GARES Spring VHF Challenge 2018: Rules
These rules are for the VHF (2m/70cm) contest
Click here for the rules to the HF (1.8 to 29.7MHz) contest that is running at the same time.
This is a club-sponsored opportunity for you to do some targeted operating and to share your results with others. You are invited to work stations in as many UK & IRISH COUNTIES & ISLANDS (see below) as possible on the 2m and 70cm bands during the period of the challenge using A MAXIMUM of 25 Watts. This is to encourage participation from Foundation and Intermediate licensees, and is specifically meant to encourage newcomers to the Challenge.
WHEN: 1st April 2018 to 30th June 2018, both dates inclusive.
WHERE: On the 2m and 70cm amateur bands.
MODES: ANY
ENTRIES: Contacts may be made from locations (e.g. main station, alternative, portable, mobile) within the IO81 locator square. (If you wish to operate from another square please seek advice!)
POWER: 25 Watts or less. The power used for each contact should be recorded.
AERIALS: No restrictions.
SCORING: TEN points for the first contact with a station in a particular county in ENGLAND (G, M, etc) and WALES (GW, MW, etc). TWENTY points for the first contact with a station in a particular county in NORTHERN IRELAND (GI, MI, etc), The REPUBLIC OF IRELAND (EI, EJ) and SCOTLAND (GM, MM, etc). Also TWENTY points for the first contact with a station in The ISLE of MAN (GD, MD, etc), JERSEY (GJ, MJ, etc) and GUERNSEY (GU, MU, etc.). Subsequent contacts with stations in counties or islands already worked will not score any further points. Contacts with stations in foreign countries (other than the Republic of Ireland) will score TWENTY points per contact. Contacts must be made by you, using your own callsign (with a suffix if appropriate).
REPORTING: County, Island (as defined above) or Foreign Country, Callsign of station worked, Date, Mode, Power (p.e.p.) at the output of the transmitter, and the aerial in use should be reported for each scoring contact.
AWARDS: Awards will be made to the leading stations in each section (High & Low Power) and to the highest placed newcomer to the HF Challenge.
NOTE 1: If you are licensed to use more than one callsign a scoring entity may be claimed once only irrespective of the callsign in use.
NOTE 2: Accurate exchange of callsigns and signal reports should be considered the minimum requirement for claiming a valid contact.
NOTE 3: Contacts should be made directly on a one-to-one basis without assistance from others. This precludes the relaying of real-time contact information by repeaters, internet links, other amateur stations or any other mode of indirect transmission. However, the use of DX spotting sites such as, for example, DX Summit is acceptable.
NOTE 4: It would help considerably if claims are made using a standard spreadsheet format.