NOTICE: Contest rules are now available as a single document. For complete contest rules, please visit the individual contest rules pages for the specific event.

1.  General Rules:

1.1. See General Rules for All ARRL Contests.

1.2. Cross-mode contacts are not permitted.

1.3. The total transmitter output power per band for any high power entry in any category for an ARRL Contest is either 1500 Watts PEP or the maximum allowable power level established by the national licensing authority of your country, whichever is lower.

1.4. Each claimed contact must include contemporaneous direct initiation by the operator on both sides of the contact. Initiation of a contact may be either locally or by remote.
 

2. Entry Categories: The following categories are defined for ARRL contests on bands below 30 MHz. See the rules for each contest to determine which categories apply and whether additional categories exist for that contest.

2.1.Single Operator: One person performs all transmitting, receiving, and logging functions as well as equipment and antenna adjustments.

2.1.1. Use of spotting assistance or nets (operating arrangements involving other individuals, DX-alerting nets, packet, Internet, multi-channel decoders such as CW Skimmer, etc) is not permitted. Software that displays multiple decoded signals at the same time is considered to be a multi-channel decoder.

2.1.2. Single-Operator stations are allowed only one transmitted signal at any given time; alternating CQs on two or more frequencies using the same band and mode is prohibited.

2.1.3. Single Operators may be divided into subcategories based on power output:

2.1.3.1. QRP: 5-W PEP output or less. 

2.1.3.2. Low Power: 150-W PEP output or less.

2.1.3.3. High Power: More than 150-W PEP output (see rule 1.3).

2.2. Single Operator Unlimited: One person performs all transmitting, receiving, and logging functions as well as equipment and antenna adjustments. (Note: See rule 2.3.1.1)

2.2.1. Use of spotting assistance or nets (operating arrangements involving other individuals, DX-alerting nets, packet, multi-channel decoders such as CW Skimmer, etc) not physically located at the station is permitted. (Exception: spotting information obtained from any source outside the station boundary via a closed or dedicated communication link may not be used.)

2.2.2. Single Operator Unlimited stations are allowed only one transmitted signal at any given time, not including transmissions on a spotting net; alternating CQs on two or more frequencies using the same band and mode is prohibited.

2.3. Multioperator: More than one person performs transmitting, receiving and logging functions, etc. Multioperator stations are divided into subcategories:                                

2.3.1. Multioperator, Single Transmitter: Stations are allowed only one transmitted signal at any given time; alternating CQs on two or more frequencies using the same band and mode is prohibited.

2.3.1.1. In those contests that do not have Single Operator Unlimited class, this category includes those single operators that use any form of spotting assistance such as from nets, packet or multi-channel decoders..

2.3.1.2. Includes those that receive assistance with logging or relief operators, etc.

2.3.1.3. Limited to 6 band changes (maximum) in any clock hour.

2.3.1.3.1. The clock hour is from zero through 59 minutes.

2.3.1.3.2. Band changes are defined so that, for example, a change from 20 meters to 40 meters and then back to 20 meters constitutes two band changes.

2.3.1.4. Violation of the 6-band change rule or improper logging will result in an entry reclassification to the Multi-operator Multitransmitter class.  

2.3.2.Multioperator, Two Transmitter:

2.3.2.1. A maximum of two transmitted signals are allowed at any given time, on different bands; alternating CQs on two or more frequencies using the same band and mode is prohibited.

2.3.2.2. Each transmitter is limited to 6 band changes (maximum) in any clock hour. Unused band changes from radio one may not be transferred to radio two.

2.3.2.2.1. The clock hour is from zero through 59 minutes.

2.3.2.2.2. Band changes are defined so that, for example, a change from 20 meters to 40 meters and then back to 20 meters constitutes two band changes.

2.3.2.2.3. Violation of the 6-band change rule or improper logging will result in an entry reclassification to the Multioperator Multitransmitter class.

2.3.2.3. Both transmitters may work any and all stations; the second transmitter is not limited to working new multipliers only. However, a station may only be worked once per band regardless of which transmitter is used.

2.3.2.4. Each of the two transmitters must keep a separate, chronological log for the entire contest period. 

2.3.2.5. The Cabrillo log must indicate which transmitter made each QSO in this category.

2.3.3.Multioperator Multi-transmitter:

2.3.3.1. A maximum of one transmitted signal is allowed per band at any given time; alternating CQs on two or more frequencies using the same band and mode is prohibited.