Rules

• Spring Session: from 00.00 UTC of April 24^th to 24.00 UTC of April 25^th 2021
• Autumn Session: from 00.00 UTC of September 25^th to 24.00 UTC of September 26^th 2021

Bands: 144 MHz – 432 MHz - 1.2 GHz - 2.3 GHz - 5.7 GHz - 10 GHz – 24 GHz

Modes:

• Analog Modes: CW - SSB 
• Digital Modes: JT65B or similar
• Digital modes means any mode in which the decoding of the message is done with the help of a computer while the validation and management of the QSO are done by the human operator.

Valid QSOs: only via Moon Reflection (EME). It is possible to work the same station once for each mode Analog or Digital with a maximum of 2 QSOs during the same session: (1 QSO in CW or SSB and 1 QSO in Digital Modes)

Categories:

• Mixed Mode: QSOs in the analog (CW-SSB) and digital modes are both valid.
• CW/SSB Mode: Only analog CW / SSB modes QSOs are valid

The participants are subdivided by type of antenna used.

For yagi antennas, the total length (distance from the reflector to the last director), in wavelengths, is calculated and then multiplied by the number of yagis in the antenna array.

In case of H/V or Circular polarization yagi antenna systems we will count the longest one.

For parabolic dishes we use the dish diameter.

Mixed Mode

144 MHz 1 wl = 2,08 m = 82" = 6' 10"

Categories	Yagi
A-mix	<  6 wl
B-mix	<11 wl
C-mix	<20 wl
D-mix	>20 wl

432 MHz - Unique Category

1.2 GHz

Categories	Parabole
A-mix	<3,2m (10,498') & Yagi
B-mix	>3,2m (10,498’)

2.3 - 5.7 - 10 - 24 GHz - Unique category per band

The classifications will be separated by band.

Mode (CW/SSB)

144 MHz - Unique Category

432 MHz - Unique Category

1.2 GHz

Categories	Dish
A	<3,2m (10,498') & Yagi
B	>3,2m (10,498’)

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Multiband: Every station, that sends their logs for at least 2 bands, from 1.2 GHz till 24 GHz, regardless of the category and score, is put into a Multiband Classification. Every score will be weighted following the table below and then added together.

1,2 GHz	x 1
2,3 GHz	x 3
5,7 GHz	x 5
10 GHz	x 7

example. 1000 Points in 1,2 GHz – 500 Points in 2,3 GHz – 300 Points in 5,7 GHz  - 100 Points in 10 GHz

Final multiband score: (1000x1)+(500x3)+(300x5)+(100x7) = 1000+1500+1500+700 = 4700 points

The score calculation for the Multiband category will be made exclusively by the contest manager.

If there is only a single participant in the CW-SSB category, the participant will be moved into Mix category for the same band.

If there is only a single participant in the Mix category, the participant will be moved into CW-SSB category for the same band.

Downgrading: If the first station of each category scores less than the first of the lower category, the whole category is moved into the lower one.

QSO Points:

• 4 points for each CW/SSB QSO
• 1 point for each Digital QSO

Multipliers: every Italian station worked counts as multiplier x2 on analog mode and x1 on digital mode.

If you work the same Italian station on both modes (analog and digital) you have two multipliers (x3).

(If there are no Italian stations in the log the sum of points will be the Final Total Score)

Total Score: Total Score = Total of QSO points * Total of Multipliers

For example: [5 qso CW (20 pts) + 25 qso DIG (25 pts)] * [3 Italian stations wkd on CW (6 mults)] = 45*6= 270 points

For a log without Italian stations worked: [5 QSO CW (20 pts) + 25 QSO DIG (25 pts)] = 45 points

Prizes: Every First Station of each category on each session will receive a prize. All participants will receive a certificate downloadable from the ARI website. If someone wins more than one category, he gets only one prize and certificates for the other categories won, while the prize for these categories goes to the second placed in the classification.

Trophy Score: all Stations that took part in both sessions in the same categories will participate to the Final ARI EME Trophy. The Trophy's score will be the sum of the scores obtained in every session. The First Station in each category will receive a prize; all the participants will receive a certificate downloadable from ARI website. Prizes will be distributed during the Italian ARI EME Meeting 2022 and/or during HamRadio Messe 2022.

Log entries: Contest entries must be sent within 30 days after the contest only via e-mail to: i5wbe(at)i5wbe.it

The log must contain a general section with: Call used, Name, Address (including e-mail), QTH Locator, Band, Category, Power, Antenna type and dimensions in wavelengths.

Each QSO line in the log must contain Date, Time (UTC), Call, QSO Points, Multipliers per band of participation.

At the end of the log the Total QSO Points, Total Multipliers, Total Score Declared must be indicated

It is preferred excel format logs (xls or xlsx) like the sample log available at this link

Comments about conditions and pictures are welcome.

Logger and Chat Page Usage Guidelines: The use of chat pages, or loggers is common practice for today’s EME operator. They are of great support during EME activity, for sked requests or CQ announcements.

Although what is acceptable in normal everyday use is governed by the culture of the chat page and the amateur radio operator's ethics, during an EME Contest is important to set some clear rules.

During ARI contests the following general rules apply:

• CQ announcements should be no more than once every 10 minutes.
• It is not permitted to exchange ANY QSO information during the QSO.
• It is permitted to thank a station once the QSO is completed.

Examples of permitted messages:

“PSE SKED on 144.115”

“I have QRM, please QSY to 144.125 and start again”.

“Let’s try later when conditions improve”.

“Tnx for the QSO”

“QRZ? please continue”.

Examples of messages that are NOT permitted:

“I did not copy report please repeat’.

“ XXX I heard you, call again”

“SRI QRM, please repeat my report”.

“XXX you are next”

Note that XXX means any callsign.

Every station found exchanging QSO information via a logger or chat page during the contest will be considered as a Check Log.

Notes: the final judging of the entries is the responsibility of the contest manager, whose decision is final. Entrants deliberately contravening any of these rules, attempting fraud or flagrantly disregarding the IARU bandplans will be disqualified.

To download the PDF rule click here

Enrico Baldacci, I5WBE
ARI EME Contest Manager