Contest Rules

Official Regulations

Read the official requirements, categories, exchange information, and guidelines for the YO DX HF Contest.

Rules Directory
1.

Organizer

The Romanian Amateur Radio Federation (FRR).

2.

Scope and Objectives

  • To increase the competitiveness and performance levels of the YO ham radios, within the context of an open competition with international performers.
  • To promote the skills of the Romanian amateur radio operators at an international level.
3.

Date and Time

The fourth full weekend in August:

4.

Categories of Participation

Category Code Description
SOAB-MIX-HPSingle Operator, All Bands, Mixed (CW & SSB), High Power.
SOAB-MIX-LPSingle Operator, All Bands, Mixed (CW & SSB), Low Power (maximum 100 watts)[cite: 1].
SOAB-CWSingle Operator, All Bands, CW only[cite: 1].
SOAB-SSBSingle Operator, All Bands, SSB only[cite: 1].
SOSBSingle Operator, Single Band, Mixed (5 categories separate: 80m, 40m, 20m, 15m, and 10m) irrespective of power level[cite: 1].
MOSTMulti Operators, Single Transmitter, All Bands, Mixed[cite: 1].
YNYoungster and Novice (under 18 years old or maximum 3 years since first license)[cite: 1].
SWLShort Wave Listeners, Mixed[cite: 1].

4.1 All HF bands from 3.5 to 28 MHz are permitted (except WARC bands)[cite: 1].

4.2 Single Band operators can legally contribute to two different HF bands (sending separate logs that count for the final rankings and prizes)[cite: 1].

4.3 Single Band operators performing on other bands are requested to keep those QSOs in their log for correction purposes[cite: 1].

4.4 Final rankings will be issued: for Romania, the rest of the world, by continents, and by countries[cite: 1].

5.

Exchange Signals

NON-YO Stations

RS(T) + Serial Number (starting from 001)[cite: 1].

YO Stations

RS(T) + County Abbreviation (e.g. BU for Bucharest)[cite: 1].

5.3 MOST Stations: Can use different serial numbers for each band or a single chronological serial number[cite: 1].

Romanian County Abbreviations (by YO Districts)
  • YO2:
    ARCSHDTM
    [cite: 1]
  • YO3:
    BUIF
    [cite: 1]
  • YO4:
    CTBRGLTLVN
    [cite: 1]
  • YO5:
    ABBHBNCJSMSJMM
    [cite: 1]
  • YO6:
    BVCVHRMSSB
    [cite: 1]
  • YO7:
    AGDJGJMHOTVL
    [cite: 1]
  • YO8:
    BCBTISNTSVVS
    [cite: 1]
  • YO9:
    BZCLDBGRILPHTR
    [cite: 1]
6.

QSO Scoring points

For NON-YO Stations:
  • QSO with a YO station: 8 pts[cite: 1]
  • QSO with a station outside own continent: 4 pts[cite: 1]
  • QSO with a station same continent: 2 pts[cite: 1]
  • QSO with a station same DXCC country: 1 pt[cite: 1]
For YO Stations:
  • QSO YO-DX: 8 pts[cite: 1]
  • QSO YO-EU: 4 pts[cite: 1]
  • QSO YO-YO: 0 pts[cite: 1]

6.3 /MM Stations: Do not count as multipliers, but are valued at 4 points for each participant[cite: 1].

6.4 SWL Stations: Must log-in both callsigns and at least one exchange; scoring is identical to the rules above[cite: 1].

7.

Double QSOs

Double QSOs are contacts made with the same station on the same mode and band. Only the first valid contact counts for points. If the first is invalid, the second is accepted[cite: 1]. No penalties apply and keeping them in the log is recommended[cite: 1].

8.

Multipliers

For NON-YO Stations:

One multiplier for each county worked per band, plus one multiplier for each different DXCC country worked per band (irrespective of operating mode)[cite: 1].

For YO Stations:

One multiplier counts for each different DXCC country worked per band (irrespective of operating mode)[cite: 1].

9.

Final Score calculation

Final Score = (Total QSO Points) × (Sum of Multipliers from All Bands)[cite: 1]
10.

General Competition Rules

10.1 All prefixes assigned to Romania are allowed (YO, YQ, YP, YR) under ANCOM authorization[cite: 1].

10.2 Transmitters and receivers must be located within a 500m radius. Antennas must be physically connected to the equipment[cite: 1].

10.3 Web Clusters and Packet Radio networks are allowed for all participants[cite: 1].

10.4 & 10.5 Operating transmitters from other physical locations via internet or self-spotting on clusters is strictly forbidden and leads to disqualification[cite: 1].

10.8 Single Operators can change bands/modes without restriction, but only one single signal can be "on the air" at any given time[cite: 1].

10.10 MOST Stations must obey the "10 minutes rule". Only one transmitter signal is permitted at once, unless the second signal works a new multiplier on a different band[cite: 1].

10.11 Mixed categories can contact the same station on both CW and SSB. Contacts on CW within SSB segments (and vice versa) are forbidden[cite: 1].

11.

Log Format

  • Accepted ONLY in CABRILLO electronic format[cite: 1].
  • File name format: callsign.log or callsign.cbr (e.g., YO3KAA.log)[cite: 1].
  • Log times must be strictly recorded in UTC[cite: 1].
  • Upload directly at yodx.ro or send as an attachment to logs@yodx.ro[cite: 1].
  • Top 3 Requirements: To qualify for top 3 in any category, exact QSO frequencies (1 kHz precision using a CAT system) or a complete audio recording must be provided[cite: 1].
12.

Log Submission Deadline

12.1 All logs must be sent to organizers in maximum **7 (seven) days** from the end of the competition[cite: 1].
13.

Awards & Diplomas

13.1 Diplomas will be awarded for places 1, 2, and 3 in each competition category[cite: 1].

13.2 Plaques are awarded to the first-ranked station on each continent, and diplomas for the top three in each country (provided that at least 50 validated links are made)[cite: 1].

14.

Computerized Arbitration & Zero Points

14.1 The YO DX HF Contest arbitration is fully computerized[cite: 1].

14.2 A QSO is scored with 0 (zero) points under the following conditions[cite: 1]:

  • Incorrect callsign logged (BadCall)[cite: 1].
  • Incorrect RST or serial number (ControlError)[cite: 1].
  • QSO not confirmed in the other station's log (NIL - Not In Log)[cite: 1].
  • Time difference is larger than 5 minutes (TimeError)[cite: 1].
  • Difference in band or mode (Band-Mode Error)[cite: 1].

14.4 Sending the log acts as a declaration of strict rule compliance and agreement that decisions of the committee are final[cite: 1].