Monday, February 6, 2012

2012 ARRL DX Contest Rules



2012 ARRL DX Contest Rules

1. Mission, Definitions, and Objectives:

1.1. Mission: 
Encourage W/VE stations to expand knowledge of DX propagation on the HF and MF bands, improve operating skills, and improve station capability by creating a competition in which DX stations may only contact W/VE stations.

1.2. Definitions

1.2.1. W/VE stations are those operating in the following locations:

1.2.1.1. The United States and the District of Columbia with the exception of Alaska and Hawaii

1.2.1.2. Canadian provinces and territories with the exception of the
DXCC entities St. Paul Island and Sable Island

1.2.2. DX stations are any non-W/VE station. This includes US possessions and territories in the Caribbean and Pacific.

1.2.3. DXCC entities are defined by the ARRL DXCC List.

1.2.4. An electronic log or entry consists of any log submitted by electronic means, such as by email or memory device.

1.2.5. An automated, multi-channel decoder is a device such as CW Skimmer that provides information about the identity and frequency of contest station transmissions while functioning independently of the operator's direct control and participation.

1.3. Objectives

1.3.1. W/VE amateurs work as many DX stations in as many DXCC entities as possible on the 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meter bands.

1.3.2. DX stations work as many W/VE stations in as many of the 48 contiguous states and provinces as possible.


2.  Date and Contest Period:

2.1. CW: Third full weekend in February (February 18-19, 2012).

2.2. Phone: First full weekend in March (March 3-4, 2012).

2.3. Contest Period: Separate contests of 48 hours for each mode from 0000 UTC Saturday through 2359 UTC Sunday.




3. Entry Categories:

3.1. Single Operator:

The use of spotting assistance or automated, multi-channel decoders is NOT
permitted.

3.1.1. QRP: 5 watts transmitter output or less.

3.1.2. Low Power:  150 watts transmitter output or less.

3.1.3. High Power: Maximum transmitter output of 1500 watts or license limit, whichever is less.

3.2. Single Operator Unlimited:

The use of spotting assistance or automated, multi-channel decoders is permitted.

3.2.1. Low Power: 150 watts transmitter output or less.

3.2.2. High Power: Maximum transmitter output of 1500 watts or license limit, whichever is less.

3.3. Single Operator, Single Band

3.3.1. A participant may submit only one Single Band entry. If contacts are made on other bands, the log header or summary sheet must declare the entry as Single Band.

3.3.2. Only one Single Band entry may be submitted for a specific call sign.

3.3.3. There are no power sub-categories for Single Band entries.

3.3.3. Single Band entries are NOT permitted to use spotting assistance. Use of spotting assistance will cause the entry to be reclassified to the Single Operator Unlimited, High Power category.

3.4. Multioperator:

3.4.1. Single Transmitter. No more than one transmitted signal at any given time is permitted.

3.4.1.1. High Power: Maximum transmitter output of 1500 watts or license limit, whichever is less.

3.4.1.2. Low Power: 150 watts transmitter output or less.

3.4.2. Two Transmitter. No more than two transmitted signals at any given time are permitted. Only one signal per band at any given time is permitted.

3.4.2.1. There are no power sub-categories for Two Transmitter entries.

3.4.2.2. Two Transmitter sub-category entries must identify the transmitter making the contact in the submitted electronic log according to the
Cabrillo format standard or by an unambiguous notation in a paper log.

3.4.3. Multitransmitter. A maximum of one transmitted signal per contest band at any given time is permitted.

3.4.3.1. There are no power sub-categories for Multitransmitter entries.

3.4.3.2. Multitransmitter stations must submit a separate, chronological log for each band for the entire contest period.

3.4.4 Band Changes. Single Transmitter and Two Transmitter sub-category entries are limited to six (6) band changes per clock hour per transmitter.

3.4.4.1 Clock hours are counted from 00-59 minutes, not as any 60 consecutive minutes.

3.4.4.2 A band change consists of two consecutive contacts on different bands. For example, a change from 20 meters to 40 meters and then back to 20 meters constitutes two band changes. Violation of the Band Change rule or improper logging will result in an entry reclassification to the Multioperator, Multitransmitter class.

4. Contest Exchange:

4.1. W/VE stations send signal report and state or province.

4.2. DX stations send signal report and power (number or abbreviation indicating approximate transmitter output power).

5. Scoring:

5.1. QSO Points - W/VE stations count three points per DX QSO. DX stations count three points per W/VE QSO.

5.2. Multipliers

5.2.1. W/VE stations: Sum of DXCC entities (except US and Canada) worked per band.

5.2.2. DX stations: Sum of US states (except KH6/KL7), District of Columbia (DC), and Canadian provinces/territories: NB (VE1, 9), NS (VE1), QC (VE2), ON (VE3), MB (VE4), SK (VE5), AB (VE6), BC (VE7), NT (VE8), NL (VO1 – see note, LB (VO2 – see note), NU (VYØ), YT (VY1), PE (VY2) worked per band (maximum of 63 per band).  Note – although VO1 and VO2 have been officially merged into a single province, they are counted separately in this contest for reasons of tradition.

