The eXtreme
CW World-Wide Challenge
28-29th October 2006
2006 EVENT DETAILS
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1
OBJECTIVE
To promote contacts between radio operators interested in improving their
morse code skills when sending and receiving messages under difficult operating
conditions.
1.1
Background
Wireless telegraphy has been in use for over one hundred years. During this
period, telegraphers have often been required to send and receive important
messages in emergency circumstances - on land, at sea, and in the air. Such
circumstances have often involved operating their station under life threatening
situations, and in extremes of temperature and physical discomfort. Examples
being: operating with cold hands or water-logged message pads and copying weak
signals through high levels of QRM and QRN.
This operating
event is an opportunity to remember the bravery and dedication of the countless
unsung heroes who, over the years, have manned their radio stations for as long
as it took to ensure that important morse code messages reached their
destination. Central to the objective of this operating event is gaining an
appreciation of what it's like to maintain effective morse communication under
stressful and difficult circumstances for long periods of time.
It is hoped that
this event will appeal to both beginners and experienced operators, including
SWLs—especially those who would like to try simulating their own idea of what,
for them, constitutes difficult operating circumstances. Ideas for typical
eXtreme CW (XCW) operating conditions include:
- using a simple straight key and paper logging throughout the event;
- operating from a cold, unheated shack;
- using a morse key strapped to your leg;
- using an unusual source of power;
- taking part in this event despite, perhaps, high levels of QRM, or restricted
antenna space; or, perhaps,
- using vintage station equipment typical of an earlier period.
The choice is
yours—but do have fun! Above all—do it safely.
2
WHEN
From: 0000 UTC on Saturday 28th October 2006
To: 2359 UTC on Sunday 29th October 2006
3
BAND & MODE
This is a 40m, single band event for conventional CW operators. Operation is
limited to 7.005-7.035 MHz only.
4
CATEGORIES
4.1 Operator Categories
MULTI-OP Multi-operator
SINGLE-OP Single operator
SWL Single-operator
receiving station
4.2
Power Categories
HIGH Transmitter
output power greater than 100 watts
LOW Maximum transmitter
output power of 100 watts
QRP Maximum
transmitter output power of 5 watts
5
OPERATING TIME
Single and Multi-Operator stations operate for a maximum of 24 operating
hours. The duration of each break must be at least 2 hours.
6
CQ CALLS
Participants can call 'CQ'; 'CQ XCW'; 'CQ TEST'; or 'CQ XCW TEST'.
7
CONTACTS
A station may be worked once only for points. But don't let that
stop you having more contacts with a fellow XCW operator later on—especially if
things get a bit quiet!
8
EXCHANGE
Minimum exchange is
(RST) (TX Power)W (e.g. 579 5W; or 579 50W; or 579 500W).
Participants are
requested to send meaningful RST reports. Please, no automatic '599'
senders!
Naturally,
participants are welcome to send additional operator/station information
too—such as name; age, etc.. Additional information does not need to be recorded
to count for QSO credit.
9
SCORING
Transmitting amateurs:
Score one point for each scoring contact. A station may be
worked once only for points.
SWLs:
Score one point for each CW station logged. A
station may be logged once only for points. The station logged does not need to
be participating in the eXtreme CW World-Wide Challenge.
10
LOGS
10.1 Deadline
To be included in the results, your log must arrive by 19th December 2006.
10.2
Information Required
To keep things simple, you do not have to submit a list of all the contacts
made. Only the following details must be supplied:
1) Station Callsign
2) Name of entrant
3) Address of entrant
4) Operator category entered
5) Power category entered
6) List of callsigns of all operators
7) Total score
8) Maximum transmitter power used
In addition, you
are welcome to include station details; photographs; and comments about the
event with your log. Only include information that you would be happy to see
included in the results. The results will be published on the world wide web.
10.3
Email Submission
Send your entry either as plain text in the body of the email, or as a text
file attachment. In the 'Subject' line of your e-mail message, please
include the station callsign used.
Send your entry to:
xcw@alg.demon.co.uk.
Receipt will be acknowledged within 10 days.
The entrant is
welcome to send entries in Cabrillo format (with or without a full list of the QSOs made). The following header fields are suggested:
START-OF-LOG: 2.0
CONTEST: XCW
CALLSIGN: (station callsign)
NAME: (name of
entrant)
ADDRESS: (first
address line)
ADDRESS:
[include additional address lines if required]
ADDRESS: (last address line)
CATEGORY:
(operator category) 40M
(power category) CW
OPERATORS: (callsign1) (callsign2) (callsign3)
CLUB: (name of club
or group)
CLAIMED-SCORE: (number of scoring contacts)
X-RADIOS:
(equipment used)
X-ANTENNAS: (antennas used)
X-EMAIL: (entrant's
email address)
SOAPBOX:
(first soapbox line)
SOAPBOX: [include additional soapbox lines if required]
SOAPBOX: (last soapbox line)
QSO: [inclusion of details of each QSO is optional]
END-OF-LOG:
10.4
Postal Submission
Postal logs (paper or disc) should be addressed to:
XCW WW Challenge, 14 The Paddock, Chepstow, NP16 5BW, Wales, UK.
11
AWARDS
Certificates will be awarded to the leading station in each category.
