(The General Rules for RSGB HF Contests do not apply to this event.)
1. GENERAL The aim of the contest is to promote contacts between stations in qualifying IOTA island groups and the rest of the world and to encourage expeditions to IOTA islands.
2. WHEN 1200UTC Saturday 26 July to 1200UTC Sunday 27 July 2003.
3. BANDS AND MODES 3.5, 7, 14, 21 and 28MHz, CW and SSB. IARU band plans should be observed, with CW contacts being made only in the recognised CW ends of the bands (see RSGB Yearbook and similar sources, for recognised IARU bandplans). Contest-preferred segments should be observed, no operation to take place on 3560 - 3600, 3650 - 3700, 14060 - 14125 and 14300 - 14350kHz.
4. CATEGORIES
(a) Location:
Island (Any station operating from a qualifying island, as
listed in the RSGB IOTA Directory. Island stations must ensure beforehand that
the island from which they are operating is a valid qualifying island for IOTA.
Any questions about the IOTA programme and island validity should be addressed
to the IOTA Manager G3KMA (g3kma@dial.pipex.com)
World (any station not on a qualifying island).
(b) Operators:
Single operator
Single-operator Assisted (passive use (self-spotting not allowed)
of DX spotting nets and DXCluster is allowed).
Multi-Operator (24-hour Mixed Mode only. Multi-ops are restricted
to a maximum of two transceivers, the second transceiver to be used to find
and call other stations only if the station is a new multiplier. It must not
be used to solicit other contacts, eg by calling "CQ" or "QRZ".
Any non-multiplier QSOs made accidentally on the second station should be logged,
but scored as zero points. Multi-ops may make passive use (self spotting not
allowed) of DX spotting nets and DXCluster. Multi-operator entrants should include
a full list of operators with their entry).
Short Wave Listener.
(c) Modes:
CW
SSB
Mixed-mode (multi-operator entries must be Mixed Mode).
(d) Operating Time:
24 hours
12 hours (Multi-operator entries must be 24 hours. In the 12-hour
categories, operation need not be for one continuous 12-hour period but, once
operation has commenced, off periods should be a minimum of 60 minutes.)
(e) Power: (Any station not indicating transmitter
power will be classified as High Power):
High-power
Low power (maximum 100 watts output)
QRP (maximum 5 watts output).
5. DXPEDITIONS
1. Island stations may, additionally, indicate that they are a DXpedition station
as defined below, and compete for a range of expedition trophies and certificates
(an additional listing will be shown in the results). It is essential that you
make this clear on your cover sheet as notification after the entry deadline
cannot be accepted.
2. The definition of DXpedition for this optional listing is one: where the
island can only be reached by boat or air (islands which can be accessed by
bridge or causeway - man-made or natural - are not eligible), where none of
the operators is resident on the island, where the operators take all radio
equipment and antennas with them and do not rely on a resident for any part
of the station, where, in the case of 100W IOTA Island DXpedition stations,
the antennas are limited to one element per band (eg dipole, vertical). (High
power DXpeditions have no antenna restrictions).
6. EXCHANGE Send RS(T) and serial number starting from 001, plus IOTA reference number if applicable (island stations MUST include the IOTA reference as part of their exchange with every QSO). Do not use separate numbering systems for CW and SSB. Stations may be contacted on both CW and SSB on each band.
7. SCORING
(a) QSO Points - Contacts with own IOTA reference count 3 points
and with other IOTA islands 15 points. Contacts with non-island stations count
3 points.
(b) Multiplier - The multiplier is the total of different IOTA
references contacted on each band on CW, plus the total of different IOTA references
contacted on each band on SSB. Multi-op stations may not work members of their
own group for multiplier credit.
(c) Total Score - The score is the total of QSO points on all
bands added together, multiplied by the total of multipliers.
