The CQWW DX Contest (SSB) will take place on October 27–28, 2018, from 00:00 to 24:00 UTC. Contacts are made with all stations. Bands: 1.8, 3.5, 7, 14, 21, 28 MHz.
For all categories, all receivers (RXs) and transmitters (TXs) used by the contestant must be located within a circle with a diameter of 500 m. For all High Power categories, the total power on any band must not exceed 1,500 W, with power measured at the PA output. All antennas used in the contest must be physically connected by cable to the transmitters and receivers used in the contest. It is not permitted to use the same call sign for more than one category.
A remote (remotely controlled) station is defined as a set of transmitters, receivers, and antennas located within a circle with a diameter of 500 m. Remote receivers outside the
specified circle are prohibited. It is prohibited to spot one’s own call sign or to request spotting from other stations.
When using two or more transmitters on a single band, it MUST be ensured through hardware measures
that only one signal is present on the band at any given time. Coordinating two or more transmitters to alternate calling the call sign
is prohibited.
It is also prohibited to make post-contest adjustments or corrections to call signs in the log based on various
databases, records, emails, etc. The log must record the call sign exactly as transmitted by the operator during the contact. For stations in ITU Region 1 (which includes OM and OK), it is prohibited to transmit outside the permitted bands, i.e., in the 40-meter band above 7200 kHz
and in the 160-meter band below 1810 kHz.
Categories:
A. SINGLE OPERATOR – the operator performs all activities related to operation and logging of contacts alone. Operators in the SOAB category may change bands at any time. Only one transmitted signal is permitted at any given time.
1. SOAB (HP, LP, QRP) – the use of DX clusters, skimmers, and other auxiliary networks and technologies is prohibited
2. SOSB (HP, LP, QRP) – the use of DX clusters, skimmers, and other auxiliary networks and technologies is prohibited
3. SOAB Assisted (HP, LP, QRP) – the use of DX clusters, skimmers, and other auxiliary
networks and technologies;
4. SOSB Assisted (HP, LP, QRP) – the use of DX clusters, skimmers, and other auxiliary
networks and technologies is permitted;
B. SINGLE OPERATOR OVERLAY – Each participant in the SO category may indicate one of the OVERLAY categories in their log. They do so by inserting a line with the heading CATEGORY-OVERLAY into the header of the Cabrillo log.
1. Classic Operator (CLASSIC) – the operator uses only one TCVR, does not use DX clusters or similar networks, and may operate for a maximum of 24 hours during the contest. If the log records activity lasting longer than 24 hours, only the first 24 hours will count. The TCVR used must not be capable of listening while transmitting. Assisted stations will not be evaluated in this
category.
2. Rookie (ROOKIE) – The operator holds a license that was issued less than three years prior to the contest date.
The date of issuance of the first license must be entered in the SOAPBOX column of the log.
C. MULTI-OPERATOR (all bands only) – The use of DX clusters, skimmers, and other auxiliary networks and technologies is permitted. The number of operators is not limited. Only one transmitted signal is permitted on any given band at any given time.
1. Single TX (HP, LP) (MULTI-ONE) – During any 10-minute period, you may operate on only one band and with only one transmitter (= run TX). The start of the 10-minute interval is counted from the establishment of the first contact on the respective band. Exception: It is permitted to make a contact on one additional band, but only if it is a new multiplier (= multiplier TX). However, the 10-minute rule must still be observed here as well; that is, a multiplier on another band may only be made after ten minutes have elapsed. The multiplier transceiver may not issue a call sign. In the electronic log, each contact must be marked to indicate which TX made it (run or multiplier).
2. Two TX (MULTI-TWO): A maximum of two transmitted signals on two different bands simultaneously is permitted. Both transmitters may make contacts with all stations. The log must indicate which transmitter made each contact. Each transmitter is allowed a maximum of 8 band changes in any full hour from 00 to 59 minutes.
3. Multi TX (MULTI-UNLIMITED): It is permitted to operate simultaneously on all six
bands. Only one transmitter is allowed on each band.
Contest code: RS(T) + WAZ zone (OM, OK = 15)
Multipliers: DXCC/WAE countries plus IG9/IH9 and WAZ zones on each band separately. /MM stations count only as zone multipliers.
Scoring:
contact with an EU station = 1 point
contact with a DX station = 3 points
contact with your own country = 0 points.
Log files: should be submitted in Cabrillo format via the web interface at www.cqww.com/logcheck/.
Log files can also be sent by email to: ssb@cqww.com (SSB section) or cw@cqww.com (CW section). In the subject line of the email, include only your contest callsign. The server will automatically confirm receipt of your log. Paper logs should be mailed to: CQ WW DX Contest, P.O. Box 481, New Carlisle, OH 45344, USA. Logbooks must be
submitted within five days after the contest, i.e., by November 2, 2018, at 23:59 UTC (SSB) or November 30, 2018, at 23:59 UTC (CW).
Recordings: Every station in the SO category that aims to place in the top five of the overall or continental rankings must make an audio recording of all contest traffic as heard by the operator. The judge has the right to request the recording within 120 days of the deadline for submitting logs.