ARLA/CLUSTER: The 2009 CQ World-Wide WPX Contest 2009

[João Gonçalves Costa]

The 2009 CQ World-Wide WPX Contest
SSB: March 28–29, 2009 CW: May 30–31, 2009

Starts: 0000 GMT Saturday Ends: 2359 GMT Sunday

I. Objective: For amateurs world wide to contact as many amateurs and
licensed prefixes as possible during the contest period.

II. Period of Operation: 48 hours. Single Operator stations may
operate 36 of the 48 hours – off times must be a minimum of 60
minutes. Multi-Operator stations may operate the full 48 hours.

III. Bands: The 1.8, 3.5, 7, 14, 21, and 28 MHz bands may be used. No
WARC bands allowed. Observance of established band plans is strongly
encouraged.

IV. Terms of Competition for All Categories:

(a) All entrants must operate within the limits of their chosen
category when performing any activity that could impact their
submitted score. Only the entrant's callsign may be used to aid the
entrant's score.

(b) A different callsign must be used for each entry.

(c) All entrants must not exceed 1500 watts total output power, or the
maximum output power of their country, or the power limit of their
entry category, whichever is less, on any band.

(d) Self-spotting or asking other stations to spot you is not allowed.

(e) All operation must take place from one operating site.
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.

(f) The entry location of a remote station is determined by the
physical location of the transmitters, receivers, and antennas. A
remote station must obey all station and category limitations.

V. Entry Categories:

A. Single Operator Categories: Only one person (the operator) can
contribute to the final score during the official contest period. QSO
alerting assistance of any kind (this includes, but is not limited to,
use of packet, local or remote call and frequency decoding technology,
Skimmer, Internet chat rooms or web sites) places the entrant in the
Single Operator Assisted category.

(a) Single Operator High (All Band or Single Band): One person
performs all of the operating and logging functions. Only one
transmitted signal is permitted at any time. QSO alerting assistance
of any kind is not allowed. Total output power must not exceed 1500
watts.

(b) Single Operator Low (All Band or Single Band): One person performs
all of the operating and logging functions. Only one transmitted
signal is permitted at any time. QSO alerting assistance of any kind
is not allowed. Total output power must not exceed 100 watts.

(c) Single Operator QRP (All Band or Single Band): One person performs
all of the operating and logging functions. Only one transmitted
signal is permitted at any time. QSO alerting assistance of any kind
is not allowed. Total output power must not exceed 5 watts.

B. Single Operator Overlay Categories. Single Operator High and Low
entrants may also submit their log for one of the categories shown
below by adding an additional line in the Cabrillo log file header
called CATEGORY-OVERLAY.

(a) Tribander/Single Element (TB-WIRES): During the contest an entrant
shall use only one (1) tribander (any type, with a single feedline
from the transmitter to the antenna) for 10, 15, and 20 meters and
single-element antennas on 40, 80, and 160 meters.

(b) Rookie (ROOKIE): To enter this category you must have been
licensed as a radio amateur three (3) years or less on the date of the
contest. Indicate the date first licensed in your Soapbox comments.

C. Single Operator Assisted Categories: Only one person (the operator)
can contribute to the final score during the official contest period.
Entrants in this category may use QSO alerting assistance.

(a) Single Operator Assisted High (All Band or Single Band): One
person performs all of the operating and logging functions. Only one
transmitted signal is permitted at any time. QSO alerting assistance
is allowed. Total output power must not exceed 1500 watts.

(b) Single Operator Assisted Low (All Band or Single Band): One person
performs all of the operating and logging functions. Only one
transmitted signal is permitted at any time. QSO alerting assistance
is allowed. Total output power must not exceed 100 watts.

D. Multi-Operator Categories (All band operation only, high power only):

(a) Single-Transmitter (MULTI-ONE): Only one transmitter and one band
permitted during a 10-minute period. Exception: One—and only one—other
band may be used during a 10-minute period if—and only if—the station
worked is a new multiplier. Ten-minute periods begin with the first
logged QSO on a band. Contacts in violation of the rule should be
shown in the log and will be removed without penalty during the log
checking. The log must indicate which transmitter made each QSO (see
rule XIII(b)). Maximum power allowed is 1500 watts total output.

(b) Multi-Two (MULTI-TWO): A maximum of two transmitted signals at any
time on different bands. Both transmitters may work any and all
stations. A station may only be worked once per band regardless of
which transmitter is used. The log must indicate which transmitter
made each QSO (see rule XIII(b)). Each transmitter may make a maximum
of 8 band changes in any clock hour (00 through 59 minutes). For
example, a change from 20 meters to 40 meters and then back to 20
meters counts as two band changes. Use a separate serial number
sequence for each band. Maximum power allowed is 1500 watts total
output.

(c) Multi-Transmitter (MULTI-MULTI): No limit to transmitters, but
only one transmitted signal (and running station) allowed per band at
any time. Use a separate serial number sequence for each band. Maximum
power allowed is 1500 watts total output.

VI. Exchange: RS(T) report plus a progressive contact serial number
starting with 001 for the first contact. Multi-operator entrants must
start with serial number 001 on each band.

VII. Contact 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.

VIII. Prefix Multipliers: The prefix multiplier is the number of valid
prefixes worked. Each PREFIX is counted only once regardless of the
band or 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 count as 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, /AD8, etc.). Portable designators without numbers will
be assigned a zero (Ø) after the second letter of the portable
designator to form the prefix. Example: PA/N8BJQ 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.

