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1. Object: For stations in the United States and Canada (including territories and possessions) to exchange QSO information with as many other US and Canadian stations as possible on 160, 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 meter bands.
2. Date and Contest Period:
   1. 2.1. CW: First full weekend in November (November 1-3, 2008).
   2. 2.2. Phone: Third full weekend in November (November 15-17, 2008).
   3. 2.3. Contest Period: Begins 2100 UTC Saturday, ends 0300 UTC Monday.
   4. 2.4. Operate no more than 24 of the 30 hours.
      1. 2.4.1. Off periods may not be less than 30 minutes in length.
      2. 2.4.2. Times off and on must be clearly noted in paper logs. Do not indicate off times in electronic log files. The log checking software calculates it.
      3. 2.4.3. Listening time counts as operating time.
3. Entry Categories:
   1. 3.1. Single Operator:
      1. 3.1.1. QRP.
      2. 3.1.2. Low Power.
      3. 3.1.3. High Power.
      4. 3.1.4. Unlimited—Spotting assistance and Skimmer use is allowed (no differentiated power levels)
   2. 3.2. Multioperator
      1. 3.2.1. Multi-Single only
         1. 3.2.1.1. Only 1 transmitted signal is permitted at any time.
         2. 3.2.1.2. No limitation on the number of band changes.
         3. 3.2.1.3. Unlimited—Spotting assistance and Skimmer use is allowed
   3. 3.3. School Club
      1. 3.3.1. There are three divisions to this category.
         1. 3.3.1.1. College and University
         2. 3.3.1.2. Technical School
         3. 3.3.1.3. Secondary and other School
      2. 3.3.2. School clubs compete as their own category.
      3. 3.3.3. Only currently enrolled regular students and faculty/staff of the institution are eligible to operate a school club entry. Alumni may “Elmer” but may not operate the station during the competition.
      4. 3.3.4. There is no distinction between Single and Multi operator stations or power levels in this category.
      5. 3.3.5. School clubs must operate from established stations located on the campus. No portable operation from a near-by contest station is allowed. A club may operate from a member’s station only if no on-campus station exists.
      6. 3.3.6. Certificates will be awarded to the top scoring entry in each division of this category in each ARRL/RAC section and division.
      7. 3.3.7. Spotting assistance and Skimmer use is allowed
4. Exchange: The required exchange consists of:
   1. 4.1. A consecutive serial number;
   2. 4.2. Precedence;
      1. 4.2.1. “Q” for Single Op QRP (5 Watts output or less);
      2. 4.2.2. “A” for Single Op Low Power (up to 150 W output);
      3. 4.2.3. “B” for Single Op High Power (greater than 150 W output);
      4. 4.2.4. “U” for Single Op Unlimited;
      5. 4.2.5. “M” for Multi-Op;
      6. 4.2.6. “S” for School Club;
   3. 4.3 Your Callsign;
   4. 4.4. Check
      1. 4.4.1. The last 2 digits of the year of first license for either the operator or the station.
      2. 4.4.2. The same Check must be used the entire contest.
   5. 4.5. ARRL/RAC Section
      (Example: NU1AW would respond to W1AW’s call by sending: W1AW 123 B NU1AW 71 CT, which indicates QSO number 123, B for Single Op High Power, NU1AW, first licensed in 1971, and in the Connecticut section.)
5. Scoring:
   1. 5.1 QSO points: Count two points for each complete two-way QSO.
   2. 5.2. Multiplier: Each ARRL Section and RAC Section plus the Canadian NT (Northern Territories - encompassing VE8 / VY1 / VY0) with a maximum number of 80.
   3. 5.2.1. KP3, KP4 and KP5 are in the Puerto Rico Section.
   4. 5.2.2. KV4/KP2, KG4 and KP1 stations are in the Virgin Islands Section.
   5. 5.2.3. KH6 and other US possessions in the Pacific count as the Pacific Section.
   6. 5.3. Final score: Multiply QSO points (two per QSO) by the number of ARRL/RAC sections (plus NT VE8/VY1/VY0).
6. Miscellaneous:
   1. 6.1. Work each station only once, regardless of the frequency band.
   2. 6.2. Only one transmitted signal at any time is permitted.
7. Awards:
   1. 7.1. Certificates will be awarded to the top operator CW and Phone scores in each category (“A”, “B”, “Q”, “U”, “S” and “M”) in each ARRL/RAC section and division.
   2. 7.2. All Overall and Divisional winners will be awarded a plaque recognizing their efforts. Plaques are either sponsored by groups of clubs or by the principal awards sponsor, Icom.
8. Submission:
   1. 8.1 Deadline for submission of CW entries is 0300 UTC Wednesday December 3, 2008. Deadline for submission of Phone entries is 0300 UTC Wednesday December 17, 2008. Entries emailed or postmarked after the deadline may be designated checklogs.
      1. 8.1.1. The CW and Phone modes are considered separate contests and must be submitted in separate envelopes or emails sent to the appropriate address.
      2. 8.1.2. Entries must be made on current ARRL entry forms or on a reasonable facsimile. Current forms may be downloaded in .PDF or ASCII format from www.arrl.org/contests/forms
   2. 8.2. Email entries for CW must be sent to SSCW@arrl.org and Phone to SSPhone@arrl.org
   3. 8.3. Paper logs may be converted by the entrant to Cabrillo-formatted logs by logging onto the web application at www.b4h.net/cabforms and manually entering the QSO data and completing the required information.
   4. 8.4. Any entry that has been created using a computer for logging must be submitted in the Cabrillo log file format.
      1. 8.4.1. Files from word processing, spreadsheet programs or “bin” type logging program files are not valid or usable.
      2. 8.4.2. Any electronic file that is not submitted in required format will not be eligible for competition and awards.
      3. 8.4.3. A paper printout for a log that has been generated by a computer in lieu of the actual data file in the required format is not an acceptable substitute.
      4. 8.4.4. Paper logs that are entered into a logging program or computer after the contest are considered electronic logs and must include the required electronic file in the submission.
   5. 8.5. Hand-written paper logs are acceptable entries. Any hand written paper log of 500 or more QSOs must include the required dupe sheet.
   6. 8.6. Logs sent via the regular mail service should be addressed to: November SS CW or November SS Phone, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111.
9. Other information.
   1. 9.1. See “General Rules for All ARRL Contests” and “General Rules for ARRL Contests on Bands Below 30 MHz (HF)” available at www.arrl.org/contests or from the ARRL Contest Branch.
   2. 9.2. All contest queries should be directed to contests@arrl.org or by telephone to 860-594-0232. All contest rules and entry forms may be downloaded from the Contest Branch Web Page at: www.arrl.org/contests.

