ARRL International DX Contest 
=============================

Eligibility: Amateurs worldwide

Object:
-------
W/VE amateurs work as many amateur stations in as many DXCC countries of the
world as possible on 1.8 to 30 MHz, excluding the 10, 18 and 24-MHz bands.
Foreign amateurs work as many W/VE stations in as many states and provinces
as possible

Categories:
-----------
(A) Single Operator
    One person performs all operating and logging functions. Use of spotting
    nets (operating arrangements involving assistance through DX-alerting
    nets, PacketClusters, etc) is not permitted. Single-operator stations
    are allowed only one transmitted signal at any given time. (Note: This
    does not permit multiple single-band entries from the same station).
    1) All band
       (A) QRP: 5-W output or less
       (B) Low Power: 150-W output or less
       (C) High Power: more than 150-W output
    2) Single band (one only). Single-band entrants who make contacts on
       other bands should submit logs for checking purposes. 
(B) Single Operator Assisted
    One person performs all operating, monitoring and logging functions.
    Single-operator assisted stations are allowed only one transmitted
    signal at any given time. The use of spotting nets and assistance
    through other alerting systems not physically located at the station
    (operating arrangements involving assistance through DX-alerting nets,
    PacketClusters, etc) are allowed. There are no restrictions on the
    number of band changes or the length of time spent on a band.
(C) Multioperator--More than one person operates, checks for duplicates,
    keeps the log, etc. 
    (1) Single Transmitter. One transmitted signal at any given time. Once
        the station has begun operation on a given band, it must remain on 
        that band for at least 10 minutes; listening time counts as
        operating time. Multioperator, single transmitter stations must
        keep a single, chronological log for the entire contest period.
        Violation of the 10-minute rule or improper logging will result in
        an entrant's reclassification to the unlimited multi-multi class
        (see below). 
    (2) Two transmitter. A maximum of two transmitted signals at any given
        time, on different bands. Once either station has begun operation on
        a given band, it must remain on that band for at least 10 minutes;
        listening time counts as operating time. Both transmitters may work
        any and all stations; the second transmitter is not limited to
        working new multipliers only. Each of the two transmitters must keep
        a separate, chronological log for the entire contest period.
        Violation of the 10-minute rule by either or both transmitters or
        improper logging will result in an entrant's reclassification to
        the unlimited multi-multi class (see below). 
    (3) Unlimited. A maximum of one transmitted signal per band at any given
        time. Unlimited multi-multi stations must keep a separate, 
        chronological log for each band for the entire contest period. 

Dates: 
------
CW: third full weekend in February, from Saturday 00.00z to Sunday 24.00z
{03SAT02:0000:2880:CW}
SSB: first full weekend in March, from Saturday 00.00z to Sunday 24.00z 
{01SAT03:0000:2880:SSB}

Exchange:
---------
(A) W/VE stations (including 48 contiguous United States and does not
    include Canadian islands of St Paul and Sable) send signal report and
    state or province. 
(B) DX stations send signal report and power (three-digit number indicating
    approximate transmitter output power). 

Scoring:
--------
(A) QSO Points--W/VE stations count three points per DX QSO. DX stations
    count three points per W/VE QSO
(B) Multiplier--W/VE stations: Sum of DXCC countries (except US and Canada)
    worked per band. DX stations: Sum of US states (except KH6/KL7) and
    District of Columbia (DC), NB (VE1), NS (VE1), PEI (VE1 or VY2),
    PQ (VE2), ON (VE3), MB (VE4), SK (VE5), AB (VE6), BC (VE7), NWT (VE8),
    YUK (VY1), NF (VO1), LAB (VO2) worked per band. Maximum of 62 per band
(C) Final Score--QSO points X multiplier = final score. 

