The 2009 Philippine Amateur Radio Association Environmental HF Contest

The 2009 Philippine Amateur Radio Association Environmental HF Contest

SSB and CW : 19 Sep 0000Z ~ 2359Z
1. Objective:

• For amateurs in the Philippines to contact as many amateurs here and abroad during the contest period.
• Promote environmentally sound facilities in the enjoyment of the hobby.

2. Period of Operation:

• 24 hours
• Single Operator stations must at least operate 12 hours of the 24 hours
• Multi-Operator stations should operate the full 24 hours
3. General Rules for All Categories:

a. Bands: Observance of established band plans for the various Class of Amateur Radio Stations in the Philippines is enforced
b. All entrants must operate within the limits of their chosen category when performing any activity that could impact their submitted score. Only the entrant’s callsign may be used to aid the entrant’s score.
c. All entrants must not exceed the maximum output power per Class of Station.
d. All operation must take place from one operating site. All antennas must be physically connected by wires to the transmitters and receivers used by the entrant.

4. Entry Categories:

4.1 Single Operator

a. Single Operator Categories: Only one person (the operator) can contribute to the final score during the official contest period.
b. Single Operator Fixed Station - One person performs all of the operating and logging functions. Only one transmitted signal is permitted at any time. The entrant at least used Commercial Power Systems to contact at least one (1) station during the entire length of the contest.
c. Single Operator Field Station - One person performs all of the operating and logging functions. Only one transmitted signal is permitted at any time. The entrant uses non-Commercial Power Systems to operate transmitters/ receivers during the operation of his/her station for the entire length of the contest.
d. Single Operator Fixed Station - QRP - One person performs all of the operating and logging functions. Only one transmitted signal is permitted at any time. The entrant at least used Commercial Power Systems to contact at least one (1) station during the entire length of the contest. Total output power must not exceed 5 watts. The entrant on this category must explicitly mention “QRP” after his/her callsign (Example: DW1DEF/QRP)
e. Single Operator Field Station - QRP - One person performs all of the operating and logging functions. Only one transmitted signal is permitted at any time. The entrant uses non-Commercial Power Systems to operate transmitters/ receivers during the operation of his/her station for the entire length of the contest. Total output power must not exceed 5 watts. The entrant on this category must explicitly mention “QRP” after his/her callsign (Example: DW1DEF/QRP)
Note(s):
• Any and all Single Operator Category should be physically separated from the facilities of a Multi Operator Category station.
• For Field Station Category, a written declaration stating that his/her power facilities are non-commercial type and a short description of the power supply system must be made. The declaration must be duly signed by the station operator.
4.2 Multi-Operator (All band operation only):
(a) Single-Transmitter – Fixed Station (M1 – Fixed Station): Only one transmitter and one band permitted during a 10-minute period. Ten-minute periods begin with the first logged QSO on a band. Contacts in violation of the rule should be shown in the log and will be removed without penalty during the log checking. The station at least availed of Commercial Power Systems to contact at least one (1) station during the entire length of the contest.
(b) Multi-Two – Fixed Station (M2 – Fixed Station): A maximum of two transmitted signals at any time on different bands. Both transmitters may work any and all stations. A station may only be worked once per band regardless of which transmitter is used. The log must indicate which transmitter made each QSO. Each transmitter may make a maximum of 8 band changes in any clock hour (00 through 59 minutes). For example, a change from 20 meters to 40 meters and then back to 20 meters counts as two band changes. The station at least availed of Commercial Power Systems to contact at least one (1) in any of the transmitters/ receivers station during the entire length of the contest.
(c) Multi-Transmitter - Fixed Station (MM – Fixed Station): No limit to transmitters, but only one transmitted signal (and running station) allowed per band at any time. A station may only be worked once per band regardless of which transmitter is used. The station at least availed of Commercial Power Systems to contact at least one (1) station in any of the transmitters/ receivers during the entire length of the contest.
(d) Single-Transmitter – Field Station (M1 – Field Station): Only one transmitter and one band permitted during a 10-minute period. Ten-minute periods begin with the first logged QSO on a band. Contacts in violation of the rule should be shown in the log and will be removed without penalty during the log checking. The entrant uses non-Commercial Power Systems to operate the transmitter/ receiver during the operation of the station for the entire length of the contest.
(b) Multi-Two – Field Station (M2 – Field Station): A maximum of two transmitted signals at any time on different bands. Both transmitters may work any and all stations. A station may only be worked once per band regardless of which transmitter is used. The log must indicate which transmitter made each QSO. Each transmitter may make a maximum of 8 band changes in any clock hour (00 through 59 minutes). For example, a change from 20 meters to 40 meters and then back to 20 meters counts as two band changes. The entrant uses non-Commercial Power Systems to operate the transmitters/ receivers during the operation of the station for the entire length of the contest.
(c) Multi-Transmitter - Field Station (MM – Field Station): No limit to transmitters, but only one transmitted signal (and running station) allowed per band at any time. A station may only be worked once per band regardless of which transmitter is used. The entrant uses non-Commercial Power Systems to operate the transmitters/ receivers during the operation of the station for the entire length of the contest.
Note(s):
• Any and all Multi Operator Category should be physically separated from the facilities of a Single Operator Category station.
• For Field Station Category, a written declaration stating that his/her power facilities are non-commercial type and a short description of the power supply system must be made. The declaration must be duly signed by at least two (2) of the station operators.
• Multi-operator contest participants are advised that logging their own team operators’ callsign and submitting for point/multiplier credit is sufficient grounds to disqualify the entry.

