The two top-band contests, in February and November each year, are some of the oldest organised by the RSGB. These events are CW only but entrants who are not able to read CW are encouraged to participate using CW reader technology.

Main Rule Changes in 2016
Both contests are now CW-only.
The start & finish times are now 2 hours earlier, which should provide more continental contacts.


1. KEY INFORMATION

1(a) General Rules
The RSGB General Rules apply to these contests.

1(b) Definition
The term "UK&CD" in these rules refers to the "United Kingdom and Crown Dependencies". This means jurisdictions allocated prefixes G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU and GW. The term "non-UK" means anywhere outside the UK&CD

1(c) When?
First 1.8 MHz Contest: 13 February 2016 (the 2nd full weekend in February). Time: 19:00 – 23:00 UTC
Second 1.8 MHz Contest: 19 November 2016 (the 3rd full weekend in November). Time: 19:00 – 23:00 UTC

1(d) Mode & Frequencies CW 1810-1840 kHz

1(e) Exchange
All entrants: send signal report (RST) + serial number UK&CD entrants: also send District Code
Serial Numbers start at 001.
Minimum exchange from a non-contestant is a signal report (RST).
Exchanges from stations in other contests must be logged as sent.

1(f) Entrants
Stations in the UK&CD and not in the UK&CD are all welcome to participate.
All entrants (in the UK&CD and not in the UK&CD) may contact all other stations.

2. SECTIONS AND ENTRANTS

2(a) Sections
Entrants in UK&CD: (i) Assisted, (ii) Unassisted.
Entrants not in UK&CD: (i) Assisted, (ii) Unassisted.

2(b) Meaning:
Please see the RSGB General Rules for the definitions of Assisted and Unassisted.

2(c) Single Operator
All entrants must be Single-Operator. There is no Multi Operator category.

2(d) Call Signs
UK entrants who hold a valid Ofcom NoV may use Contest Call Signs (SCC).

3. SCORING AND LOGGING

3(a) Scoring system
QSO score: Two points per contact.
Bonus score: A Bonus of 5 points is scored for the first contact with every UK&CD District and with every DXCC Country (entity) outside the UK&CD.

3(b) Logs
Format: Logs must be in Cabrillo format.
Example of a log for this contest.
Entries: Entries must be made online no more than 7 days after the end of the contest. So for a contest on the 8-9 February, for example, the deadline is 23:59:59 on the 16th February.
Paper Logs: If a computer was not used for logging, entries may be submitted on paper. The RSGB General Rules explain the procedure.

4. RESULTS AND AWARDS

4(a) Score Tabulation
There will be separate tables for UK and non-UK entrants.

4(b) Trophies
First 1.8 MHz (February): The Somerset Trophy is awarded to the leading UK&CD entrant, Unassisted Section.
Second 1.8 MHz (November): The The Victor Desmond Trophy is awarded to the leading UK&CD entrant, Unassisted Section.
Aggregate: The Maitland Trophy is awarded to the Scottish entrant, Unassisted Section, with the highest aggregate score in the February and November contests.

4(c) Certificates
The top three entrants in the UK&CD and non-UK Sections, Unassisted category, are awarded certificates.
The top three entrants in the UK&CD and non-UK Sections, Assisted category, are awarded certificates.

4(d) Previous Results
A list of results for previous years is available -- for example, see "1.8MHz Contest (1st)" on this web page.

4(e) HF Championship
For UK&CD entrants their score from these contests contribute to the RSGB HF Championship.