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March 12, 2022 5:11 pm
Introduction and How to Operate
Contest Objective: For amateurs around the world to contact as many other amateurs in as many 4-digit
Maidenhead grid squares as possible, using non-RTTY digital modes. Contest Period: (All dates are maintained in the ARRL contest calendar): First full weekend of June.
Contest Period: Begins 1800 UTC Saturday and runs through 2359 UTC Sunday. Single-Op
stations may operate for 24 hours out of the 30-hour contest period. Multi-operator stations
may operate for the entire 30 hours. See the Special Rules for information about off times.
Log Deadline: Upload your log at contest-log-submission.arrl.org no later than SEVEN (7) days after the
contest is over at 2359 UTC. Only Cabrillo formatted electronic logs will be accepted, which must be
uploaded via our web app. No paper logs will be accepted.
Bands and Modes: Use only the 1.8, 3.5, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 50 MHz bands. Use any digital mode
(excluding RTTY) that supports the required contest exchange. Observation of established band plans is
strongly encouraged.
Categories: Single Operator, Low Power, and Single Operator, QRP; Multi-operator, Single Transmitter,
Low Power; and Multi-operator Single Transmitter, QRP. There are no High-Power categories. See the
Special Rules and Entry Categories sections.
Contacts: All stations may contact any other station. Contact stations only once per band.
Exchange: Send 4-digit Maidenhead grid-square locator (www.arrl.org/grid-squares). This is a typical FT8 contest contact: CQing Station: CQ TEST N1SFE FN31 Answering Station: N1SFE W9SZ EN50 CQer: W9SZ N1SFE R FN31 Answer: N1SFE W9SZ RR73 CQer: W9SZ N1SFE 73 (or any appropriate acknowledge message)
Scoring: Each contact counts for one (1) QSO point, plus an additional point for each 500 km of distance
between the centers of the 4-digit grid squares of the two stations, rounded up to the next highest
value. See the Special Rules for scoring details.
Your ARRL membership helps support the ARRL Contest Program – the world’s largest with
many different events from HF through microwave. Along with your membership, you’ll get
free access to the National Contest Journal, the ARRL’s online archive of QST articles, and the
Technical Information Service. Contesting builds skills and understanding – come join the fun!
Contest Objective: For amateurs around the world to contact as many other amateurs in as many 4-digit
Maidenhead grid squares as possible, using non-RTTY digital modes. Contest Period: (All dates are maintained in the ARRL contest calendar): First full weekend of June.
Contest Period: Begins 1800 UTC Saturday and runs through 2359 UTC Sunday. Single-Op
stations may operate for 24 hours out of the 30-hour contest period. Multi-operator stations
may operate for the entire 30 hours. See the Special Rules for information about off times.
Log Deadline: Upload your log at contest-log-submission.arrl.org no later than SEVEN (7) days after the
contest is over at 2359 UTC. Only Cabrillo formatted electronic logs will be accepted, which must be
uploaded via our web app. No paper logs will be accepted.
Bands and Modes: Use only the 1.8, 3.5, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 50 MHz bands. Use any digital mode
(excluding RTTY) that supports the required contest exchange. Observation of established band plans is
strongly encouraged.
Categories: Single Operator, Low Power, and Single Operator, QRP; Multi-operator, Single Transmitter,
Low Power; and Multi-operator Single Transmitter, QRP. There are no High-Power categories. See the
Special Rules and Entry Categories sections.
Contacts: All stations may contact any other station. Contact stations only once per band.
Exchange: Send 4-digit Maidenhead grid-square locator (www.arrl.org/grid-squares). This is a typical FT8 contest contact: CQing Station: CQ TEST N1SFE FN31 Answering Station: N1SFE W9SZ EN50 CQer: W9SZ N1SFE R FN31 Answer: N1SFE W9SZ RR73 CQer: W9SZ N1SFE 73 (or any appropriate acknowledge message)
Scoring: Each contact counts for one (1) QSO point, plus an additional point for each 500 km of distance
between the centers of the 4-digit grid squares of the two stations, rounded up to the next highest
value. See the Special Rules for scoring details.
