ARRL VHF Sweepstakes 
====================
<Rules 2000/10.99>


1. Object
---------
To work as many amateur stations in as many different 
2 degrees  1 degree grid squares as possible using authorized 
frequencies above 50 MHz. Foreign stations work W/VE amateurs only. 


2. Date and Contest Period 
--------------------------
The weekend before the NFL Super Bowl (4. Saturday). 
Begins 1900 UTC Saturday, ends 0400 UTC Monday 
{04SAT01:1900:3120}


3. Entry Categories 
-------------------
1. Single Operator. 

2. Single Operator, QRP Portable. 

3. Rover. 

4. Multi Operator. 

5. Limited Multi Operator. 


4. Exchange 
-----------
Grid-square locator. 
1. Exchange of signal report is optional. 


5. Scoring 
----------
1. QSO points 
   1. Count one point for each complete 50- or 144-MHz QSO. 
   2. Count two points for each 222- or 432-MHz QSO. 
   3. Count four points for each 902- or 1296-MHz QSO. 
   4. Count eight points for each 2.3-GHz-or-higher QSO. 

2. Multiplier The total number of different grid squares worked 
   per band. Each 2 degrees  1 degree grid square counts as one 
   multiplier on each band it is worked. 

3. Final score Multiply the total number of QSO points from all 
   bands operated by the total number of multipliers for final 
   score. 

4. Rovers only The final score consists of the total number of 
   QSO points from all bands times the sum of unique multipliers 
   (grid squares) worked per band (regardless of which grid 
   square they were made in) plus one additional multiplier for 
   every grid square activated (made a contact from). 

5. Rovers are listed in the contest score listings under the 
   Division from which the most QSOs were made. 

6. Entries must be emailed to januaryvhf@arrl.org or postmarked 
   within 30 days after the contest. 


6. Miscellaneous 
----------------
1. Stations may be worked for credit only once per band from any 
   given grid square, regardless of mode. This does not prohibit 
   working a station from more than one grid square with the same 
   call sign (such as a Rover). 

2. Only one signal per band (6, 2, 1-1/4, etc) at any given time 
   is permitted, regardless of mode. 

3. Multi operator stations may not include QSOs with their own
   operators except on frequencies higher than 2.3 GHz. 
   Even then, a complete, different station (transmitter, 
   receiver and antenna) must exist for each QSO made under these
   conditions. 


7. Awards 
---------
Certificates will be awarded in the following categories. 
1. Single operator. 
   1. Top single operator in each ARRL/RAC Section. 
   2. Top single operator on each band (50, 144, 222, 432, 902, 
      1296 and 2304-and-up categories) in each ARRL/RAC 
      Section where significant effort or competition is evident. 
      (Note Since the highest score per band will be the award 
      winner for that band, an entrant may win a certificate with 
      additional single-band endorsements.) 
      For example, if WB0TEM has the highest single-operator 
      all-band score in the Iowa Section and his 50- and 222-MHz 
      scores are higher than any other Iowa single operator's,
      he will earn a certificate for being the single-operator 
      Section leader and endorsements for 50 and 222 MHz. 

2. Top single-operator, QRP portable in each ARRL/RAC Section 
   where significant effort or competition is evident. 
   (Single-operator, QRP portable entries are not eligible for 
   single-band awards.) 

3. Top rover in each ARRL Division and Canada where significant 
   effort or competition is evident. (Rover entries are not 
   eligible for single-band awards.) 

4. Top multi operator score in each ARRL/RAC Section where 
   significant effort or competition is evident. (Multi operator 
   entries are not eligible for single-band awards.) 

5. Top limited multi operator in each ARRL/RAC Section where 
   significant effort or competition is evident. (Limited multi 
   operator entries are not eligible for single-band awards.) 


8. Other
--------
See rules for All ARRL Contests and for VHF Contests. 




General Rules for ARRL Contests on bands above 50 MHz (VHF) 
===========================================================

1. General Rules
---------------- 
1. See General Rules for All ARRL Contests.
 
2. Individuals and stations are limited to one entry per contest.

3. A transmitter, receiver, or antenna used to contact one or 
   more stations may not be subsequently be used under any other 
   call during the contest period, except as provided for in 
   General Rule for All ARRL Contests number 3.5.
 
