RSGB IOTA contest 
=================

The object of the contest is to promote contacts between stations in
qualifying Island groups and the rest of the world and to encourage
expeditions to IOTA Islands. Many IOTA Islands are very accessible and it
is relatively easy for small groups of amateurs or individuals to mount
Island expeditions for the contest. A special interest for UK stations is
that mainland Britain counts as an Island (EU-005) and GI / EI count as
EU-115.
Important Note: The General Rules for RSGB Contests do NOT apply to the
IOTA Contest


1. General. The aim of the contest is to promote contacts between stations
in qualifying IOTA island groups and the rest of the world and to encourage
expeditions to IOTA islands.

2. When. Last full weekend in July, 1200 UTC Saturday to 1200 UTC Sunday.
{LASUN07-1:1200:1440:CW+SSB}

3. Bands and Modes. 3.5, 7, 14, 21 and 28MHz, CW and SSB. IARU bandplans
should be observed, with CW contacts being made only in the recognised CW
ends of the bands, i.e.below 40khz upon the lower band edge. Contest
preferred segments must also be observed, ie no operation taking place on
3.56 - 3.6MHz, 3.65 - 3.7MHz, 14.06 - 14.125 and 14.3 - 14.35MHz. 

4. Categories.
(a) Single operator, 24 hours. CW, SSB or mixed-mode.
(b) Single operator, 12 hours. CW, SSB or mixed-mode. Off periods must be a
minimum of 60 minutes.
Note: Use of PacketCluster or other assistance during the contest places
the entrant in the multi-operator category. One transmitted signal only
allowed.
(c) Multi-operator, mixed mode. A maximum of two transceivers may be used.
The second transceiver may be used to call other stations only if the
station is a new multiplier. It may not be used to solicit other contacts,
eg by calling "CQ" or "QRZ?" NB: this category is open to Island Stations
only.

5. Sections.
(a) IOTA Island Permanent station.
(b) IOTA Island Dxpedition. ie antennas and equipment installed
specifically for the contest.
(c) IOTA Island 100w Dxpedition. ie antennas and equipment installed
specifically for the contest.
(d) World Any station in a location which does not have an IOTA reference.
(e) Short Wave Listener See rule 10.

6. Exchange. Send RS(T) and serial number starting from 001, plus IOTA
reference number if applicable. Do not use separate numbering systems for
CW and SSB. Stations may be contacted on both CW and SSB on each band.
Entrants in section (a) must send their IOTA reference as part of each
contact.

7. Scoring.
(a) QSO Points
Each contact with an IOTA island counts 15 points. Other contacts count 3
points, including contacts with the entrant's own IOTA reference.
(b) Multiplier
The multiplier is the total of different IOTA references contacted on each
band on CW, plus the total of different IOTA references contacted on each
band on SSB.
(c) Total Score
The score is the total of QSO points on all bands added together,
multiplied by the total of multipliers.

8. Logs. 
a. Electronic logs are preferred using recognised contest software i.e.
SDI, NA, TR. Paper logs should be on separate sheets per band, but not
mode. A summary indicating category and section, contacts per band/mode,
points and multipliers per band/mode should be included with a declaration
that the rules and licence conditions have been complied with. IOTA
stations must state their island name and IOTA reference number. Single
mode entrants who make contacts on the other mode should submit these
separately as checklogs.
b.Logs must show: Time, Callsign, RST / serial number / IOTA reference
sent, RST / serial number / IOTA reference received, multiplier claimed,
and QSO points.
c. Entries can be e-mailed to hf.contests@rsgb.org.uk. TWO files only,
(callsign).log and (callsign).sum should be sent as a normal attachment to
an e-mail. Postal entries should be addressed to : RSGB IOTA Contest, PO
Box 9, Potters Bar, Herts EN6 3RH, England. The closing date is 1 September
1999.

9. Penalties. Points may be deducted, or entrants disqualified, for
violation of the rules or the spirit of the contest. This includes refusal
by IOTA island stations to make contacts with their own country when
requested or use of a third party to make contacts on a list or net.
Duplicate contacts must be marked as such with no points claimed. Unmarked
duplicates will be penalised at ten times the claimed points, and excessive
duplicates may cause disqualification.

10. SWL Contest. Scoring as for the transmitting contest. Logs must be
separate for each band, and show: Time, Callsign of station heard, RST /
serial number / IOTA reference sent, callsign of station being worked,
multiplier claimed, and QSO points. Under 'callsign of station being
worked', there must be at least two other QSOs before a callsign is
repeated, or else ten minutes must have elapsed. If both sides of a QSO can
be heard, they can be logged separately for points if appropriate.

11. Awards
(a) Certificates will be awarded to leading stations in each category and
section.
(b) CDXC Geoff Watts Memorial Trophy (non-returnable) to the leading IOTA
Islands home station.
(c) IOTA Trophy (non-returnable) presented by the IOTA Committee to the
leading IOTA Island DXpedition station.
(d) DX News Sheet Trophy (retained for one year) presented by the Editor of
DX News Sheet to the leading British entrant operating from a location in
the UK in the single operator 24 hour SSB category, (Category A). The
winner of the IOTA Trophy will not be eligible for this award.
(e) David King, G3PFS, Trophy, in memory of Geoff Watts (retained for one
year), to the leading British entrant operating from a location in the UK
in the single operator 12 hour SSB category. The winner of the IOTA Trophy
will not be eligible for this award.
(f) G3DYY Memorial Trophy to the leading British entrant operating from the
UK in the single operator 12 or 24 hour CW category.
(g) W9DWQ Contest Award to the leading North American Island Expedition
station

12. Note from the RSGB IOTA Manager.
Amateurs planning to activate an all-time new one for IOTA over the IOTA
Contest weekend should, if possible, arrange to commence their operation in
the preceding 24 hours to enable the new reference number to be issued
before the start of the contest. Once the contest is under way, it will not
be possible to issue a new number and, without this, contacts made will not
count as island contacts.

<SV1BSX 7/99>
