The 2008 1AD Contest Rules

The Birmingham group is hosting the 2008 DX contests. No prizes are planned for this year, but we are planning to send certificates to participants. Click on Crystal Radio Resources in the Favorite Links on this page to go to Owen Poole's site for the history of the DX contest and his commentaries.

First weekend:
Participants may compete during any time between 1200 UTC February 15, 2008 and 1200 UTC February 18, 2008.

Second weekend:
Participants may compete during any time between 1200 UTC February 22, 2008 and 1200 UTC February 25, 2008.

Logs for the 2008 1AD contest are due by and no later than Monday, March 31, 2008.

Best Regards,
Jack Bryant, KE4ID

Updated February 13, 2008

THE THIRD ANNUAL ONE-ACTIVE-DEVICE RADIO DX CONTEST RULES

This is an active set contest. Only one active device (1AD) is allowed to be counted for the 1AD category. The device can be a bipolar, FET, tunnel diode or tube (triode, tetrode, pentode, or heptode) but only one device may be used to be counted as 1AD. If a tube envelope has more than one tube in it, use only one of those active devices to be counted as a 1AD. Crystal sets may be used if one active device is added either inboard or outboard. Totally passive crystal sets are not allowed. In the active set, any number of diodes (either solid state or tube diodes) may be used; however, a tunnel diode or similar active device counts as the 1AD for the contest.

Although this is a 1AD contest, in an effort to promote more experimentation, up to three discrete active devices will be allowed, BUT the score will be reduced based on the additional devices:

-One active device: full score applies.
-Two active devices: divide the total score by two.
-Three active devices: divide the total score by three.

The use of integrated circuits can be interesting in that one IC can be used to build a full superhet. For our contest, one IC can be used, but not in conjunction with any discrete active devices. ANy number of diodes can be used with a one integrated circuit set. Here is how the scoring will be applied for the use of an IC:

-One integrated circuit: divide the score by ten.

Please e-mail a description and photo of your rig with your log.

1) BCB class (530 -1710 kHz) : One view based on distance/power; another new view based on total number of stations identified.

2) SW class based on number of commercial SW stations logged; also includes WWV and Ham AM, CW, FM, or Single Sideband (SSB) stations (with IDs). RTTY stations do not count. The objective is to hear and identify stations broadcasting in the international Short-wave bands AND THE HAM BANDS from 160 - 2 meters. Each station heard and identified will be counted as one point. WWV counts as a station. Those stations broadcasting in more than one band may be counted for each band in which they are heard. There are no equipment multipliers for scoring in this class. Location and distance to transmitting site and transmitter power will not be factors in this category.

3) Two-way class; receive on active set, and transmit on AM, CW, FM, or Single Sideband (SSB) transmitter; this is intended for Ham Operators. The equipment restrictions for this class are the same as for the Short wave class, except a point is awarded for each two-way transmission. The contest set is used as a receiver. Tube or transistor transmitters are allowed, with power and band usage per FCC regulations. For those interested in 75M AM. a common frequency in the Southeast is 3.885 MHz.

GENERAL RULES
1. The contest will run during two weekend periods, with a break during the week.

First weekend:
Participants may compete during any time between 1200 UTC February 15, 2008 and 1200 UTC February 18, 2008.

Second weekend:
Participants may compete during any time between 1200 UTC February 22, 2008 and 1200 UTC February 25, 2008.

2. All contestants are restricted to a single geographic location. If you want to try a second location (nearest mountain top), you may submit a second entry for that location.

3. Multi-operator operation is permitted provided all work is conducted at the same geographic location. A single entry will be made for multi-operator stations. This rule is intended for you to involve your kids or their friends (particularly if you don't hear so well), and not to set up for a marathon event.

4. The use of a separate amplified receiver to confirm station identification, resolve frequency questions or even to "hunt" for new stations is both permitted and encouraged, providing positive reception of an intelligible signal by ear using the contest set is obtained. Use of this separate receiver may not in any way enhance the performance of the contest set.

5. Any combination of receivers and antenna/ground configurations may be used. Included in the system may be any passive outboard antenna tuners, matching devices, filters and wave traps.

6. SCORING
CALCULATION OF POINTS BASED ON POWER AND DISTANCE FOR BCB
a. Each entrant must submit a log with the points calculated. A log spreadsheet is provided in the LINKS that performs the calculations for you. Many stations are listed already, but you can add stations that are not listed. The FCC database is a good source for the needed info.

b. Points for each station received will be the higher of either 200 points each or the result of using the following formula:
10 x distance / log power

c. Distance will be nearest whole kilometer (conventional rounding).

d. Power will be in watts (minimum power = 10 watts)

e. Score for each station to the nearest whole point

example: station is 40 km from receiver and is using 5 kW power; score would be: 10 x 40/log 5000 = 108 points (note: the same station transmitting at 500 w reduced power at night would score 148 points - if the station is heard at both times, full and reduced power, you should use the reception that gives you the best score - (actually, in either example shown here, the default score of 200 points should be taken).

f. Transmitting station power used for scoring purposes may be either the actual power reported by the station or the power authorized (the FCC database is considered authoritative for any listed station in North or South America ).

Click on the "Favorite Links" on this web page: "FCC AM Radio Database Query"

g. Distance between the receiver and the antenna may be calculated FOR THOSE STATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN ID'D using any competent method using the latitude/longitude of the transmitting antenna and the latitude/longitude of the receiver (you may use position rounded to the nearest whole minute of arc). For local transmitting sites which can be plotted on a map also showing the receiving station location, direct straight line distance using map scale references may be used, rounded to the nearest whole km.

Click on the "Favorite Links" on this web page: "FCC Distance Calculator"

h. Only signals transmitted within the frequency band of 530 kHz - 1700 kHz may be counted. Simulcast signals may be counted once for each frequency heard. Simulcast broadcasts outside the specified frequency band may not be counted. Only signals transmitted from a fixed site and using legitimate, verifiable station identification may be counted. This does not exclude legitimate transmissions such as low power travel information stations. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED A STATION BUT CANNOT ID IT, YOU CAN COUNT 200 POINTS FOR EACH STATION. IF YOU COPY MORE THAN ONE STATION ON THE SAME FREQUENCY AND YOU WANT TO COUNT 200 POINTS FOR EACH, BE SURE TO THAT THEY ARE IN FACT DIFFERENT STATIONS.

i. Entries submitted by anyone 18 years old or younger receive a total point multiplier of 1.5 (yes, a 16 year old using a completely home built set, including headphones, gets a total point kick of 75%, but please observe who has to build the rig).

j. Each station heard may be counted once for each frequency (in the event of multiple frequencies of transmission).

7. Entries containing required contest information must be forwarded to the appropriate address by any means within 3 weeks of the end of the contest. Judges may enter the contest providing their entry is reviewed by a separate judge. Judges will examine entries for validity and verification of claimed scores based on the best judgment of the judge. Winners will be announced whenever we sort out the entries. No prizes are planned for this contest.

8. Entry format and forwarding instructions are the same as for the 2008 Crystal Set Contest. See the Crystal Radio DX Contest Entry Format.

9. This contest is open to anyone, anywhere. Multiple entries are allowed. For example, a contestant can enter each of the classes.