4. Stations may be worked for credit only once per band from any 
   given grid square, regardless of mode. This does not prohibit
   working a station from more than one grid square with the same
   call sign (such as a Rover). 

5. Crossband QSOs do not count. 

6. Aeronautical mobile contacts do not count. 

7. Retransmitting either or both stations, or use of repeater
   frequencies, is not permitted. 
   
   1. This prohibits use of all repeater frequencies. 

   2. Contest entrants may not transmit on repeaters or repeater
      frequencies for the purpose of soliciting contacts. 

8. Use of the national simplex frequency, 146.52 MHz, or
   immediate adjacent guard frequencies is prohibited. 

   1. Contest entrants may not transmit on 146.52 for the
      purpose of making or soliciting QSOs. 
 
   2. The intent of this rule is to protect the national simplex
      frequency from contest monopolization. 

   3. There are no restrictions on the use of 223.50 MHz.
 
9. Only recognized simplex frequencies may be used, such as
   144.90 to 145.00; 146.49, .55 and .58, and
   147.42, .45, .48, .51, .54 and .57 MHz on the 2-meter band. 

   1. Local-option simplex channels and frequencies adjacent
      to the above that do not violate the intent of the above
      rules, or the spirit and intent of the band plans as
      recommended in the ARRL Repeater Directory, may be used
      for contest purposes. 

10. While no minimum distance is specified for contacts,
    equipment should be capable of communications at a range of
    at least 1 km. 

11. A station located precisely on a dividing line between grid
    squares must select only one as the location for exchange
    purposes. A different grid-square multiplier cannot be given
    out without moving the complete station (including antennas)
    at least 100 meters. 

12. Above 300 GHz, contacts are permitted for contest credit only
    between licensed amateurs using coherent radiation on
    transmission (for example, laser) and employing at least
    one stage of electronic detection on receive. 

13. Marine Mobile (and Maritime) entries will be listed
    separately as "Marine Mobile" in the listings and compete 
    separately for awards. 

14. Participants are reminded that the segment 50.100- 50.125 MHz
    should be used for intercontinental QSOs only,
    using 50.125 MHz as a calling frequency then QSY after
    contact is established.

 
2. Entry Categories: 
--------------------
The following categories are defined for ARRL contests on bands 
above 50 MHz. See the rules for each contest to determine which 
categories apply, and whether additional categories exist for 
that contest. 

1. Single Operator: 
   One person performs all transmitting, receiving, spotting, 
   and logging functions as well as equipment and antenna 
   adjustments. 

   1. Use of spotting assistance or nets (operating arrangements
      involving other individuals, DX-alerting nets, Packet 
      Cluster, etc.) is not permitted. 

   2. Single Operator stations are allowed only one transmitted 
      signal at any given time. 

   3. Single Operator stations compete for all-band and single-
      band awards. 

   4. Overall and single-band winners are recognized both in QST 
      score listings and in awards offered. 

2. Single Operator, QRP Portable: 
   (not for home stations or fixed stations) 
   
   1. 10-W PEP output or less. 
 
   2. Portable power source. 

   3. Portable equipment and antennas. 

3. Rover: 
   One or two operators of a single station that moves among 
   two or more grid squares during the course of a contest. 

   1. A rover vehicle may transport only one station using a 
      single call sign. 

   2. A rover may not operate with more than one call sign. 

   3. Rover vehicles must transport all the equipment, power 
      supplies, and antennas used at each operating site. 

   4. Rovers sign "rover" on phone and /R on CW after their 
      call sign. 

   5. All Rovers are encouraged to adopt operating practices 
      that allow as many stations as possible to contact them. 

   6. Rover operators may submit separate logs for single 
      operator (fixed station) in addition to their rover entries. 

4. Multi Operator: 
   More than one person performs transmitting, receiving and 
   logging functions, etc. Stations must locate all equipment 
   (including antennas) within a circle whose diameter does not 
   exceed 300 meters (1,000 feet). Multi operator stations may be
   divided into sub-categories: 

   1. Multi Operator (Unlimited): 

   2. Limited Multi Operator: Stations submit logs with a maximum 
      of four bands used. (Logs from additional bands used, 
      if any, should be included as checklogs.) 




