Islands on the Air Contest Rules 1996

1. General. The aim of the contest is to promote contacts between stations in qualifying IOTA island groups and the rest of the world and to encourage expeditions to IOTA islands. Please note the changes to rules 4(a) to 4(c).
2. When. 1200 UTC Saturday 27th July to 1200 UTC Sunday 28th July 1996.
3. Bands and Modes. 3.5, 7, 14, 21 and 28MHz, CW and SSB. IARU bandplans should be observed, with CW contacts being made only in the recognised CW ends of the bands. Contest preferred segments should also be observed, i.e. no operation taking place on 3.56-3.6MHz, 3.65-3.7MHz, 14.06-14.125 and 14.3-14.35MHz.
4. Categories. (a) Single operator. Only one transmitted signal. Use of packet cluster or other assistance during the contest places the entrant in the multi operator category. CW only, SSB only or mixed-mode. (b) Single operator limited. CW only, SSB only or mixed-mode. Operation is limited to 12 hours. Off periods must be clearly marked and must be a minimum of 60 minutes in length. (c) Multi operator single transmitter, mixed mode. The use of one "run" transceiver and one "multiplier" transceiver is permitted. NB This category is open to Island Stations only.
5. Sections. (a) IOTA Island Stations Stations on an island with an IOTA reference, for example AS-007, EU-005. This section includes the British Isles. Note: mainland G/GM/GW = EU-005, mainland GI/EI = EU-115. Entrants intending to operate from a location whose IOTA status is not clear are advised to confirm validity by reference to the IOTA directory available from RSGB headquarters. Please indicate on the entry whether the station is permanent or a contest DXpedition, i.e. antennas and equipment installed specifically for the contest. (b) World (listed by continent) Any station in a location which does not have an IOTA reference. (c) Short Wave Listener See rule 10. The format of the listings will depend on the number of entries received.
6. Exchange. Send RS(T) and serial number starting from 001, plus IOTA reference number if applicable. Do not use separate numbering systems for CW and SSB. Stations may be contacted on both CW and SSB on each band. Entrants in section (a) MUST send their IOTA reference as part of each contact.
7. Scoring. (a) QSO Points Each contact with an IOTA island counts 15 points. Other contacts count 5 points, except contacts with the entrant's own country or own IOTA reference, which count 2 points. (b) Multiplier The multiplier is the total of different IOTA references contacted on each band on CW, plus the total of different IOTA references contacted on each band on SSB. (c) Total Score The score is the total of QSO points on all bands added together, multiplied by the total of multipliers.
8. Logs. Entries are preferred on disk using recognised contest software i.e. SD, CT, NA but must be accompanied by a summary and signed declaration that the rules and licence conditions have been complied with. Separate log sheets must be used for each band (but not each mode). Paper logs are also acceptable. Single mode entrants who make contacts on the other mode should submit these separately as checklogs.

Logs must show: Time, Callsign, RST/serial number/IOTA reference sent, RST/serial number/IOTA reference received, multiplier claimed, and QSO points. Entrants are encouraged to submit cross-check ("dupe") sheets and a multiplier list. Entries must be postmarked 31st August at the latest, and mailed to the following address: RSGB IOTA Contest, c/o S. Knowles G3UFY, 77 Bensham Manor Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey, CR7 7AF, England. IOTA stations must state their location, i.e. island from where they operated, as well as their IOTA reference number. Checklogs from non-entrants are welcome.

9. Penalties. Points may be deducted, or entrants disqualified, for violation of the rules or the spirit of the contest. This includes refusal by IOTA island stations to make contacts with their own country when requested. Use of a third party to make contacts on a list or net is also against the spirit and may lead to disqualification. Duplicate contacts must be marked as such with no points claimed. Unmarked duplicates will be penalised at ten times the claimed points, and excessive duplicates may cause disqualification.
10. SWL Contest. Scoring is as for the transmitting contest. Logs must be separate for each band, and show Time, Callsign of station heard, RST/serial number/IOTA reference sent, callsign of station being worked, multiplier claimed, and QSO points. Under "callsign of station being worked", there must be at least two other QSOs before a callsign is repeated, or else ten minutes must have elapsed. If both sides of a QSO can be heard, they can be logged separately for points if appropriate.
11. Awards (a) Certificates will be awarded to leading stations in each category and section, and in each continent, according to entry. (b) The CDXC Geoff Watts Memorial Trophy (Non returnable) will be presented to the entrant whether single operator or a multi operator group in the IOTA Islands stations section (Non DXpedition subsection) with the overall highest score regardless of mode. (c) The IOTA Trophy (non-returnable) will be presented by the IOTA Committee to the entrant, whether single-operator or a multi-operator group in the IOTA Island Stations Section (DXpedition subsection), with the overall highest score, regardless of mode. A trophy will also be awarded to the leading non-DXpedition IOTA entrant. (d) The DX News Sheet Trophy (retained for one year) will be presented to the British entrant operating from a location in the UK (including GD, GJ and GU) with the highest checked score in the single operator SSB category, (Category A). The winner of the IOTA Trophy will not be eligible for this award. (e) The David King G3PFS Trophy, In Memory of Geoff Watts, (retained for one year) will be presented to the British entrant operating from a location in the UK (including GD, GJ and GU) with the highest checked score in the single operator SSB category, (Category B). The winner of the IOTA Trophy will not be eligible for this award.
12. Note from the IOTA Director. Amateurs planning to activate an all-time new one for IOTA over the IOTA Contest weekend should, if possible, arrange to commence their operation in the preceding 24 hours to enable the new reference number to be issued before the start of the contest. Once the contest is under way, it will not be possible to issue a new number and, without this, contacts made will not count as island contacts.
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Rein Couperus, PA0RCT, Genderweg 15, 5521NX Eersel, The Netherlands (reinc@iaehv.nl)