Georgia QSO Party Rules

OBJECTIVE

For radio amateurs OUTSIDE of the state of Georgia to make contacts with as many SSB and/or CW Georgia stations in as many of the 159 Georgia counties as possible. Amateurs INSIDE the state of Georgia can make contacts with everyone. NOTE: Digital contacts aren’t allowed in the Georgia QSO Party.

CONTEST PERIOD

The Georgia QSO Party is held annually the 2nd full weekend of April. There are two operating periods: 1800Z (2:00 pm EDST) Saturday until 0359Z (11:59 pm EDST) and Sunday and 1400Z (10:00 am EDST) to 2359Z. (7:59 pm EDST)

FREQUENCIES

Here are the suggested frequencies where GQP activity will take place:

  • SSB: 1.865, 3.810, 7.190, 14.250, 21.300, 28.450, 50.135.
  • CW: 1.815, 3.545, 7.045, 14.045, 21.045, 28.045, 50.095.

Look for SSB activity on the hour and CW on the half hour.

CATEGORIES

  • SO Single Operator (SO) – One person performs all operating and logging functions. A Single Operator can be Mixed, SSB Only or CW Only.
  • Multi Operator – Single Transmitter (MS)– More than one person can perform operating and logging functions. Only one transmitter can be operated at any given time. Only ONE call sign is used in this category. 
  • Multi Operator – Two Transmitters (M2X)– More than one person can perform operating and logging functions. Only two transmitters operating on two different bands or modes at any given time. Multi-2 transmitters are allowed on the same band but NOT on the same MODE. Only ONE call sign is used in this category.
  • ROVER (Georgia Only) – Single Operator (RS) – A single Georgia mobile station with one operator that operates from at least two (2) different Georgia counties and making at least one (1) contact from each county. Rovers that move to a new county can work everyone again. It’s suggested that a Single Operator ROVER should not drive when operating. Note that Georgia enacted a distracted drivers law in 2018. While operating an amateur radio transceiver would be allowed under the law using a computer while doing this probably isn’t allowed. If you decide to drive/operate at the same time we urge that you record the contest and transcribe it to a log later. A Rover station can be Mixed, SSB Only or CW Only. Rover stations must use an antenna that is only capable of using while in motion. Note that starting in 2023 rover stations are allowed to operate from county lines. See the County Hunter rules for guidance.
  • ROVER Multi Operator Multi-Single (Georgia Only) – (RM Multi-Single) – A single Georgia mobile station with more than one operator that operates from at least two (2) different Georgia counties and making at least one (1) contact from each county. Rovers that move to a new county can work everyone again. Rovers with multiple operators and/or multiple simultaneously operated stations in the vehicle use the (RM) category. A Rover Multi-Single station can be Mixed, SSB Only or CW Only. Rover stations must use an antenna that is only capable of using while in motion. Note that starting in 2023 rover stations are allowed to operate from county lines. See the County Hunter rules for guidance.
  • ROVER Multi Operator Multi-2 (Georgia Only) – (RM Multi-2) – A single Georgia mobile station with more than one operator that operates from at least two (2) different Georgia counties and making at least one (1) contact from each county. Rovers that move to a new county can work everyone again. Rovers with multiple operators and/or multiple simultaneously operated stations in the vehicle use the (RM) category. A M/2 Rover station can only be Mixed Mode. Rover stations must use an antenna that is only capable of using while in motion. Note that starting in 2023 rover stations are allowed to operate from county lines. See the County Hunter rules for guidance.
  • Portable (Georgia Only) – (PO) – A single Georgia station using one call sign, with one or more operators that operates from at least two (2) different Georgia counties and making at least one (1) contact from each county. Portable stations that move to a new county can work everyone again. A Portable station can be Mixed, SSB Only or CW Only. Portable stations must use a temporary antenna that isn’t capable of using while in motion. The use of a mobile antenna attached to a car will put you in the ROVER category. Note that starting in 2023 portable stations are allowed to operate from county lines. See the County Hunter rules for guidance.

