CQ WPX Contest Rules

The CQ WPX Awards Program

The CQ WPX Awards Program

The CQ WPX Award recognizes the accomplishments of confirmed QSOs with the many prefixes used by amateurs throughout the world. Separate, distinctively marked certificates are available for SSB, CW, and Mixed (CW and SSB/Phone). Please note that CQ is no longer issuing VPX and WPNX awards.

1. Applications

A. All applications for WPX certificates (and endorsements) must be submitted on the official application form (CQ 1051). This form may be obtained by sending a self-addressed, stamped, business-size (4 9 inch) envelope to the WPX Award Manager, Norm Koch, WN5N, P.O. Box 593, Clovis, NM 88101. It is also available on CQ's website at <www.cq-amateur-radio.com/awardapps.html>. Computer printouts with a minimum of 10-point size type are acceptable provided they conform somewhat to the CQ 1051 application form.

B. All call letters must be in strict alphabetical order and only the entire call letters are required and must be shown.

C. All QSOs must be made from the same country.

D. All entries must be clearly legible.

E. Certificates are issued for HF (16010) for the following modes and number of prefixes. VHF contacts do not count for the WPX Awards program. WARC band contacts are not acceptable. Cross-mode QSOs are not valid for the CW or Two-way SSB certificates.

Mixed (CW and SSB/Phone only): 400 prefixes confirmed.

CW: 300 prefixes confirmed.

Two-way SSB: 300 prefixes confirmed.

A separate application is required for each mode.

F. Cards need not be sent, but they must be in the possession of the applicant. Any and all cards may be requested by the WPX Award Manager or by the CQ Awards Committee.

G. The application fee for each certificate is $6.00 for CQ subscribers (subscribers must include a recent CQ mailing label, or a photocopy of it) and $12.00 for non-subscribers, or the equivalent in IRCs at $.50 each.

H. All applications and endorsement requests should be sent to the WPX Award Manager.

2. Endorsements

A. Prefix endorsements are issued for each 50 additional prefixes submitted. Minimum submission at any one time is 50 prefixes.

B. Band endorsements are available for working the following numbers of prefixes on the various bands: 1.8 MHz 50, 3.5 MHz 175, 7 MHz 250, 14 MHz 300, 21 MHz 300, 28 MHz 300.

C. Continent endorsements are available for working the following numbers of prefixes in the respective continents: North America 160, South America 95, Europe 160, Africa 90, Asia 75, Oceania 60.

D. Endorsement applications may be submitted by computer printout or on CQ form 1051. Use a separate application for each mode of your endorsement application.

E. For prefix endorsements, list only additional call letters confirmed since the last endorsement application.

F. A self-addressed, stamped envelope or proper IRCs for surface or airmail return is required, and $1.00 or 2 IRCs for each endorsement sticker.

3. Prefixes

A. The letter/numeral combinations which form the first part of the amateur call will be considered the prefix. Examples: K6, N6, WD4, HG1, HG19, WB2, KC2, OE2, U3, ZS66, etc. Any difference in the numbering, lettering, or order of same shall constitute a separate prefix.

B. A prefix will be considered if licensed by the governing authority in the country of operation after November 15, 1945.

C. In cases of portable operation in another country or call area, the portable designator would then become the prefix. Example: WN5N/7 would count as W7, J6/WN5N would count as J6, KH6/WN5N would count as KH6, etc. Portable designators without numbers will be assigned a zero (_) at the end of the designator to form the prefix. Example: LX/WN5N would count as LX_. When claiming a prefix which has been sent as KC5KKY/XV5, for example, if you are claiming the XV5 for credit, it is requested that the claimed prefix be listed in the proper alphabetical position, such as XV5/KC5KKY, if for XV5, or KC5KKY/XV5 if for KC5. The portable prefix must be an authorized prefix of the country/area of operation. Maritime mobile, mobile, /A, /E, /J, /P, or interim license class identifiers do not count as prefixes.

D. All calls without numbers will be assigned a zero (_) plus the first two letters to form a prefix. Examples: XEFTJW would count as XE_, RAEM would count as RA_, AIR as AI_, etc.

WPX Honor Roll

The WPX Honor Roll recognizes the operators and stations that maintain a high standing in confirmed, current prefixes. The rules, therefore, reflect the belief that Honor Roll membership should be accessible to all active radio amateurs and not be unduly advantageous to the "old timers." With the exceptions listed below, all general rules for WPX apply toward Honor Roll credit.

A minimum of 600 prefixes is required to be eligible for the WPX Honor Roll. No certificates are issued, but a listing of members appears in CQ every other month.

A. Only current prefixes will be counted toward the WPX Honor Roll standings. A list of prefixes to be removed from the Honor Roll is available from the WPX Award Manager for an SASE. Prefixes will be deleted from the Honor Roll listing two years after they are no longer authorized for use by the governing authority or by the ITU.

B. Special-issue prefixes (i.e., OF, OS, 4A, etc.) will be considered current for as long as they are assigned to a particular country and deducted as credit for Honor Roll standings after cessation of their use or assignment.

C. Honor Roll applicants must submit their list of current prefixes (entire call required) separate from their regular WPX applications. Use regular form 1051 or a computer printout as long as it conforms closely to the 1051 form. Indicate Honor Roll and mode desired. Forms may be obtained by sending a business-size, self-addressed, stamped envelope or 1 IRC (foreign stations send extra postage or IRCs if airmail is desired) to the WPX Award Manager. A separate application must be made for each mode. Lifetime Honor Roll fee for each mode is $10.00.

A computer printout of your individual Honor Roll file may be obtained from the WPX Award Manager for $6.00 plus a self-addressed envelope and sufficient loose postage for return. Excess postage will be returned.

D. Endorsements for the Honor Roll may be made for 25 or more prefixes. A $1.00 endorsement fee plus an SASE or IRC is to be included. For prefixes by countries see the Callbook listings.

WPX Award of Excellence

This is the ultimate award for the prefix DXer. The requirements are 1000 prefixes in Mixed mode, 600 prefixes in SSB, 600 prefixes in CW, all 6 continental endorsements, and the 5 band endorsements 8010 meters. A special 160 meter endorsement bar is also available.

The WPX Award of Excellence plaque fee is $60.00. The 160 meter bar is $5.25.

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