Classic Exchange "CX"

September 21, 2008 - AM- SSB - FM

October 12, 2008 - CW

Operating on 160-80-40-20-15-10-6-2

The CX is a no-pressure contest celebrating the older commercial and homebrew equipment that was the pride and joy of ham shacks many decades ago. The object is to encourage restoration, operation and enjoyment of this older "Classic" equipment.

However, you need not operate a Classic rig to participate in the CX. YOU MAY USE ANY RIG in the contest although new gear is a distinct scoring disadvantage. You can still work the "great ones" with modern equipment.
There is a new Bonus Score for using or working the oldest manufactured gear in the CX.

This CX will be conducted on two Sundays separated by several weeks.
Hopefully these dates will avoid the RTTY and large state QSO parties.

The first Sunday will be AM - SSB - FM only.

The second Sunday will CW only.

There will be CX recognition for high scores in AM, SSB, FM, and CW as well as overall.

WHEN - WHERE - WHAT

WHEN

The AM - SSB - FM CX will run from 1300 UTC September 21 to 0700 UTC September 22, 2008..
(9 AM Eastern Time on Sunday to 3 AM Eastern Time Monday)
Call: "CQ Classic Exchange"

The CW CX will run from 1300 UTC October 12 to 0700 UTC October 13, 2008.
(9 AM Eastern Time on Sunday to 3 AM Eastern Time Monday)
Send: "CQ CX"

WHERE

Suggested Frequencies -- plus/minus QRM

160 80 40 20 15 10 6 2
AM 1.890 mc. 3.880 mc. 7.290 mc. 14.286 mc. 21.420 mc. 29.000 mc. 50.300 mc. 144.300 mc.
SSB 1.885 mc. 3.870 mc. 7.280 mc. 14.270 mc. 21.370 mc. 28.390 mc. 50.125 mc. 144.200 mc.
CW 1.820 mc. 3.545 mc. 7.045 mc. 14.045 mc. 21.135 mc. 28.050 mc. 50.100 mc. 144.100 mc.

WHAT

Exchange your name, RST, QTH (state US, province for Canada, country for DX), receiver and transmitter manufacturer/model (homebrew send final amp tube or transistor type) and other interesting conversation.

The same station may be worked with different equipment combinations on each band and in each mode.

Non-participating stations may be worked for score if all required information is exchanged.

SCORING - EASIER THAN EVER!

TWO STEPS:

1. Calculate your score for each mode (AM, SSB, FM, CW)
2. Total those scores for your overall CX score.

To calculate the score for the mode: Multiply the total number of complete QSOs (all bands) in that mode by your CX multiplier.

Complete QSO requires successful exchange of name, QTH, RST, type of transmitter and type of receiver.

CX multiplier is the total age in years old of all receivers and transmitters you used in that mode. Do not include age of ancillary items such as separate VFO, amplifier, key or bug, antenna, tree holding up antenna, operating desk, operator, or operator's dog.

Each receiver and transmitter must be used in a minimum of three complete QSOs to be counted in the multiplier.

If the equipment is homebrew, count it as a minimum of 25 years old unless actual construction date or date of its construction article is older.

Transceivers score as separate receivers and transmitters of equal age.

You can prepare a grid like this as a summary:

MODE Number of QSOs Total age of gear used to make QSOs SCORE
AM 10 120 1,200
SSB 50 850 42,500
CW 70 700 49,000
FM 5 100 500
TOTALS 135 93,200

Please send a copy of your log and a listing the equipment used with ages for each mode.
If you operate 6 or 2 meters please note it in a way that the scores can be easily extracted.

All QSOs must be direct radio communications - not through repeaters or the Internet.

NEW BONUS SCORE To reward those using and working older gear, a 1,000 point bonus will be award to every CX participant who operates or works the oldest manufactured transmitter and/or the oldest manufactured receiver.
For example, assume Howie, WB2AWQ, is running his SW-3 and Jim, W8JKGI, is running his Meissner Signal Shifter. If the CX Newsletter Editor determines these to be the oldest rigs reported on submitted logs, then everyone reporting these rigs will be awarded an additional 1,000 for each. Of course Howie and Jim would get the 1,000 point bonus for operating the rigs.
Age of gear will be based on dates in R.A. Moore's transmitter and receiver books.

Certificates and appropriate memorabilia are awarded every now and then for the highest score, the longest DX, exotic equipment, best excuses and other unusual achievements.

Send logs, comments, anecdotes, pictures, etc. to
J.D. "Mac" Mac Aulay, WQ8U
at
WQ8U@nc.rr.com
N.B. This is a new e-mail address

Or by mail to:
WQ8U
104 W Queen St.
Hillsborough, NC 27278

The CX Newsletter and announcement of next CX will be posted on the CX Web Site.

Questions about CX, its origin, history, and idiosyncrasies, as well as accolades for being such a great event, should be sent to:

Al Stephens, N5AIT or Jim Hanlon, W8KGI or Marty Reynolds, AA4RM