U.S. Counties QSO Party
Rules
Sponsored by Mobile Amateur Radio Awards Club
Objective: To establish radio contact with as many U.S.
Counties as possible
Contest Period: Annually held during the last full weekend
in July. Contest runs in two periods, from 1200Z Saturday
morning to 0600Z Sunday morning, and begins again at 1200Z
and ends at 2359Z Sunday.
Categories:
Fixed Single Operator- One individual performs all radio
operating, and logging functions. When submitting paper
logs, please use this summary
sheet.
A. CW only-Only qso’s made using CW (morse code)
qualify for contest credit. If qso’s are made using
another mode, one may submit those qso’s as a checklog
without changing categories.
B. Phone only-Only qso’s made using voice modes
qualify for contest credit. If qso’s are made using
another mode, they may be submitted as a checklog without
changing categories
C. Mixed mode-Qso’s made using voice and CW qualify
for contest scoring.
Fixed Multi Operator- More than one individual performs
any or all radio operating, or logging functions. Only
one
transmitted signal on the air at any one time. When submitting
paper logs, please use this summary
sheet.
A. CW only
B. Phone only
C. Mixed mode
Mobile- A station which is either in motion, or capable
of being in motion. This includes transmitter, receiver,
power source, antenna(s), and logging equipment. Mixed
category entrants shall be Single Operator only. Drivers
O.K. See
Miscellaneous, Item C for details. When submitting paper
logs, please use this summary
sheet.
A. CW only
B. Phone only
C. Mixed mode
D. Multi Op Mobile (Must use one callsign for duration
of contest)
Mixed Category-A single operator may choose to operate
the contest both from one fixed or portable location,
as well as a mobile. To qualify for this category, a
minimum of 100 qso’s must be made from the fixed
or portable location, as well as a minimum of five additional
counties
must be activated as a mobile station. The county operated
in as a fixed or portable may not be run as a mobile
as
well. See definition of mobile in the mobile category
description. If you are using one of the updated logging
software packages as indicated on the contests home
page, please use one log for your fixed qso's and one
log for your mobile qso's, and submit them both, with
a properly filled out summary
sheet.
A. CW only
B. Phone only
C. Mixed mode
Outside U.S. When submitting paper logs, please use
this summary
sheet.
A. CW only
B. Phone only
C. Mixed mode
Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6, and 2m are used in
this contest. Phone qso’s only in the Phone sub
bands, CW qso’s only in the CW sub bands. No cross
mode, cross band, repeater, or satellite qso’s
permitted.
Suggested Freq’s- CW 50khz up from bottom of band
Phone 1850, 3850, 7250, 14270, 21400, 28400, 50135, 146530
Mobile windows: 5 khz down from suggested freq. Please,
if you are a fixed station, keep these freqs clear for
mobile operations.
Scoring:
U.S. Stations-
Fixed- 1 point for U.S. Fixed, 2 Points for outside U.S.,
and 15 points for U.S. Mobile. While participation is
encouraged for those outside of the U.S., please note,
since the objective of the contest is to work as many
U.S. counties as possible during the contest weekend,
it is not in the spirit of the contest for a U.S. Fixed
stations to “run dx”.
Mobile- 1 point for U.S. Fixed, 5 points for Outside
U.S., and 15 points for qso with another U.S. Mobile
Dx stations- 1 point for U.S. fixed stations, and 15
points for each qso with a U.S. mobile.
Mixed Category-Add the qso point total as a fixed station
to the qso point total as a mobile station, and multiply
by the sum of multipliers worked as a fixed and mobile.
Example: Fixed score: 1000 qso points and 250 multipliers.
Mobile score 200 qso points and 50 multipliers. Mixed
score is 1200 qso points X 300 multipliers for a total
score of 360,000 contest points.
Multipliers:
U. S. Counties worked, per mode. A CW only, or Phone only
station has a maximum of 3077 mults. A mixed mode station,
has a maximum of 6154 mults.
Miscellaneous:
A. There is no digital communications in this contest.
Acceptable modes are CW and Phone only.
B. Self spotting as a fixed station is not allowed. Self
spotting as a mobile is permitted.
C. Drivers for mobile stations are permitted, provided
they do not assist with in any way with the contest on
air operations. This includes, but is not limited to operating,
logging, spotting, and antenna changes.
D. County Line operations: As defined by MARAC, a stationary
mobile may operate from one county line, and contacts
with that mobile shall count as two qso’s, and 2
counties worked. Some part of the vehicle must be in both
counties for the duration of the qso. The mobile may also
log two qso’s for contest scoring.
E. Independent city-A station which operates from any
of the independent cities, as defined in the MARAC awards
rules, must choose, and use only one county for use in
the contest exchange, for the duration of the contest.
F. This contest, unless otherwise stated above, shall
follow the ARRL General Rules for Contests.
Awards:
Plaques to be awarded to top scoring entrant in each Category,
.
Certificates will be awarded to category runner up, as
well as top scores from each U.S. State, Canadian Province,
and DXCC Entity.
Participation certificates will be awarded to those who
submit logs containing 100 qso’s or more. Any one
entrant may win only one contest award in any given year.
Additional awards may be available at the discretion of
the Contest coordinator, or the MARAC Board of Directors.
Plaque sponsorship-If you are interested in sponsoring
one or more awards, including one which is not listed,
please feel free to contact the contest coordinator.
Log submission:
Please note that the contest chairman will not score
your log. Un-scored logs will be considered check logs
only. Please use this summary
sheet if your logging software doesn't create one,
or if you will be submitting paper logs.
Please submit your logs by August 31, 2011 to qualitfy
for awards. Logs may be sent via email or USPS.
KA3QLF-Scott Petty
2063 N. Turnpike Rd.
Dalton, PA 18414
MARAC Members Receive Discounts
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