3EK Contest Expedition WORLD - Kansas City DX Club * CW Single Operator, All Band** WORLD - Steve Bolia, N8BJQ USA - Dennis Motschenbacher, K7BV EUROPE - Ivo Pezer, 5B4ADA/9A3A OCEANIA - Tom Morton, K6CT CANADA - Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) * JAPAN - The DX Family Foundation USA Low Power - Ron Stark, KU7Y CANADA Low Power - Amateur Radio League of Alberta Single Operator, Single Band WORLD - Pedro Piza Sr, KP4ES Memorial WORLD 7 MHz - William D. Johnson, KV0Q WORLD 3.5 MHz - Lance Johnson Digital Graphics OCEANIA - D. Craig Boyer, AH9B USA - Kansas City DX Club USA 28 MHz - Bernie Welch, W8IMZ Memorial USA 21 MHz - Wayne Carroll, W4MPY Multi Operator, Single Transmitter WORLD - Ron Blake, N4KE USA - Austin Regal, N4WW Contest Expedition WORLD - Ed Roller, K4IA * Combined SSB/CW Single Operator, All Band** WORLD - Al Slater, G3FXB Memorial EUROPE - Les Nouvelles DX Group USA - D. Craig Boyer, AH9B Club (SSB & CW) WORLD - CQ Magazine USA - Oklahoma DX Association * Donor is responsible for this trophy A station winning a World trophy will not be considered for a sub-area award. That trophy will be awarded to the runner-up for that area if the returns justify the award.
XIII. Club Competition	A trophy will be awarded each year to the club or group that has the highest aggregate scores from logs submitted by members. The club must be a local group and not a national organization. Participation is limited to members operating within a local geographical area (Exception: DXpeditions especially organized for operation in the contest and manned by members.) Indicate your club affiliation on the summary sheet. To be eligible for an award, a minimum of three logs must be received from a club.
XIV. Log Instructions	(a) All times must be in GMT. All breaks must be clearly marked. Single operator and multi-single logs must be submitted in chronological order. Multi-multi logs must be submitted chronologically by band. (b) All sent and received exchanges are to be logged. (c) Prefix multipliers should be entered only the FIRST TIME they are worked. (d) Logs must be checked for duplicate contacts, correct QSO points, and prefix multipliers. Duplicate contacts must be clearly shown. Computerized logs must be checked for typing accuracy. Original logs may be requested if further cross-checking is required. (e) An alpha/numeric check list of claimed PREFIX multipliers must be submitted with your log. (f) Each entry must be accompanied by a Summary Sheet listing all scoring information, the category of competition, and the entrant's name and mailing address in BLOCK LETTERS. Also submit a signed declaration that all contest rules and regulations for amateur radio in the country of operation have been observed. (g) Official log and summary sheets are available from CQ for an SASE with sufficient postage. If official forms are not available, you may make your own. (h) Disk submission of logs is encouraged. CT's .BIN file or .ALL file, N6TR's .DAT file, NA's .QDF file are preferred. An ASCII file containing all required information is also acceptable. Disk files must be in chronological order for single operator and multi-single stations and chronological by band for multi-multi stations. Please label your disks and name your files with the call used (example: N8BJQ.BIN or N8BJQ.DAT). Disks or electronic files are required from all top scoring stations and those that use a computer to prepare the logs. (i) Logs may be submitted via E-mail to [email protected]. Internet submissions will also require a summary sheet and prefix multiplier sheet. Logs received via E-mail will be confirmed via E-mail upon receipt.
XV. Disqualification	Violation of amateur radio regulations in the country of the contestant, or the rules of the contest, unsportsmanlike conduct, taking credit for excessive duplicate contacts, unverifiable QSO's or multipliers will be deemed sufficient cause for disqualification. An entrant whose log is deemed by the WPX contest committee to contain a large number of discrepancies may be disqualified as a participant operator or station for a period of one year. If within a 5 year period the operator is disqualified a second time, he will be ineligible for any CQ contest awards for 3 years. The use of non-amateur means such as telephones, telegrams, packet etc. to solicit contacts or multipliers during the contest is unsportsmanlike and the entry is subject to disqualification. Actions and decisions of the WPX Contest Committee are official and final.
XVI. Deadline	a) All entries must be postmarked NO LATER than May 10, 2000 for the SSB section and July 10, 2000 for the CW section. E-mail logs are also subject to these deadlines. Indicate SSB or CW on your envelope. One extension of up to 30 days, for legitimate reasons, may be granted if requested from the contest director. Logs postmarked after the deadline, or extension deadline, if granted, may be listed in the results, but will be ineligible for any awards. All logs go to: CQ Magazine, WPX Contest, 25 Newbridge Rd, Hicksville NY 11801 USA. Questions pertaining to the WPX contest can be sent to WPX Contest Director, Steve Bolia, N8BJQ, 7354 Thackery Road, Springfield OH 45502 USA, or via e-mail to [email protected]. Please remember to send in early for WPX contest log and summary sheets.