IX. Scoring (QSO Points):

1. Single Operator: (a) All Band score = total contact points from all
bands multiplied by the number of different prefixes worked (prefix
multiplier; prefixes are counted only once). (b) Single Band score =
total contact points on the band entered multiplied by the number of
different prefixes worked on that band only (prefix multiplier).

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 may be taken only once.

X. Awards: Certificates will be awarded to the highest scoring station
in each category listed under Section V . . .
1. In every participating country.
2. In each call area of the United States, Canada, Australia, Asiatic
Russia, Spain, and Japan.
3. In countries or call areas where entries justify, second- and
third-place awards may be made.

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, only contacts made on the band
specified in the Cabrillo header or summary sheet will be considered
for scoring purposes.

XI. Plaques and Donors:

Plaques are awarded to recognize top performance in a number of
categories. For a current list of plaques and sponsors, or to learn
how to become a sponsor, see the CQ WPX website:
http://www.cqwpx.com/plaques.htm.

A station winning a World plaque will not be considered for a sub-area
award. That award will be given to the runner-up for that area if the
number of entries justifies the award. Contestants who win a category
for which no plaque is sponsored may contact plaques  cqwpx.com to
arrange to order one.

XII. Club Competition: A plaque will be awarded each year to the club
that has the highest aggregate score from logs submitted by members.
The club must be a local group and not a national organization (e.g.,
ARRL or DARC). Participation is limited to members operating from a
local geographic area defined as within a 275 Km radius from center of
club area (except for DXpeditions specially organized for operation in
the contest). Single operators can only contribute to one club.
Multi-operator scores may be allocated to multiple clubs as indicated
with the entry. Please spell out the full club name in the CABRILLO
file. To be listed in the results, a minimum of three logs must be
received from a club.

XIII. Instructions for Submission of Logs:

(a) All times must be in GMT.

(b) All logs must be submitted in chronological order. Entries from
Multi-Single and Multi-Two stations must clearly indicate which
transmitter made each QSO (column 81 of Cabrillo QSO template for CQ
contests.) For multi-single, use "0" for run station and "1" for
multiplier station.

(c) The log MUST show the correct serial number sent and received for
each contact. Logs without sent and received serial numbers may be
reclassified as checklogs.

(d) We would appreciate receiving all logs in electronic format.
Electronic submission of logs is required for anyone competing for an
award and for all who use a computer to log the contest or prepare
contest logs.

(e) Single band entrants are requested to include all contacts made
during the contest period, even if on other bands. Indicate the single
band information in the Cabrillo header and only those contacts made
on the single band will be included in the scoring.

(f) The CABRILLO file format is the standard. Please make sure all of
the CABRILLO header information is included. For detailed instructions
on filling out the CABRILLO file header, see the WPX Contest website
www.cqwpx.com. Failure to fill out the header correctly can result in
your entry being placed in the wrong category or reclassified as a
checklog. U.S. stations must indicate the ARRL Section or State of
where you operated from in the CABRILLO header (e.g., ARRL-SECTION:
OH).

(g) E-mail is the expected method of log submission. SSB logs in
CABRILLO format should be sent to ssb  cqwpx.com. CW logs in CABRILLO
format should be sent to cw  cqwpx.com. In the "Subject:" line of your
e-mail message, please include only your callsign and nothing else.
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 www.cqwpx.com.

(h) Instructions for NON-CABRILLO electronic logs: If you are not able
to submit a CABRILLO log, please contact the Contest Director for
permission to submit another format.

(i) Instructions for paper logs: Official log and summary sheets are
available from CQ Communications, Inc., 25 Newbridge Road, Hicksville,
NY 11801 USA; fax (+1) 516-681-2926); or e-mail your request to CQ at
cq  cq-amateur-radio.com. You may make your own forms as long as all
required information is present. Each paper log 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. Indicate SSB or CW on your envelope.

XIV. Disqualification: Violation of amateur radio regulations in the
country of the contestant, or the rules of the contest;
unsportsmanlike conduct; taking credit for excessive unverifiable QSOs
or unverifiable multipliers will be deemed sufficient cause for
disqualification. Incorrectly logged calls will be counted as
unverifiable contacts.

ANY use by an entrant of any non-amateur means including, but not
limited to, telephones, email, Internet, Instant Messenger, chat
rooms, VoIP, or the use of packet to SOLICIT, ARRANGE, or CONFIRM any
contacts during the contest is unsportsmanlike and the entry is
subject to disqualification.

An entrant whose log is deemed by the Contest Committee to contain a
large number of discrepancies may be disqualified from eligibility for
an award, both as a participant operator or station, for one year. If
an operator is disqualified a second time within five years, he/she
will be ineligible for any CQ contest awards for three years.

XV. Declaration: By submitting an entry in the CQ WPX Contest you
agree that: 1) you have read and understood the rules of the contest
and agree to be bound by them, as well as all rules and regulations of
your country which pertain to amateur radio, 2) your log entry may be
made open to the public, and 3) all actions and decisions of the WPX
Contest Committee are official and final.

XVI. Deadline: All entries must be postmarked NO LATER than May 1,
2008 for the SSB section and NO LATER than July 1, 2008 for the CW
section. All logs, including e-mail entries, are subject to these
deadlines. Logs postmarked after the deadline may be listed in the
results, but will be ineligible for any awards.

Questions pertaining to the WPX Contest may be e-mailed to the WPX
Contest Director, Randy Thompson, K5ZD, at k5zd  cqwpx.com.



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Obrigado. CT1EPS José Carlos