General Rules for All 1999 ARRL Contests 
========================================

The Rules for ARRL Contests have been reorganized. 
On this and following pages you'll find general rules that apply to 
all ARRL contests, rules for contests on bands below 30 MHz, and on 
bands above 50 MHz. The reorganization makes the rules consistent 
between contests. This results in some changes. You'll want to read 
this carefully, and you'll want to bookmark this page of ARRLWeb for 
future reference. 
With the general rules you'll find specific rules for 
- Straight Key Night
- January VHF Sweepstakes
- RTTY Roundup
- and the International DX Contest. 

Rules for all 1999 ARRL contests are available on the ARRL Web site. 
Bill Kennamer, K5FUV, Membership Services Manager 


1. Precedence of Rules: 
-----------------------
1.1
Rules for individual contests or events (including Field Day) 
take precedence over all General Rules. 

1.2
General Rules for HF and VHF contests take precedence over 
General Rules for all contests. 


2. Conditions of Entry
----------------------
Entrants agree to be bound by 
2.1
The provisions, and intent, of ARRL contest rules. 

2.2
The regulations of their licensing authority. 

2.3
The decisions of the ARRL Awards Committee. 


3. General Rules 
----------------
3.1
All operators must observe the limitations of their operator 
licenses and station licenses at all times. 

3.2
Call signs and exchange information must be sent, received, 
acknowledged, and logged correctly by each station for a complete QSO. 

3.3
One operator may not use more than one call sign from any given 
location during the contest period. 

3.4
The same station may be worked only once per band for contest credit. 

3.5
A transmitter used to contact one or more stations may not be 
subsequently be used under any other call during the contest period, 
except for family stations where more than one call has been issued, 
and then only if the second call sign is used by a different operator. (The intent of this rule is to accommodate family members who must share a rig, and to prohibit manufactured or artificial contacts.) 

3.6
All transmitters and receivers must be located within a 
500-meter-diameter circle, excluding antennas. 

3.6.1  
This prohibits the use of remote receiving installations. 

3.6.2
Exceptions: 
    
  1.  Stations remotely controlled by radio link may use 
      necessary equipment at the control point. 
      This does not include using the control point as another 
      receiving location. 

   2. Multi Operator and Single Operator Assisted stations may use 
      spotting nets. 

3.7
Cross-band contacts are not permitted. 

3.8
Contacts made through repeaters, digipeaters, and gateways are 
not permitted. 

3.8.1
This applies to all forms of active relays or repeaters. 

3.8.2
Satellite contacts, where allowed, are not subject to this rule. 

3.9
The use of non-Amateur Radio means of communication (for example, 
Internet or telephone) to solicit a contact (or contacts) during the 
contest period is not permitted. 

3.10
Entrants who qualify for unsponsored plaques may purchase them from 
the ARRL Contest Branch. 



4. ARRL Standard File Format
----------------------------
For Electronic Submission of Contest Entries. 

4.1
All files must be in standard ASCII text format. 

4.2
The log data file name shall consist of the call sign and the 
extension ".LOG" for example, K5ZD.LOG 

4.3
The summary sheet file name shall consist of the call sign and the 
extension ".SUM" for example, K5ZD.SUM 

4.4
Electronic entries should be sent via Internet to the appropriate 
e-mail address. The subject line must contain your callsign, contest, 
mode and class. For example, W1AW SS CW SO B. 
Do not send any other contest-related mail to this address -- only 
logs. All files must be sent as attachments. 

4.4.1
They may be sent by mail to: 
ARRL Contest Branch, 225 Main St., Newington, CT 06111. 

4.4.1.1
Use an MS-DOS formatted disk, 3.5-inch (720-KB or 1.44-MB). 

4.4.1.2
Diskette labels should clearly indicate the call sign used, 
contest name, entry class, and date of the contest, as above. 

4.4.1.3
Include one entry only on each diskette. 

4.4.1.4
All diskettes become the property of the ARRL and are not returnable. 

4.4.2
They may be sent by Anonymous FTP to ftp.arrl.org/logs/ 

4.4.2.1
If you use an FTP client, FTP to ftp://ftp.arrl.org/ and 
  change directory to /logs, with the command cd /logs. 

4.5
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. 

4.6
All QSO data must appear in each line, aligned by columns, and must 
include: 

  1. band: wavelength for HF and frequency for VHF. 

  2. mode: designator such as CW, PH, etc. 

  3. date: in MM/DD/YY or DD/MM/YY format. 

