K5ZD commentary

Good conditions for WPX CW

The WPX CW contest is in the books and conditions were the best so far this year. We had the summer type openings over the pole at night on 20 meters. 40 meters was incredible with DX signals still workable hours after their sunrise (or hours before sunset). From here in the Northeast USA, 15 meters was open to Europe all day on both Saturday and Sunday. I could hear OL7R and DR1A every time I tuned across the band! Even 10 meters produced lots of QSOs by sporadic E. I heard many stations sending very high QSO numbers as a result.

I hope everyone who participated in the contest will submit their log. Only 36 hours after the end of the contest we have already received 1100 logs!

Logs should be sent to the robot at cw@cqwpx.com. If you are having problems submitting your log to the robot, send those to questions@cqwpx.com. Log expert K1AR will help you through the process.

If you have questions about the rules, send them to director@cqwpx.com.

K5ZD announcements

2007 CW results and 2008 rules questions

The full score listings for the CQ WPX CW Contest 2007 are now available on the site. Visit http://www.cqwpx.com/results_2007_wpx_cw_scores.htm

There have been several questions about how multi-single stations are to issue serial numbers. The magazine rules say one thing and the web site says another. The good news is that the log checking software can handle either case. Our preference (and the correct rule) is the one published on the web site. “Use a separate serial number sequence for each band.”

Skimmer is a new software application designed by VE3NEA. Using a software defined receiver, it can copy and report callsigns across up to 96khz of a band. Pretty amazing technology. It also could have a dramatic impact on the game of contesting – especially on the single operator category!

The rules define single operator as “One person performs all of the operating, logging, and, for the Assisted category only, spotting functions.” The definition of single operator assisted says “Same as [single operator] except the …[use] of DX spotting nets or other forms of DX alerting is permitted.”

The confusion occurs over the definition of DX alerting. Some people feel strongly that skimmer is providing this. Others feel that since skimmer is a piece of station equipment it does not fall into the traditional definition of assistance.

We can’t change the rules after they are published. Given the wording above, the WPX Director (me) has decided to allow the use of skimmer by single operators — only if it is contained within their stations. Use of a skimmer that is remote or connected by Internet continues to place a station in the assisted category. Multi-operator entries are unaffected.

The single operator rules will be clarified for 2009.

Good luck to everyone in the contest this weekend!

K5ZD commentary

Skimmer and other things

The current single op rules do not prevent the use of a skimmer located within your own station. If you do give skimmer a try, please note it in your soapbox or send me an email with your observations on how it helped (or hurt) your score. We are seeking all input as we consider what changes, if any, need to be made to the rules in response to this new technology.

We are pleased to add two new plaques for both modes.  Helmut Mueller, DF7ZS, is sponsoring the plaques for the World Tribander/Wires category.  Paul Newbury, N4PN, is sponsoring the plaques for USA Tribander/Wires category

Dayton was very exciting for me.  I gave a presentation on Contest Ethics at the Contest University.  Judging by the response, there is a lot of interest in this topic and a desire to keep contesting fair and fun.  I also was extremely pleased to be inducted into the CQ Magazine Contest Hall of Fame. It was quite an emotional moment for me and I appreciate everyone involved in making it happen.