CQ World-Wide WPX Contest
=========================

Date:
-----
SSB: last full weekend in March, form Saturday 00.00z to Sunday 24.00z
{LASUN03-1:0000:2880}
CW: last full weekend in May, from Saturday 00.00z to Sunday 24.00z
{LASUN05-1:0000:2880}

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 thelog. Multi-Operator stations may operate the full 48 hours.

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.

Bands:
------
160m, 80m, 40m, 20m, 15m, 10m

Types of Competition:
---------------------
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 is 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).
    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. All antennas
       must be physically connected by wires to the transmitters and
       receivers.

Exchange:
---------
RS(T) report plus a progressive contact three digit contact number starting
with 001 for the first contact. (Continue to four digits if past 999). Multi
transmitter stations use separate serial numbers for each band.

Points:
-------
a) Contacts between stations on different continents are worth three (3)
   points on 28, 21 & 14 MHz and six (6) points on 7, 3.5 & 1.8 MHz.
b) Contacts between stations on the same continent, but different countries,
   are worth one (1) point on 28, 21 & 14 MHz and two (2) points on 7, 3.5
   & 1.8 MHz. Exception: For North American stations only - contacts between
   stations with the North American boundaries are worth two (2) points on
   28, 21 & 14 MHz and four (4) points on 7, 3.5 & 1.8 MHz.
c) Contacts between stations in the same country are permitted for
   multiplier credit but are worth zero (0) points.

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 form 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 US 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 PA$$. All calls without numbers will be
   assigned a zero (0) after the first two letters to form the prefix.
   Example XEFTJW would count as XE$$.  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.

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 one each band for QSO point credit. Prefix
   credit can be taken only once.

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.  

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.

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
especially 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.

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) Disk submission of logs is encouraged. CT's *.BIN file or *.ALL file,
   N6TR's *.DAT file, NA's *.QDF file, or *.DBF files are preferred. An
   ASCII file containing all required information is also acceptable. Disk
   files must be in chronological order for single operator and multi-single
   stations and chronological by band for multi-multi stations. Please
   label your disks and name your files with the call used (example:
   N8BJQ.BIN or N8BJQ.DAT). Disks will be required from top scoring stations
   if requested.
i) Logs may be submitted via E-mail to SDB@AG9V.AMPR.ORG or 
   N8BJQ@ERINET.COM. Binary files may be sent providing they are in MIME or
   UUENCODE format.  Internet submissions will also require a summary sheet
   and prefix multiplier sheet. Logs received via E-mail will be confirmed
   via E-mail upon receipt.  

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 QSO's 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 5 year period the operator is disqualified a second time,
he will be ineligible for any CQ contest awards for 3 years.
The use of non-amateur means such as telephones, telegrams etc. to elicit
contacts or multipliers during a contest is unsportsmanlike and the entry is
subject to disqualification. Actions and decisions of the WPX Contest
Committee are official and final.

Deadline:
---------
All entries must be postmarked NO LATER than May 10, 1997 for the SSB
section and July 10, 1997 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.

Address:
--------
CQ Magazine
WPX Contest
76 N. Broadway
Hicksville
NY 11801
U.S.A.

Questions pertaining to the WPX contest can be sent to WPX Contest Director,
Steve Bolia, N8BJQ, 4121 Gardenview Dr. Beavercreek OH 45431 USA, or via
e-mail to N8BJQ@ERINET.COM.  
Please remember to send in early for WPX contest log and summary sheets.

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.

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
CANADA Low Power - Amateur Radio League of Alberta
WORLD QRP/p - Dayton Amateur Radio Association
USA QRP/p - Doug Zwiebel, KR2Q

Single Operator, Single Band
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WORLD - John N. Reichert, N4RV
WORLD Low Power - Verne Fowler, W8BLA
WORLD 7 MHz - William D. Johnson, KV$$Q
OCEANIA - D. Craig Boyer, AH9B
USA 28 MHz Novice/Tech - Jon Engelhardt, KA$$ZFX
USA 21 MHz - Bernie Welch , W8IMZ Memorial
USA 3.7 MHz - Lance Johnson Digital Graphics

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 - Steve Bolia, N8BJQ
EUROPE - Ivo Bezer, 5B4ADA
OCEANIA - Tom Morton, KT6V
CANADA - Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC)
* JAPAN - The DX Family Foundation
CANADA Low Power - Amateur Radio League of Alberta
USA QRP/p - Richard Arland, K7YHA

Single Operator, Single Band
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WORLD - Pedro Piza Sr, KP4ES Memorial
WORLD 7 MHz - William D. Johnson, KV$$Q
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

Contest Expedition
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WORLD - Ed Roller, K4IA
     
Combined SSB/CW, Single Operator, All Band
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WORLD - Al Slater, G3FXB Memorial
EUROPE - Les Nouvelles DX Group
USA - D. Craig Boyer, AH9B

Club
~~~~
WORLD - CQ Magazine
USA - Oklahoma DX Association

* Donor is responsible for this trophy

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.

<N8BJQ 1/97>
