Frequently Asked Questions
This page provides clear explanations to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the TA WW Contest rules and how they are interpreted by the TA WW Contest Committee.
If you cannot find the answer to your question here, please contact us using the Contact Form.
The explanations provided on this page apply exclusively to the TA WW SSB, CW and RTTY contests.
This means that your callsign was not found in the other log. I.e., it is Not-in-Log (NIL). The penalty for a NIL is three times the QSO point value for that contact.
No, it is not. The rules state: "All entrants must operate within the limits of their chosen category when performing any activity that could affect their submitted score." Entering single band means that all activity to improve your score must be only on that band. You are permitted to work stations on other bands, but you are not allowed to ask them to QSY or make schedules.
There is no operating time limit in any of the traditional categories. Only the Single Operator All Band 24 Hour category has a time limit for score calculation purposes. If you choose to continue operating after reaching this limit, any QSOs made beyond the allowed operating time will not be counted toward your score. However, these contacts will still contribute points and multipliers to the stations you work. Participants are encouraged to operate as much as they wish throughout the contest period.
Use X-QSO to mark the contact so it will not count for your score. If you want to remove a QSO for any reason, use a text editor to add "X-" to the beginning of the QSO line in the Cabrillo file.
For example: X-QSO: 7023 CW 2009-05-31 0033 AK1AZC 599 05 XX9XX 599 24
The log checking software will not count this QSO for you, but will give credit to the other station.
Yes, it is permitted for an operator to work from home with his own callsign and then also from a multi-operator station.
On-line certificates are available after the final results are published for all entrants in the TA-WW-DX contest. The exception is when your log is submitted AFTER the deadline. If you believe we have made an error, reach out to us at contact form.
The web page http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Contest%20-%20General/HF-FAQ.pdf has some very helpful explanations about common situations encountered in HF contesting.
Yes, you may work other bands and still submit your log as a single band entry. First, please make sure your log includes all QSOs made on all bands. This helps us with the log checking. Second, make sure the Cabrillo file header has your category set for the single band you want to enter. (e.g., CATEGORY-BAND: 20M) Only the QSOs on the single band will be used to compute your score.
Please enter only one log containing ALL QSOs! Each log that you submit will overwrite the previously submitted log.
Log the zone based on their location.
Log the zone based on their location.
The log checking software is expecting to see a log with sent and received zone numbers. No matter what someone sends you, it is your responsibility to convert it into the zone number you thought they were trying to communicate.
Yes! Please log all contacts that you make even if they are duplicates. For example... XX9XX works TA7AZC but logs it as TA7AZN. TA7AZC logged XX9XX correctly. Later XX9XX works TA7AZC again. This time he logs TA7AZC correctly. TA7AZC logs the second duplicate QSO and scores it as zero points. For this case, the log checking software assigns TA7AZC with a good qso and a dupe (no penalty). XX9XX gets a busted callsign (TA7AZN) and a good qso (TA7AZC).
No, please do not remove any QSOs from your log! This will cause the other station that worked you to lose credit for the contact.
If you want to remove a QSO for any reason, use a text editor to add "X-" to the beginning of the QSO line in the Cabrillo file.
For example: X-QSO: 7007 CW 2009-05-31 0033 TA7AZC 599 20 XX9XX 599 24
The log checking software will not count this QSO for you, but will give credit to the other station.
The Cabrillo log format standard has changed over time. v3 is the preferred format, and the log should be uploaded in v3 format.
The TA-WW-DX Committee does NOT accept paper logs submitted by mail. All entrants are now required to submit their log in electronic form by using the Web upload form at https://tawwdx.com/log-check. LM by DL8WAA is an excellent free software program that easily makes entering the logs into the required Cabrillo format. You can download it from http://contestsoftware.com/e/home.htm
We place a high value on every log, regardless of its size or category. If you are struggling with your submission, reach out to us (before the deadline) at
contact form for a prompt response.
Yes. You can always resubmit your log. Each log you submit will replace any previous one. Be advised that if you resubmit your log after the deadline, it will be treatresubmittinged as a late log submission. In addition, logs for the purpose of correcting log entries is not allowed. If you want to make changes to your log after the deadline, submit them through the Contact Form.
It may take up to 20 minutes for the received logs page to synchronize with the log repository. We recommend you wait and see if your log entry correctly appears on the list. If it has been more than 30 minutes since you submitted your log, try submitting again.
Yes, of course. You can use the technologies listed in section B (QSO-finding assistance) and similar tools. There are no restrictions on using them.
Only the first 24 hours of operational time is eligible for scoring. Any continuous period of 60 minutes or more during which no QSO is logged is considered as off-time, and off-time is not counted as operational time. If the log shows more than 24 hours of operation, only the first 24 hours of operational time will be counted for the score.
No. Since technology has become widespread in our lives and is used by almost all operators, we did not include this category. Instead, we made the use of technology free.
Recording your contest effort is a good practice for any entry. It provides an opportunity to learn from your mistakes (e.g., an RIT that wanders too far from your run frequency, unconfirmed QSOs, out-of-band errors, etc.). The rules clearly state that a Top-3 entry in any category MAY be subject to a request from the TA-WW-DX Contest Committee for an audio recording of your log. If you are unsure of your placement before the contest (or surprised by the result), it is prudent to make a recording in the event you are asked for one.
Your 24 hours of operating time begins with your first QSO in the log.
The Single Op All Band 24 Hour category specifies that break periods be a minimum of 60 minutes. The "60 minutes" means 60 consecutive "empty" clock minutes during which no QSO was logged. (Seconds are not included in the Cabrillo log QSO: lines and so would not be considered in log checking.)
This is a valid 60-minute off time in a log:
1358Z QSO
1359Z QSO
- first empty minute at 1400
- last empty minute at 1459
1500Z QSO
1501Z QSO
This is NOT a valid 60-minute off time in a log:
1358Z QSO
1359Z QSO
- first empty minute at 1400
- last empty minute at 1458
1459Z QSO
1500Z QSO
There must be 60 consecutive "empty" minutes. The "time B minus time A" gap of 1459 - 1359 = 60 does not meet the 60-minute test because only 59 consecutive minutes are actually "empty" - the last "empty" minute is 1458, not 1459. Leaving a gap of the minimum number of "empty" minutes is always the safest way to be sure of complying with the off-time minimum-break rules. Be safe and don't lose a multiplier or a big chunk of your log because you were one minute too quick to make a QSO!
Stations entering the Single Operator All Band 24 Hours category must select CATEGORY TIME: 24-HOURS when uploading their Cabrillo logs via the contest website.
Yes. Your single band score will be used for the traditional entry. For the Overlay scoring, all scores will be calculated as all band scores. If you work single band and make contacts on other bands, all of your QSOs will be counted for your Overlay score.
No. Spending time to fill your band map during an off time is not within the spirit of the category.
You are not permitted to enter more than one Overlay category.
The Rookie Overlay category is for operators that have been a licensed amateur radio operator for less than 3 years at the time of the contest. The qualification period begins when you obtained your first operator license. For those countries that allow use of a club station without a full operator license, the 3 year period begins when you obtained permission to get on the air.
No. The 3 year period applies from the time you obtained your first amateur radio license.
The RUN SIGNAL may be transmitted on any band and may contact all other stations. The RUN signal must remain on the band for at least 10 minutes. The ten minute period begins when the first QSO (contact) on that band is made. A RUN SIGNAL may not be transmitted on a “new band” until the 10 minute period has been met or exceeded. The RUN signal will be designated with a “0” in the transmitter column of the Cabrillo log.
The MULTIPLIER SIGNAL may be transmitted on any band, but may only contact another station if, and only if, it is a new multiplier on that band. The MULTIPLIER SIGNAL may only call other stations. The MULTIPLIER SIGNAL may not request or attract any QSO by calling CQ, QRZ, TEST, etc. The MULTIPLIER SIGNAL must remain on one band for at least 10 minutes. The ten minute period begins when the first QSO with a new multiplier on that band is made. A MULTIPLIER SIGNAL may not be transmitted on a “new band” until the 10 minute period for the MULTIPLIER SIGNAL has been met or exceeded. The MULTIPLIER SIGNAL will be designated with a “1” in the transmitter column of the Cabrillo log. The designation of “0” (runner) or “1” (multiplier) is not assigned to an actual physical radio, although that is possible.
The signal designation of “0” and “1” is a functional designation. Rig “A” or “B” (or “C,” etc., if more than 2 radios) can be assigned either “0” or “1” according to its function (role) at the time of the QSO.
All QSOs must be logged immediately upon completion of the QSO.
Yes, that is correct. The ability to run stations and hunt for multipliers at the same time is one of the reasons the TA-WW-DX Multi-Single category is so popular.
There are two separate and independent ten minute rules. One ten minute rule applies to the RUN SIGNAL and a separate, independent ten minute rule applies to the MULTIPLIER SIGNAL.
The 10 minute clock starts with the first QSO on a new band. QSOs must be logged immediately upon completion of the QSO.
The clock always starts with the first logged QSO. QSOs must be logged immediately upon completion of the QSO.
No. The clock starts only when you make a QSO on the new band. If you QSY to another band, but do not make a QSO, then the clock does not reset.
No. You may not transmit on the new band until after you are allowed to QSY to the new band. You must always follow the 10 minute rules.
The Cabrillo log format only shows time in whole minutes (no seconds). The 10 minute period is calculated based on the time shown in the log. If a QSO is made at 1400 to start the period, a QSO cannot be made on another band until 1410. We recommend that stations use a “count down timer” in their logging software to monitor when the 10 minute period has completed.
It is the entrant’s responsibility to ensure that his/her clocks are in synchronization with a time standard (such as WWV, www.time.gov, Winbox tools, etc.) and with each other.
Any transmission before the 10 minute period is against the rules. If you have not yet made a contact on the new band, stop immediately and wait for the 10 minute period. If you have made some QSOs, those contacts are in violation of the 10 minute rule and they will be removed without penalty. Calling CQ “early” (before the ten minute period) and intentionally not logging any callers (in order to take/hold a frequency) or changing times to be time compliant is a violation of the rules and may result in being disqualified. In all cases, you should log every QSO that you make regardless of time violation issues.
You have violated the 10 minute rule. You may contact the same station again, on the same band, when you have complied with the 10 minute rule. If you do work them again, be sure to log them again. If you work them twice (once in violation and once in compliance with the 10 minute rule), be sure to log both of the QSOs. Mark the first contact (the one in violation of the 10 minute rule) with X-QSO. This will give credit to the other station.
X-QSO is intended for correction of occasional mistakes that happen during the contest. If the committee decides that X-QSO is being used to avoid the 10 minute rule the log will be subject to possible reclassification or other committee action, as deemed appropriate. For example, CQing on a new band with the intent of X-QSOing non-multipliers that call you is not allowed.
No. A station in the Multi-Single category may not TRANSMIT on more than two bands at any time. The bands in use must be in compliance with the RUN and MULTIPLIER 10 minute rules.
When two or more transmitters are present on the same band, a hardware device MUST be used to prevent more than one signal at any one time. It is not permitted to request or solicit QSOs (e.g., call CQ) on more than one frequency at a time. The second interlocked station on the band should only be calling stations and must change frequencies after each QSO.
Multi-Two Category
If you want to start transmitting on a third band, you must stop transmitting on one of the other bands. There is no exception.
The Multi-Two category allows each transmitter to make 8 band changes per hour. Here is an example log for one of the transmitters:
QSO: 14000 PH 2012-10-27 0052 TA7AZC 59 20 ED8W 59 33 1
QSO: 14000 PH 2012-10-27 0057 TA7AZC 59 20 RW1CW 59 16 1
QSO: 7000 PH 2012-10-27 0103 TA7AZC 59 20 SV1ELI 59 20 1
QSO: 7000 PH 2012-10-27 0108 TA7AZC 59 20 LY7A 59 15 1
The band change is counted in the 0100z hour.