[CQ-Contest] CQ WW Contest Committee Update

[Bob Cox]

Dear Fellow Contesters,


The CQ WW SSB contest is coming soon.  The conditions lately have improved.
The CQ WW + improved conditions make for a VFB combination. We all are
hoping that 10 and 15 will be open world-wide.


1. *Fair Play*


Many competitors enter a contest to compete for a top spot in their country,
continent or the world. In is very important for all of us to promote fair
play in contesting. Fair play is addressed with the Contester’s Code of
Ethics and the Contesting University lecture on ethics.

Two relevant points from the Contester’s Code of Ethics are:

   - I will learn and obey the rules of any contest I enter, including
   the rules of my entry category
   - I will not modify my log after the contest by using additional
   data sources to correct call sign/exchange errors.

Both points are of high importance to ensure a fair contest.  The first
point includes running the power allowed by your chosen category.  An
entrant may run the maximum power allowed by their chosen category:1500, 100
or 5 watts. All high power categories must not exceed 1500 watts total
output power on any band at any time. You cannot run 1500 watts to each
antenna on a band.


Although, the second point addresses what occurs after the contest, the CQ
WW Contest Committee considers it unsportsmanlike to “clean” your log
post-contest using data sources such as recordings, call sign databases,
etc.


*Almost everyone belongs to a club.* Clubs worldwide can help promote FAIR
PLAY in contesting. The CQ WW Contest Committee has endorsed the Contesters
Code of Ethics created by the World Wide Radio Operators Foundation. The
code can be found at: http://wwrof.org/contester-code-of-ethics/ . A lecture
on “Contesting the Right Way” by K1DG is included as part of Contesting
University. It can be found at: http://pvrc.org/webinar/webinars.htm.


Both of these sources can be used to *create a club program concerning
ethics/FAIR PLAY*. If your club needs help developing a program, please
contact the CQ WW Contest Committee at questions at cqww.com.


 *2. Number of signals allowed. *

* *

If you enter any single operator category, you are allowed only one signal *on
the air *at any time. If you enter any multi-operator category, you are
allowed only one signal *on a band *at any time. How do you prevent two
signals on a band at the same time? The following information should help
multi-stations solve the problem.



n  Install a hardware lockout device.

n  Several solutions have been provided to the CQ WW Contest Committee. We
wish to thank: AD5X, LZ2GL, N6TV and W9ZRX for lockout device information.

n  To see their solutions go to cqww.com, look under *RESOURCES. *You will
find all the information you need.



*3. Assisted*

* *

Increasing the assisted award program and reporting has encouraged entrants
to enter this challenging category.  Why not participate in an assisted
category and to try to win an award or set a new assisted record?  We are
very encouraged that entrants have taken the time to understand what
assisted means. We will continue to expand the award program for all
assisted categories.


Let’s try again to make clear *when you should CLAIM to be in the ASSISTED
CATEGORY.*

*
*

Ask yourself the following question.


Did you have help finding the call sign of *any QSO *in your log?


* *

*No,** **I did not *have help finding/spotting* any QSO *in my log = *Single
operator category.*

*Yes**, **I did* have help finding/spotting* any QSO *in my log* = Assisted
category.*

*   *

If you have any questions concerning when to claim assisted, please contact
us at questions at cqww.com.


 *4. Have fun! Fun is what it is all about! Lots of activity and countries =
Lots of fun!*

*
*

73,

Bob, K3EST

CQ WW Director