RULES NZART STRAIGHT KEY NIGHT

Updated 2011-10-03

Polish and lubricate that old morse key and enjoy an evening of old time radio fun. An activity night in which everyone can be a winner with a certificate to prove it.

When

First Sunday in November 2000-2200 NZST in two one-hour periods

Band

80 m (3.5 MHz) only

Mode

CW sent with STRAIGHT KEY ie characters formed manually, no system of automatic dots, dashes or spacing permitted.

Divisions

1. Vintage QRP,

2. Vintage QRO,

3. Open QRP, and

4. Open QRO.

Explanation

Vintage receivers and transmitters or transceivers using valves, no solid-state devices in the signal line permitted. QRP: 5 watts or less rf output.

Exchange

1. RST,

2. QTH,

3. Operator's name (one word),

4. Key used (e.g. ZC1, P&T),

5. TX type (eg ZC1, FT1000, homebrew), and

6. TX power (watts).

Except for DX stations (ie non ZL mainland) only RST, operators name, and QTH need be exchanged.

Scoring

ONE Point per QSO.

Stations may be worked once in each one-hour period, CW to CW only. All stations submitting logs MUST use a straight key throughout, but straight key stations may QSO stations using bugs, electronic keyers or keyboards.

Multipliers

1. Vintage QRP multiply total points by 2,

2. Open QRP multiply total points by 1.5,

3. Vintage QRO multiply total points by 1.2, and

4. Open QRO multiply total points by 1.

Logs

Suggest using standard NZART log pages (not contest log sheets).

Each log QSO entry to show of station worked:

1. Time (NZST or Z ),

2. Callsign,

3. RST,

4. QTH,

5. Name,

6. Key type,

7. Tx type, and

8. Tx power.

Calculate total score then multiply by the appropriate multiplier to give total score claimed.

Logs to have associated data sheet giving entrant's:

1. Name,

2. Callsign,

3. QTH,

4. Age (optional),

Full description of equipment used including:

5. Key,

6. Tx/rx,

7. Tx power, and

8. Antenna.

Send logs by mail by 30 November to:

Ken McCormack, ZL1AIH, 181 Ararimu Valley Road, Waimauku, AUCKLAND, or email

zl1aih@xtra.co.nz

All (including DX stations) who send a log will receive a certificate. Special certificates to top three in each division. Annotated certificates e.g. Best ZC1, Youngest/oldest op, etc., at manager's discretion.

Any photos of operators and/or equipment gratefully received.