Announcement for 2024 AWA AM QSO Party

[W1NCH]

Sharing this on behalf of the AWA AM QSO Party and Ron Skipper W8ACR. His contact information is at the bottom.

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The 2024 AWA AM QSO Party will take place on September 28 and 29, 2024. Details are listed below. PLEASE NOTE the SIGNIFICANT CHANGES from last year’s event.

These changes are contained in the details below, but are summarized here:
1. It is now a 28 hour event, starting at 2000UTC on 9/28/2024, and ending at 2400UTC on 9/29/2024.
2. The 10 meter band is now included.
3. The previous 4 band bonus is now a 5 band bonus
4. There is now a separate 160 meter band bonus

DETAILS:
Dates: Starts Saturday Sept 28, 2024 @ 2000UTC, ends Sunday Sept 29, 2024 @ 2400UTC

Bands: 160, 75, 40, 20, and 10 meters

Objective: 1. To make contacts using the amplitude modulation mode
2. To promote and encourage the use of amplitude modulation on the amateur radio bands
3. To enjoy the friendly atmosphere and pleasant audio quality of AM communication

Frequencies: Any frequency that is legal for voice communication may be used. Here are some recommended frequencies commonly used for AM:
160 meters – 1880, 1885, 1915, 1945
75 meters – 3710, 3870-3890
40 meters – 7160, 7280-7295
20 meters – 14286, 14330-14340
10 meters – 29.000-29.100

Exchange: Name, callsign, and QTH required. Additional information is encouraged, (such as equipment being used, antenna, power level, weather report, etc) Long winded ragchew sessions are perfectly acceptable. Help and advice to AM newcomers is always encouraged and welcome. All contacts must be AM to AM. AM to SSB or AM to CW is not permitted.

Equipment: Any type of transmitter may be used provided it is legal on the amateur bands, and is capable of transmitting in the AM mode.

Other: Please submit a scoresheet and a log sheet regardless of level of activity. This allows us to evaluate the overall event so that occasional changes may be made. Please remember that this event is about amateur radio camaraderie and having fun.

Scoring: Scoring rules are significantly changed from last year. Please note that there are TWO documents to be submitted, a log sheet to record each QSO, and a score sheet to tally the point total. The event coordinator will confirm all submitted log sheets and scoring tallies, and make any corrections. His scoring will be final.

A. Basic scoring:
1. You may contact each station only once per band.
2. 0-25 watts CARRIER OUTPUT – use multiplier 3 – each contact counts as 3 points
3. >25 – 100 watts CARRIER OUTPUT – use multiplier 2 – each contact counts as 2 points
4. >100 watts CARRIER OUTPUT – use multiplier 1 – each contact counts as 1 point

B. Flagship station bonus: There will be two flagship stations operating during the AM QSO Party. The first is W2AN which is the AWA Museum station callsign. This station will be operating from Bloomfield, NY. The second is W8ACR which is my personal callsign. This station will be operating from Knox, ND. In previous years I used the callsign W2AN/0, but I will not be using that callsign this year. You will score each contact with a flagship station as you would for any other contact. There will also be a bonus of ten points for each flagship station contacted. There is a separate line on the scoresheet to record this bonus. For example, if you are using a 50 watt transmitter, and you contact W2AN on 75 meters, and then contact W8ACR on 75, 40 and 20 meters, your score would be 2+2+2+2 for the contacts, and 10+10 for the bonuses, for a total of 28 points.

C. Five band bonus: If you make at least one contact on all five bands, you earn a 25 point bonus

D. 160 meter bonus: the first contact on 160 meters earns you a 10 point bonus in addition to the normal scoring points. For example, if you make three contacts on 160 meters using a 150 watt transmitter, your score would be 1+1+1 for the contacts, plus 10 for the bonus, for a total score of 13 for those three contacts.

Scoresheets: Scoresheets and log sheets are posted on the AWA website. Please download these and either mail them or email them to the event coordinator, W8ACR. Even if you only make a few contacts, please send in a scoresheet and a log sheet. Scoresheets and log sheets must be received at W8ACR by 2400 on Sunday October 27, 2024. Scoresheets and log sheets may also be obtained via USPS by sending a SASE to the address listed below.

Prizes: The AWA traditionally provides a plaque to the station with the highest overall score.

Photos/Soapbox comments: We encourage you to submit photos of your station, and any comments you may have about the AM QSO Party. Photos should be in high resolution JPG/JPEG format and not embedded into your email, but rather sent as an attachment. Correspondence regarding the event, and requests for hard copies of the scoresheets and log sheets should be addressed to the event coordinator, Ron Skipper W8ACR. Contact information is given below.

For questions or more information, contact:
Ron Skipper W8ACR,
6466 41st Ave NE
Knox, ND 58343
skipperfam@gondtc.com

[Michael M]

Haven't seen you in a bit. Hope all is well.