The SKCC QSO Party aims to bring together operators with different skill levels in a informal operating event lasting 24 hours. The event starts at 1800 UTC on Saturday, October 1st, 2022 and
runs through Sunday, October 2nd, 2022 at 1800Z.
SKCC members who participate in the QSO Party must use straight keys, sideswipers (cooties), or bugs. Waivers from this policy are possible. For details, see the club's policy on approved keying devices here. Because this event aims to include newcomers to CW as well as experience brass-pounders, operating speed should be adjusted accordingly.
Please address any questions or ideas for improvement to the QSO Party Manager,
qso-party@skccgroup.com.
Rules:
1. Object:
For Amateur Radio CW operators worldwide to exchange information with SKCC members worldwide (SKCC members work anyone and non SKCC members work SKCC members) on any band except 60m, 30m, 17m and 12m.
2. Date and Event Period:
Starts on Saturday October 1st, 2022 at 18:00 UTC and ends on Sunday October 2nd, 2022 at 18:00 UTC. Event period is 24 hours with no operating time limits.
3. Entry Categories (All categories are CW mode only):
3.1 Single Operator
The use of spotting assistance or automated, multi-channel decoders is permitted.
3.1.1 QRP 5 watts or less
3.1.2 Low Power (100 watts or less)
3.1.3 High Power (Over 100 watts)
3.2 Multi-operator, Single Transmitter
The use of spotting assistance or automated, multi-channel decoders is permitted.
3.2.1 QRP 5 watts or less
3.2.2 Low Power (100 watts or less)
3.2.3 High Power (Over 100 watts)
3.3 Unlimited
Any combination of transmitters, receivers, operators and use of spotting assistance or automated, multi-channel decoders is permitted. All transmitters and receivers must be co-located. All transmitters must claim the highest power level used on any one transmitter.
3.3.1 QRP 5 watts or less
3.3.2 Low Power (100 watts or less)
3.3.3 High Power (Over 100 watts)
3.3.4 Unlimited class operations may only have one operator per band at any given time.
4. Event Exchange and Calling
4.1 Exchange
4.1.1 The exchange must include: RST, SPC, Name and four-digit Grid Square (ie: EN41) NOTE: SKCC member number is optional and not required unless you wish to use the QSO toward SKCC award credit. In that case, both parties must have and exchange SKCC member numbers and must conform to all SKCC rules for valid exchanges.
4.1.2 SKCC Members calling CQ should identify themselves as SKCC members by calling. CQ SKQ de call sign.
4.1.3 Non-SKCC stations calling CQ for SKCC members should identify themselves as non-members by calling CQ NSK de call sign.
4.1.4 Stations operating from multiple grid squares should ID with "/P" or "/M".
4.2 Logging
4.2.1 Any logging program that will generate a text file for submission (if requested) may be used. Logs are not required unless requested. See section 8.1
5. Scoring:
5.1 QSO Points: One point for each unique QSO. QSOs with the same station in multiple Grid Squares on the same band are allowed and are counted as one QSO point each. QSOs with the same station in the same Grid Square but on a different band are allowed and are counted as one QSO point each. These same rules apply to DX QSOs (QSOs with stations outside of the United States).
5.1.1 Non-member to non-member QSOs do not count for QSO points or multipliers.
5.2 Multipliers
5.2.1 For the purpose of scoring multipliers, each individual four-digit Grid Square number may only be used as a multiplier point one time regardless of how many individual stations you work within that Grid Square.
5.3 Final Score:
Multiply QSO points by multiplier. Example: KE1BE works 357 stations (including multi band QSOs) and has a multiplier of 67 (67 unique Grid Square numbers). His score would be 357 QSO points multiplied by 67 for a total of 23,919 points.
6. Miscellaneous:
6.1 All SKCC members must abide by the SKCC rules for keying devices as stated on the skccgroup.com website. Non-members may use any keying method but mechanical keys (straight key, bug or cootie) are preferred if possible.
7. Awards:
7.1 Certificates will be awarded to the three top-scoring stations in each category.
8. Log Submission:
8.1. Log submission will not be required unless requested by the event administrator to resolve a conflict or scoring issue. If requested, any log using a computer generated report in a text format will be acceptable. Hand-written paper logs are not acceptable.
8.1.1 If requested, logs must contain the following information for each QSO: Call sign of station worked, SPC, band, time and Grid Square. Incomplete entries will not be counted toward the total QSO count or, if applicable, the multiplier number.
8.1.2 The heading of the log must contain your name, call sign(s) used, grid square(s) you operated from and SKCC number(s) used (if applicable). If you change power level categories, your log will be considered submitted at the highest power level used.
8.1.3 All information submitted becomes the property of the SKCC.
8.2 All entries for this event must be submitted before 00:00 UTC on October 13th, 2022 via the SKCC QSO Party submission page.
8.2.1 Results submissions will not be allowed after the submission window closes.
8.2.2 All questions should be emailed to:
qso-party@skccgroup.com
8.2.3 Any multi operator station or operation must submit their results using a single call sign.
9. Disputes
9.1 In the event of disputes or questions that cannot be resolved by the event administrator, the SKCC Board of Directors shall have the final say.
10. Results
10.1 Results will be posted on the SKCC website.
The SKCC reserves the right to make changes or revisions to these rules up to 24 hours prior to the start of the event. Please be sure to check the rules for revisions during the 24 hour period preceding the event.