Miscellaneous:
--------------
A) Call signs and exchange information must be received and logged by each
   station for a complete QSO
B) All operators must observe the limitations of their operator licenses
   and station licenses at all times
C) Your call sign must indicate your DXCC station location (KH6XYZ/W1 in
   Maine, FS/FGOAAA on St Martin, etc)
D) One operator may not use more than one call sign from any given location
   during the contest period
E) The same station may be worked only once per band--no crossmode or
   repeater contacts
F) Aeronautical and maritime mobile stations outside the US and Canada may
   be worked by W/VE stations for QSO credit only
G) All transmitters and receivers must be located within a 500-meter-
   diameter circle, excluding directly connected antennas. This prohibits 
   the use of remote receiving installations. Exception: Multioperator and
   Single Operator Assisted stations may use spotting nets for multiplier
   hunting only
H) The use of non-Amateur Radio means of communication (eg, telephone) for
   the purpose of soliciting a contact (or contacts) during the contest
   period is inconsistent with the spirit and intent of this announcement

Reporting:
----------
A) Use ARRL International DX Contest forms, a reasonable facsimile, submit
   entry on diskette, upload your entry to the ARRL BBS, or send your entry
   to ARRL HQ via Internet. 
   (1) You may submit your contest entry on diskette in lieu of paper logs.
       The floppy diskette must be IBM compatible, MS-DOS formatted, either
       3.5 or 5.25 inch (40 or 80 track). The log information must be in an 
       ASCII file, following the ARRL Suggested Standard File Format and
       contain all log exchange information (band, mode, date, time in UTC,
       call of station worked, exchange sent, exchange received, multipliers
       [marked the first time worked] and QSO points). One entry per
       diskette. An official summary sheet or reasonable facsimile with a
       signed contest participation disclaimer is required with all entries.
   (2) You may submit your contest entry via the ARRL BBS (860-594-0306) or
       via Internet to contest@arrl.org. Send your summary sheet file (Make
       sure it includes all the pertinent information outlined in the
       official ARRL summary sheet.) and your log file following the ARRL
       Suggested Standard File Format
(B) Logs must indicate times in UTC, bands, mode, calls, complete exchange
    sent, complete exchange received and QSO points. Multipliers should be
    clearly marked in the log the first time worked. Entries with more than
    500 QSOs total must include cross-check sheets (dupe sheets). Send 
    entries to: ARRL Contest Branch, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111, U.S.A

    The ARRL has FIVE (5) ways to enter ALL ARRL contests.
    E-MAIL - ASCII summary sheet and ASCII log file (following the ARRL
             Suggested File Format) to:  contest@arrl.org
             Merge the summary sheet and log file together into one file
             with an ASCII text editor and send on Internet as a text
             message.

    FTP - ASCII summary sheet and ASCII log file (following the ARRL
          Suggested File Format) anonymous FTP to:  ftp.arrl.org
          ZIP the summary sheet file and the log file together with
          PKZIP.EXE and upload your compressed file or upload the files
          separately.

    ARRL BBS - ASCII summary sheet and ASCII log file (following the ARRL
               Suggested File Format) BBS up to 14.4-k baud telephone:
               (203) 665-0090
               ZIP the summary sheet file and the log file together with
               PKZIP.EXE and upload your compressed file to the ARRL BBS or
               upload the files separately.

    DISK - Paper summary sheet and ASCII log file (following the ARRL
           Suggested File Format) 3.5 or 5.25 inch diskettes (high or low
           density)
           Copy your <call sign>.LOG file to a floppy diskette and mail
           along with your printed summary sheet file to ARRL HQ. The
           diskette label should clearly indicate the call sign used,
           contest name, entry class, and date of the contest. The log data
           file name shall consist of the call sign and the extension
           ".LOG". For example: KR1R.LOG.

    PAPER ENTRY - Official forms or reasonable facsimiles Summary sheet,
                  logs, dupe sheets. Mailing Address: ARRL Contest Branch,
                  225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111, U.S.A.

    When submitting contest entries electronically, you should include an
    ASCII summary sheet and an ASCII log (following the ARRL Suggested
    Standard File Format). Dupe sheets and other breakdown files are NOT
    needed.

