General Rules for RSGB VHF/UHF/SHF Contests 2007

1. General

a.    These rules apply to all RSGB VHF/UHF contests except where superseded by specific contest rules.

b.    Entrants must abide by their licence conditions and observe the RSGB/IARU bandplans.

c.    All entrants and operators must be RSGB members.

d.    Any queries about the contests, or cases of dispute should be addressed to the VHFCC Chairman, telephone number: 0118 972 4192, evenings/weekends. E-mail  chairman@vhfcc.org

2. Entries

a.    The preferred method of entry is by electronic log as an e-mail attachment sent to vhf.entry@vhfcc.org. 

b.    If you use a computer to prepare an entry, we require an electronic copy of the entry in an approved log file format. Acceptable file formats are REG1TEST .EDI (preferred), .LOG from SDV and G0GJV programs, N6TR .DAT, RSGB standard format and Cabrillo. If using Cabrillo the VHFCC template must be used, see http://www.vhfcc.org/cabrillo.htm for details.  Formats that integrate the log and cover sheet as a single file are preferred. Free software is available from VHFCC Chairman or http://www.vhfcc.org/. We regret that we are unable to accept non plain text formats such as Word .doc files or Spreadsheet files.

c.    E-mail entries must include a plain text file, ether integrated or as a separate file, that contains the same information as the paper coversheet (Form 427) including a contact phone number and/or e-mail address, and full postal address.

d.    E-mail subject headers must clearly indicate the relevant contest(s) and callsign(s) and section. The file names must consist of the callsign and the extension .LOG, .EDI or .COV, e.g. G9XYZ.LOG. Where the same callsign is used on more than one band, add some reference to the band, e.g. G9XYZ144.LOG.  Do not include any other information in the name of the file, e.g. contest name or section. A set of guidelines to be used when sending an electronic log can be found on the VHFCC web site at http://www.vhfcc.org/rules/emailguide.htm

e.    If you have used a paper-based system to log your entry, or do not have an email account, do not send your paper log or diskette to the VHFCC. The VHFCC have set up a simple to use web-based system to enable you to enter your log details online. This will enable us to receive an electronic version of your log without the need for you to use a computer based logging program or email account.  You can access the web system at http://www.vhfcc.org/entry.html. For those without computer access hand written or typed entries on paper are also acceptable. All entries are electronically crosschecked and paper logs have to be typed up by adjudicators so please supply an electronic log or the web based log if at all possible. Please include a declaration that you have no computer access to the Internet. 

f.    All paper entries must be accompanied by a VHF/UHF contest cover sheet (Form 427) for each band used, or a similar form that supplies the same information, including a contact telephone number and full postal address.

g.    Entries on paper and disk entries must be addressed to VHFCC, c/o 5 The Howsells, Lower Howsell Road, Malvern, WR14 1AD.  A single paper copy of each of the VHFCC's forms, for use as a photocopying master, may be obtained on request by sending an A5 or larger SASE to the same address.

h     All times must be logged in UTC.

i.     If a paper entry is used (see restrictions in (e) entries must be made out on current RSGB VHF/UHF log sheets or a close replica. Each sheet must be headed with the entrant's callsign, IARU locator, contest title and sheet number. Logs must be tabulated as follows:

                  i.     Date/time

                  ii.    Callsign of station worked

                  iii.   My report on his/her signal and serial number

                  iv.   His/her report on my signal and serial number

v     IARU Locator received

vi.   Post Code (when required)

vii   Other comments (non scoring/cross band QSO’s etc) 

j.     Any complaints/adverse comments received or made about signal quality must be recorded in the 'comments' column of the paper log or electronic log.

k.    In multi-band contests, single band entries are always acceptable.

l.     Entries must be postmarked or e-mailed not later than 16 days after the end of the contest, or, for cumulative contests, the last activity period. Entries for the UK activity contests must be sent within 10 days of the contest and must be in an electronic form, either email or using the web entry system (see 2(e))

3. Station/Operators

a.   Stations entering a fixed station section or contest must operate from permanent and substantial buildings located at the main station address as shown on the licence validation document. The spirit of the contest will be paramount.

b.   Stations not operating as a fixed station (as defined in 3(a)) must use the /P callsign suffix. Entrants may omit the /P suffix if using a special contest callsign, that is callsigns consisting of a single 'G' or 'M', a regional locator (if operating outside England) and a single suffix letter

c.   Entrants must not change their location or callsign during the contest. In multi-band events, all stations forming one entry must be located within a circle of 1 km radius. An operator may only be a part of one entry to any contest.

d.    Stations located outside of the UK (G, GW, GM, GI, GD, GU, GJ) may enter a contest, and will be tabulated within the overall results tables, but will only be eligible for their own awards.

e.    There must be only one frequency used for transmit on any band at any one time.

f.    The lower of the contest power limit or the standard licence power limit must not be exceeded during the contest. Contacts made under a high-power permit will not count for points. Severe action may be taken against infringements of this rule.

g.    Stations that persistently radiate poor quality signals, cause deliberate interference to other stations, or otherwise contravene the code of practice for VHF/UHF/SHF contest operation may be penalised.

h.    Entrants must permit inspection of their stations by members of VHFCC or its representatives, and give site access information if requested to do so. The inspector must be permitted to remain for as long as desired, and to return to the site for subsequent inspections at any time during the contest. Contestants must demonstrate to the inspector's satisfaction that they are obeying the rules of the contest.