  4. time: 4-digit UTC without colons. 

  5. call sign of station worked. 

  6. complete exchange sent. 

  7. complete exchange received. 

  8. indication of multipliers: 
     for example an asterisk (*), section/prefix/zone, etc. for the 
     first time the multiplier is contacted. 

  9. points claimed: ALL unclaimed QSOs must be "0" points. 

4.7
Multi Operator, Two Transmitter category logs must indicate which 
transmitter made each QSO. 

4.8
In contests that require rest periods, the "times on" and 
"times off" must be in a separate column. 

4.9
A summary sheet is required with all logs, either an official ARRL 
summary sheet or a close facsimile with a signed contest 
participation disclaimer. The disclaimer is a statement of acceptance 
of the conditions of entry. 

4.9.1
Electronic entries should include a summary file instead of a 
paper summary sheet. (The signature is not necessary on an 
electronic summary sheet (see Rule 2). 

4.9.2
All summary sheets must include all pertinent information from, 
or requested on, the official summary sheet for the particular 
contest. 

 
5. Paper logs
-------------
5.1
Entrants must use ARRL contest forms, or reasonable facsimiles. 

5.2
Contest forms are available: 

5.2.1  
For download at: http://www.arrl.org/contests/ 
  
5.2.2
By e-mail to info@arrl.org, 
include the following in the message body 
(the subject line is ignored): 

  help
  index
  quit 

5.3
Paper entries with more than 500 QSOs total must include 
cross-check sheets (dupe sheets). 


6. Reporting 
------------
6.1
Entries must be sent to ARRL within 30 days after each contest 
weekend. For paper entries, this is determined by the postmark. 

6.2
Logs not sent by the contest deadline will be classified as 
checklogs; no extensions, no exceptions. 

6.3
Entries received at ARRL more than 30 days after the contest 
deadline may not be included in QST listings. 

6.4
All stations are requested to send their entries as early as 
possible. A separate envelope is required for each contest entry 
and participant. (i.e. do not send entries for both CW and Phone 
portions of Sweepstakes or International DX Contest in the same 
envelope or email.) 

6.5
To be complete, entries must consist of the log and summary sheet. 
(For electronic entries, you may ZIP the summary sheet file and the 
log file together using PKZIP.EXE or its equivalent, and upload your 
compressed file or upload the files separately.) 

6.6
All operators of multi operator stations must be listed. 

6.7
Entrants may submit contest entries as described in Rule 4.4 

6.7.1
Entries sent by mail to: 
ARRL Contest Branch
225 Main St., Newington, CT 06111

whether on diskette or paper, should include a paper summary sheet 
and signed disclaimer statement. 


7. Disqualification and Penalties: 
----------------------------------
7.1
If the claimed score of a participant is reduced by 2% or more, 
the entry may be disqualified. Score reduction does not include 
correction of arithmetic errors. 

7.2
Score reduction may be made for taking credit for unconfirmed QSOs 
or multipliers, duplicate contacts or other scoring discrepancies. 

7.3
An entry with more than two-percent duplicate contacts left in the 
log or an entry in which more than 2% "rubber clocking" (altering 
the actual time to increase the operating time so that it is greater 
than the allowable limit) is detected will be automatically 
disqualified. 

7.4
Participants that are disqualified will be barred from submitting an 
entry in the next annual running of that specific contest, for 
example, disqualification from the 1998 phone SS prohibits submission 
of an entry for the 1999 phone SS, but 1999 CW SS participation is 
allowable. 

7.5
Call signs of all disqualified participants will be listed in the 
QST contest report. 

7.6
Any participant on the borderline of disqualification, but not 
actually disqualified, may receive a warning letter. 

7.7
For each duplicate contact that is claimed for credit and each 
miscopied call sign that is removed from the log by HQ, three 
additional contacts will be deleted as a penalty. 
The penalty will not be considered part of the 2% disqualification 
criteria. 

7.8
In all cases of question, the decisions of the 
ARRL Awards Committee are final. 


8. Club Competition 
-------------------
8.1
Five ARRL-sponsored contests include an ARRL affiliated 
club competition: 

  1. January VHF Sweepstakes 

  2. (February and March) International DX Contest 

  3. November Sweepstakes 

  4. (December) 160-Meter Contest 

  5. (December) 10-Meter Contest 

8.2
Only clubs actively affiliated with the ARRL may participate in the 
club competition. This means the club: 

8.2.1
is affiliated with the ARRL. 

