Category: announcements

We are just 10 days away from the July 1 log submission deadline for the CQ WPX CW Contest. Please send your logs, in Cabrillo format, to cw@cqwpx.com. If you have trouble with the robot, or a log that is not in the Cabrillo format, you can send it directly to me and I will help you with the process.

All logs are welcome. Even small logs are helpful for log checking purposes. And who knows? You may win a certificate for your efforts.

As we finish up typing in the last of the paper logs, we are still accepting logs for the SSB contest (to ssb@cqwpx.com). They aren’t eligible for awards, but they will help us in the log checking process.

Log check reports for the 2007 SSB and CW contests are also available. Email me (k5zd@cqwpx.com) with the call and mode and I will send you your report.

There is a new plaque for the CW contest. David Kopacz, 6Y1V, has stepped up to sponsor the SOUTH AMERICA SINGLE OPERATOR ALL BAND CW plaque.

The full score listings for the CQ WPX CW Contest 2007 are now available on the site. Visit http://www.cqwpx.com/results_2007_wpx_cw_scores.htm

There have been several questions about how multi-single stations are to issue serial numbers. The magazine rules say one thing and the web site says another. The good news is that the log checking software can handle either case. Our preference (and the correct rule) is the one published on the web site. “Use a separate serial number sequence for each band.”

Skimmer is a new software application designed by VE3NEA. Using a software defined receiver, it can copy and report callsigns across up to 96khz of a band. Pretty amazing technology. It also could have a dramatic impact on the game of contesting – especially on the single operator category!

The rules define single operator as “One person performs all of the operating, logging, and, for the Assisted category only, spotting functions.” The definition of single operator assisted says “Same as [single operator] except the …[use] of DX spotting nets or other forms of DX alerting is permitted.”

The confusion occurs over the definition of DX alerting. Some people feel strongly that skimmer is providing this. Others feel that since skimmer is a piece of station equipment it does not fall into the traditional definition of assistance.

We can’t change the rules after they are published. Given the wording above, the WPX Director (me) has decided to allow the use of skimmer by single operators — only if it is contained within their stations. Use of a skimmer that is remote or connected by Internet continues to place a station in the assisted category. Multi-operator entries are unaffected.

The single operator rules will be clarified for 2009.

Good luck to everyone in the contest this weekend!