4. Contacts

a.    The contest exchange consists of at least both callsigns, RS(T) signal reports followed by a serial number, and the IARU locator. Particular contests may require additional information to be exchanged as described in the individual contest rules.

b.    Serial numbers start from 001 on each band and advance by one for each contact. In cumulative contests serial numbers start from 001 for each activity period.

c.    Crossband contacts do not count for points below 2.3 GHz. On 2.3 GHz and above, crossband contacts are scored at 50% of the two way score.

d.    No points will be lost if a non-competing station cannot provide an IARU locator, serial number, or any other information that may be required. However, the receiving operator must receive and record sufficient information to be able to calculate the score.

e.    Contacts with callsigns appearing as operators on any of the cover sheets forming an entry will not count for points or multipliers.

f.    Only one scoring contact may be made with a given station on each band, regardless of suffix (/P, /M, etc.) during an individual contest or cumulative activity period. All non-scoring contacts must be clearly marked in the log.

g.    Contacts made using repeaters, satellites or moon bounce will not count for points.

h.    Proof of contact may be required. Any station may be approached, without notice to the entrant, for confirmation of contact details.

Please note the change to rules (i) and (k) from midnight 30th April 2007.

i.The active use (posting messages, arranging skeds, self spotting etc) of the DX Cluster and other spotting networks (including internet facilities for example ON4KST) to assist an entry to a contest on 6m, 4m, 2m and 70cm is banned in all RSGB contests with the exception of three IARU Region 1 co-ordinated contests (50MHz Trophy in June, 144MHz Trophy in September and 432MHz to 248GHz IARU in October) and the 144MHz Marconi contest in November where permitted by the IARU rules for these contests. You may spot a DX station as long as your operating frequency is not given. A list of do's and dont's can be found here

j.     Any band may be used for setting up contacts or talk back in connection with antenna alignment signals and confirmation that signals are audible.

k. All information must be copied off air at the time of the QSO and on the band in use. Databases must not be used to fill in missing information. The DX Cluster, talkback channels etc must not be used for passing or confirming any contest related information.

l.     In contests with a section 6S or 6O, stations may choose any continuous 6 hour period in which to operate (e.g. 1500-2100, or 1917-0117). Alternatively you may split the 6 hour period into two segments separated by at least 1 hour off time. Serial numbers must start at 001 for this 6 hour period, and you cannot enter both this section and the full contest. Section 6S is for single operator fixed stations, section 6O for all others. In multi-band contests the same single 6 hour period must be used on all bands.

5. Scoring

a.    Scoring will normally be at 1 point per km and commenced (part) km - i.e. 137.3km counts as 138 points. Contacts with stations in the same small locator square as your station (eg IO92AA to IO92AA) will score 1 point.

b.    For reference, scoring will be based on the algorithm implemented by the latest version of G0GJV's LOG software, but all logs will be rescored to this common standard during adjudication.

c.    Multi-band contests will contain an overall results table in addition to the individual band results. The scores in this final tabulation will be formed by taking the sum of the normalised scores on each band. The normalised scores will be calculated by:

Normalised score for each band/session =

(Score achieved x 1000)

(Band/session leader score)

6. Awards & Results

a.    Certificates will be awarded to the leading and second placed station in each section of the contest. However, no second place certificate will be awarded if there are only two valid entries to any contest section. .Additional certificates of merit may be awarded at the adjudicator's discretion.

b.    In all contests/sections where the power limit is above 25W, a certificate will be awarded to the leading fixed station using 25W or less into a single antenna.

c.    Placement certificates showing the result achieved in the contest can be obtained by including an A4 SAE with the entry marked with callsign, contest and (if applicable) group name.

d.    A certificate will be awarded to the leading Intermediate and leading Foundation licensees in each section.

e.    A certificate will be awarded to the leading Overseas station in each section.

f.    Trophies are awarded to the winners of a number of contests. These are listed separately.

7. Multipliers

a.    Where a contest uses multipliers, the score for each band will be the number of points made on that band multiplied by the number of multipliers contacted on that band.

b.    Where more than one type of multiplier is used in a contest, for instance country and locator, the total multiplier is the sum of the individual multiplier totals. (See individual contest rules.)

c.    In post code multiplier contests, each Scottish Post Code area may be worked up to three times for multiplier credit, and BT for Northern Ireland may be worked up to six times for multiplier credit. The TD area counts three times regardless of whether the stations contacted are in England or Scotland.

d.    In contests using Post Code Area multipliers the exchange will include the first 2 letters of the postcode (e.g. EN from EN5 7JE). Where a post code consists of only a single initial letter (e.g. B6 9AA), the exchange will be padded out to 2 letters - e.g. in this case 'BM'. A full list is provided at http://www.vhfcc.org/rules/07rules/postcode.htm.

e.    Locator multipliers are the total of large squares, IO91, JO01 etc., worked.

f.    A QSO with your own postcode, country or locator square as appropriate to the contest counts for multiplier credit, and any appropriate QSO can count as more than one multiplier (e.g. your first G QSO in an M3 multiplier contest will count for a new locator, postcode and country).

8. Adjudication

a.    Errors in sending/receiving are penalised by the loss of all points/multipliers for the QSO.

b.    Points may be deducted or entries disqualified or excluded for any breach of the rules or spirit of the contest.

9. Amendments

These rules are correct at the time of going to press but contestants are advised to check the RSGB VHF Contests Committee web site at http://www.vhfcc.org  for any possible updates. The rules published on the web site are definitive and take precedence in the event of a conflict.