Note: Change # to @ in email addresses on this page.

RULES 200x FALL IBM QSO PARTY (IQP)

QSO Party results are handled the same as in the past few years.   Validity check of IBM stations will come from the
IBM WWHAM Listing.

It is hoped that all will use "RYLogit" computer logging.
Any and all formats of logging will be accepted including paper logs.
There will be NO validation of individual station's results.
We will use the Honor system whereby each participating station that sends a summary will have their results
Posted to a WEB page for all to view.   Do not send individual contact log, just the final results.

The results will appear at:
IBM QSO PARTY RESULTS

The IBMHAM listserver (reflector) has been provided specifically for the use of IBM Amateur Radio Operators to keep in touch and
discuss topics of interest. Any e-mail message which is sent to IBMHAM will be re-transmitted to all the subscribers. You can
either receive the updates via e-mail, or if you prefer you can opt to read them on the WEB. The facility is moderated by Bill
Bennett, N7DZ. If you want to give it a try contact Bill at - N7DZ#arrl.net

In the USA the VANITY call sign program has been extended to more classes of licensees, so the 'IBM WWHAM' may not always
be accurate. Operators who have recently received a new call sign should ensure that their 'IBM WWHAM' entry has been updated.
Also, if you have changed QTH or Email address.
This can be done with an Email to your local WWHAM coordinator or an email to Roger Root - W7LZ#arrl.net .

The IBM QSO Party was started by Jacques Motte F6HMJ in 1984.  Over the years several familiar Ops have helped with
the running of the event - Roger W7LZ, Paul AA6Z, Earl K5SNO, George KI4KK, Brian G0UKB, Ted G0BHK, and
Barry G3DUZ (SK) and his list of IBM Hams.   A big THANK YOU to the above for their past efforts.

If you are interested in being involved with the running of the IBM QSO Party in the future please Email to Bob - W0RY.

I have created an IBM QSO Party logging program - RYLogit  « click to Web page for download.
RYLogit requires Windows 95 or later. Features included are call sign checking against a list of known IBM operators,
duplicate checking, and points scoring.  Make sure you download the current version early, leaving yourself ample time to
become familiar with it before the event.   The UserGuide may be viewed directly from the program.   It is also available
online via a Link on the above RYLogit web page if you would like to read it there before downloading and installing.
I have written a program to export your RYLogit Log records to ADIF format for Import by another Logging program or
uploading to eQSL and/or Logbook of the World.    ADIFConvert may be downloaded at the above RYLogit web page.

INTERNET REMOTE BASE (IRB)
Use of an IRB station is permitted.  The IRB station should be in the same Continent as the user and more than one IRB may be used by any given user.   As required by the IRB stations,  a user must identify with not only their own call letters but those of the IRB station as well.
As far as point counting, there is no change.  It is only necessary to log the call letters of the IRB user and not the call letters of the IRB station.

Refer to instructions near the bottom of this page regarding your completed Log file.

As always, we hope you will submit your log after the event and please include your comments, both positive and negative.

Most important of all - ENJOY THE QSO PARTY

The Rules

1- OBJECT:

a) To work as many Amateur Radio Operators, who are Employees, ex-Employees or Retirees of IBM companies, their families,
and IBM Club stations, as possible using the suggested frequencies in the 10, 15, 20, 40 and 80 mtr Amateur HF bands.
b) When IBM amateurs cannot be found - to work as many non-IBM amateurs as possible using the suggested frequencies in the
10, 15, 20, 40 and 80 mtr Amateur HF bands.

2- ELIGIBILITY:

Logs will only be accepted from IBM Amateur Radio Operators and their families, (spouse and children), retired employees and
ex-IBM employees whose details appear in the 'IBM WWHAM'.

Employees, Retirees and ex-Employees should ensure that details of Family participants are included in the IBM WWHAM.

If there are circumstances where eligible operators cannot or do not wish to be included in the 'IBM WWHAM'.
The organizers should be notified of the circumstances

Operators who appear in the 'IBM WWHAM' will be referred to as IBM operators.

All other operators will be referred to as non-IBM operators.

Logs will NOT be accepted from non-IBM operators.

3- CONTEST PERIODS:
     
    FALL 200x  IQP    24 Hours 

   SSB  -  Saturday NOVEMBER x, 200x 0000 UTC to Saturday NOVEMBER x, 2400 UTC  

    DIGITAL MODES:
   CW/RTTY/PSK31  -  Saturday NOVEMBER x, 200x 0000 UTC to Saturday NOVEMBER x, 2400 UTC  

4- OPERATING CATEGORIES:

Single Operator:
In the single operator category, one person performs all operating and logging functions, as well as equipment and
antenna adjustments.

IBM Club Station:
The club station can be operated by one or more operators.
Club stations will be grouped with other reporting stations for results.
One person can operate from his own station, (single operator category), and from his IBM club station, (club station category).
A club can also be activated from a private station, if the operators are all eligible (see section 2).
Please indicate on the log submitted if it is from a club station.

Multiband:
One station may be worked only once per mode and once per band for credit (CW, RTTY, and PSK).  The same station may be worked on all 3  Modes on the same band (once per mode per band) during the Digital IQP.

Suggested frequencies for all Countries unless noted by *.  Split frequency is allowed

Use normal PSK operating frequencies

             * for the USA

             ** for Italy, Australia and some other countries - check this frequency periodically to give contacts to
                these countries that do not have access to 3760.

