[SFDXA] What is the Centennial QSO Party?

[Bill]

The SFDXA along with N8PR will be participating. Those that would like to operate and a chance to hear the other side of the pileups let us know. N8PR will be operating as CW and the SFDXA will be SSB and Digital at K4FK the Club Station

Bill W2CQ

 http://www.arrl.org/centennial-qso-party

The ARRL Centennial QSO Party is a year-long operating event that celebrates hams making contacts. In the end you will have accumulated points, worked new stations and made new friends all over the world.

The Centennial QSO Party is made-up of two main activities: (1) W1AW operating portable in each state and most territories; and (2) The Centennial Points Challenge which is the accumulation of points from qualifying contacts made throughout 2014.  To have a score listed online in the Points Challenge competition, logs must be submitted through the  Logbook of the World (LoTW) system.

W1AW will be on the air from every state and most territories, and it will be easy to work WAS working only W1AW portable operations. This is the first ARRL-sponsored operating event where every member is worth at least one point, so work as many points as you can during 2014!Earn awards based upon points, working all states or working W1AW portable in every state and territory. This is an on-the-air event like no other.

Table of Contents
1. Operating Period	7. Centennial Points Challenge
2. Participation	8. QSLs
3. Bands & Modes	9. Questions?
4.QSO Information Exchange      	10. Centennial QSO Points Table
5. Scoring	11. W1AW Portable Operations
6. Awards	
12. Keep Track of Your W1AW QSOs in 2014 (PDF)

      Keep Track of Your W1AW QSOs in 2014 (MS Word)

 

Operating Period
(0000Z, 1 January, 2014 - 2359Z, 31 December, 2014) W1AW will operate portable from each state and many territories throughout the year.Each state will be activated twice so that if you miss one operation, you can pick-up the next. 

Participation
Everyone may participate. Only ARRL members and appointees/elected officials/staff/W1AW are worth points. See the QSO Points Table for a complete list of QSO values.

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Bands & Modes
To count for points, all QSOs must be two-way (no cross-band or cross-mode), using any of the modes CW, Phone (FM, SSB, AM, digital voice), or Digital (any digital mode, i.e. PSK31, RTTY). You are encouraged to work stations on each mode, but you may not work someone on three modes on the same frequency.  QSOs must be made within the following bands (some bands show suggested frequencies for modes that are not allowed in the USA -- stations outside the USA may use these frequencies if they desire for the QSO Party):

Meters	CW	Phone	Digital
160	1.800 – 1.843	1.843 – 1.900	1.800 -  1.843
80	3.500 – 3.600	3.600 – 4.000	3.525 – 3.600
40	7.000 – 7.125	7.040 – 7.300	7.025 – 7.100
30	10.100 – 10.150	 	10.110 – 10.150
20	14.000 – 14.150	14.110 – 14.350	14.025 – 14.150
17	18.068 – 18.110	18.110 – 18.168	18.090 – 18.110
15	21.000 – 21.200	21.110 – 21.450	21.025 – 21.200
12	24.890 - 24.930	24.930 – 24.990	24.900 – 24.930
10	28.000 – 28.300	28.200 – 29.700	28.025 – 28.200
6	50.000 – 50.125	50.100 – 50.500	Use normally accepted frequencies
2	144.010 – 144.200	144.100 – 148.000	Use normally accepted frequencies
1.25	222.000 – 225.000	222.000 – 225.000	222.000 – 225.000
70cm	420.000 – 450.000	420.000 – 450.000	420.000 – 450.000
903 MHz & higher	One QSO per band, per eligible station  is allowed regardless of mode
Satellites	One QSO on any satellite per eligible station, regardless of mode, is allowed.

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QSO Information Exchange
Many stations will try to keep their QSOs short and at a minimum the exchange is signal report and ARRL abbreviation (See Centennial QSO Points Table). QSOs do not have to be contest style and it isn’t necessary to exchange the ARRL organizational information. There is a Centennial database that will be used to assign point values to logs submitted electronically. For those who do not use electronic submission, they will need to obtain the QSO information from their contacts. This event is not a contest, so feel free to make contacts in any way you like. If you are the station looking for QSOs, try to operate with the same style as the station you contact.

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Awards
All awards may be obtained by anyone who qualifies.  There will be application forms that may be printed-out, filled-in and mailed to HQ, and there will be online application forms. 

Worked all States with W1AW: Work each of the 50 states with QSOs with W1AW operating portable.  W1AW/7 in Arizona counts for Arizona; W1AW/2 in New Jersey counts for New Jersey, etc.  W1ØØAW in Connecticut does NOT count for Connecticut. Connecticut credit is given only for working W1AW/1 in Connecticut.  A W1AW WAS certificate and plaque are available for in the US and outside the US (Pricing coming soon).
For an extra challenge, work each of the 100 W1AW portable operations – essentially a double WAS with W1AW!
Endorse the W1AW WAS Certificate with the Territorial Stickers for working W1AW/KH2, W1AW/KP4, W1AW/KP2, and any others that may be active, and also endorse with W1AW/3 from the District of Columbia.  Stickers are $1 each.
See the next section for the awards available for the Centennial Points Challenge.
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Centennial Points Challenge
The Centennial Points Challenge is the accumulation of points from qualifying QSOs made throughout 2014.  Anyone may apply for the Points Awards but if logs do not go through LoTW, scores will not be published.

