[CQ-Contest] Rule Changes for the CQ WW WPX SSB and CW Contests in 2021

[Richard Smith]

 Hi Bud,
I'm wondering where the need for these suggested rule changes comes from. I haven't heard complaints from operators of this contest, but maybe there are complaints that I don't know about.
I guess I'm also wondering why this contest needs to be more like other contests. One of the things that makes each contest interesting is the differences in the rules. The WPX is unique among the major contests in that the multipliers are prefixes, each prefix counting once regardless of band. Low-band QSOs are worth more QSO points than high-band QSOs. Operating time for Single-Operators is 36 hours maximum. The exchange includes a serial number.
The WPX contest requires different strategy and somewhat different skills than other major contests. Off-times are required. Single-Ops get more off-time than in other major contests. Again, I'm wondering why the WPX, with all of its unique and interesting differences from other major contests, needs to be more like other contests, especially RTTY contests?  Why take something that works well and is very popular and change it?  The WPX Contest is a great contest as it is.
I suggest that you reconsider making changes to something that is working very well.
73, Rich, N6KT
    On Monday, November 16, 2020, 08:15:44 AM PST, Bud Trench <aa3b.bud at gmail.com> wrote:  
 
 The 2021 CQ WW WPX RTTY, SSB and CW contests will include a new
Multi-Transmitter Distributed category.  Stations operating in this category
may have a maximum of six transmitted signals, one per band at any one time,
from stations in different locations.  All equipment, including
remotely-controlled equipment, must be located in same DXCC entity and CQ
Zone.  Six bands may be activated simultaneously.  This is a new,
stand-alone category.  It is not intended to replace, or compete with, other
multi-operator categories. 

 

QSO alerting systems will now be permitted in all CQ WW WPX SSB and CW
Single Operator categories, except the Single Operator Classic Overlay
categories.  This change also results in elimination of the requirement for
audio recordings.  The drivers for combining the Single Op Assisted and
Unassisted categories include:

 

*    Use of QSO alerting systems by single operator participants is
allowed in 70% (33 or 47) of the international DX contests recently
reviewed, including CQ WPX RTTY

 

*    It is becoming increasingly more difficult to draw the line between
assisted and unassisted operations as SDR technologies become more
integrated with contest software / networks

 

*    This step further aligns CQ WW WPX SSB / CW with CQ WW WPX RTTY.
The use of QSO alerting systems in CQ WW WPX RTTY has been permitted since
the mid-1990's

 

The Single Operator Classic Overlay categories will continue to prohibit the
use of QSO alerting systems and should be considered by participants
preferring to be unassisted.  Also, the maximum operating time for Single
Operator Classic Overlay participants has been reduced from 36 to 24 hours.
Further, the Multi-Operator Single Transmitter High and Low Power Classic
Overlay categories have been removed from the rules.

 

The full rules for CQ WW WPX SSB and CW 2021 will be posted on the CQ
website <www.cq-amateur-radio.com <http://www.cq-amateur-radio.com> > and
the CQ WW WPX Contest website <www.cqwpx.com <http://www.cqwpx.com/> > in
early 2021.

 

73,

 

Bud Trench, AA3B

Director, CQ WPX Contest

web:  <https://cqwpx.com/> https://cqwpx.com

email:  <mailto:director at cqwpx.com> director at cqwpx.com

 

 

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