    With most of the popular contest logging programs (CT, NA, N6TR, etc),
    the summary sheet file is the ???????.SUM and the log file is <your
    call sign>. LOG (KR1R.LOG). If you are using one of these computer
    program generated summary sheets, be sure to add any missing
    information to your summary sheet file (ARRL Section, high power,
    low power, QRP, etc). We recommend that you use the summary sheet files
    (*.FRM) found on this disk. The *.FRM files have "blanks" for all the
    necessary information.

    The following is the ARRL Suggested Standard File Format and a sample
    file. Refer to your software manual for instruction for generating an
    ASCII file in the correct ARRL format. 

    The log file must consist of one line of data per QSO (no more than 80
    characters wide), without headers, footers, page breaks or other
    non-ASCII characters.

    All QSO data must appear in each line, aligned by columns, and must
    include the following:
    band: wavelength for HF and frequency for VHF
    mode: designator such as CW, PH, etc
    date: in MM/DD/YY or DD/MM/YY format
    time: 4-digit UTC without colons
    call sign of station worked
    complete exchange sent
    complete exchange received
    indication of multipliers: for example an "*", section/prefix/zone, or
    etc
    points claimed: ALL unclaimed QSOs must be "0" points
    Multioperator, two-transmitter category log in the ARRL International DX
    Contest must indicate which transmitter made which QSOs.
    In contests that require rest periods, the "times on" and "times off"
    must be in a separate column.

    A paper summary sheet is required of all logs, either an official ARRL
    summary sheet or a close facsimile with a signed contest participation
    disclaimer.
    Entries uploaded to the ARRL BBS or sent via Internet should include a 
    summary sheet file in lieu of a paper summary sheet.
    All diskettes become the property of the ARRL and are not returnable.

    SAMPLE FILE:
    20 CW 15/02/92  0001  UW9WA        599 MA   599 100  *    3
    20 CW 15/02/92  0001  UZ1AWJ       599 MA   599 200  *    3
    20 CW 15/02/92  0002  OZ1IKW       599 MA   599 100  *    3
    20 CW 15/02/92  0002  YU1GN        599 MA   599 100  *    3
    20 CW 15/02/92  0003  UZ9XWT       599 MA   599 100       3
    20 CW 15/02/92  0003  UZ4WWA       599 MA   599 200       3
    20 CW 15/02/92  0004  OZ4UN        599 MA   599 500       3
    20 CW 15/02/92  0005  OK1ALW       599 MA   599 KW   *    3
    [etc.]

(C) All operators of multioperator stations must be listed
(D) Entries must be postmarked within 30 days after each contest weekend
    (CW_March 16; Phone_April 2). Logs not postmarked by the deadlines will
    be classified as checklogs; no extensions, no exceptions. All stations
    are requested to send their entries in as early as possible and enclose
    each entry (CW and phone) in a separate envelope. Entries received after
    mid-June will not make QST listings

Awards:
-------
Plaques (if sponsored) will be awarded in the following categories for both
the CW and phone contests. 
A) Top W/VE scorer in each entry category--single operator-all band-QRP,
   single operator-all band-low power, single operator-all band-high power,
   single operator-single band (1.8-28 MHz), single-operator assisted,
   multioperator-single transmitter, multioperator-two transmitter,
   multioperator-multitransmitter
B) Top scorer in the single operator-all band category worldwide and on each
   continent. In addition, worldwide leaders in the single operator-all
   band-QRP, single operator-all band-low power, single operator-single
   band, single-operator assisted, multioperator-single transmitter,
   multioperator-two transmitter and multioperator unlimited categories will
   receive plaques. 
C) Additional special plaques will be awarded as sponsored. See October 1995
   QST for current list
D) Certificates will be awarded to top single operator-all band entries
   (QRP, low power, and high power) from each country and ARRL/RAC Section;
   top single-band entries in each US call area and each country; top single
   operator assisted entries in each country, US call area and in Canada,
   top multioperator entries (single, two and multi-transmitter) in each
   country, US call area and in Canada. Additional single-band and 
   multioperator certificates will be awarded if significant effort or
   competition is displayed. DX entrants making more than 500 QSOs on either
   mode will receive certificates

