[VHFcontesting] ARRL VHF Contest Rules Changes

[James Duffey]

The recent ARRL BOD minutes contain the following action on the new VHF contesting rules changes. The adapted rules pretty much follow the proposed rules with some clarification. As far as assistance goes, pretty much everything is allowed, except that the rules specify that once the contact has started, assistance may not be used. Please don’t shoot the messenger. :^)= - Duffey KK6MC

Cut and paste from the minutes:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the General Rules for All ARRL Contests Above 50 MHz shall be amended as follows:

Rule 1.7:
Change from:
“Retransmitting either or both stations, or use of repeater frequencies, is not permitted.” Change to:
“Retransmitting either or both stations, use of repeater frequencies for purposes of completing a contact or using repeater frequencies under Rule 1.16 against the wishes of the repeater owner is not permitted.”

Rule 1.7.1, which prohibits use of all repeater frequencies, shall be deleted (since the aforementioned revision of Rule 1.7 addresses this topic adequately).

Rule 1.7.2 which prohibits contest entrants from transmitting on repeaters or repeater frequencies for the purpose of soliciting contacts shall be deleted (since the aforementioned revision of Rule 1.7 addresses this topic adequately).

A new rule shall be created as follows:
Rule 1.16: All entrants, regardless of category, are permitted to use spotting assistance or nets including but not limited to DX-alerting nets, internet chat rooms, APRS and other packet, reverse beacon networks and repeaters to identify stations available for contacts and to announce (self-spot) their availability for contacts. Announcements shall be limited to call sign, location, band or frequency, mode and – if applicable – transmitting sequence and listening direction. These methods of spotting assistance may also be used to coordinate antenna peaking prior to initiation of the contact and to explain contest rules, such as the exchange required, for those who need clarification. Such assistance may not be used to facilitate the completion of any contact once the contact has commenced. This means such assistance may not be used to convey receipt or non- receipt of any required element of a contact or to request a repeat of any required element of a contact.

Rule 2.1:
Change from:
“Single Operator: One person performs all transmitting, receiving, spotting, and logging functions as well as equipment and antenna adjustments. Only one transmitted signal is permitted at any given time. Use of spotting assistance or nets (operating arrangements involving other individuals, DX-alerting nets, internet chat rooms, packet, etc.) is not permitted.”
Change to:
“One person performs all transmitting, receiving, spotting, and logging functions as well as equipment and antenna adjustments. Only one transmitted signal per band is permitted at any given time. Non-contact-producing activities as described in Rule 1.16 are not considered transmitted signals for the purpose of applying this rule.”

Rule 2.5 and Rule 2.6 including all of their subsections shall be deleted and subsequent rules renumbered logically as appropriate. Aforementioned changes negate the need for these categories.

Rule 2.7.7, which presently states that “Rovers are permitted to use APRS. Rovers using APRS transmit only their call sign and position. Any multi-op station may access rover APRS data directly or via the Internet.” shall be deleted.

Finally, all Contest-specific rules for all VHF, UHF, microwave and EME contests shall be amended as necessary to give effect to the above general rule modifications, beginning with the June 2015 VHF contest.