Special 75th Anniversary Prizes

As 2008 is the 75th running of the November Sweepstakes, the ARRL is offering special prizes to help celebrate this Diamond Anniversary of the premier domestic contest.

1. Any station who submits a SS log with 75 sections worked will receive a special commemorative magnet free of charge.
2. Any station who submits a log with a “Clean Sweep” (working all 80 ARRL/RAC sections in the contest) will receive a commemorative Clean Sweep whisk broom free of charge.
3. Clean Sweep coffee mugs will again be available for purchase. For the 75th Anniversary of SS, the mugs will be made of fine glass and will be etched with the Sweepstakes logo. These crystal mugs will only be available for this year’s Sweepstakes, which will make them a highly sought-after item. Price is $16 per mug, which includes shipping. Orders must be received by January 31, 2009.
4. The ARRL is again pleased to continue its PINS (Participation In November Sweepstakes) program for 2008. Anyone who completes 100 contacts on CW or Phone during Sweepstakes is eligible to purchase one of these attractive Participation Pins. Pins are based on claimed scores. Each pin includes the year and mode and has become a popular tradition in the November Sweepstakes event. Pins cost $6, which includes postage and handling.
5. Magnets and Clean Sweep whisk brooms will be shipped without any action required by those who qualify. To order a Clean Sweep mug or Participation Pin, attach a note to the front of your summary sheet indicating the number of pins or mugs ordered along with your check. To order by credit card, you may either include your credit card information in the summary sheet, or call during regular business hours and we will take your info over the phone. If you enter electronically, send a copy of your summary sheet with a note and your check attached to: ARRL Contest Branch, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. Please put “Sweepstakes Mugs” or “Sweepstakes Pins” on the envelope to help us process your request faster.
6. All orders for Sweepstakes mugs or pins must be received no later than January 31, 2009. Please note that we do not keep these items in stock; orders will be filled once we know how many requests we have.