8.2.2
has filed an annual report with the Field Services Department of 
ARRL HQ within the last two years. 

8.3
For a club to be listed, the following conditions must be met: 

8.3.1
At least three different entries from members of the club must 
be submitted. 

8.3.2
All members wishing to be included in the club score must indicate 
the club name on their summary sheet. 

8.3.3
The club secretary must send a list of all club members eligible 
to compete for the club (not a club roster) and which level 
(unlimited, medium, local) they wish to enter for each competition 
within 30 days after the contest. 

8.3.4
A member's score must be shown in the contest results to be counted 
for a club. Only that score shown in the results (or in subsequent 
corrections) will count for the club competition. 

8.4
There are three categories of club competition: 

8.4.1
Unlimited 

8.4.1.1
Club submits 51 or more entries. 

8.4.1.2
One station can submit two entries -- one on CW and one on phone 
in the November Sweepstakes and the DX Contest. 

8.4.1.3
All stations and all operators must reside within 175 miles 
(282 km) of the club's center. 

8.4.1.4
All members must attend at least 2 club meetings per year to be 
eligible to submit an entry. (If, however, they have not been a 
member for a year's time, they must have attended a meeting as a 
member prior to the contest.) 

8.4.1.5
Those club members who are disabled in such a way that they are 
unable to travel are exempt from the two meetings per year rule but 
they must be regularly active in club affairs. 

8.4.1.6
To be considered bona fide, a member must be active in club affairs. 

8.4.1.7
Members living outside of 175 miles and members operating stations 
outside 175 miles may not compete in the club competition. 
(See rule 8.6.) 

8.4.2
Medium 

8.4.2.1
Club submits 50 or fewer entries and does not qualify under the 
local club criteria. 

8.4.2.2
One station can submit two entries -- one on CW and one on phone in 
the November Sweepstakes and the DX Contest. 

8.4.2.3
The same mileage and attendance requirements apply as the unlimited 
class club. 

8.4.2.4
Members living outside of 175 miles and members operating stations 
outside 175 miles may not compete in the club competition. 
(See rule 8.6.) 

8.4.3
Local 

8.4.3.1
Club submits 10 or fewer entries. 

8.4.3.2
One station can submit two entries -- one on CW and one on phone in 
the November Sweepstakes and the DX Contest. 

8.4.3.3
All members must reside and operate within 35 miles of the club's 
center. 

8.4.3.4
There is no attendance requirement. 

8.4.3.5
Members living outside of 35 miles and members operating stations 
outside 35 miles may not compete in the club competition. (See rule 8.6.) 

8.5.
Single Operator and Multi Operator station scores may be counted. 

8.5.1
At a guest-operated single-operator station, 
both the guest operator and the station licensee must be members of 
the same club in order to count the score for that club. 

8.5.2
At multi operator stations, at least 66% of the operators must be 
members of the same club for the score to count for that club. 

8.5.3
A multi operator entry may (optional) utilize non-member operators 
licensed one year or less without including such operators in the 
above 66% calculation. (The intent here is to encourage clubs to 
recruit contesters from newer amateurs without adversely affecting 
the club aggregate score.) 

8.6
For the ARRL International DX Contest, DXpeditions (operating 
outside the United States and Canada) scores may be counted for 
either single operator or multi operator stations even though the 
operation is outside the club's area. 

8.6.1
For single guest operators at a DX station, only the operator must 
be a club member and meet all other criteria. 

8.6.2
For multi operator stations, the score counts for only one club and 
at least 66% of the operators must be members of that club and meet 
all other criteria. 

8.7
In conjunction with the two meetings per year rule, the club must 
hold at least four in-person meetings per year. 

8.8
A club's entry classification may be changed if, in the opinion of 
the ARRL Awards Committee, the club has manipulated its number of 
entries to fall into a lower classification (for example, if a club 
with 100 members submits only the 10 highest scores, even if more 
than 10 of its members wish to compete.) 

8.9
It is not within the intent of these rules that a club should vote 
out a member or that a member resign and then be voted back into the 
club later so the member-attendance rule can be met. 

8.10
The highest scoring active affiliated club entry in each category 
(unlimited, medium, local) will be awarded a gavel.

