2008 VK/trans-Tasman Contests - Rules

Last Amendment: 12/04/07.- (new  mailing/email address for ZL logs)

Helpful Hint     ( Particularly regarding "Scoring"):
These Rules cover a variety of Operator circumstances, so, use a
 marker pen to highlight those parts that are only applicable to you.

Contest Dates    

Time Duration

PHONE:                 0800 UTC  to 1400 UTC, ( in 6 one-hour stages ).
note:                 Best 5 hours to count (refer "Scoring").

CW:                       0900 UTC  to  1300 UTC, ( in 4 one-hour stages ).
note:                 Best 3 hours to count (refer "Scoring").

Aims of Contest

a). to provide a reasonably short event that doesn't impose too much on                               
family life or sleep time, while giving 6 hours of constant on-air activity.

*to have a format suitable for both the serious and the novice Contestor,
with a friendly and relaxing atmosphere.

b). to have a fair scoring system that:

* compensates for geographical location, usable band time and the 
difference in participation numbers between VK's and ZL's
to, so far as is possible, provide a level playing field for all.  

* place the main emphasis on VK/ZL contacts, by awarding bonus 
points for "trans-Tasman" contacts.

* provide incentive for the clever Operator, by awarding additional bonus 
points for working groups of "call-prefixes", in any hourly segment.

c). to promote/ give encouragement to, QRP operators, 
"Foundation Licence " holders, and SWL’s.

General          

a). The Contest is open only to all VK and ZL call-signs (or special-event 
callsigns operating within VK or ZL areas).

b). The Phone Contest shall be in 6 X 1 hour stages (CW 4 X 1 hour stages)
 and stations can only be reworked after the commencement of each hour. 
However, stations worked during the 5 minutes before the hour,  cannot
be reworked until 5 minutes after the hour.

c). Sequential numbers commencing at 001, shall be given and received
for all contacts made during the Contest.
(Use of RST numerals is NOT required). 

The Spirit of the Contest


a). It is not in the spirit of the Contest to “park” on a frequency.
While this will not be policed, 20 minutes is considered to be the 
maximum time between QSY's.

b).It is not in the spirit of the Contest to make contacts with another station 
at the same QTH, or in the immediate vicinity there-of.

c). It is not in the spirit of the Contest for CLUB/ Group stations 
to include in their Log, -any contacts knowingly made with members of their
Club/Group, that were operating from within the same "call-prefix" area.

Note:                  
Contest details; Rules, a suitable log sheet, and auto-scoring logging 
programs are available on the Contest web-site:       
http://home.iprimus.com.au/vktasman 
                           
Any queries or constructive criticism should be attached to the Log  
or emailed to: vktasman@hotmail.com

Bands   

80 metre band,   (May, Phone/CW).

160 metre band, (July, Phone/CW). 

Frequencies

Categories

note:  no separate Category for 160M QRP CW.

Multi- Operator 
           
a). Club/Group stations shall be permitted to enter any Category,
on the proviso that only ONE Operator is used during each 1-hour
segment, to perform ALL functions without assistance. 
(ie: TX/RX; log and time-keeping).  - 2 to 6 Operators may be used.

b). Multi-operator Club/Group stations must score at least 100 points 
more than a Single-Operator station to have outright claim to any prize
(including a VK/ trans-Tasman Trophy).
If the leading margin is less than 100, a Certificate(s) will be shared equally 
with the Single-Operator station, but the Trophy will be awarded to the
Single-Operator station only.

Call-signs

a). VK4's north of the Tropic of Capricorn shall add "Central" after the
suffix of their callsign, for all contacts.

b). QRP/Phone stations shall add "Quebec" after the suffix of their 
callsigns, for all contacts.

c). QRP/CW stations shall add "/Q" after the suffix of their call-sign,
for all contacts.

d). Stations operating in a call prefix area other than their "home" area, 
shall add "slash", and the area prefix numeral, - after their suffix.
eg: VK5DHC/3.
* When using the VK/ trans-Tasman auto-logging program, the receiving station 
must enter this contact as:   VK3/VK5DHC

Scoring

a). The final score in PHONE Categories shall be the sum of the five (5) highest scoring hourly
segments, with the lowest scoring hourly segment not counted.

b). The final score in CW Categories shall be the sum of the three (3) highest scoring hourly
segments, with the lowest scoring hourly segment not counted.

Note:
This gives the ZL's in PHONE Categories the option of working only 5 hours, if they choose not to 
stay up until 2am to try and improve their score.
It gives VK6's in Phone Categories (who have only 3 hours competition after 7pm local), 5 hrs to  
complete a full Log, if they choose not to start until 5pm local, to avoid poor
propagation at the start of the Contest.

c).  

VK shall be divided into 3 zones (for scoring purposes):

d). 

                            
e).

(ie: 5 bonus points awarded for each trans-Tasman contact)
     
f). During each 1 hour segment, additional bonus points shall be awarded as follows:

Notes:
              
“Call Prefixes” are identified by the numeral in the call-sign prefix, (except when
over-ridden by a "portable" or "mobile" addendum to the suffix, that indicates 
operation outside the "home" call area).
eg: VK3RX port5, and VK4TZ mob5, would both be regarded as VK5's.

"Groups" - each prefix numeral can be used only once in each "group".
              - each call-sign can  be used only once in a group, per hourly segment.

typical examples: 

If more than one required “group” of call prefixes are worked in any    
hourly segment, bonus points are awarded for each "group".

