rules

Announcement of 2009 SMIRK Contest

2008 SMIRK Contest Winners

The SMIRK QSO Party, sponsored by the Six Meter International Radio Klub will be held from 0000Z June 20, 2009 through 2400Z June 21, 2009. Contacts must be on six meters only, voice and/or CW. No contacts involving another band for one side of the contact count.
This year's SMIRK Contest is dedicated to the memory of Dale Richardson, AA5XE, who served SMIRK for a number of years as our Secretary, Treasurer and Webmaster. Dale's shoes have been difficult to fill.
One need NOT be a SMIRK member to take part, but we certainly encourage everyone interested in six meters to join. See information below on joining. Or JOIN on the SMIRK Website.
Logs must be postmarked no later than 1 August, 2009 and sent to David Craig, N3DB 4931 Mariners Drive Shadyside, MD 20764 USA
Logs may also be submitted via electronic mail to davidhcraig@verizon.net and must be received no later than 1 August, 2009. Due to the nature of the Internet, SMIRK cannot be held liable for any log submissions not received by the due date because of connectivity failures, et cetera. Logs may be submitted in Cabrillo format or hand prepared, but must include a summary sheet showing the participant’s call, name and address, ARRL Section, or country. The summary sheet should also show the number of SMIRK members worked during the Contest, the number of non-SMIRK members worked, the number of Maidenhead grid squares contacted as well as the total score.
A sample log sheet and summary sheet, which can be downloaded and printed can be found as follows:
Sample Contest Log Sheet
Contest Summary Sheet
All contacts must be made by a single operator. There is no multi-operator category in this contest.
Exchange is callsign, SMIRK number, if the station worked has one, and grid.
Partial contacts in which one of the above pieces of information are missing, do not count.
All contacts must be made via natural propagation. No contacts using repeaters, or any manmade device for relaying transmissions are allowed.

All participants must observe the rules governing Amateur Radio operation in the participant's country.
Scoring is as follows:
Count 1 point for each completed contact.
If station worked provides a SMIRK number, multiply by 2.
Final score is contact points times grids worked. New log forms and summary sheets are available from N3DB at the above address, or on the SMIRK Web site at http://www.smirk.org.
Certificates will be issued to the three highest scoring participants submitting valid logs, in each DXCC country. If different from the above, a certificate will also be awarded to the highest scoring SMIRK member from each DXCC country from which valid logs are received. To be valid, logs must include the above location information. For the purpose of this contest, a SMIRK member is anyone who has ever been issued a SMIRK number, whether or not he or she has paid dues in recent years. Of course, all 6 meter operators are encouraged to join SMIRK or renew. Renewals may be obtained by sending $6 US to the SMIRK Treasurer, Bill Tynan, W3XO, 1054 Indian Creek Loop Kerrville, TX 78028 USA.
Anyone not a SMIRK member, may join by sending a list of six SMIRK members worked on 6 meters, along with $6 US toW3XO at the above address. An attempt will be made to issue a SMIRK number to each new member applying in time to fully participate in this year's SMIRK QSO Party.
Of course, SMIRK recognizes the value and utility of the DX Window from 50.100 to 50.125. Therefore, NO contacts in the SMIRK Contest should be made in that range by participants in the continental US (Call Areas 1 thru 0) or lower tier Canadian call areas, except with foreign stations outside of these areas. KH6, KL7, VE8 and VO, for example, count as foreign, for this purpose. So, contacts with these and similar areas MAY be counted for points.

With regard to the 50.125 MHz calling frequency, unfortunately it is abused all too frequently by too many six meter operators. While there is no SMIRK Contest rule prohibiting the use of 125, it is asked that it be used intelligently, giving others a chance to use it as well. If there are stations on it already, move up the band to call CQ. Of course, on any frequency, you should ask first if the frequency is occupied before calling. If you don't hear anyone on 125, use it to attract attention. This is especially beneficial if the band does not appear to open. But, if you begin to make contacts on the calling frequency, don't hog it. After the second or third Q, announce that you are QSYing up to 50.xxx. Most of the stations waiting to work you will follow you up to the new frequency. The higher power stations with larger antennas have less need to use 125 to attract attention, and can often get pile-up going quite a way up in the band.
SMIRK members as well as non-SMIRK members are invited to take part in this fun contest. Why not give it a try?

Sample Contest Log Sheet
Contest Summary Sheet