[CQ-Contest] WPX FAQ - Single op off times

[Ed Muns]

I've always understood "off-times" to only occur between QSOs.  Starting
late or finishing early are not constrained by an off-time limit, e.g., 60
minutes.  However, the total amount of "time off" or non-operating time does
include late starts and early finishes, e.g, 12 hours for WPX.  Tricky
semantics.

Ed - W0YK 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com 
> [mailto:cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of 
> Zivney, Terry L.
> Sent: Monday, 16 March, 2009 09:40
> To: cq-contest at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] WPX FAQ - Single op off times
> 
> >From the CQ WPX FAW site:
> 
> Single operators must take 12 hours off during the contest.  
> How are off times calculated?
> 
> Single operator entries are permitted a maximum operating 
> time of 36 hours. Off times must be a minimum of 60 minutes. 
> The 60 minute period is defined the same as the 10-minute 
> rule described above. If your last QSO before an off time is 
> at 09:27, you may not make another QSO until 10:27.
> 
> Off times can be of any length. For example, you can have 
> breaks of 1 hour, 4 hours, and 7 hours. Or you can take all 
> of your off time in one 12 hour break. If you take a break 
> that is less than 60 minutes, this time will count as operating time.
> 
> Any QSOs in your log after 36 hours of operating time will be 
> removed without penalty during the log checking.  The rules 
> no longer require you to submit the list of off time periods 
> in your log. The log checking software will do the off time 
> calculations.
> 
> _________________________
> 
> This means that if you start the contest at 0059z that you 
> cannot count the first 59 minutes as off time.
> Similarly, if you make your last QSO at 2301z you cannot  
> count the last 59 minutes as off time.
> You need to remember this when taking your off times in the 
> middle of the contest.
> 
> However, the last section from the FAQ above seems to suggest 
> the following counter examples:
> 
> example 1:
> operate from 0000-2359z - 24 hours operating time off time 
> from 0000-1130z - 11:30 off time operate from 1131-2359z - 
> more than 12 hours operating time  so last 29 minutes QSOs 
> removed with no penalty to bring down to 36 hours total 
> operating time.  
> 
> example 2: 
> operate from 0000-2359z - 24 hours operating time off time 
> from 0000-1130z - 11:30 off time operate from 1131-2330z - 
> Finish 36 hours allowed operating time.
> But now  the last 29 minutes are too short to be an off time 
> - see second section in FAQ - minimum 60 minutes off time.
> 
> Terry Zivney, N4TZ/9  aka KS9K
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