Club Competition:
-----------------
ARRL-affiliated clubs compete for gavels on three levels: unlimited, medium
and local clubs

Condition of Entry:
-------------------
Each entrant agrees to be bound by the provisions, as well as the intent, of
this announcement, by regulations of his or her licensing authority and the
decisions of the ARRL Awards Committee

Disqualification:
-----------------
An entry may be disqualified if the overall score is reduced by more than
two percent. Score reduction does not include correction of arithmetic
errors. Reductions may be made of unconfirmed QSOs or multipliers, duplicate
QSOs or other scoring discrepancies. An entry will be disqualified if more
than two-percent duplicate QSOs are claimed for credit. For each duplicate
or miscopied call sign removed from the log by ARRL, three additional QSOs
will be deleted as a penalty. The penalty will not be considered as part of
the two-percent disqualification criterion. If a participant is 
disqualified, that operator will be barred from entering the contest on that
mode the following year. The calls of all disqualified participants will be
listed in the QST contest results

Comfortable Code Speeds 
Have you been reluctant to enter a CW contest because the code speeds are
too high? A solution, for folks to whom 35 WPM is another word for
impossible, is to try slow-speed code up to 10-13 WPM in the higher
frequencies of the CW portions on each band and also the Novice CW subbands.
US Amateur Radio operators should note that operation in the Novice 
portions of these segments on 80, 40 and 15 meters is restricted to 200
watts output.
Now you can participate at code speeds you find comfortable. CQ TEST!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                          A    

_______________________________________________________ R   R ______
                  (Do not write above line)                
                                                          L  
                ARRL INTERNATIONAL DX CONTEST
                           [] CW
                           [] PHONE  
  
CALL USED _______________________  ARRL SECTION or COUNTRY___________
  
CALL OF OPERATOR IF DIFFERENT FROM CALL USED_________________________
  
CHECK ONE:                               Valid QSOs    MULTIPLIERS
                                 +----------------------------------+
  [] Novice/Technician           | 160 |             |              |
                                 |----------------------------------|
Single Operator                  |  80 |             |              |
                                 |----------------------------------|
  [] All Band                    |  40 |             |              |
  [] Single Band (circle one)    |----------------------------------|
     160  80  40  20  15  10     |  20 |             |              |
  [] QRP (5W or less output)     |----------------------------------|
  [] Assisted                    |  15 |             |              |
                                 |----------------------------------|
Multioperator                    |  10 |             |              |
                                 |==================================|
  [] Single transmitter          |Total|             |              |
  [] Two transmitter             +----------------------------------+
  [] Unlimited                   |HOURS OPERATED|                   |
                                 +----------------------------------+
If multioperator, list calls of all operators and loggers:
  
_____________________________________________________________________

Please enclose log, photos, comments, ideas, etc. with your entry and
mail promptly to: ARRL Contests, 225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111.
Upload to BBS: 203-665-0090          Internet: contest@arrl.org

____________ X 3 = ____________ X ___________ = ____________________
 Valid QSOs         QSO Points    Multipliers       Claimed Score
  
HOURS OPERATED: _______ 
POWER OUTPUT: [] 5 watts or less [] 6-150 watts [] Over 150 watts
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Club participation?   Yes_____  No_____                           |
| ARRL Affiliated Club:_____________________________________________|
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
"I have observed all competition rules as well as all regulations for
Amateur Radio in my country. My report is correct and true to the best
of my knowledge. I agree to be bound by the decisions of the 
ARRL Awards Committee."
  
Date __________ Signature _______________________ Call _____________
  
NAME_____________________________________ CALL______________
  
ADDRESS_____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

<ARRL 1/97>
