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RULES FOR WSJT SPRINTS, v3.0

Under these rules, the third WSJT Sprint will be held Saturday morning, April 25.

1. The WSJT Sprints are held the fourth Saturday morning of each month January through April
(for starters) as an alternative to the usual Random Hour sessions. To simplify timing and provide
an additional strategy factor, an entrant can compete in the Sprint during any uninterrupted 4-hour
period between 4 AM and Noon Saturday morning, local time.

2. All QSOs must be made using a WSJT transmission mode. Any version of WSJT and the
transmission modes it supports can be used. Any terrestrial propagation mode available can be used
(no EME). There is no minimum distance, no restriction to meteor scatter, and no proscription of
working adjacent grid squares. Anybody, anywhere, any terrestrial propagation -- as long as it's
WSJT digital on 6 or 2 meters.

3. PJ can be used in accordance with normal PJ QSO standards. Any observed misuse of PJ should
be reported to the Sprint coordinator. Making random contacts and tail-ending are encouraged
and accrue a special x2 multiplier (see below).

4. WSJT message formats.

4(a). For fixed base stations, the WSJT message format is NA REPORTS. (For terrestrial JT65,
use the default EME grid square format.)

4(b). For fixed portable stations, the WSJT message format is NA GRIDS. (For terrestrial JT65,
use the default EME grid square format.) Mobile-in-motion operation is not allowed.

5. WSJT Operating Practices

5(a). Use of the appended message format ("RH messages") is mandatory for any QSO made on
the calling frequency.

5(b). FSK441 Sh Msgs may be used if desired for QSOs OFF the calling frequencies. Do not use
Sh Msgs ON a calling frequency (50.260 MHz, 144.140 MHz)! Use of Sh Msgs on calling frequencies
invalidates any QSOs in which they were used.

5(c). All skeds must take place OFF the calling frequency. Do NOT schedule QSOs on PJ for the
calling frequency. There is plenty room on the bands; spread out, use "oddball" sked frequencies to
make use of Sh Msgs a more certain proposition. For example, 50.255 is a commonly-specified
frequency for skeds, but 50.241 is better as it is much more unique.


6. Scoring.

6(a). Competition classes will be 6 Meters Only, 2 Meters Only, and Combined. For Combined class, a
station worked on both bands counts as a separate QSO on each band. To keep it simple for now, there
is no separate class for portable stations or rovers.

6(b). Each QSO is assigned a points value equivalent to the ground distance in miles between the stations,
as computed by the WSJT software.* There are no multipliers for band, power, WSJT transmission mode,
propagation mode, base vs. portable, etc. However, QSOs made Unassisted (calling CQ, answering a
CQ, or tail-ending a QSO) qualify for a x2 multiplier. Unassisted contacts must be completely unassisted
by PJ to qualify. Announcing CQs on PJ or getting information from PJ about ongoing assisted QSOs
for tail-ending purposes disqualify any resulting QSOs from the Unassisted multiplier.

 

6(c). 750 bonus points for Best DX will be added by the Sprint organizer to the scores of the two stations
who complete the longest distance contact during the Sprint. In case of a tie, bonus points will be awarded to all.

 

The final score in points is therefore…

 

 

…during the Sprint period on the band(s) indicated by the competition class specified.

7. Reporting.

7(a). Each station reporting a score must choose and report which competition class is being entered. A station
can work QSOs on both bands and then decide which competition class to report scores for after the event is
over; the mere fact of working stations on both bands does not require one to enter the Combined class. However,
if entering in 6 Meter Only or 2 Meter Only class, the points scored on the other band do not count and must not be
reported.

7(b). Example report, using “A” and “U” to indicate Assisted and Unassisted QSOs:

   From WA5UFH, COMBINED

   2M:
      WŘIOH 821 A = 821
      KS7S 830 U = 1660

   6M:
      KS7S 830 U = 1660

   COMBINED SCORE: 4,141

7(c). Scores will be published sorted for Eastern NA and Western NA using time zones, as well as for overall.

 

8. Sprint organizer is Bill, W5WVO. Send reports of Sprint scoring as shown above to Bill W5WVO instead of to
Dave WA5DJJ. A simple email will do.


* Regarding QSO distance:

(a) It may occur from time to time that a station you work in the Sprint is a newbie and is not in your CALL3.TXT file.
It may also occur that you have maintained the practice of entering new stations into WSJT using only the four-character
grid square, and therefore have very few current calls in your database with six-character grid locators. IN EITHER
CASE you must enter the six-character grid square into WSJT in order to get a valid distance computation. This can
be done at any time, including AFTER THE SPRINT IS  OVER. The best source of accurate six-character grid locators
is the HAMCALL database at http://www.hamcall.net. It is the most accurate because their automated grid locator
algorithm looks for the actual street address, not just the ZIP code as do other databases like QRZ. (While you're at it,
make sure your own six-character grid locator in WSJT is correct!) If you are really diligent, you can even look up any
such stations on a GPS map that shows grid locators, such as the Garmin MapSource map sets. If you feel you are unable
to determine the grid locator of any station you work, indicate this when you send in your score to me and I'll find it for you.

(b) If you receive a grid locator as part of the exchange instead of a report, assume it is a portable station and use the
grid locator received when computing distance to that station.