ROVER stations may have a non contest operating driver, for safety, and remain in the Single Operator category. If the Rover driver operates at any time in the contest, that Rover is in the Multi Operator category and enters as (RM). Operating from a county line is allowed. Click here to see how to setup N1MM Logger Plus to operate as a rover or portable operation. This link will also show you how to setup the program to operate at a county line. Please make sure your logging program has this functionality. If it doesn’t you need to log the QSO for each county separately in you logging program. It’s not the responsibility of the contest sponsor to fix your log if you don’t log county line QSO’s correctly.

PORTABLE stations can only transmit one signal at a time.  Note you can still operate portable from separate counties (not at a county line) if you want to. Operating from a county line is allowed. Click here to see how to setup N1MM Logger Plus to operate as a rover or portable operation. This link will also show you how to setup the program to operate at a county line. Please make sure your logging program has this functionality. If it doesn’t you need the log each QSO for each county separately. It’s not the responsibility of the contest sponsor to fix your log if you don’t log county line QSO’s correctly.

It’s suggested the ROVER and PORTABLE stations send their call sign followed by a “/” and the Georgia county abbreviation. For example KU8E/HARR if I’m operating as a rover from Harris county. KU8E/HARR/MUSC if operating from the Harris/Muscogee county line.

A specific call sign can only be used at ONE FIXED location. See exception to this rule above for multi-op entries.

NOTE: ASSISTED OPERATION IS ALLOWED – Nets , RBN and spotting clusters are allowed for all categories. Self-spotting is also allowed. You don’t need to submit your log as ASSISTED. Submit it as SINGLE-OP. Click here for the Georgia QSO Party Spotting page. Note spotting networks and self spotting is allowed in all categories. (thanks N3IW)

CONTEST EXCHANGE

  • GEORGIA stations– Send signal report and County abbreviation. Georgia stations should call “CQ GQP” on CW or “CQ Georgia QSO Party” on SSB. Note if you are operating from a county line send your call sign with the counties separated with a ‘/”. For example KU8E operating from the Harris and Muscogee county line would send KU8E/HARR/MUSC. If you are using N1MM Logger Plus setup your station as either ROVER or PORTABLE. This link will show you how to setup N1MM Logger Plus to operate from a county line. Please make sure your logging program has this functionality. If it doesn’t you need the log each county separately. It’s not the responsibility of the contest sponsor to fix your log if you don’t log county line QSO’s correctly.
  • NON-GEORGIA US stations– Send signal report and STATE (U.S.P.S. abbreviation). Note: Please make sure you log GA county line QSO’s as two separate contacts
  • CANADA– Send signal report and Canadian PROVINCE (ARRL Zone abbreviation). Note: Please make sure you log GA county line QSO’s as two separate contacts
  • DX– Send signal report and “DX”. Note: Please make sure you log GA county line QSO’s as two separate contacts

POWER CATEGORIES

  • QRP– Five (5) watts CW and 10 watts SSB, maximum.
  • Low Power– 150 watts, maximum.
  • High Power– Greater than 150 watts.

MODE CATEGORIES

  • Mixed– CW and SSB
  • SSB– Phone only contacts
  • CW– CW only contacts

SCORING

  • Stations may be worked once per band per mode for QSO Points.
  • Stations outside Georgia may not count contacts with non-Georgia or DX stations.
  • GEORGIA ROVER stations may be worked once per county, per mode, per band for QSO Points.
  • No cross mode contacts allowed.
  • No partial contact credit.
  • Each completed SSB contact counts one point.
  • Each completed CW contact counts two points.
  • Each multiplier may be counted once per mode. (Not per band)
  • Multipliers – Georgia Stations
  • Each USA State and DC, including Georgia (51)
  • Each Canadian Province (13)
  • DX counts for QSO points only, there are no country multipliers.
  • 128 possible multipliers. (once on CW and once on SSB)
  • Multipliers – Non-Georgia Stations
  • Each Georgia county (159)
  • 318 possible multipliers. (once on CW and once on SSB)
  • Final Score -Multiply total QSO points by total multipliers.

