PEARS has from 2003 introduced a special Microwave and Digital
contest that will run concurrently with each other. This 48-hour contest
will take place on the first weekend of July, and is open to all Southern
African amateurs. The motivation behind this contest is to encourage amateurs
to explore and
experiment
on
the bands and transmission modes of the future.
Dates and Times
The contest will commence at 18:00 SAST on the first Friday of July and closes
at 18:00 SAST on the following Sunday.
Categories
A. Microwaves: (1) Terrestrial - CW / FM / SSB
(2) EME - CW / FM / SSB
B. Digital: (1) Terrestrial - FSK441 / JT6M / JT65 / PSK31
(2) EME - JT44
Frequencies & Multipliers
A. Microwaves:
1,3 GHz x 1
2,3 GHz x 2
5,6 GHz x 3
10 GHz x 4
24 GHz x 5
47 GHz x 6
B. Digital:
50,260 - 50,280 MHz
144,260 - 144,280 MHz
432,260 - 432,260 MHz
1296,260 - 1296,280 MHz
Contestants
The contest is open to all radio amateurs in the RSA including the six neighbouring
countries: A2, C9, V5, Z2, 3DA and 7P. Amateurs may participate in both contests
but as a separate entity.
Reports and Scoring
A bona fide contact consists of an exchange of call signs, signal reports sent
and received and Maidenhead Locator.
For each band, Microwave stations claim one point per kilometre plus the respective
multiplier for that band. Digital stations also claim one point per kilometre
but multiplied by the number of grid squares worked on each band.
Rovers may work the same station more than once but each from a different grid
square. . EME stations are permitted to work any local or DX station via the
moon, but distance claimed shall be from grid square to grid square.
EME stations are permitted to work any local or DX station via the moon, but
the distance claimed shall be the grid square to grid square distance.
Microwave Stations
A microwave station may be operated as a fixed, field, multi-operator or rover
class. These stations compete countrywide with one another and the highest
score obtained on the respective band determines the winner for that band.
Digital Stations
A digital station may also be operated as a fixed, field, multi-operator or
rover class using any digital mode on the VHF and UHF bands. The score on
each band is multiplied by the number of grid squares worked. The highest
combined score obtained on all four bands, will determine the overall winner
and runner-up.
Log Sheets
Separate log sheets are required for each category worked. The top of each
log sheet must indicate Category, Name, Call Sign and Postal Address of the
contestant as well as the Maidenhead Locator. Log sheets must reflect Date,
Time, Frequency, Call Sign of Station worked, Signal reports given and received
as well as the Maidenhead Locator of the station contacted. All entries must
be submitted to PEARS before the end of July and their decision will
be final. The address is printed below.
Awards
Certificates will be presented to the winners of each category.
Further Information
For further information please contact the Port Elizabeth Amateur Radio Society,
P. O. Box 10402, Linton Grange, Port Elizabeth 6015, RSA or telephone ZS2FM
at 041 581 2425 or Cell 084 612 9600