Your ARRL membership helps support the ARRL Contest Program – the world’s largest with
many different events from HF through microwave. Along with your membership, you’ll get
free access to the National Contest Journal, the ARRL’s online archive of QST articles, and the
Technical Information Service. Contesting builds skills and understanding – come join the fun!
ARRL International Digital Contest Rules Version 1.0 Page 2 of 10
Club Competition: You can contribute your score to your ARRL Affiliated Club by selecting the club name
when you upload your log. Club Competition rules are available at ARRL Affiliated Club Competition
Rules.
Team Competition: You may wish to form a team with fellow participants. Teams must consist of two to
five single operator stations operating within a 175-mile radius whose individual scores will be combined
to produce a team score. All team members must be registered prior to the start of the contest. See the
Special Rules for more details.
Feedback about the contest:
Send us your stories and photos! Tell us what fun you had, how you did, and what challenges you faced
at the ARRL Contest Program’s “Soapbox” page.
Additional Resources: Suggested Band Plans for FT* modes: FT-4 Recommended Sub-bands:
1.836-1.840 3.580-3.590 7.080-7.090 14.080-14.090 21.080-21.090 28.080-28.090 50.330 to 50.340 When choosing your operating frequency, set the radio dial at the bottom of the sub-band and
QSO with stations on audio frequencies within the radio passband, typically 2.5-4 kHz wide. If a
sub-band becomes crowded, move the radio dial frequency up in 2 kHz increments, as needed.
(For example: 7.080, 7.082, 7.084, 7.086 and 7.088).
FT-8 Recommended Sub-bands:
1.840-1.844 3.590-3.600 (No Digital above 3600) 7.090-7.100 14.090-14.100 21.090-21.100 28.090-28.100 50.340 to 50.350 When choosing your operating frequency, set the radio dial at the bottom of the sub-band and
QSO with stations on audio frequencies within the radio passband typically 2.5-4 kHz wide. If a
sub-band becomes crowded, move the radio dial frequency up in 2 kHz increments, as needed.
(For example: 7,090, 7.092, 7.094, 7.096 and 7.098).
All contest queries should be directed to contests@arrl.org or 860-594-0232.
Club Competition: You can contribute your score to your ARRL Affiliated Club by selecting the club name
when you upload your log. Club Competition rules are available at ARRL Affiliated Club Competition
Rules.
Team Competition: You may wish to form a team with fellow participants. Teams must consist of two to
five single operator stations operating within a 175-mile radius whose individual scores will be combined
to produce a team score. All team members must be registered prior to the start of the contest. See the
Special Rules for more details.
Feedback about the contest:
Send us your stories and photos! Tell us what fun you had, how you did, and what challenges you faced
at the ARRL Contest Program’s “Soapbox” page.
Additional Resources: Suggested Band Plans for FT* modes: FT-4 Recommended Sub-bands:
1.836-1.840 3.580-3.590 7.080-7.090 14.080-14.090 21.080-21.090 28.080-28.090 50.330 to 50.340 When choosing your operating frequency, set the radio dial at the bottom of the sub-band and
QSO with stations on audio frequencies within the radio passband, typically 2.5-4 kHz wide. If a
sub-band becomes crowded, move the radio dial frequency up in 2 kHz increments, as needed.
(For example: 7.080, 7.082, 7.084, 7.086 and 7.088).
FT-8 Recommended Sub-bands:
1.840-1.844 3.590-3.600 (No Digital above 3600) 7.090-7.100 14.090-14.100 21.090-21.100 28.090-28.100 50.340 to 50.350 When choosing your operating frequency, set the radio dial at the bottom of the sub-band and
QSO with stations on audio frequencies within the radio passband typically 2.5-4 kHz wide. If a
sub-band becomes crowded, move the radio dial frequency up in 2 kHz increments, as needed.
(For example: 7,090, 7.092, 7.094, 7.096 and 7.098).
All contest queries should be directed to contests@arrl.org or 860-594-0232.
73 KE0DC