5. Exchange:
(a) For QSO’s within Philippine Amateur Stations:
RS(T) report plus the Grid Locator plus CP (for Commercial Power) of the station worked or RS(T) report plus the Grid Locator plus NC (for Non-Commercial Power) of the station worked.
Example (SSB Exchange): 59 PK04MN Charlie Papa or 55 PK04MN November Charlie
Example (CW Exchange): 599 PK04MN CP or 557 PK04MN NC
(b) For DX QSO’s – a DX QSO is considered if the station worked is classified as a different DXCC entity from the Philippines
RS(T) report plus Grid Locator of the DX station worked. Philippine stations should ask politely for the Grid Locator of the DX station worked.
Example (SSB Exchange): 59 PK04MN
Example (CW Exchange): 599 PK04MN

Note(s):
• Cross-mode QSO’s are not eligible for Contact Point credit

6. Contact Points:
(a) Contacts between Philippine Amateur Radio Stations are worth two (2) points on SSB and four (4) points on CW for 28, 21, 14, 7, 3.5 and 1.8 MHz. if the Station is using Commercial Power Facilities.
(b) Contacts between Philippine Amateur Radio Stations are worth four (4) points on SSB and eight (8) points on CW for 28, 21, 14, 7, 3.5 and 1.8 MHz. if the Station is using Non-Commercial Power Facilities.
(b) Contacts with DX stations are worth three (3) points on SSB and seven (7) points on CW for 28, 21, 14, 7, 3.5 and 1.8 MHz
(c) A station can be worked twice on each of the specified bands for the entire length of the contest for QSO point credit as long as one QSO is in SSB Mode and the other is in CW Mode.

7. Multipliers: The prefix multiplier is the number of Philippine Prefix worked. The Grid Locator multiplier is the number of Grid Locators worked. Each Grid Locator and/or Philippine Prefix is counted only once regardless of the band or number of times the same Grid Locator and/or Philippine Prefix is worked.

(a) A Philippine PREFIX is the letter/numeral combination which forms the first part of the amateur call. Examples: DU1, DU2, 4F2, DW1, DV9, DX5, etc. Any difference in the numbering, lettering, or order of same shall count as a separate prefix. Should a station be signing in as a portable callsign, the prefix credit shall follow the district number where the station is located. (Example: DX3DEF/2, the prefix holds as is DX2)
(b) Special and Unique Philippine prefix stations are encouraged to participate. Prefixes must be assigned by the National Telecommunication Commission.

8. Scoring (QSO Points):
a. Total QSO Points multiplied by the Total number of Grid Locator and Philippine Prefixes Work
b. A station may be worked once on each mode and on each band for QSO point credit. Grid Locator and Philippine Prefix credit may be taken only once.
Example: DX1GHI on 15m CW is one QSO and DX1GHI again on 15m SSB is one QSO. Further QSO with DX1GHI on other bands is valid for further QSO point credit.

9. Awards: Certificates will be awarded to the highest scoring station in each category

10. Instructions for Submission of Logs:
(a) All times must be in GMT.
(b) All logs must be submitted in chronological order. Entries from Multi-Single and Multi-Two and Multi-multi stations must clearly indicate which transmitter made each QSO
(c) The log MUST show the correct Grid Locator and Power Facility type (for contacts between Philippine Stations) and the correct Grid Locator (for DX contatcs); RS(T) report for each contact. Philippine QSO’s without these details may be considered for check logs only and will not have QSO point/multiplier credit. DX QSO’s however will be givenfor QSO point credit only should the Grid Locator be not provided.
(d) For this initial phase of the PARA Environmental HF Contest, it is appreciated to receive all logs in .xls format. Electronic submission of logs is required for anyone competing for an award and for all who use a computer to log the contest or prepare contest logs.
(e) E-mail is the expected method of log submission. In the Subject: line of your e-mail message, please mention PARA HF Environmental Contest and the callsign used to enter the contest. All logs received via e-mail will be given a receipt confirmation via e-mail as well.
(f) Field station Category declarations that will be sent on email should be scanned and sent as co-attachment to the contest logs.
(g) A Separate Summary Sheet for Contest Credit shall likewise be required. The Summary Sheet shall indicate the category of the entrant, the name(s) of the operator(s), a tabulation of the QSO points per band and multiplier credit per band.
(h) Instructions for electronic logs: Download the prescribed Log format and send the contest logs to environment_ hf@para.org. ph.
(i) Instructions for paper logs: Similar format as the .xls log sheet, Please contact the PARA Secretariat to inform that paper log submission has been arranged and to expect parcel delivery at the PARA PO Box.
(j) The participating station who have submitted his/her log sheet will be listed in the PARA website.
(k) It is encouraged that the participants provide pictures and short write-ups on their experience about this activity


11. Disqualification:
(a) Violation of amateur radio regulations set forth by the National Telecommunications Commission, or the rules of the contest; non-amateur like conduct; taking credit for excessive unverifiable contacts or unverifiable multipliers will be deemed sufficient cause for disqualification. Incorrectly logged calls will be counted as unverifiable contacts.
(b) Disqualified entries will be ineligible to participate in the succeeding year’s Environmental HF Contest.

12. Declaration: By submitting an entry in the PARA Environmental HF Contest you agree that:
1) you have read and understood the rules of the contest and agree to be bound by them, as well as all rules and regulations of which pertain to amateur radio,
2) all actions and decisions of the Contest Committee are official and final.

13. Deadline: All entries must be postmarked NO LATER than 20 October 2009. All logs, including e-mail entries, are subject to these deadlines. Logs postmarked after the deadline will be ineligible for any awards.
Email Log submission to: environment_ hf@para.org. ph

Paper Log Submission must be addressed to:
2009 PARA Environmental HF Contest
Philippine Amateur Radio Association
PO BOX 4083
1000 MANILA
PHILIPPINES

For more info, please visit www.para.org.ph