The contest runs from 1800 UTC Saturday, July 15 ending 2100 UTC Sunday, July 16, or just 27 hours long. There are some different aspects to this contest too:
- It is just 6 and 2m, that's it.
- Scoring for rovers is the "old rover scoring method". That means that for rovers, the rover who moves into a new grid locator may count the same grid locator more than once per band as long as the rover is himself or herself in a new grid locator location. If W0ZQ/R in EN24 has worked EN34, then moves to EN25 and works EN34 again that is two multipliers, not one. This tends to encourage rovers to visit multiple grids in order to work more multipliers.
- There is a Single Band category.
- There is a Hill Topper category. "This is a single-op QRP portable category for an all-band entry limited in time to a maximum of 6 continuous hours. Backpackers and portables who do not want to devote resources and time to the full contest period are encouraged to participate, especially to activate rare grids. Any power source is acceptable."
- Regarding QSO points for scoring, 6m Qs are 1 point and 2m Qs are worth 2 pts.
- Important: QSO assistance is restricted. "The use of non-amateur means to effect a QSO is not allowed. This includes use of the telephone, and website posts providing information beyond that of callsign, frequency, and sequence." No cell phones nor Internet web sites to be used. "Stations attempting digital EME or digital meteor-scatter QSOs are allowed to spot the callsign, frequency, and sequence only." and "Rovers may use APRS to announce their location."
- For any digital Qs please log those as "DG".
Any one planning to be active? I'll be watching the weather and the activity level as W0ZQ/R may go out for a bit if there are stations to work; SSB/CW or DG. Should be pretty easy to set up the rover with just two bands. As a rover the restriction on QSO assistance is a bit of a hindrance but its back to old school with posting a plan route along with a "hang out" freq like say 144.230, etc.
73, Jon
W0ZQ