GARES Winter 2016/17 Challenge: Rules
This is a club-sponsored opportunity for you to do some general operating and to share your results with others. You are invited to work stations in as many countries (DX entities) AND States of the USA as possible on ANY band during the period of the challenge. This approach has been taken to give as much flexibility as possible given the generally poor conditions on the HF bands as we approach sunspot minimum. There will be two sections: A = 100W maximum and B = 10W maximum. For scoring purposes, a country (or DX entity) and each US State will count only once irrespective of the frequency band or mode used. Although we will "keep score" the activity is not meant to be excessively competitive. It is more important that as many people as possible join in to gain experience, perhaps build new antennas and try new modes of operation. Most of all it should be fun!
WHEN: 1st November 2016 to 31st January 2017, both dates inclusive.
WHERE: On any band for which the participant is licensed to operate.
MODES: CW, Voice, Data in any combination.
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:
- Section A: 100 Watts or less.
- Section B: 10 Watts or less.
- The power used for each contact should be recorded.
AERIALS: No restrictions.
SCORING: One point per country (DX entity) or US State - each country and US State may only be claimed once irrespective of the band or mode used. Contacts must be made by you, using your own callsign, with a suffix if appropriate.
REPORTING: Country or US State, 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. Participants should submit separate score sheets for each section in which they participate, i.e. section A and/or section B. (It is permissible to enter in both sections if desired).
NOTE 1: If you are licensed to use more than one callsign a country may be claimed once only for scoring purposes 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. A suitable template is available. When submitting claims, please rename this file as:
Your callsign and section (A or B), e.g. G4BCA_A or G4BCA_B as appropriate.