[CQ-Contest] Is the wpx a prefix test or dx contest?

[Steef]

*The score says it all :-)
*

*VII. Contact Points:*

*(a)* Contacts between stations on different continents are worth three (3)
points on 28, 21, and 14 MHz and six (6) points on 7, 3.5, and 1.8 MHz.

*(b)* Contacts between stations on the same continent, but different
countries, are worth one (1) point on 28, 21, and 14 MHz and two (2) points
on 7, 3.5, and 1.8 MHz. Exception: For North American stations
only—contacts between stations within the North American boundaries (both
stations must be located in North America) are worth two (2) points on 28,
21, and 14 MHz and four (4) points on 7, 3.5, and 1.8 MHz.

*(c)* Contacts between stations in the same country are worth 1 point
regardless of band.


73

Steef PA3S

http://www.contestgroup.nl


2013/5/7 <Jimk8mr at aol.com>

>
> The WPX contest is an odd creature. It originally was indeed a DX contest,
> in which prefixes gave an interesting twist by providing a couple dozen
> multipliers from very active countries like the USA and Germany, somewhat
> offsetting the importance (though not the thrill) of working a VQ9 or the
> like.
>
> For many years there were no QSO points for working the same country. That
> certainly indicated that it was a DX contest. I did have fun  for several
> years back then trying for the "biggest" zero point score.  But the scoring
> system changed and now there is a very modest incentive to make  QSOs
> within
> your country..
>
> But when countries, including the USA, went to a callsign system with
> hundreds of possible prefixes, and set very few impediments to an
> individual
> acquiring or borrowing a nearly (or totally) unique prefix, the relation
> between multipliers and DX countries largely disappeared. The extra points
> for
> working DX remains as the sole indication of it still being a DX contest.
>
> So the WPX is still a DX contest, though very watered down. Being open  to
> everyone in the world, It does sound like a good candidate for CWAC,
> Contest
>  Within A Contest, treatment. Perhaps the new administration can take a
> look  at some additional, alternative algorithms for scoring, one of which
> could be  what you propose.
>
>
> 73    -    Jim   K8MR
>
>
>
>
> In a message dated 5/6/2013 11:02:42 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> rick at nq4i.com writes:
>
> I have  been holding this back now for a few weeks...but it is time to
> bring
> it  out...first and foremost, I am not a casual participant in  the
> WPXcontests...and I have won my share of them in the past 20 years  or
> more...3 times M-M CW and 6 time M-M SSB...along with various and  sundry
> single band efforts...
>
> The stated purpose of the WPX contest  as per their web site states:
>
>
> “The WPX contest is based on an award  offered by CQ Magazine for
> *w*orkingall
> *p*refi*x*es. Held on the last  weekend of March (SSB) and May (CW), the
> contest draws thousands of entries  from around the world.”
>
> No mention is made that what is really hiding  behind is an actual
> dxcontest.
>
>
>
> I offer the following (with  apologies to K1LZ) as material to consider:
>
> 2013 Claimed scores WPX  SSB
>
> K1LZ M-S 4726 qso's 1436 prefixes for 21.577 Mil points
>
> NQ4I  M-M 7077 qso's 1456 prefixes for 22,326 Mil points
>
>
>
> Obvious from  the get go:
>
> 1. The NQ4I team made 2351 MORE qso's than K1LZ.
>
> 2.  K1LZ had 3.17 points per qso and NQ4I had 2.16 points per qso
>
> Using the  most basic analysis it is very apparent that K1LZ had a
> HUGE advantage due  to geography than NQ4I.
>
> It is also apparent that the rewards associated  by making a large number
> of
> qso's and prefix mults is not afforded to the  NQ4I team.
>
>
>
> In order to level the playing field and make the  contest as it appears to
> have been designed, a prefix contest and not a dx  contest, I offer the
> following change to the WPX rules:
>
> The WPX  contest will consist of 3 points per qso, regardless of the
> frequency or  band used. All contacts will receive 3 points per qso, and
> the
> multiplier  used will be determined by the total number of  different
> prefixes  worked.
>
>
>
> If we reconsider K1LZ's score and NQ4I's score the  following scores would
> be resulted:
>
> K1LZ 4726 qso's 1436 prefixes  and 20.359 MIL points
>
> NQ4I 7077 qso's 1456 prefixes and 30.912 MIL  points
>
>
>
> Now these score are much more representative of the  efforts of EACH team
> and reward both teams accordingly and fairly. By  allowing 3 points per
> qso,
> you eliminate the geographical advantages and  make the contest playing
> field level for all.
>
>
>
> Respectfully  submitted,
>
>
>
> Rick  NQ4I
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