May 2000 QST

2000 ARRL June VHFQSO Party RulesBy Dan Henderson, N1NDContest Branch Manager1. Object: To work as many amateur stationsin as many different 2º × 1º grid squaresas possible using authorized frequenciesabove 50 MHz. Foreign stations work W/VEamateurs only.2. Date and Contest Period: The secondfull weekend in June. Begins 1800 UTC Saturday,ends 0300 UTC Monday (June 10–12,2000).3. Entry Categories:3.1. Single Operator. (See “GeneralRules for all ARRL Contests above 50MHz” page 106 in the November 1999 issueof QST for new rules for this category.)3.1.1. Low Power3.1.2. High Power3.2. Single Operator, QRP Portable.3.3. Rover.3.4. Multioperator.3.5. Limited Multioperator.4. Exchange: Grid-square locator (seeApril 1994 QST, p 86).4.1. Exchange of signal report is optional.5. Scoring:5.1. QSO points:5.1.1. Count one point for each complete50- or 144-MHz QSO.5.1.2. Count two points for each 222- or432-MHz QSO.5.1.3. Count three points for each 902-or 1296-MHz QSO.5.1.4. Count four points for each 2.3GHz (or higher) QSO.5.2. Multiplier: The total number of differentgrid squares worked per band. Each 2º× 1º grid square counts as one multiplier oneach band it is worked.5.3. Final score: Multiply the total numberof QSO points from all bands operated bythe total number of multipliers for final score.5.4. Rovers only: The final score consistsof the total number of QSO points from allbands times the sum of unique multipliers (gridsquares) worked per band (regardless of whichgrid square they were made in) plus one additionalmultiplier for every grid square fromwhich they successfully completed a contact.5.4.1. Rovers are listed in the contestscore listings under the Division from whichthe most QSOs were made.6. Reporting:6.1. Electronic submissions may be e-mailed to JuneVHF@arrl.org. Hand writtenpaper logs or diskettes should be mailedto June VHF, ARRL, 225 Main St,Newington, CT 06111.6.2. Entries which have been electronicallygenerated must submit their log filein acceptable ARRL file format. Paperprint outs of electronic files are not acceptablesubstitutes.6.3. Entries must be emailed or postmarkedno later than July 12, 2000. Latelogs will be designated as check-logs only.7. Miscellaneous:7.1. Stations may be worked for creditA More Level Playing Field for Single-Operator StationsEffective January 1, 2000, designated ARRL VHF contests (such as the June VHF QSOParty) have broken down the Single Operator category into two power levels: Single Op LowPower and Single Op High Power. The idea is to encourage more activity among lower-powerstations. Now smaller stations can participate with the knowledge that their scores will be matchedagainst similar operations, not against Big-Gun single ops using high-power amplifiers.To qualify in the Single Op Low Power category, your output power must not exceed 200W PEP on 50 and 144 MHz, 100 W PEP on 222 and 432 MHz and 10 W PEP on 902 MHz andhigher. If your power exceeds these limits on any band, your entry category will be a SingleOp High Power.The key to a good score is to be active on as many bands as possible. The TechnicalInformation Service has developed a Web resource with various hints and helpful informationfor VHF/UHF/microwave operating. Point your browser to: http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/uhfmw.html and open the door to more fun and challenges in VHF/UHF contesting.only once per band from any given gridsquare, regardless of mode. This does not prohibitworking a station from more than onegrid square with the same call sign (such as aRover).7.2. Only permitted one signal per band(6, 2, 1 1 /4 meters, etc) at any given time ispermitted, regardless of mode.7.3. Multi-operator stations may not includeQSOs with their own operators excepton frequencies higher than 2.3 GHz. Eventhen, a complete, different station (transmitter,receiver and antenna) must exist for eachQSO made under these conditions.7.4. Forms may be obtained by:7.4.1. Downloading from the ContestBranch Web site: http://www.arrl.org/contests/forms.7.4.2. Sending an SASE to June VHFForm Request, ARRL, 225 Main St,Newington, CT 06111.7.4.3. Send an e-mail request to:info@arrl.org with the text as follows:HELPSEND JUNEVHF.FRMQUIT8. Awards: Certificates will be awardedin the following categories:8.1. Single operator.8.1.1. Top single operator low and highpower in each ARRL/RAC Section.8.1.2. Top single operator low and highpower on each band (50, 144, 222, 432, 902,1296 and 2304-and-up categories) in eachARRL/RAC Section where significant effortor competition is evident. (Note: Since thehighest score per band will be the award winnerfor that band, an entrant may win a certificatewith additional single-band endorsements.)For example, if W1INF has the highestsingle-operator all-band score in the CTSection and his 50- and 222-MHz scores arehigher than any other CT single operator’s,he will earn a certificate for being the singleoperatorSection leader and endorsements for50 and 222 MHz.8.2. Top single-operator, QRP portable ineach ARRL/RAC Section where significanteffort or competition is evident. (Single-operator,QRP portable entries are not eligiblefor single-band awards.)8.3. Top Rover in each ARRL Divisionand Canada where significant effort or competitionis evident. (Rover entries are not eligiblefor single-band awards.)8.4. Top multi-operator score in eachARRL/RAC Section where significant effortor competition is evident. (Multioperator entriesare not eligible for single-band awards.)8.5. Top limited multioperator in eachARRL/RAC Section where significant effortor competition is evident. (Limitedmultioperator entries are not eligible forsingle-band awards.)8.6 Plaques, if sponsored, will be awardedin the following categories:8.6.1. Top 10 Single Operator (both Highand Low Power) scorers.8.6.2. Top 5 Single Operator QRP Portablescorers.8.6.3. Top 5 Rover scorers.8.6.4. Top 10 Multi-Operator scorers.8.6.5. Top 5 Limited Multi-Operatorscorers.9. Other:9.1 See “General Rules for All ARRLContests” page 101 and “General Rules forARRL Contests on bands above 50 MHz(VHF)” page 106 in the November 1999 QST.9.2. For more information e-mail N1ND@arrl.org or call 860-594-0232.May 2000 83