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1. Object: North American amateurs work as many amateur stations in as many different locations as possible in North America on bands from 10-GHz through Light.

2. Date and Contest Period: Third full weekend of August and September. From 8 AM to 8 PM local Saturday and 8 AM to 8 PM local Sunday (August 21-22, and September 18-19, 1999).

3. Entry Categories:

3.1. 10 GHz only.

3.2. 10 GHz and up.

4. Exchange: Six-character Maidenhead Locator (see April 1994 QST, p 86).

4.1. Signal report is optional.

5.1. Scheduling contacts is both permissible and encouraged.

5.2. Stations are encouraged to operate from more than a single location. For purposes of the contest, a change of location is defined as a move of at least 16 km (10 miles). A station may be reworked on each band for additional credit by either end of the contact moving to a new location.

5.3. Contacts may not be duplicated on the second weekend (that is at least one end of the QSO must be from a different location).

5.4. Contacts must be made over a minimum distance of 1 km.

5.5. A transmitter used to contact one or more stations may not be used subsequently under any other call during the contest period. The intent of this rule is to prohibit "manufactured" contacts.

5.6. Contacts with aeronautical mobiles do not count.

6.1. Distance points: The distance in km between stations for each successfully completed QSO is calculated. Distance = distance in km.

6.2. QSO points: Count 100 QSO points for each unique call sign worked per band. Portable indicators added to a call sign are not considered as making the call sign unique.

6.3. Total Score: Equals distance points plus QSO points.

6.4. There are no multipliers.

6.5. In making the distance calculations, a string (or ruler) and map may be used. However, calculations by computer program are preferred. Several such programs are available in the commercial market, including a basic program listing in The ARRL World Grid Locator Atlas ($5). For purposes of making calculations, stations are defined as being located in the center of the 6-character locator sub-square (most computer programs make this assumption).

6.6. Scoring example: On the first weekend, W9JJ operating from Mt Greylock, MA works W1VD (distance 97 km) and W1LJ/1 (distance 107 km) on 10 GHz; and W1LJ/1 (distance 107 km) on 24 GHz. On the second weekend, W9JJ operating from Pack Monadnock, NH works the following stations: W1VD (154 km), W1VT (205 km), W1LJ (157 km), and K1RO (147 km) on 10 GHz; and K1RO (147 km) on 24 GHz.

Distance points = 97 + 107 + 107 + 154 + 205 + 157 + 147 + 147= 1121
QSO points = 100 X 6 = 600
(10 GHz: W1VD, W1LJ, W1VT, K1RO; 24 GHz: W1LJ, K1RO)
Final Score = 1121 + 600 = 1721

7.1. Schedules may be set up by use of the HF calling frequency of 3818 kHz on the evenings of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday before the contest weekends starting at 7 PM local. Also, 144.230 and 146.55 MHz can be monitored during the contest to arrange schedules with other stations. Paired stations should move off these frequencies once contact has been made.

7.2. Logs should indicate band, date, time, call sign, the exchange information plus distance of contacts in km.

7.3. Logs must be submitted no later than 30 days after the end of the contest to ARRL Contest Branch, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111.

9. Other: See General rules for All ARRL Contests.