IRTS 80 Metres Counties Contest Rules

1	General:
	All entrants must be fully paid up members of the Irish Radio Transmitters Society.  This does not apply to stations outside EI.
2	Date and Time:
2.1	From 14:00 to 17:00 UTC on a date in early January (see Contest Calendar).
2.2	From 14:00 to 17:00 UTC on a date in June (see Contest Calendar).
3	Sections:
3.1	a) SSB only Fixed b) SSB only portable – 100w max.  SSB Field Day Restricted Section rules apply c) SSB/CW fixed. d) SSB/CW portable – 100w max.  SSB Field Day Restricted Section rules apply e) SWL – see Section 8 of General Rules
3.2	Whether portable or fixed, entrants must operate from a single location for the duration of the contest.
4	Modes and Frequencies:
4.1	SSB and CW.  A station may be worked on both modes - except in the SSB Only sections.
4.2	Only one signal may be transmitted at a time.
4.3	QSOs with the same station on different modes must be separated by at least three other QSOs.
4.4	The IARU Region 1 Band Plan should be observed, and in addition: CW contacts should be made only in the recognised CW end of the band As this is a local contest, no operation should take place where the Band Plan indicates priority for intercontinental operation
4.5	Frequencies: CW 3510-3560;   SSB 3600-3650 & 3700-3775
5	Exchange:
5.1	Exchange report, serial number (starting 001 for the first contact) and county e.g. 59001, Wicklow.
6	Special Rules for Counties Contests:
6.1	At the discretion of the Contest Manager, entries from stations with poor-quality signals (too wide, overdriven, distorted etc.) will not be eligible for any award and will be treated as check logs.
7	Scoring:
7.1	For entrants in EI/GI: Any County in EI/GI 4 points Contacts outside EI/GI 1 point
7.2	Entrants outside EI/GI: Each contact with EI/GI 4 points
7.3	The final score is the total number of points multiplied by the total number of EI/GI counties worked.  In the SSB/CW sections, counties only count once.
8	Documentation:
8.1	Submitted logs should be legible.  Accepted formats are handwritten, typed, computer print, or ASCII text files on disk or by email.
8.2	A summary sheet should show: Station location. Section entered (One section only – do not leave blank). Final claimed score. Equipment used. Name(s) and callsign(s) of operator(s).
9	Awards:
9.1	An award will be made to the leading EI station in each section.
9.2	An award will be made to the leading station outside EI in each section.
10	Entries:
10.1	Entries, which must be received by the Contest Manager not more than 30 days after the event, should be sent to Entries being sent by post should be sent directly to the Contest Manager at QTHR.

Updated: 1 October 2008