Announcing:

 

The 43nd Annual CQ

World-Wide WPX Contest

 

SSB: March 24–25, 2001

CW: May 26–27, 2001

 

 

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, and 28 MHz bands may be used. 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, whichever is greater. All antennas must be physically connected by wires to the transmitters and receivers used by the entrant. Only the entrant’s callsign can be used to aid the entrant’s 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 are 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). Exception: One—and only one—other band may be used during any 10-minute period if—and only if—the station worked is a new multiplier. Logs found in violation of the 10-minute rule will be automatically reclassified as multi-multi.

(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, and 14 MHz and six (6) points on 7, 3.5, and 1.8 MHz.

(b) Contacts between stations on the same continent, but different countries, are worth one (1) point on 28, 21, and 14 MHz and two (2) points on 7, 3.5, and 1.8 MHz. Exception: For North American stations only—contacts between stations within the North American boundaries (both stations must be located in North America) are worth two (2) points on 28, 21, and 14 MHz and four (4) points on 7, 3.5, and 1.8 MHz.

(c) Contacts between stations in the same country 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 forms 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 U.S. 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 PAØ. All calls without numbers will be assigned a zero (Ø) after the first two letters to form the prefix. Example: XEFTJW would count as XEØ. 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. Prefixes must be assigned by the licensing authority of the country of operation.

VII. 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 on 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: 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

USA Low Power – Oklahoma DX Association

CANADA Low Power – Amateur Radio League

   of Alberta

WORLD QRP/p – Dayton Amateur Radio Asso-

   ciation

USA QRP/p – Doug Zwiebel, KR2Q

 

Single Operator, Single Band

WORLD – John N. Reichert, N4RV

WORLD 28 MHz – Alan Dorhoffer, K2EEK

   Memorial

WORLD 7 MHz – William D. Johnson, KVØQ

WORLD 3.7 Low Power – Nilay & Berkin

    Aydogmus, TA3YJ & TA3J

OCEANIA - D. Craig Boyer, AH9B

USA 28 MHz Novice/Tech – Jon Engelhardt,

   KAØZFX

USA 21 MHz – Bernie Welch , W8IMZ Memorial

USA 3.7 MHz – Lance Johnson Digital Graphics

USA 14 MHz Low Power – Boomer Contest Club

 

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

WORLD LOW POWER – Steve Bolia, N8BJQ

USA LOW POWER – Ron Stark, KU7Y

CANADA LOW POWER – Amateur Radio

    League of Alberta

ZONE 3 High Power – Jim Pratt, N6IG

 

Single Operator, Single Band

WORLD – Pedro Piza, Sr., KP4ES Memorial

WORLD 7 MHz – William D. Johnson, KVØQ

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

 

Multi-Operator, Multi-Transmitter

USA – Oklahoma DX Association

 

Contest Expedition

WORLD – Steve Bolia, N8BJQ

 

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

 

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 specially 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) Electronic submission of logs is encouraged, and in fact required for all top scoring entrants and all who use a computer to log or prepare the logs. The CABRILLO format is preferred.  Please insure that you fill out all of the header information including your club affiliation.  If you submit a CABRILLO log, no additional summary sheet is required.  If you cannot submit a CABRILLO log, you may submit the ASCII output from most of the popular logging programs such as TR, CT, NA, Writelog and SuperDuper.  You may also submit the *.BIN,*.DAT *.QDF files from CT, TR or NA.  If the log is not in CABRILLO format, a separate summary sheet is required.  Please name your files with yourcall and the file type.  Example: N8BJQ submits a CABRILLO file.  It should be named N8BJQ.CBR.  If N8BJQ chose to submit a non CABRILLO file such as TR’s .dat file, he should name  the log file N8BJQ.DAT and the summary file should be N8BJQ.SUM.  See the WPX   web site for more information on email log formats.  Logs sent on disk should be on 3.5” disks if possible.

 (i) Logs may be submitted via e-mail to <N8BJQ@ERINET.COM>.  Non CABRILLO internet or disk submissions require a summary sheet as well as the log file. All logs received via e-mail will be confirmed via e-mail. A listing of logs received can be found on the CQ WPX website at http://home.woh.rr.com/wpx/ and will be updated frequently.

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 QSOs 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 five-year period the operator is disqualified a second time, he will be ineligible for any CQ contest awards for three years.

 The use of non-amateur means such as telephones or telegrams, or the use of packet, to solicit contacts during the contest is unsportsmanlike and the entry is subject to disqualification. Actions and decisions of the WPX Contest Committee are official and final.

XIII. Deadline:

(a) All entries must be postmarked NO LATER than May 1, 2001 for the SSB section and July 1, 2001 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 paper logs go to: CQ Magazine, WPX Contest, 25 Newbridge Road, 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 <N8BJQ @ERINET.COM>.

Please remember to send in early for WPX contest log and summary sheets.

The WPX Home Page:  http://home.woh.rr.com/wpx/