2011 Russian DX Contest Returns With New Rules Designed To Crack Down On Cheating

By Jamie Dupree NS3T  radio-sport.net 
Posted March 15, 2011

This year's Russian DX Contest may not be remembered for enhanced HF band conditions, but rather for the fast turnaround that will be needed by top competitors to insure that they are eligible for awards in this 24 hour test, all an effort by organizers to get tough on ham radio contest cheating.

"An applicant aiming for a spot in the "Top 3" list of any contest category must submit his logs within 36 hours after the end of the contest," says one of the new RDXC rules for 2011.

Another major rule change centers on the information that goes into your log, as the RDXC becomes the first contest to require accurate frequencies on each contact.

"An applicant will not be able to claim a spot in the "Top 3" places of any category unless exact frequency of every QSO made is indicated," reads one new rule, an effort to require even more evidence for log checkers as they evaluate high scoring contest entries.

"Please read those changes carefully," said RDXC organizer Harry Booklan RA3AUU.

One of the more interesting changes will impact top finishers in Low Power and QRP categories, who are being asked to submit extra information about their antenna and station setups.

LP and QRP entries must "clearly identify equipment used, as well as antenna types by band, ASL elevation, type and length of coax cable," state the 2011 RDXC rules.

Behind the new rules is a simple premise - an attempt to crack down on contesters who run higher power than allowed for their categories and who use post contest time to correct mistakes in their logs.

"In our opinion, a number of changes will bring even more fun and level playing field to the competitors," said Booklan.

While top finishers must submit logs within 36 hours, the overall log submission deadline has been trimmed down to just two weeks.

"An applicant will be denied a spot in the "Top 3" of any category if his log was submitted later than 36 hours after the end of the contest," states Rule 12.2.1.

A similar warning exists for the new rule on accurate log frequencies.

"Logs for high scores claiming to be in the top 3 list of any contest category must indicate the frequency of every QSO made (CAT system use) with a minimum resolution of 1 kHz."

Russian DX organizers are also moving into the 21st Century, as they officially have ended the practice of accepting logs that are hand written - "Logs are accepted in CABRILLO electronic format only."