[CQ-Contest] The 2021 Unassisted Challenge

Wed Mar 17 14:13:29 EDT 2021

Jeff KU8E wrote:

> I think the point he was trying to make was about the ARRL DX Contest. 
> In the past you were allowed one run radio and multiplier station(s) with a 10 minute rule. Now you are only allowed one radio (and a multiplier station to only listen) with a total 10 band changes per hour. So to work a new multiplier you have to give up your run frequency and hope you can QSY back to your run > frequency in time before someone else grabs it. Plus QSYing back to your run frequency counts as a band change. That's a pretty boring way to operate a contest as Multi-Single. 
> It's basically a Single-Op operated by multiple operators that can't do SO2R effectively. I wish ARRL would change to Multi-Single rule back to what it was which is similar to the CQ Multi-Single rules.

This isn't quite accurate. ARRL rules don't say anything about radios. You're not limited to "one radio". You're restricted to one transmitted signal at a time. And there's no restriction to "a multiplier station to only listen". Non-run stations can transmit, as long as they don't transmit when the run station is transmitting. You can use as many radios as you like, with as many operators as you like, simultaneously listening, and they can work anyone, new mult or not. But if a QSO takes place on a different band from the previous QSO logged on that band during the same hour, you use up one of your 10 band changes per hour. This means you can interleave any number of QSOs made with different radios on the same band, and nominally you can interleave up to five QSOs on bands other than the run band. While the ARRL rules don't explicitly require interlock, like the CQ rules, it's necessary to avoid mistakes. With the skilled ops and an effective interlock system, the run station won't lose its run frequency (S&P exchanges are generally much shorter than run exchanges.) The risk of losing the run frequency isn't any greater than that faced by SO2R and 2BSIQ single-ops. 

ARRL M/S isn't quite as good as SO2R, where there's no band change limit, but it's more effective than suggested by the above description. There are two main differences from the CW M/S rules: 1) the non-run stations can only work new mults, and 2) if a station makes a QSO on a given band, it (or any of the other stations) has to stay on that band for at least 10 minutes. 

#2 makes CQ M/S more like SO2R than ARRL M/S, though not as effective as it is for single-op. However, the ability to use multiple ops compensates by allowing the run op to concentrate on working the pileup.