In order to compete in the Centennial Points Challenge, logs must be submitted throughLogbook of the World (LoTW). Logs do not need to be changed from the normal Cabrillo (contest logs) or ADIF (general logging file) files.The system will automatically look for points-qualifying QSOs from submitted logs and apply them to each participant’s Centennial QSO Points table. QSOs do not have to be matched in LoTW for points to be achieved – this is an honor-based QSO Party. We cannot accept any paper forms or information for the Centennial Points Challenge.

Scoring
The Centennial QSO Points Challenge is scored by totaling the values of all the eligible QSOs completed. Eligible QSOs may be made with the same station on each band mode -- i.e., N6VI may be worked for points on 20 Meters CW, 20 meters SSB, and 20 Meters digital, and the same on bands where multiple modes are used. Essentially each different station may be worked on each of the mode groups on each band with the exception of 903 MHz and higher, and the satellites.  There are no multipliers or bonus points. See the Centennial QSO Points Tablefor the complete list of QSO values. Logs submitted through the Logbook of the World will be scored automatically and will also be entered into the Centennial Points Challenge with online scores posted.  You may still apply for Points Challenge Awards if you do not use LoTW, but your scores will not be published.  Application forms will be available online and for print.

Repeater contacts are not valid for credit.
Mobile and portable operations are OK, but do not count for points in addition to home operation unless the operation takes place from another DXCC entity ; i.e., one QSO with KØGW counts for KØGW, whether it is made with KØGW/4, or KØGW/m.   PJ4/KØGW counts for points separately as this operation was from the DXCC entity of Bonaire.
Stations outside of the USA may also count for points – there are over 10,000 members outside the USA! Some members outside USA are also VEs and Card Checkers.
ARRL appointees/staff/officers should choose for their QSO exchange the appointment or office held that is the highest point value (this is how the database will work also).  E.g. KI9XX is an ARRL Life Member (LM is worth 2 points), a Volunteer Examiner (VE is worth 5 points) and a State Government Liaison (SGL is worth 30 points), therefore if he wants to send the appointment information as part of a QSO he should use SGL as that is the highest point value.  Regardless of what designation is chosen for use, the database at HQ will give credit for the proper point value.  An individual call sign is only worth the highest point value position/appointment -- If someone is an ARRL Volunteer Examiner (5 points), an Emergency Coordinator (12 points) and a Volunteer Counsel (15 points), that person's QSOs are worth 15 points -- the positional values do not add together.
The Top Scorer from each ARRL Section, Canadian Province and DXCC entity will receive a First Place certificate. The Top five overall point scorers will receive awards.

Centennial QSO Party certificates are available for making QSOs with point-level achievements at four levels. These certificates are endorsable every 500 points. Plaques are available for Third and Top Levels. Point breaks for each level will be determined at a later date. These awards may be applied for online or via a paper application.
xxxx points = First Level Award Certificate
xxxx points = Second Level Award Certificate
xxxx points = Third Level Award Certificate
xxxx points = Top Level Award Certificate
Awards are offered for completing QSOs and compiling points during the Centennial QSO Party. Awards applications may be made online or by completing paper forms and submitting them to ARRL HQ. USA certificate prices:
Each award certificate costs $15.00 (including postage) in the U.S.A
Two certificates ordered at the same time costs $27 (including postage)
Three certificates ordered at the same time costs $39 (including postage)
Four certificates ordered at the same time costs $51 (including postage)
Outside the USA certificate prices:
One certificate costs $20.00 (including postage) outside the USA
Two certificates ordered at the same time cost $36.00 (including postage)
Three certificates ordered at the same time costs $52.00 (including postage)
Four certificates ordered at the same time costs $68.00 (including postage).
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QSLs
QSL cards from W1ØØAW and W1AW operating portable will be sent automatically via the QSL Bureau system to each U.S.A. station who signs-up online to receive such cards [this form is not ready yet -- please watch for an announcement].  This is a one-time only use of the QSL Bureau for this purpose. QSLs will automatically be sent to stations outside the U.S.A. via the QSL Bureau as normal.  QSLs may be requested directly also, with an SASE required for return.

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Questions?
Q  Do I have to use LoTW to get the awards?  A  No.  All the awards may be obtained without using LoTW.  But, you must use LoTW to _compete_ in the Centennial Points Challenge.

Q  Should I use a special CQ call to signify that I want Centennial QSOs?  A  On phone "CQ Centennial" is appropriate.  On CW or digital modes "CQ CENT" is the easiest option.  Really though, it is probably best to just call CQ and work all callers anyway and just operate as normal.  Because all ARRL members are worth at least one point there will always be points to add.

Q  Do I have to receive someone's ARRL Position or abbreviation in order to get point credit?  A  No.  If you use LoTW the point value will be determined automatically.  If you don't use LoTW, you may use a web query (that will be installed soon) that will tell you the point value of a call sign.

Q  Who do I write if I think my call's point value is incorrect?  A  Write 100QSOParty at arrl.org.

Q  I hold multiple appointments -- do all the point values add-up?  A  No.  Each call is worth one point value and it should be the highest value of the positions.

Q  If I am a guest op at a station using a call other than mine, does the other station receive my call's point value, or the point value of the call I am using?  A  The call sign in the log is the one that gets valued for points, so the call you are using is the one that has the points.

Q  Can I work DX stations?  A  Absolutely.  Many people who live outside the USA are members of ARRL (more than 10,000).  Many DX stations will be actively chasing ARRL members and W1AW as well as participating in the Points Challenge.

Q  How do I know when all the W1AW operations from all the states and territories will occur?  I want to make sure I work each W1AW operation.  A  There is a schedule by week showing W1AW portable operationsand it is #11 in the Table of Contents listed above.  Remember, W1AW portable operations are worth 5 points for each QSO and you can work them on all bands and modes -- you are not limited to one QSO. 

Q  Why don't you list the point levels for the Points Challenge Awards yet?  A  Truthfully we aren't sure how easy or difficult it will be to accumulate points!  :-)  Nothing like this has been done before.  We will test some log data in the system to see how the points accumulate.  And we will see how the scores begin to unfold after January 1 and then determine where the awards breaks will be.

Q  I have a call or calls from other DXCC entities -- may those calls be registered for points in the Centennial QSO Party?  A  Yes, please write 100QSOParty at arrl.org and list the other call(s) that you will use in 2014 -- the call(s) must be issued to you.  If you will not use the call in 2014, please do not write.


Do you have questions not answered above?Contact Us

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Centennial QSO Party Points Table
Note: These appointments are for current appointees, unless otherwise noted. Eg: Assistant Director (AD) is only for the current Assistant Directors. Past office-holders and appointees are only eligible if the title listed includes the word "Past" such as "Past Section Manager (PSM)."

Abbreviation	Full Position/Title Name	Point value
PRES	ARRL President	300
PE	President Emeritus	275
PP	Past President	275
HVP	Honorary Vice President	250
VP	ARRL Vice President	250
DE	Director Emeritus	225
DIR	Director	225
PVP	Past Vice President	225
VD	Vice Director	200
SM	Section Manager	175
OFF	Staff Officer, Treasurer, Counsel	150
PD	Past Director	150
PV	Past Vice Director	125
ARRL	W1ØØAW ARRL HQ Station	100
CLM	ARRL Charter Life Member	100
PSM	Past Section Manager	100
DM	ARRL HQ Department Manager	75
HQ	ARRL HQ Staff Member/Volunteer	50
MAX	Maxim Society Member	50
AC	CAC/DXAC/ECAC Advisory Members	40
AD	Assistant Director	40
ASM	Assistant Section Manager	35
ACC	Affiliated Club Coordinator	30
DEC	District Emergency Coordinator	30
NCJ	NCJ Editor	30
OOC	Official Observer Coordinator	30
PIC	Public Information Coordinator	30
QST	QST Columnist	30
SEC

Section Emergency Coordinator	30
SGL	State Government Liaison	30
STM	Section Traffic Manager	30
TC	Technical Coordinator	30
LAB	W1INF Lab Museum Operations	25
CM	Contest Managers/Log Checkers	20
QSM	Incoming QSL Bureau Manager	20
LC	W1HQ HQ Ops	15
VC	Volunteer Counsel	15
VCE	Volunteer Consulting Engineer	15
ADC	Area Digital Coordinators	12
ADEC	Assistant District Emergency Coordinator	12
ANM	Area Net Manager	12
ASEC	Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator	12
EC	Emergency Coordinator	12
LGL	Local Government Liaison	12
OBS	Official Bulletin Station	12
OES	Offical Emergency Station	12
OO	Official Observer	12
ORS	Official Relay Station	12
PIO	Public Information Officer	12
RNM	Region Net Manager	12
TCC	Transcontinental Corps Directors	12
TS	Technical Specialist	12
TA	Technical Advisor	10
AM	Awards Manager	5
CC	Card Checker	5
RI	Registered Instructor	5
State Abbrev	W1AW/x around the USA	5
VE	Volunteer Examiner	5
MS	Monitoring System Volunteer	3
QSL	Incoming QSL Bureau Sorters	3
LM	ARRL Life Member	2
AFF	ARRL Affiliated Club Call Sign	1
MEM	ARRL Member	1