We are just putting the finishing touches on the rule changes for the 2009 contest. Many of the changes are minor and are intended to modernize the rules, make things simpler, or to be more in alignment with other CQ contests.
Before the rules are completely final, I wanted to mention a few of the major changes and solicit your input.
1. Skimmer. The WPX Contest will follow the lead of the CQWW Contest regarding use of Skimmer technology by single operators. The rule will be identical to the CQWW Contest:
“QSO alerting assistance of any kind (this includes, but is not limited to, packet, local or remote Skimmer and/or Skimmer-like technology, Internet) places the entrant in the Single Operator Assisted category.”
2. Multi Operator Single Transmitter rules clarified. The new rule will be:
(a) Single-Transmitter (MULTI-ONE): Only one transmitter and one band permitted during any 10-minute period. Exception: One—and only one—other band may be used during any 10-minute period if—and only if—the station worked is a new multiplier. Ten-minute periods are defined as starting with the first logged QSO on a band. Logs with excessive violations of the 10-minute rule will automatically be reclassified as multi-multi. The log must indicate which transmitter (run or multiplier) made each QSO. Use a separate serial number sequence for each band.
More words, but also more clarity on exactly how the band changes are counted.
3. Club Competition. The club competition rules are now identical to the CQ WW Contest except that a secretary letter listing all eligible club members is not required. The new rule will be:
XI. Club Competition: A plaque will be awarded each year to the club that has the highest aggregate score from logs submitted by members. The club must be a local group and not a national organization (e.g., ARRL or DARC). Participation is limited to members operating from a local geographic area defined as within a 275 Km (radius) from center of club area (except for DXpeditions specially organized for operation in the contest). Club contributions of multi-operator and DXpedition scores are allocated as a percentage of the number of club members participating in the operation. Indicate your club affiliation on the summary sheet or in the CABRILLO file. Please spell out the full club name. To be listed in the results, a minimum of three logs must be received from a club.
4. Single-band entries must submit all QSOs made. We have a lot of single band entrants that make QSOs on other bands during the contest. We just want them to log and submit all QSOs so that the other entrants are not penalized for Not In Log QSOs that result from the missing log entries.
(e) Single band entrants must include all contacts made during the contest period, even if on other bands. Indicate the single band information in the Cabrillo header and only those contacts made on the single band will be included in the scoring.
5. Disqualification. The rules for disqualification now match those for the CQWW Contest. We hope we don’t have to use them.
6. Rookie category. The final open issue on the rules is whether to change the name of the Rookie category. This category is for anyone who has been licensed for less than 3 years at the time of the contest. The Rookie category enjoys mixed popularity and it is felt that the name may not be fully understood by non-English speakers. Please suggest other words or names that could make the category more clear and help encourage more participation.
I welcome your feedback to k5zd@cqwpx.com.