8. LOGS
1. Electronic submission of logs by disc or e-mail is encouraged - and in fact
required - for all high scoring entrants and all who use a computer to log or
prepare the logs. Electronic entries are preferred, preferably in Cabrillo format
(a definition of Cabrillo, as applied to the IOTA contest, can be found on the
RSGB HFCC website). For other electronic log formats, include both log and summary
files. Always ensure that your logging software produces a log file which correctly
contains all the QSO data, and that the summary file clearly indicates your
category. However, if you prepare your log electronically by any means (eg Excel,
Word) then please send the electronic version, as it reduces the need for retyping
data.
2. Logs must show: Time, Callsign, Band, Mode, RST / serial number / IOTA reference sent, RST / serial number / IOTA reference received. Please ensure you send a single log in order of sent serial number. Do not send separate logs for each band. Logs from IOTA stations must state their island name and IOTA reference number.
3. Entries can be emailed to iota.logs@rsgb.org.uk and should be sent as a normal attachment to the e-mail. In the subject line of your e-mail message, please include your contest callsign.
4. Postal (paper and disc) entries should be addressed to: RSGB IOTA Contest, PO Box 9, Potters Bar, Herts EN6 3RH, England.
5. The closing date is for mailing of logs is 1 September 2003.
9. PENALTIES
Points may be deducted, or entrants disqualified, for violation of the rules
or the spirit of the contest. This includes, for example, refusal by IOTA island
stations to make contacts with their own country when requested, use of a third
party to make contacts on a list or net, working CW multipliers on an SSB frequency,
or not giving the IOTA reference for every contact. The decision of the IOTA
Contest Manager and RSGB HF Contests Committee is final in all matters of dispute.
10. SWL CONTEST
Scoring is as for the transmitting contest. Logs must be separate for each band,
and show Time, Callsign of station heard, RST / serial number / IOTA reference
sent, Callsign of station being worked, Multiplier claimed, QSO points. Under
'callsign of station being worked', there must be at least two other QSOs before
a callsign is repeated, or else 10 minutes must have elapsed. If both sides
of a QSO can be heard, they can be logged separately for points if appropriate.
11. AWARDS
Certificates will be awarded to leading stations in each category and section,
and in each continent, according to number of entries. Awards include:
CDXC Geoff Watts Memorial Trophy to the leading IOTA Islands (non expedition) station.
IOTA Trophy presented by the IOTA Committee to the leading IOTA Island DXpedition station.
Roger Balister, G3KMA, Trophy to the leading IOTA Island DXpedition 100W station.
David King, G3PFS, Trophy, in memory of Geoff Watts, to the leading British entrant operating from a location in the UK in the single operator 12-hour SSB category.
G3DYY Memorial Trophy to the leading British entrant operating from the UK in the single operator 24-hour CW category.
W9DWQ Contest Award to the leading Single Operator North American Island Expedition Station.
A range of additional trophies will be available for the 2003 Contest, for most Category winners. In addition, the Certificate program will be extended substantially. Details are being finalised at press time, and will be posted on the RSGB HFCC Web site as soon as they are available. No entrant will be eligible for more than one trophy.
12. NOTE FROM RSGB IOTA CONTEST MANAGER:
The IOTA Contest Manager, G3XTT, can be reached via the RSGB, or by e-mail at:
iotacontest@rsgb.org IOTA Contest information, including the results of the
contest, will be available at www.rsgbhfcc.org A list of entries received will
be posted at that site by 30 September. Claimed scores will be posted on the
website by mid-October. The official Results will appear in RadCom and on the
RSGB HFCC website. Entrants providing an e-mail address will receive a copy
of the results by e-mail. Copies of the RSGB IOTA Directory, if required, can
be purchased from RSGB (see www.rsgb.org/shop). A full list of IOTA islands,
and other information relating to the IOTA program can be found on the IOTA
Manager's website (http://www.blacksheep.org/hfcc/Rules-2003/www.eo19.dial.pipex.com/index.shtml).