CLUB COMPETITION

  • If your club is indicated in your submission, your score will be automatically credited to that club.
  • Rovers may submit scores for any club, including out of state clubs.
  • The sponsors of the Georgia QSO Party – SECC and SEDXC aren’t eligible to compete in the club competition and the associated gavel that is awarded for the top club score in Georgia. Please submit your score for your local club.

CABRILLO FILE SPECIFICATION

If you are a software developer creating a logging program this is the Cabrillo format we would like your program to generate.

Here’s an example of what it should look like using KU8E as the callsign.

START-OF-LOG: 3.0
LOCATION: GA , STATE or DX
CALLSIGN: KU8E
CLUB: SOUTH EAST CONTEST CLUB <– THIS SHOULD BE UPPERCASE LETTERS
CONTEST: GA-QSO-PARTY
CATEGORY-OPERATOR: SINGLE-OP or MULTI-OP
CATEGORY-MODE: MIXED, CW or SSB
CATEGORY-POWER: HIGH, LOW or QRP
CATEGORY-STATION: FIXED or ROVER or PORTABLE
CATEGORY-TRANSMITTER: ONE or TWO
CLAIMED-SCORE: 42450
OPERATORS: KU8E
NAME: Radio Contester
ADDRESS: 1 Main Street
ADDRESS-CITY: Columbus
ADDRESS-STATE-PROVINCE: GA <– Use the two letter US/Canada postal service abbreviation or DX. DO NOT spell out the US state. For example “GEORGIA”
ADDRESS-POSTALCODE: 31901
ADDRESS-COUNTRY: UNITED STATES
EMAIL: gqp@gqp.com
CREATED-BY: N1MM Logger+ 1.0.6164.0
QSO: 14000 CW 2016-04-09 1805 KU8E 599 HARR AA3B 599 PA <– NOTE: EACH QSO: LINE SHOULD BE SIMILAR TO THIS LINE. DO NOT ADD ADDITIONAL COLUMNS. ALL TEXT SHOULD BE UPPERCASE.
END-OF-LOG:

The QSO: line contains the following columns : BAND, MODE, DATE, TIME, YOUR CALL, RST Sent, QTH Sent, CALL Worked, RST Received, QTH Received. DO NOT ADD ADDITIONAL COLUMNS. ALL TEXT SHOULD BE UPPERCASE.

TRY TO NOT EDIT YOUR CABRILLO FILE. I would be OK to edit lines in the Cabrillo header but not the QSO: lines. Don’t add additional columns. All text should be uppercase. THIS MIGHT CAUSE ERRORS DURING LOG PROCESSING. If I can’t resolve problems with your log I will send you an email to submit a correct one. If you don’t respond your log will be listed as a CHECKLOG in the final results

LOG SUBMISSION

  • All electronic logs must be submitted in a Cabrillo format.
  • If you log on paper you can create an electronic log in a Cabrillo format by going to the WA7BNM Web-to-Cabrillo form.
  • Paper logs are no longer accepted. If you need help contact K4BAI and he can create an electronic log for you.
  • Log filenames should be: “Your Callsign.LOG”.
  • Omission of class or power category will automatically default to the highest class/power for that category.
  • If your club is indicated in your submission, your score will be automatically credited
  • Rovers may submit a single consolidated Cabrillo file with a claimed score of the entire operation. A single Cabrillo file is the preferred entry for a Rover, and individual county files are not needed in this case. ROVER stations should merge their individual county Cabrillo files into one file.
  • Entries are due no later than two weeks after the QSO Party weekend.
  • Use the log submission page to submit your log.
  • If you have problems submitting your log email it as an attachment to gqplogs@gaqsoparty.com

Paper logs can be submitted to :
John Laney, K4BAI
P.O. Box 421
Columbus, GA. 31902-0421