73, Dick WC1M

On 3/16/2021 03:12 PM, dimitri wrote:
> Hi xxx,
>
> You wrote,
> <<<
> If even multi operator single transmitter stations are prevented from "running" on two frequencies, why is it accepted for what is called single operator two radio to do the same?
> Of course, multi op single transmitter is a SINGLE TRANSMITTER... (S&P 
> allowed for new multis only on another band) otherwise it would be 
> called multi/multi and that's another category ;-)
>
> Some single-op are SO2R (they alternate the transmission and not in the same time as you wrote) just because the rule says something like  "only one transmitted signal at any time" so...
>
> there will always be eternal dissatisfied regardless of the rules
>
> 73 de Dimitri F4DSK
>
> Le 16 mars 2021 à 19:33, à 19:33, D Bender <arsww6d at hotmail.com> a écrit:
>> I dont really care about the assisted versus unassisted.  I have not 
>> been in it long enough to care.  Its all the same to me.
>>
>> What does bother me is that you have certain stations that transmit
>> (run) on two different frequencies at the same time - on different 
>> bands.  I have been told that multi operator, single transmitter 
>> stations can transmit on one band at a time and that they used to be 
>> able to alternate transmit on the same band (CQ in two different
>> places) but that the contest committee found this to be abusive.
>>
>> If even multi operator single transmitter stations are prevented from 
>> "running" on two frequencies, why is it accepted for what is called 
>> single operator two radio to do the same?
>>
>> Rather than accept frequency hogging on two or three different 
>> frequencies, why not limit single operators to running on one band 
>> and searching one band.
>>
>> 73 and God Bless.
>>
>> ________________________________
>> From: CQ-Contest
>> <cq-contest-bounces+arsww6d=hotmail.com at contesting.com> on behalf of 
>> AB1J via CQ-Contest <cq-contest at contesting.com>
>> Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2021 9:31 AM
>> To: wc1m73 at gmail.com <wc1m73 at gmail.com>
>> Cc: cq-contest at contesting.com <cq-contest at contesting.com>
>> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] The 2021 Unassisted Challenge
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Dick Green <wc1m73 at gmail.com>
>>
>> The Classic category has never made sense. It’s supposed to be “a boy 
>> and his radio”, but what does the 24-hour limit have to do with that?
>> Nothing.
>>
>>
>>
>> Those boys are old boys now, with all the limitations and challenges 
>> thereof.
>>
>> 73,
>> Ken, AB1J (on a high speed trajectory toward 79)
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Dick Green <wc1m73 at gmail.com>
>> To: Albert Crespo <f5vhj at orange.fr>
>> Cc: dimitri <cosson-dimitri at bbox.fr>; cq-contest 
>> <cq-contest at contesting.com>
>> Sent: Tue, Mar 16, 2021 1:52 am
>> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] The 2021 Unassisted Challenge
>>
>> Hmmm. It appears that spotting assistance still isn’t allowed in the 
>> Classic overlay. Presumably Classic scores will also be included in 
>> the new sole SO (Assisted) category, which mixes apples and oranges 
>> even more than before, when Classic scores were included in the SO 
>> Unassisted category.
>>
>> The Classic category has never made sense. It’s supposed to be “a boy 
>> and his radio”, but what does the 24-hour limit have to do with that?
>> Nothing.
>>
>> My guess is that if there was a poll, more people would ask for a 
>> 24-hour category than for a “boy and his radio” category. Seems to me 
>> that there are more people with occasional scheduling conflicts than 
>> people who are nostalgic for the way contesting was in the Stone Age.
>> That’s certainly true for me: when I can’t put in a full effort, I’d 
>> sure like to compete for 24-hours with both radios. In other words, 
>> I’d much prefer a 24-hour SO overlay with no more restrictions than 
>> the regular SO category.
>>
>> Yes, I’m suggesting that SO2R and spot assistance be allowed in a new 
>> 24-hour overlay in WPX (and let’s get rid of Classic.) Don’t get me 
>> wrong. I’m not a fan of SO Assisted operating in WPX or any other 
>> contest. In my 20 serious efforts in WPX, most of which were 
>> competitive, I tried it once, in 2017. I did OK, but it was really 
>> boring. I’d be happier if the Unassisted category hadn’t been removed
> >from WPX, and I plan to participate in the 2021 Unassisted Challenge
>> this year. My suggestion that Assisted be allowed in a new 24-hour 
>> overlay is simply for consistency with the new rules.
>>
>> 73, Dick WC1M
>>
>>> On Mar 15, 2021, at 10:34 AM, Albert Crespo <f5vhj at orange.fr> wrote:
>>>
>>> These are the 2021 categories- No seperate assisted or non assisted
>> classes. Simple.
>>> VI. ENTRY CATEGORIES:
>>> Use of QSO alerting assistance is permitted in all categories with
>> the exception of the Single Operator Classic Overlay.
>>> A. Single Operator Categories:One person (the operator) performs all
>> operating and logging functions. There is no limit on band changes.
>> Only one transmitted signal is permitted at any time.
>>> 1. Single Operator High Power (All Band or Single Band):Total output
>> power must not exceed 1500 watts.
>>> 2. Single Operator Low Power (All Band or Single Band):Total output
>> power must not exceed 100 watts.
>>> 3. Single Operator QRP (All Band or Single Band): Total output power
>> must not exceed 5 watts.
>>> B. Single Operator Overlay Categories: Any Single Operator entrant
>> who meets the requirements may ALSO enter one of the categories shown 
>> below by adding the appropriate CATEGORY-OVERLAY line in the Cabrillo 
>> log file header. Overlay category entries will be listed separately 
>> in the results, scored as All Bands, and grouped by High Power and 
