[CQ-Contest] LZ DX Contest 2003 - New Rules and FAQ

[Valeri Stefanov]

Hi Fellow Contesters,

After few postings by ZF2NT and few other hams about log checking procedure
of LZ DX Contest in 2002 I am now sending you the FAQ file which will soon
appear on LZDXC web site www.qsl.net/lz1fw/contest
Few changes in log checking procedure for 2003 have been made as could be
seen from FAQ file and now we hope LZDXC will become the most dinamic
contest one could participate in. We made the rules as flexible as possible
to let everyone have the greatest  fun operating in this contest.
Any comments will be appreciated.

See you all from LZ9W M/M in comming CQWW SSB contest.

73s de Wally LZ2CJ ( LZ8T)



LZ DX Contest - Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it allowed to work in more than one category?

You are allowed to claim participation in your summary sheet in only one
category, but you are encouraged to operate for example on all bands in case
you claim score in SOSB category. Put all the contacts you have made into
your log. The computer will find out the score in the claimed category. The
rest QSOs will be treated like check log.

2. Is it allowed to use DX cluster during the contest?

Use of the DX cluster is allowed, but the self-spotting is NOT !

3. Is my QSO considered valid in case receiving station haven't received
exchange sent by me correctly ?

The QSO of the transmitting station is valid, but the QSO for the receiving
station will be invalid.

4. What happens in case the transmitting station is not transmitting its
exchange correctly (ITU zone or LZ district abbreviation) ?

The QSO of the receiving station which received  the "wrong" exchange
correctly is counted valid, but the QSO of the transmitting station will not
be counted valid. This QSO however will not be counted as multiplier for the
RX station ! Logs of stations transmitting wrong ITU zone (LZ district
abbreviation) will be treated like check logs.

5. A station is transmitting wrong ITU zone or non-standard LZ district
abbreviation. What should I put in the log - received wrong zone (wrong LZ
district abbreviation) or correct zone (correct LZ district abbreviation)
taken from the official source of information ?

You should put in the log the ITU zone (LZ district abbreviation) really
transmitted by the other station.

6. Is it allowed using more than one transceiver?

Yes, it is allowed to use any number of transceivers, but only one signal at
any given time should be on the air.

7. How often operator may change  band or mode? Are there restrictions on
band or mode changes for multi operators stations ?

After changing the mode, the operator in any of the categories should stay
on this mode for at least 10 min. Band changes are allowed without
restrictions for all categories. During the band change the entrant must
also observe the 10min rule for mode.
Example - if one was on 20m SSB for 5 min and change to 15m band he/she must
continue to operate on SSB for another 5 min before changing the mode to CW
15m.

8. Is it allowed to send logs in Cabrillo, Word,  etc.?

You are encouraged to send log files in CABRILLO format.
Log files in any other electronic format are accepted too, but consider that
the Contest Committee needs much more time to convert all files into an
appropriate format. So, please try to make our life easier - THANKS !

9 If I use computer logging should I send paper copy of my log?

The Contest Committee encourages participants to send logs by email or on
floppy disc.

10. Is it allowed to send the summary sheet and  QSOs log in the same file?

Yes ! Contest Committee recommends putting the summary sheet information in
the beginning of the file.

9 If I am not using a computer logging will the Contest Committee accept my
paper log?

Yes, but consider that the Contest Committee needs much more time to convert
all paper logs into an appropriate electronic format. So, we strongly advise
participants to use computer logging and to send logs via e mail.
Participants who pretend to place in top three in their respective category
MUST send an electronic log via e mail.

10. I have done my logging on paper, shall I transform it into computer log?

Contest Committee encourages participants to submit their logs in electronic
forms (email, floppy disk). You can use any text editor and submit ASCII
file, but CABRILLO format is the preferable one.

11. Should I submit my log band by band or in chronological order?

Submit it as you want.

12. Should I count points and multipliers in my log?

If you want, but it isn't necessary. The log-checking program will do it for
you.

13. Should I mark duplicate QSO's in my log?

No, every QSO, even duplicate, should be put in the log. The log-checking
program will mark duplicate QSO's. They will count zero points, no penalty
points will be applied. If the first QSO is invalid (e.g. wrong received
exchange), the second QSO will give you necessary points or multiplier, if
the received exchange is correct.

14. What shall I do if after the contest I notice that my computer clock is
not correct - e.g. 7 minutes fast or slow, or is 1 hour ahead or back?

You have to correct this time shift in your log. If you will not, you may
lose points.
Only QSOs with time difference up to 10 minutes in between both logs will be
counted as valid.

15. If particular call in my log is unique will this QSO be counted as valid
?

Yes, but the Contest Committee will check in detail all unique calls of the
top three stations in every category. If the number of the unique calls
found to be "bad" exceeds 30 % of all unique QSOs in the log, then this log
will be treated as check log. A unique call WILL NOT be counted as
multiplier.

16. A participant may receive his UBN report via e mail from the Contest
Committee upon request made only by e mail.