5.3. Final Score: QSO points multiplied by total multipliers

6. Miscellaneous:

6.1. The station call sign must identify the station’s location as defined by the DXCC List. (KH6XYZ/W1 in Maine, KG4/W1INF at Guantanamo Bay, etc).

6.2. The same station may be worked only once per band

6.3. No cross-mode or repeater contacts are permitted.

6.4. Aeronautical mobile and maritime mobile stations outside the US and Canada may be worked by W/VE stations for QSO credit only.

6.5. As defined in the ARRL Affiliated Club Competition rules, DXpedition scores may be included only in the Medium and Unlimited club totals.

6.6. Participants should be aware of the ARRL Band Plans.

7. Submission:

7.1. Entries for the CW competition must be emailed or postmarked by 2359 UTC March 20, 2012.

7.2. Entries for the Phone competition must be emailed or postmarked by 2359 UTC April 3, 2012.

7.3. Electronic entries for the CW competition must be emailed to DXCW@arrl.org

7.4. Electronic entries for the Phone competition must be emailed to DXPhone@arrl.org

7.5. Electronic entries must be in the Cabrillo format, including both the log and station information.  Paper entries must include a summary sheet.

7.5.1. Paper copies of electronic logs are not an acceptable substitute for an electronic Cabrillo format file. Paper logs that are converted to an electronic entry after the contest are considered electronic logs.

7.6. Hand-written paper entries or logs submitted on memory devices such as diskettes must be mailed to: ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111 with the envelope marked as either DX Phone or DX CW.

7.7. Entries for the CW and Phone portions of the competition must be submitted separately.

7.8. The web applet at www.b4h.net/cabforms may be used to generate an electronic entry from paper or non-Cabrillo electronic logs.

7.9. Contest log sheets, summary sheets, and rules may be requested from the ARRL by sending an SASE with two units of first-class postage.

8. Awards:

8.1. Plaques. Plaques (if sponsored) will be awarded to stations in the following categories for both the CW and Phone contests.
8.1.1. Top W/VE score in the following categories: Single Operator, All Band, QRP
Single Operator, All Band, Low Power
Single Operator, All Band, High Power
Single Operator, Single Band (160-10 Meters) Single Operator Unlimited, High Power
Single Operator, Unlimited, Low Power Multioperator, Single Transmitter, High Power Multioperator, Single Transmitter, Low Power Multioperator, Two Transmitter
Multioperator, Multitransmitter

8.1.2. Top score in the Single Operator, All Band category, worldwide and on each continent.
8.1.3. Top score worldwide in the following categories: Single Operator, All Band, QRP
Single Operator, All Band, Low Power
Single Operator, Single Band (160-10 Meters) Single Operator Unlimited, High Power
Single Operator, Unlimited, Low Power Multioperator, Single Transmitter, High Power Multioperator, Single Transmitter, Low Power Multioperator, Two Transmitter
Multioperator, Multitransmitter

8.1.4. Additional special plaques will be awarded as sponsored.

8.2. Certificates. Certificates will be awarded to:

8.2.1. Top Single Operator, All Band entries (QRP, Low Power, and High Power)
from each DXCC entity and ARRL/RAC Section.

8.2.2. Top Single Band entries in each ARRL/RAC section and each DXCC
entity.

8.2.3. Top Single Operator Unlimited entries in each ARRL/RAC Section and each DXCC entity.

8.2.4. Top Multioperator entries (Single, Two, and Multitransmitter) in each
DXCC entity, US call area and in Canada.

8.2.5. DX stations submitting an entry with more than 500 QSOs on either mode will receive certificates.

8.2.6. Additional certificates will be awarded as appropriate.

9. Other:

9.1. "General Rules for All ARRL Contests" and "General Rules for ARRL Contests on bands below 30 MHz (HF)" apply unless specifically noted in the rules for this contest.

9.2. For information, contact contests@arrl.org or by phone (860) 594-0232.

2012 ARRL International DX Pins

The ARRL Contest Branch is again offering pins for the 2012 International DX Contest. The sharp four-color design will prominently display the year 2012. To earn the International DX Contest pin, all you need to do is complete 100 QSOs in either the CW or Phone contest weekends. There are not separate pins for each mode. You may contact the same station on different bands. The cost is $7 (US) in the US, its possessions and Canada, and $10 for others (postage included). Your pins will be shipped once all logs
for the contest have been processed and verified by the log checking team for publication in QST.

To purchase your pin, send a copy of the header of your Cabrillo format log file including number of contacts or a copy of your paper summary sheet along with your payment to:

DX Contest Pins
ARRL
225 Main St. Newington, CT 06111

Pins are only guaranteed for orders received by April 2, 2012.



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