>> Low Power (includes QRP).
>>> 1. Tribander/Single Element (TB-WIRES): During the contest an 
>>> entrant
>> shall use only one (1) tribander (any type, with a single feed line
> >from the transmitter to the antenna) for 10, 15, and 20 meters and
>> single-element antennas on 40, 80, and 160 meters. Separate receiving 
>> antennas are not permitted in this category.
>>> 2. Rookie (ROOKIE): To enter this category the operator must have
>> been licensed as a radio amateur three (3) years or less on the date 
>> of the contest. The date the operator was first licensed must be 
>> indicated in the SOAPBOX field. An operator who has won a plaque in 
>> any previously published CQ contest is not eligible for the Rookie 
>> category.
>>> 3. Classic Operator (CLASSIC): The entrant will use only one radio
>> and may operate up to 24 of the 36 hours – off times are a minimum of
>> 60 minutes during which no QSO is logged. If the log shows more than 
>> 24 hours of operation, only the first 24 hours will be counted for 
>> the overlay score. Use of QSO alerting assistance of any kind is 
>> prohibited (see rule IX.B) for the duration of contest. Receiving 
>> while transmitting is also prohibited.
>>> C. Multi-Operator Categories (All Band only): More than one person
>> can contribute to the final score during the official contest period.
>> Select category based on number of transmitted signals or number of 
>> locations
>>> 1. Single-Transmitter (MULTI-ONE): Only one transmitted signal is
>> permitted at any time. A maximum of ten (10) band changes may be made 
>> in any clock hour (00 through 59 minutes). For example, a change from
>> 20 meters to 40 meters and then back to 20 meters counts as two band 
>> changes. Use a single serial number sequence for the entire log.
>>> a. High Power. Total output power of each transmitted signal must 
>>> not
>> exceed 1500 watts.
>>> b. Low Power. Total output power of each transmitted signal must not
>> exceed 100 watts.
>>> 2. Two-Transmitter (MULTI-TWO): A maximum of two transmitted signals
>> is permitted at any time on two different bands. Both transmitters 
>> may work any station. A station may only be worked once per band 
>> regardless of which transmitter is used. The log must indicate which 
>> transmitter made each QSO (column 81 of CABRILLO QSO template for CQ contests).
>> Each transmitter may make a maximum of eight (8) band changes in any 
>> clock hour (00 through 59 minutes). Use a separate serial number 
>> sequence for each band. Total output power of each transmitted signal 
>> must not exceed 1500 watts.
>>> 3. Multi-Transmitter (MULTI-UNLIMITED): A maximum of six transmitted
>> signals, one per band, at any one time. Six bands may be activated 
>> simultaneously. Use a separate serial number sequence for each band.
>> Total output power of each transmitted signal must not exceed 1500 
>> watts.
>>> 4. Multi-Transmitter Distributed (MULTI-DISTRIBUTED): A maximum of
>> six transmitted signals, one per band at any one time, from stations 
>> in different locations. All equipment (transmitters, receivers, 
>> amplifiers, antennas, etc.) must be located in same DXCC entity and 
>> CQ Zone, including remotely controlled equipment. Six bands may be 
>> activated simultaneously. Use a separate serial number sequence for 
>> each band. Total output power of each transmitted signal must not 
>> exceed 1500 watts. The Cabrillo log header must include the following
>> lines: CATEGORY-OPERATOR: MULTI-OP, CATEGORY-STATION: DISTRIBUTED.
>> Rules X.E, X.F and X.G do not apply to this category.
>>> D. Checklog: Entry submitted to assist with the log checking. The
>> entry will not have a score in the results and the log will not be 
>> made public.
>>> VII. AWARDS:
>>> A single-band log will be eligible for a single-band award only. To
>> be eligible for an award, a Single Operator station must show a 
>> minimum of 4 hours of operation. Multi-operator stations must operate 
>> a minimum of 8 hours.
>>> A. Plaques are awarded to recognize top performance in a number of
>> categories. View the current list of plaques and sponsors at .
>>> Only one plaque will be awarded per entry. A station winning a World
>> plaque will not be considered for a sub-area award. That award will 
>> be given to the runner-up for that area if the number of entries 
>> justifies the award.
>>> B. Certificates: Electronic certificates will be made available for
>> download for everyone that submits an on-time entry.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> Message of 03/13/21 21:27 > From: "dimitri" > To: "Alexander
>> Avramov" > Copy to: "K7LXC via CQ -Contest "> Subject: *** SPAM *** Re:
>> [CQ-Contest] The 2021 Unassisted Challenge >> Hi Alex, Where did you 
>> saw that you must operate assisted ... ??? Unassisted operators have 
>> often higher score than assisted ones so where is your problem? 73 by 
>> Dimitri F4DSK On March 13, 2021 at 20:56, at 20:56, Alexander Avramov 
>> wrote:> This announcement made my day today! Axel and Dan, thank you!
>>>>> The CQ WPX is not my favorite but I did enjoy it a lot and always
>> have> put> a full effort into it. I won 6 times in the recent years 
>> have> put> and
>> set the US> SOABHP record 4 times in a row. I wasn't thinking of 
>> stopping there but> the> recent elimination of the SOAB category made 
>> me scratch it off my list. > I> do not like operating assisted and 
>> see no point in doing something that> I> do not enjoy. Until today, 
>> the WPX was dead for me. >>> Axel and Dan, again, thank you for 
>> bringing the real WPX back to life! > Please, do let me know if I 
>> could help with anything. >>> Rest in peace CQ WPX, long live WPX 
>> challenge! >>> Alex,
>> LZ4AX> _______________________________________________> CQ-Contest
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