2009 VK/trans-Tasman Contests - Rules

Last Amendment: 13/10/08.

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

80M and 160M PHONE:        0800 UTC  to 1400 UTC, ( in 6 one-hour stages ).
                                        note:      Best 5 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 and
"Foundation Licence " holders.

General                     

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

b). The Contests shall be in 6 X 1 hour stages (best 5 hours to count),
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, and 10khz the minimum frquency shift.


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 hand-written log sheet,
and an auto-scoring logging program, are available on this 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).

160 metre band,  (June, Phone). 

Frequencies

Categories

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 call-sign, for all contacts.

b). QRP/Phone stations shall add "Q" after the suffix of their 
call-signs, for all contacts.

c). 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/CL auto-logging program, the receiving station 
must enter this contact as:   VK3/VK5DHC

Scoring

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

Note:
This gives the ZL's 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 (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.


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

c). 

                          
d).

(ie: 5 bonus points awarded for each trans-Tasman contact)

     
e). 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 = 60 pts).

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

f). QRP Contacts:

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" contacts points (not call prefix groups bonus points, or
QRP 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" contacts points  X  0.33.  

Logs

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

Written Logs can posted, or be scanned and emailed.

Computer logging systems ( providing information as below),
can be posted or emailed.

a). For each contact, logs shall record call-sign of station worked; Contact 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).

b). 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).

c). 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, 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)
 
e). 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  
 
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
"Text File / Notepad", "Word doc",  "Excel", or scanned hand-written (if legible).

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 9459 6150.

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.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 (Dates and Rules)

www.vkham.com  (under "Radio-related links > DX Contest Information")
 
 
b). Results will be published on the Contest web-site and links there-to, by the following dates: