I. OBJECTIVE: For amateurs around the world to contact as many other amateurs in as many CQ zones and countries as possible.

II. BANDS: Six bands only: 1.8, 3.5, 7, 14, 21 and 28 MHz. Observance of established band plans is strongly encouraged.

III. CONTEST EXCHANGE: SSB: RS report plus CQ Zone number of the station location (e.g., 59 05). CW: RST report plus CQ Zone (e.g., 599 05).

IV. SCORING:

A. Score: The final score is the result of the total QSO points multiplied by the sum of zone and country multipliers. Example: 1000 QSO points * (30 Zones + 70 Countries) = 100,000 (final score).

B. QSO Points: Stations may be contacted once on each band. QSO points are based on the location of the station worked.

Contacts between stations on different continents count three (3) points.
Contacts between stations on the same continent but in different countries count one (1) point. Exception: Contacts between stations in different countries within the North American boundaries count two (2) points.
Contacts between stations in the same country have zero (0) QSO point value, but are permitted for zone or country multiplier credit.
C. Multiplier: There are two types of multipliers.

Zone: A multiplier of one (1) for each different CQ Zone contacted on each band. The CQ Worked All Zones rules are the standard.
Country: A multiplier of one (1) for each different country contacted on each band. The DXCC entity list, Worked All Europe (WAE) multiplier list plus IG9/IH9, and continental boundaries are the standards for defining country multipliers. Maritime mobile stations count only for a zone multiplier.
V. ENTRY CATEGORIES:

A. Single Operator Categories: One person (the operator) performs all operating and logging functions. There is no limit on operating time or band changes. Only one transmitted signal is permitted at any time.

1. Single Operator: QSO finding assistance of any kind is prohibited (see VIII.2).

a. High Power (All Band or Single Band): Total output power must not exceed 1500 watts.

b. Low Power (All Band or Single Band): Total output power must not exceed 100 watts.

c. QRP (All Band or Single Band): Total output power must not exceed 5 watts.

2. Single Operator Assisted: Entrants in this category may use QSO finding assistance (see VIII.2).

a. High Power Assisted (All Band or Single Band): Total output power must not exceed 1500 watts.

b. Low Power Assisted (All Band or Single Band): Total output power must not exceed 100 watts.

c. QRP Assisted (All Band or Single Band): Total output power must not exceed 5 watts.

B. Single Operator Overlay Categories: Any Single Operator entrant that meets the requirements may ALSO enter one of the categories shown below by adding the appropriate CATEGORY-OVERLAY line in the Cabrillo log file header. Overlay category entries will be listed separately in the results; scored as All Bands; and grouped by High Power and Low Power (includes QRP).

1. Classic Operator (CLASSIC): The entrant will use only one radio, no QSO finding assistance, and may operate up to 24 of the 48 hours – off times are a minimum of 60 minutes during which no QSO is logged. If the log shows more than 24 hours of operation, only the first 24 hours will be counted for the overlay score. The one radio must not be able to receive while transmitting. Single Operator Assisted entries are not eligible for this category.

2. Rookie (ROOKIE): The operator was first licensed as a radio amateur less than three (3) years before the date of the contest. Indicate the date first licensed in the SOAPBOX field.

C. Multi-Operator Categories (all-band operation only): Any number of operators is allowed. QSO finding assistance is allowed. Only one transmitted signal per band is permitted at any time.

1. Single Transmitter (MULTI-ONE): Only one transmitted signal on one band permitted during any 10-minute period (run transmitter). Exception: One — and only one — other transmitted signal (multiplier transmitter) may be used during any 10-minute period, if — and only if — it is on a different band from the run transmitter and the station worked is a new multiplier. The run and multiplier transmitters are governed by independent 10-minute rules. Ten-minute periods begin with the first QSO on a band. The log must indicate which transmitter (run or multiplier) made each QSO. The multiplier transmitter may not call CQ (solicit contacts).

a. High Power: Total output power must not exceed 1500 watts on any band at any time.

b. Low Power: Total output power must not exceed 100 watts on any band at any time.

2. Two Transmitters (MULTI-TWO): A maximum of two transmitted signals on two different bands may be used at any time. The log must indicate which transmitter made each QSO. Each transmitter may make a maximum of 8 band changes in any clock hour (00 through 59 minutes). Total output power must not exceed 1500 watts on any band at any time.

3. Multi-Transmitter (MULTI-UNLIMITED): The six contest bands may be activated simultaneously. Only one transmitted signal per band is permitted at any time. Total output power must not exceed 1500 watts on any band at any time.

D. Checklog: Entry submitted to assist with the log checking. The entry will not have a score in the results and the log will not be made public.

VI. AWARDS:

A single-band log will be eligible for a single-band award only. A log containing more than one band will be judged as an all-band entry unless specified as a single-band entry.

A. Certificates: Electronic certificates will be made available for download for everyone that submits an entry.

B. Plaques: Plaques are awarded for top performance in a number of categories. View the current list of plaques and sponsors at . Only one plaque will be awarded per entry. A station winning a plaque will not be considered for a sub-area award; the plaque will be awarded to the runner-up in that area.

VII. CLUB COMPETITION:

The club score is the total aggregate score from logs submitted by members. There are two separate club competition categories.

A. USA Clubs: Participation is limited to club members residing and operating within a 250 mile radius circle from the center of club area (except for expeditions organized specifically for the contest conducted by members who reside within the club circle).

B. DX Clubs: Participation is limited to club members residing and operating within EITHER the DXCC country where the club is located OR within a 400 km radius circle from the center of club area (except for expeditions organized specifically for the contest conducted by members who reside within the club area).

C. General club rules:

National organizations (e.g., JARL, REF or DARC) are not eligible for the club competition.
Single-operator entries may only contribute to one club. Multi-operator scores may be allocated to multiple clubs as a percentage of the number of club members participating in the operation. The log entry must spell out the full club name (and club allocations if multi-op).
A minimum of four logs must be received for a club to be listed in the results. Checklog entries are not counted for the club score.
VIII. DEFINITIONS OF TERMS:

Station location: The area in which all the transmitters, receivers and antennas are located. All transmitters and receivers must be within a single 500-meter diameter circle. Antennas must be physically connected by RF transmission lines to the transmitters and receivers.
QSO finding assistance: The use of any technology or other source that provides call sign or multiplier identification of a signal to the operator. This includes, but is not limited to, use of a CW decoder, DX cluster, DX spotting web sites (e.g., DX Summit), local or remote call sign and frequency decoding technology (e.g., CW Skimmer or Reverse Beacon Network), or operating arrangements involving other individuals.
IX. GENERAL RULES FOR ALL ENTRANTS:

Entrants must operate within the limits of their chosen category when performing any activity that could impact their submitted score.
A different call sign must be used for each entry. Only the entrant’s call sign may be used to aid the entrant’s score.
Do not exceed the total output power limitation of the chosen entry category on any band. Total output power on any band at any time is measured at the output of the active amplifier(s).
Self-spotting or asking to be spotted is not permitted.
Remote operation is permitted if the physical location of all transmitters, receivers, and antennas are at one station location. A remotely operated station must obey all station license, operator license, and category limitations. The call sign used must be one issued or permitted by the Regulatory Authority of the station location.
Remote receivers outside of the station location are not permitted.
Only one signal on a band is allowed at any time. 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. Alternating CQs on two or more frequencies on a band is not permitted.
All requests for contacts, responses to calls, and copying of call signs and contest exchanges must be accomplished during the contest period using the mode and frequencies of the contest.
Correction of logged call signs and exchanges after the contest, by use of any database, recordings, email or other methods, is not allowed.
Call signs logged must be the same as those exchanged over the air by the entrants during the QSO.
X. LOG INSTRUCTIONS:

Electronic submission of logs is required for all entrants who use a computer to log the contest or prepare contest logs.

The log MUST show the following for each contact: correct date and time in UTC, frequency (or band), call sign of the station worked, exchange sent, and exchange received. A log without all required information may be reclassified to Checklog. Contacts should be logged immediately as they are completed. Contacts should be logged at the time they are completed. Stations competing for World and Continent awards must provide actual frequencies for all contacts in the log.
Single band entrants are required to include all contacts made during the contest period, even if on other bands. Only contacts made on the band specified in the Cabrillo header or summary sheet will be considered for scoring purposes. Logs with contacts only on one band will be classified as single band entries.
The CABRILLO file format is the standard for logs. See for detailed instructions on filling out the CABRILLO file header. Failure to fill out the header correctly may result in the entry being placed in the wrong category or reclassified as a Checklog. Note: U.S. stations must indicate the station location in the CABRILLO header (e.g., LOCATION: OH).
Web upload is the preferred method of log submission. Web upload of logs is available at . Email submission is also available. SSB logs in CABRILLO format should be sent to ssb@cqww.com. CW logs in CABRILLO format should be sent to cw@cqww.com. Include only the entry call sign in the “Subject:” line of the e-mail.
Instructions for NON-CABRILLO electronic logs: If you are not able to submit a CABRILLO format log, please contact the Contest Director for assistance with submitting another format.
Instructions for paper logs: Paper logs may be mailed to CQ WW DX Contest, P.O. Box 481, New Carlisle, OH 45344, USA. Each paper log entry must be accompanied by a Summary Sheet listing all scoring information, the category of competition, and the entrant’s name and mailing address in BLOCK LETTERS.
Entry Confirmation: All logs received will be confirmed via e-mail. A listing of logs received can be found at ..
Log withdrawal: An entrant may withdraw the submitted log for any reason within 30 days of the log deadline. Contact the Contest Director for instructions.