            *** for Japan.

            USA Novice/Technician Plus frequencies: 3710, 7140, 21140, 28140

Use IBMHAM email reflector,  DX Summit, and EchoLink to let others know where you are operating during the IQP.   Connect to the WA2IBM conference on EchoLInk.

5- EXCHANGE:

It is recommended 'CQ IBM' should be used for recognition.  Each QSO must contain the QSO number and
your first name.  If the station you are working does not use RYLogit then you will need to supply your Country, Continent, and if you are in the USA -  your State.
    Notes: 'RS(T)' signal strength,  'Retired' status,  'IBM division' and 'IBM location' are no longer required as part of the exchange.

6- SCORING (automatically computed if using RYLogit):

POINTS for QSOs with IBM operators:

TWO points per QSO with same continent (same or another country).
FIVE points per QSO with another continent.

POINTS for QSOs with non-IBM operators:

ONE point per QSO (all countries and continents).

Note: For scoring purposes at least half of the QSOs appearing in the log must be with IBM stations - it does not matter if
the number of QSOs logged with non-IBMrs is greater than 50% of the total, but only a number equal to the number of IBM
stations worked will be considered when the score is calculated.
i.e. if your log contains 37 IBM QSOs and 53 non-IBM QSOs, then you will score 37 points for your non-IBM QSOs.


MULTIPLIER:

Only IBM Contacts will count as multipliers (see note below).

The multiplier will be arrived at from the total number of different IBM countries worked per band.
If working the same station on the same band but in a different mode, only one multiplier is valid.
The USA will count as four countries, divided as follows:

USA1: K1 - K2 - K3
USA2: K4 - K5
USA3: K6 - K7
USA4: K8 - K9 - K0

Example: 3.5 DL F G HB I
7 DL GM I HB
14 DL F I K4 K2
21 DL LU
28 F I K4

The multiplier will be: 19

Total score = (IBM points + non-IBM points) x multiplier.

For those who have moved out of their original USA call area and have retained their call-sign, or are operating in a
different call area from their home QTH, then they should always indicate where they are operating from.
RYLogit takes care of this because of the information that is in the database (WWHAM).
Do not use the slash " / " designator on the call sign when entering into RYLogit.

Example: If you have contacted W2FMW and the operating location is in the 4 call zone, the multiplier will be for USA2 and
not for USA1.

Note: Multipliers will only be applicable to QSOs with IBM operators. QSOs with non-IBM'rs will not increase the
multipliers: i.e. a QSO with a non-IBM'r from a new country or on a new band will not count as a extra multiplier.

7- REPORTING:

Entry logs must consist of the summary information.  Individual contact information not required for submission.

Email submissions must have the following "Subject":
YourCall 200x IBM QP - mode ,
Example:  W9XYZ 200x IBM QP SSB

The name of the file that you attach to your Email
should look like this:
YourCall 200x IBM QP  mode.csv
 (change the call & mode accordingly) .

If you use RYLogit, the file name will be generated for you based upon your call letters plus the Name of the
Log file you created in "Settings".
Name the Log in "Settings" to 200x IBM QP DIGITAL   or 200x IBM QP SSB and you will have the correct
file name format.

Summary information is preferred via E-MAIL in the form of simple text as an ATTACHMENT.
Procedure:
Click "Export to file" in RYLogit.
Open the exported file with a Text Editor such as EditPad.
Fill in your name - address info.  Comments may be inserted on the "SOAPBOX" line.
More than one SOAPBOX line may be used.
Close and Save the modified file.  Insure that the Name of the Log file follows the above convention.  Rename the file
if necessary before sending it as an email attachment.

Sample of Exported RYLogit Header (summary) file:
CONTEST: 200x IBM QP SSB  <== note: this info comes from "Settings"
CALLSIGN: W9XYZ <== note: this info comes from "Settings"
MY-CONTINENT: NA <== note: this info comes from "Settings"
MY-COUNTRY: USA4 <== note: this info comes from "Settings"
CATEGORY:
IBM-CONTACTS: 1
NON-IBM-CONTACTS: 0
POINTS: 2
MULTIPLIER: 1
CLAIMED-SCORE: 2
OPERATORS:
CLUB:
NAME: <== your name
ADDRESS: <== your EMail or City
SOAPBOX: <== comments (more than one "SOAPBOX:" line is OK)
CREATED-BY: RYLogit version x.xx  <== note: this info comes from the program.

Entries from all countries must be time stamped no later than 60 days after the QSO Party.

Send RYLogit  Exported file (Preferred) or other computer logs (Word / Excel / .txt) via E-mail as
an attachment to:  Paul - AA6Z    paul#aa6z.com

Send paper log results to: 
Paul Burton - AA6Z
877 BUCHSER WAY
SAN JOSE   CA  95125
U.S.A.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1- Provide separate Email reports for SSB and Digital (CW / RTTY / PSK).

2- The ARRL DXCC list is the reference for the countries, except the continental USA which is divided into four areas. 

3- It is important to keep the 'IBM WWHAM' up to date as it is used as the master reference.
View Call Sign database at WWHAM Listing or the callsign database used by RYLogit at  http://w0ry.home.bresnan.net/textwwham.htm  .

******************************************************************
Send any changes or corrections of your station info to your local IBM WWHAM coordinator or an email to -
Roger Root - W7LZ#arrl.net .
******************************************************************

Bob Vogel --