(eg: VK/East working two groups of "3 X ZL" call prefixes, in one hourly segment,  = 2 X 30 = 60 pts).
      VK working three groups of "4 X VK" call prefixes in one hourly segment,         = 3 X 20 = 60pts).

Help ?  Download sample scored log sheet from Contest web-site, or
          use the auto-scoring computer Logger (ref Home-page menu).

g). QRP Contacts:

h). SWL's:  (logging program not suitable - print log sheets from this website)

To score, the callsigns and contact numbers of both stations in
a QSO must be received and logged. (enter one station on each side of log sheet)
If one is a DUPlicate callsign, the contact is not scored.

SWL stations shall score as for Amateur stations, except that scores shall be
calculated for both stations in each QSO.
 
Not withstanding that, as with Amateur stations, each call-sign shall be scored once only,
in each hourly segment. (also, when calculating scores for "call-prefix groups", each callsign
can be used once only, in each hourly segment).

When calculating "prefix groups" bonus points, both stations heard in each contact shall be counted.

Note:  
"Participation Factor"-  ( to be applied by Contest Manager ):   
The number of participants on either side  of the Tasman has a direct
effect on the ability to score points from "across the Tasman", 
- a compensating factor shall therefore be applied in each mode Category,
to all "trans-Tasman" contact points (not call prefix groups bonus points),
scored by the Country with the lowest number of participants. 
The factor is the “lowest number of participants" divided by the "highest number of participants” - 
( “participants” being the total number of stations that participated,
from all Logs received, in any one mode Category).

eg: 50 ZL’s divided by  150 VK’s = compensating factor  0.33.
     - All ZL’s "trans-Tasman" points  X  0.33.  

Logs

Note:          
Hand-written log sheets can be downloaded from the Contest web-site.

Written Logs can posted, or be scanned and emailed.

Computer logging systems ( providing information as below),
can be posted or emailed.
(Entrants are encouraged to use the auto-logging programs specifically written
for these Contests, and downloadable from this website).

a). A separate Log shall be submitted for each Category entered,    
except that QRP/ Foundation Logs may be nominated for other eligible Categories.

b). A new log sheet shall be used at the commencement of each hourly segment. 
Number each Log sheet ( eg: 2 of 6 ).

c). For each contact, logs shall record call-sign of station worked; numbers given and received, 
and UTC time (10 hrs behind EAST).
To the right, leave columns for “contact” points.
At the bottom provide space to record hourly “contact” sub-total;
bonus point sub-total, and “hourly" total.
(calculate scores after the Contest).

d). If ALL hours are contested, the Log sheet for the lowest-scoring 
hourly segment shall still be submitted for cross-checking, but shall be 
indicated as “not included in final score”, by writing 
“LOWEST SCORING HOUR” on top of the relevant page(s).

e). IMPORTANT: Logs, or log entries that are not clearly legible, in the opinion of 
the Contest Manager, or which are lacking the required information 
(including scoring, contact times, and a Log Summary - as below), may be included in the Results,
at the discretion of the Contest Manager, but will be ineligible for prizes or placings.

Note:
Entrants are requested to take the time to submit a proper Log, rather than 
a "Check-log", which serves little or no purpose, and does not support the 
viability of the Contest.

Log Summary

a). Logs shall include a  Log Summary, showing:

b). VK4’s in “Central” zone shall identify as such at the top of their
Log  Summary sheet, by writing “Central” after their call-sign suffix.

c). QRP stations claiming points for “personally home-brewed” TX and RX
equipment (incl. kits), shall indicate accordingly on their Log Summary,
to qualify for "home-brew" bonus points.

d). Multi-operator entries shall identify as such, in their Log Summary,
after their call-sign.    eg: VK7DF (Multi)
 
It will be assumed that all entrants submitting a log will have contested in 
compliance with the Rules,
- including operation at or below the maximum power output permitted, 
- and in the "spirit of the Contest", (unless determined otherwise by the Contest Manager).

No written declaration is required.

Lodgement of Logs   - (note new address for ZL logs):
 
a). VK logs must be received either by post, to:

VK/ trans-Tasman Contest,
28 Crampton Crescent,
Rosanna,     VIC.      3084
AUSTRALIA. 
         
or by email to:    vktasman@hotmail.com    in either
"Word doc",  Excel", or scanned hand-written (if legible).
Use "text file/Notepad" only if above formats are not available.

b). ZL logs must be received either by post to:

VK/trans-Tasman Contest,
P.O. Box 21-363
Christchurch,       8143
NZ.

or by email to:    vktasman@robglassey.com    in formats as for VK's.
                                                                                                                                                                             
c). Closing Dates for receipt of Logs shall be at 0700 UTC on 

Note                
Operators are requested to submit their logs ( even if you have a low
score, and don't think you will win).
This will justify the effort and expense involved by the Contest
Manager, and ensure the on-going success of the Contest.

Note
All emailed logs, and posted logs with an email address, will receive a 
"confirmation of receipt".
If no confirmation is received within 14 days of sending,
advise the Contest Manager by email to:  
vktasman@hotmail.com    or phone:   03 94596150.

Awards     

Publication of Rules and Results  

a). Rules will be published on the Contest web-site:  
http://home.iprimus.com.au/vktasman .
There are links to this site on the:  
www.vkham.com  (under "Radio-related links > DX Contest Information")
www.wia.org.au WIA Federal web-site, and most VK State web-sites 
www.nzart.org.nz  NZART web-site
www.vkcc.com VK Contest Club web-site
       
b). Results will be published on the Contest web-site     
and links there-to, by the following dates: