ARRL International EME Competition
Last updated 08:10 ET 06/14/06
Rules, 2006 ARRL International EME Competition
1. Object. Two-way communications via the earth-moon-earth path on
any authorized amateur frequency above 50 MHz.
2. Date and Contest Period. Three full weekend 48-hour periods
(0000 UTC on Saturday through 2359 UTC Sunday). The 2006 dates
and designated bands for each date are:
September 16-17 2304 MHz and Up
October 14-15 50 MHz through 1296 MHz
November 11-12 50 MHz through 1296 MHz
3. Entry Categories.
3.1. Single Operator Unassisted. One person performs all
operating and logging functions, equipment adjustments and
antenna alignment. Assistance in scheduling or facilitating
QSOs during the contest period, and the use of spotting
assistance or nets (operating arrangements involving other
individuals, DX-alerting nets, packet, etc) is not permitted.
3.1.1 Multiband:
3.1.1.1 Multiband entries on bands 50 MHz through
1296 MHz;
3.1.1.2 Multiband entries on bands 2304 MHz and Up;
3.1.1.3. Multiband 50 MHz and up;
3.1.2 Single Band: Single-band entries on each band.
3.2. Single Operator Assisted. One person performs all operating
and logging functions, equipment adjustments, antenna
alignment. The use of spotting assistance or nets
(operating arrangements involving other individuals,
DX-alerting nets, packet, etc) is permitted.
3.2.1 Multiband:
3.2.1.1 Multiband entries on bands 50 MHz through
1296 MHz;
3.2.1.2 Multiband entries on bands 2304 MHz and Up;
3.2.1.3. Multiband 50 MHz and up;
3.2.2 Single Band: Single-band entries on each band.
3.3. Multi-Operator. Two or more persons participate.
3.3.1. Multiband:
3.3.1.1 Multiband entries on bands 50 MHz through
1296 MHz;
3.3.1.2 Multiband entries on bands 2304 MHz and Up;
3.3.1.3. Multiband 50 MHz and up.
3.3.2. Single Band: single hand entry on each band.
3.3.3. Includes neighboring amateurs within one state, but
with EME facilities for different bands on different
team members' premises, as long as no two are more
than 50 km (30 miles) apart. Multi-Operator
neighborhood groups may use the same call signs at
each location if permissible under national licensing
rules and regulations. If not permissible, separate
callsigns may be used for the multi-operator
neighborhood entry. When operating under this
neighborhood provision, all logs must be submitted
together in a single envelope or email with a single
summary sheet showing the combined operation,
designating the principal callsign for the entry.
All multioperator callsigns will be shown in the
results.
3.4. Commercial Equipment: Stations using equipment that is not
amateur (such as a dish antenna for lab equipment owned by
an institution or government agency) will have their scores
listed separately.
3.5. Only one log may be submitted per callsign.
4. Exchange: For a valid contact to occur each station must send and
receive both call signs and a signal report in any mutually
understood format, plus a complete acknowledgment of the calls and
report. Partial or incomplete QSOs should be indicated on your log,
but not counted for contest credit. Stations may be worked once per
band for credit.
5. Scoring:
5.1. QSO Points: Count 100 points for each complete EME contact.
5.2. Multiplier: Each US State and Canadian Province, plus each
DXCC entity (excluding the US/Canada) worked via EME on each
band.
5.3. Final Score: Multiply QSO point total by the sum of
multipliers worked from each band.
6. Miscellaneous
6.1. Fixed or portable operation is permitted.
6.2. Contacts may be on CW, SSB, or digital modes. Only one signal
per band is permitted. While not required, it is requested
that the mode be identified in the log for information.
6.3. A transmitter, receiver, or antenna used to contact one or
more stations under one call sign may not be used
subsequently under any other call sign during the contest.
An exception is made for family stations where more than one
call sign has been issued, and then only if a different
operator uses the second call sign.
6.4. There is no specified minimum terrestrial distance for
contacts, but all communications must be copied over the
moon-bounce path, regardless how strong (or weak) a nearby
station's terrestrial signal may be.
6.5. Stations are encouraged to send in a log containing all
contacts during the contest, regardless of entry category.
7. Reporting: Entries must be postmarked no later than December 12,
2006 (30 days after the contest) and must include complete log
data as well as a complete summary sheet. Official forms are
available on the ARRL Web or with a SASE request to the Contest
Branch. Your summary sheet should show a band-by-band breakdown
of QSOs and multipliers, and include details of your station's
setup and a photo. Cabrillo format is not required for electronic
submissions in the EME Contest but will be accepted for the log
portion of the entry, provided the entry also includes the fully
completed standard summary sheet. Email entries should be
submitted to EMEcontest@arrl.org and paper/diskette entries
should be submitted to EME Contest, ARRL, 225 Main Street,
Newington, CT 06111.
8. Awards:
8.1. Certificates will be issued to the top five stations
worldwide in each of the entry categories:
8.1.1. Single Operator Single Band (50 MHz and up
individually)
8.1.2. Single Operator 50 MHz - 1296 MHz
8.1.3. Single Operator 2304 MHz and Up
8.1.4. Single Operator All Band Overall
8.1.5. Single Operator Assisted Single Band (50 MHz and
up individually)
8.1.6. Single Operator Assisted 50 MHz - 1296 MHz
8.1.7. Single Operator Assisted 2304 MHz and Up
8.1.8. Single Operator Assisted All Band Overall
8.1.9. Multioperator 50 MHz - 1296 MHz
8.1.10. Multioperator 2304 MHz and Up
8.1.11. Multioperator Multiband Overall
8.1.12. Multioperator Single Band
8.2. Additional awards will be issued where significant
achievement or competition is evident. In addition, each
station that successfully completes at least one EME
contact during the contest period will receive a
certificate commemorating that achievement.
9. Other: See "General Rules for All ARRL Contests" in November
2001 QST.
9.1. In addition to their official entries, participants are
invited to submit contest stories and photographs to the
ARRL Contest Online Soapbox at:
www.arrl.org/contests/soapbox