Contest Period :
from July 26-2008 12.00 UTC to July 27-2008 12.00 UTC

Bands :
80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 m.

Categories :
A: SWL, Single Operator, 12 hours, MIXED
B: SWL, Single Operator, 12 hours, SSB
C: SWL, Single Operator, 12 hours, CW
D: SWL, Single Operator, 24 hours, MIXED
E: SWL, Single Operator, 24 hours, SSB
F: SWL, Single Operator, 24 hours, CW

Modes :
CW, SSB, MIXED.

Exchanges :
RST + QSO number, starting with 001 + IOTA Reference number, if applicable.

QSO Points :
Three (3) points per non-island QSO heard, fifteen (15) points per island QSO heard. Same station can be heard once on each band and mode.

Multipliers :
Each IOTA reference on each band and on each mode.

Scoring :
Sum of QSO points x sum of multipliers = TOTAL SCORE.

Rule of Correspondents :
The callsign of correspondent may not appear more than three consecutive times. There must be at least one other QSO before a series of one to three callsigns is repeated.

Plaque / Awards :
The GEOFF WATTS SWL Plaque to the leader in the 12 hours mixed category. Certificates to the top three stations in each category.

Logs :
CABRILLO format is preferred.
To generate Cabrillo the user friendly program by SP7DQR is available at: http://hamradio.nikhef.nl/cie/nl/SWL_Consoft.html (NL290 site)
http://sp7dqr.waw.pl/eng/index_en.html (SP7DQR site)
Logs in Excel or in TEXT (with columns separated by spaces) are acceptable.
Log must show: FREQUENCY, MODE, DATE, TIME(UTC), CALLSIGN OF STATION HRD, EXCHANGE MESSAGE SENT BY STATION HRD and CALLSIGN OF CORRESPONDENT.
Hand-written logs are not recommended but still acceptable. Official forms can be requested to the IOTA SWL Contest manager.

Logs Deadline :
Logs must be received by September 1 to qualify.

E-mail logs to :
iotaswl@mdxc.org
or mail logs to :
IOTA SWL Contest Manager
Dan Rolla, I1-12387
Via N.Sauro 1
I-16018 GIOVI - GE
ITALY

Can I participate in Contest without an official SWL callsign ?
Yes. Your call in the score will be X-SWL, where X is the prefix of the country, followed by your name.

I am a HAM, can I participate in Contest ?
Yes, you are welcome.

Can I put in the log non-island stations in Contest ?
Yes. Also if the Contest title is IOTA, entrants can heard anyone in Contest, island or non-island. These are the rules of the IOTA Contest since the very first edition.

Is the use of DX Summit and DX Cluster allowed ?
Yes, it is allowed. There is no more distinction between “Assisted” or “Not assisted”, as in previous editions of the IOTA Contest, SWL category.

If I heard both sides of a QSO, can I put in the log both the stations ?
Yes, If both sides of a QSO are heard, including exchange digits, they are both valid for points but must be logged in two separate rows. If SWL_DQR_Log software is used, you can put both the stations on the same row, but do not forget to cross the box “Split SWL Report into two lines” in the Cabrillo Header window.

The RS(T) to put in the log is my report to the station heard ?
No, it is the RS(T) sent in Contest by the station heard.

Can I put in the “Station heard”/ “Call 1” column the same call two or more times ?
Yes, but only on a different mode (if the category is mixed) or on a different band.

Can I put in the “Correspondent station”/ “Call 2” column the same call two or more times ?
Yes, but the correspondent’s rule must be observed, i.e. the ‘callsign of station being worked’ may not appear more than three consecutive times. There must be at least one other QSO before a series of one to three callsigns is repeated.

Example of log not compliant with the “rule of correspondents”:

(*) These QSO will not count for the final score

In the 12-hour category, operation need to be for one continuous 12-hour period ?
No, but, once operation has commenced, off periods must be a minimum of 60 minutes.
Example 1: 1200 to 1600 GMT Saturday, 1900 to 2300 GMT Saturday and 0600 to 1000 GMT Sunday.
Example 2: 1200 GMT Saturday to 0000 GMT Sunday.

If I operated for less than 12 hours, can I declare 24-hour category instead of 12-hour ?
Yes, it is your choice. The checking software will check only the operating time of entries in 12-hour category and will mark with zero points all the QSOs heard over 12 hours of operation.

Can I have an example on how is calculated the total score ?
The score is the total of multipliers multiplied by the total of points for each band added together.
Example:

The logs must be separated for each band ?
No. Please ensure you send a single log in chronological order. Do not send separate logs for each band.

Why do you recommend the Cabrillo format ?
Because the cross-checking software works only on Cabrillo format and the HAM logs are also in Cabrillo format. To generate Cabrillo a splendid computer program is "SWL DQR Log", made by our friend Marek, SP7DQR. This program is freeware and is downloadable from http://hamradio.nikhef.nl/cie/nl/SWL_Consoft.html . Before logging read carefully the help pages which include also a very useful logging example for the IOTA SWL Contest.

Is TEXT format (not Cabrillo) acceptable ?
Yes, but please use plain text log file with colums separated by spaces (not tabs).

I have to delete the dupes from the log ?
It is not necessary. Dupes can be leaved in the log. The log checking software will find the dupes. In general it will mark them with zero points, but if the first QSO logged is invalid, the second QSO could be valid for points.

I have to write a summary sheet with a declaration ?
If you use cabrillo, it is not necessary anymore.

Can I send the log via mail ?
Yes, but we do prefer an e-mail with the log as an attachment (NOT zipped please). Write your call in the subject and name the log with your call, e.g. 3V4-002.cbr or 3V4-002.xls. And, please, take a moment to check your log via a text editor before sending it, to avoid potential problems.

Can I send my log pasted into the e-mail ?
Yes, but we do prefer the log as an attachment.

How I will be sure that you received my log via e-mail ?
You will receive an acknowledgement within 48 hours.

What I have to do if my e-mail sent to iotaswl@mdxc.org bounces back ?
You can try to send the log to iw1qla@tin.it

When the online results will be available ?
To get the final score the SWL logs will be cross-checked against the HAM logs. So, the SWL results usually will be available a bit later than the HAM results of the IOTA Contest. The Contest results will be published in the MDXC/SWL web site http://www.mdxc.org/swl.

Where can I find other information on the IOTA Programme ?
Copies of the IOTA Directory with all the information on the IOTA Programme can be purchased from RSGB at www.rsgbshop.org . A full list of IOTA islands, the annual SWL Listings and other useful information can be found in the RSGB IOTA Web Page at www.rsgbiota.org and in the G3KMA, IOTA Manager’s Website at
http://www.g3kma.dsl.pipex.com

APPENDIX 1 - Example of Cabrillo log

Header section:
START-OF-LOG: 2.0
CONTEST: RSGB-IOTA
CALLSIGN: 3V4-002
CATEGORY: SWL SINGLE-OP MIXED
CATEGORY-TIME: 12-HOUR
IOTA-REFERENCE-NUMBER: AF-073
CLUB: MDXC/SWL
CLAIMED-SCORE: 186381
NAME: ACHRAF CHAABANE
ADDRESS: N°92 CP3032
ADDRESS: SFAX
ADDRESS: TUNISIA
ADDRESS:
OPERATORS:
SOAPBOX: EMAIL: 3V4-002@mdxc.org
SOAPBOX: GREAT CONTEST AND GREAT PROPAGATION

QSO section:

APPENDIX 2 - Example of log in EXCEL
(Note: the file must include an header section with all the informations shown in Cabrillo header)