Click here to download a PDF of these rules

1. Contest 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:

2.1. CW: First full weekend in November (November 5-7, 2011).

2.2. Phone: Third full weekend in November (November 19-21, 2011).

2.3. Contest Period: Begins 2100 UTC Saturday and runs through 0259 UTC Monday.

2.4. All entries may operate no more than 24 of the 30 hours.

2.5. Off periods may not be less than 30 minutes in length.

2.6. Times off and on must be clearly noted in paper logs. In electronically-submitted Cabrillo logs, off-times are calculated by the log-checking software.

2.7. Listening time counts as operating time.

3. Entry Categories:

3.1. Single Operator:

3.1.1. QRP. Transmit with 5 watts or less. Spotting assistance & Skimmer use is NOT permitted.

3.1.2. Low Power. Transmit with 150 watts or less. Spotting assistance & Skimmer use is NOT permitted.

3.1.3. High Power. Transmit with 1500 watts or less. Spotting assistance & Skimmer use is NOT permitted.

3.2. Single Operator Unlimited:

3.2.1. Low Power— Transmit with 150 watts or less. Spotting assistance and Skimmer use is allowed.

3.2.2.  High Power--Transmit with 1500 watts or less. Spotting assistance and Skimmer use is allowed

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3.3. Multioperator, Single Transmitter:

3.3.1. Low Power - Transmit with 150 watts or less. Spotting assistance and Skimmer use is allowed.

3.3.2. High Power - Transmit with 1500 watts or less. Spotting assistance and Skimmer use is allowed.

3.3.3 Multioperator entries may have only 1 transmitted signal on the air at any given time.

3.3.4. Multioperator stations have no limitations on band changes.

3.3.5. There is no Multioperator, Two Transmitter or Multioperator, Multi-Transmitter category.

3.4. School Club:

3.4.1. There are three divisions to this category.

3.4.1.1. College and University

3.4.1.2. Technical School

3.4.1.3. Secondary and other School

3.4.2. School clubs compete as their own category.

3.4.3. Only currently enrolled regular students and faculty/staff of the institution are eligible to operate a school club entry. As of 2010, Alumni may participate on the air with students. It is not, however, in the spirit of the category for Alumni exclusively to use the club station. Alumni should make every effort to continue in an Elmer role to current student club members.

3.4.4. There is no distinction between Single and Multi operator stations or power levels in the School Club category.

3.4.5. 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.

3.4.6. Certificates will be awarded to the top scoring entry in each division of this category in each ARRL/RAC section and division.

3.4.7. Spotting assistance and Skimmer use is allowed.

4. Contest Exchange: The required exchange consists of:

4.1. A consecutive serial number;

4.2. Precedence;

4.2.1. “Q” for Single Op QRP (5 Watts output or less);

4.2.2. “A” for Single Op Low Power (up to 150 W output);

4.2.3. “B” for Single Op High Power (greater than 150 W output);

4.2.4. “U” for Single Op Unlimited Single-Op Unlimited High Power and Single-Op Unlimited Low Power both send "U")

4.2.5. “M” for Multi-Op (Multiop High Power and Multiop Low Power both send "M")

4.2.6. “S” for School Club;

4.3 Your Callsign;

4.4. Check

4.4.1. The last 2 digits of the year of first license for either the operator or the station.

4.4.2. An entry must send the same Check throughout the entire contest.

4.5. ARRL/RAC Section (click here for the official list)

4.6 Exchange 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:

5.1 QSO points: Count two points for each complete two-way QSO.

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.

5.2.1. KP3, KP4 and KP5 are in the Puerto Rico Section.

5.2.2. KV4/KP2, KG4 and KP1 stations are in the Virgin Islands Section.

5.2.3. KH6 and other US possessions in the Pacific count as the Pacific Section.

5.3. Final score: Multiply QSO points (two per QSO) by the number of ARRL/RAC sections (plus NT VE8/VY1/VY0).

6. Miscellaneous:

6.1. Work each station only once, regardless of band.

6.2. Only one transmitted signal at any time is permitted for all entry categories.

7. Awards:

7.1. Certificates will be awarded to the top operator CW and Phone scores in each category in each ARRL/RAC Section and Division.

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. Log Submission:         

8.1 All logs must be submitted within FIFTEEN (15) days of the end of the contest. Entries   emailed or postmarked after the deadline may be designated checklogs. While the ARRL will never refuse a paper log, Cabrillo-formatted electronic logs are strongly encouraged.

8.1.1. Deadline for submission of CW entries is 0300 UTC Tuesday, November 22, 2011.

8.1.2. Deadline for submission of Phone entries is 0300 UTC Tuesday, December 6, 2011.

8.1.3. The CW and Phone modes are considered separate contests and must be submitted in separate envelopes or emails sent to the appropriate address.

8.2 Entries must be made on current ARRL entry forms or on a reasonable facsimile. Current forms may be downloaded at www.arrl.org/sweepstakes

8.3. Email entries for CW must be sent to SSCW@arrl.org and Phone to SSPhone@arrl.org

8.4. 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.

8.5. Any entry that has been created using a computer for logging must be submitted in the Cabrillo log file format.

8.5.1. Files from word processing, spreadsheet programs or “bin” type logging program files are not valid or usable.

8.5.2. Any electronic file that is not submitted in required format will not be eligible for competition and awards.

8.5.3. 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.

8.5.4. 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.

8.6. Hand-written paper logs are acceptable entries. Any hand written paper log of 500 or more QSOs must include the required dupe sheet.

8.7. 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.

9.1. See “General Rules for All ARRL Contests” and “General Rules for ARRL Contests on Bands Below 30 MHz (HF)" or from the ARRL Contest Branch.

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 here.

Participation Pins
The ARRL is again pleased to continue its PINS (Participation In November Sweepstakes) program for 2011. 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, including postage and handling and will be shipped after all entries have been processed and logs verified.

To order your pins, attach a note to the front of your summary sheet indicating the number of pins ordered along with your check. If you enter electronically, send a copy of your summary sheet with a note and your check attached to Sweepstakes PINS, ARRL Contest Branch, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111.

Clean Sweep Mugs
Commemorate working your “clean sweep” by purchasing your 2011 November Sweepstakes mug. To earn your mug, work all 80 ARRL/RAC sections during the CW or Phone November Sweepstakes. Mug awards are based on claimed scores. The price for the keepsake mug is $12 each, (including postage and handling.)  If you submit electronically, send a paper copy of the first page of your Cabrillo file and indicate how many mugs you are ordering along with your check. If you log by paper, attach a note to the top of your summary sheet indicating how many mugs you are ordering and your check. All orders should be sent to Clean Sweep Mugs, ARRL Contest Branch, 225 Main Street. Newington, CT 06111. Your mug will be shipped after all entries and mug orders have been processed and verified (approximately March 2012).  Supplies are limited.  Orders for Clean Sweeps mugs must be received no later than January 31, 2012.