Objective: The objective of the NVARC Cumulative QRP Contest (NVARCCQRPC) is to make as many contacts as possible during the contest period. Credits can boost your score by using lower power, portable power, or changing location, however you must select your RF Power Class and Primary Power Source in advance and stay in those categories for the entire contest period. See Note 1.
Activity Period: From 0001Z January 1, 2016 to 0001Z June 23, 2016
Eligibility: All NVARC members in good standing.
Bands: Any Amateur Frequency can be used for which the operator is licensed.
Classes: 1. Mixed Mode
2. CW
3. Phone(AM, FM, SSB)
4. Digital
RF Output Power Credit: (See Note 1)
Five watts or less but more than one watt. Credit 1
100MW to 1Watt. Credit 3
Below 100 MW. Credit 5
Primary Power Source Credit:(See Note 1)
AC Mains. Credit 1
Generator. Credit - 2
Rechargeable Batteries. Credit 2
Solar Power. Credit 3
Dry Cell/LB (one set). Credit 4
Antennas: There are no restrictions on gain or height
Promotion and Arranging Contacts: Self spotting is allowed and because the power level is low, contacts can be arranged by alternative methods of communication.
Equipment: There are no equipment restrictions as long as the power output at the antenna does not exceed 5 watts. The means of powering receivers, tuners, computers or other auxiliary equipment is not calculated or need be powered by portable means to obtain credit. Multiple transmitters/transceivers can be used as long as they provide the equivalent power output in the selected class.
Operating: The exchange for the contest is; Date and time, Worked stations call, Worked Operators Name, Signal report, and Locations (in the case of DX may be obtained from the call) For contacts location may be, State, Country, or Grid Square. Note, many DX contacts are possible with stations running as in a DXpedition mode. In such a case, a contact with such a station is valid as long as the exchange is what the running station is expecting. In addition, it is permitted to operate in another contest such as a DX, or VHF/UHF contest and include these contacts in the NVARCCQRPC. In this case the contest operated under should be noted in the log. The exchange in the other contest will suffice for the NVARCCQRPC exchange. Such activity is encouraged. Stations, not operating portable or mobile, may work other stations multiple times on any given band or mode if either station (or both) moves from the previous location by 10 miles (great circle path distance) or more. The six digit grid square of both stations must be logged for credit with these contacts. Stations may also be reworked on any given GMT day without moving. This is an attempt to level the ground a bit for stations than cannot or choose not to operate portable or mobile. See Note 2.
Scoring: The final score is the total number of contacts time the selected RF power multiplier credit times the power supply credit. Score = QSOs times RF Power Output credit times Primary Power Source Credit.
Awards: Highest score per Class.
Note 1: The following will hopefully clarify the Credits selection. The Credits in either category is that of the lowest value that apply for any contact made. For example, if you run more than one watt for only one contact, the RF Output Power Credit for the contest is 1. Even if all other contacts are at less power. Likewise for the Primary Power Source Credit, the lowest credit mode used for any contact is that used for the whole contest. For example, even if you make all contacts except one, using solar power, Credit equals 3, making one contact using AC mains, Credit equals 1, means that the Primary Power Source Credit for all contacts is 1.
Note 2: Only one mode of contact, CW, Phone, or Digital can be counted in a Mixed mode entry at a given location/time. A station cannot be worked again on the same day on the same band. IE making a CW, Phone, and Digital contact with any station at a location or GMT day and counting three contacts is not in the spirit of the contest. You can do it but only count one QSO.
revised 2015-12-30 / W1JHR