Purpose: To turn the clocks back to what ham radio was like in the 1960s. To the extent possible, re-create the operating practices and gear used by amateurs before computers became a staple in most amateur stations, “contest” software became common, and DX Clusters were used for posting callsigns and frequencies of stations on the air anywhere in the world.

Participation: Open to all licensed amateurs

Date and Time:  Summer: Last weekend in June or first weekend in July: Sunday

Winter: First weekend in January: Sunday

Time: 24 Hours beginning 1200 UTC through 1200 UTC following day.

Dates and Times are subject to change.

Mode: CW Only

Call: “CQ OS” or “CQ OSQP” or “CQ FOC OS”

Suggested CW Speed: 15-30 WPM with 30 WPM maximum speed

Bands: 160M, 80M, 40M, 20M, 15M, 10M and 6M bands only.

Suggested Operating Frequency: 28 to 45 Khz above Band Lower Edge.

Operating Limitations:

1. No use of a computer for sending Morse code from computer memory or receiving Morse code using decoders
2. Paper logging is encouraged, but not required. Participants should copy and record the minimum exchange.
3. No “contest” style logging programs, however a computer may be used for logging using non-contest logging software.
4. No use of DX-clusters for spotting stations.
5. Computer control of equipment, such as remote amplifier, remote station or antenna rotation and switching is OK.
6. Mechanical keying is encouraged by not required. Paddle or keyboard keying is OK if keying is not from a memory keyer using stored messages or phrases.
7. Vintage and Transition Gear is encouraged but not required. For this event, Vintage gear is defined as transmitters, receivers or transceivers manufactured before 1970. Transition Gear is defined as transmitters, Receivers or transceivers manufactured between 1970 and 1990

Entry Classifications and Station Class Designation Letter:

• Station Class First Letter
  • “P” – Using paper logging
  • “C” – Using computer logging
• Station Class Second Letter
  • “V” – Using vintage gear (Pre-1970)
  • “T” – Using Transition gear (1970-1990)
  • “L” – Using late model gear (After 1990)
  • “R” – Using remote gear
• Station Class Third Letter
  • “M” – Using mechanical key
  • “E” – Using electronic keying (Paddle / Key-Board)

Minimum Exchange: “Actual” RST, + three letter station class designation + year of first license + Name. (See Station Class Designation above).

Example: 569 PVM 1962 Don (569-paper log-vintage gear-mechanical key-licensed 1962-Don

Year can be abbreviated to the last two digits, if desired.

Logging: Minimum requirements are date, time, frequency, call, RST, class, year of license and & name.

Scoring: One point per qualifying QSO. Stations may be worked once per band.

Multipliers: Add 5.0% of your base QSO count if using a paper logs.

Add 10.0% of Base QSO count if using Vintage Gear (Before 1970)

Add 5.0% of Base QSO count if using Transition Gear (1970 to 1990)

Add 5.0% of your base QSO count if using vintage gear.

Add 5.0% of your base QSO count if using mechanical keying.

No compounding of multipliers.

Example: 100 QSOs in Class PVM: Score is 120 Points (100+5+10+5)

Scores to be rounded to the nearest whole number (integer). (No decimal places or fractions).

Submission: Honor system. Participants report total score and comments / suggestions to the Event Manager in the following format:

Your call, station class, total point count, total qualifying QSOs

Email Results to 

For those participants that are interested in paper logging for the event (for the bonus points in scoring), this document (pdf) contains a paper logging page and a page for calculating the final score. One can print as many of the logging pages as needed for their operation.

Awards: Certificates to the highest score by an FOC Member and the highest score by a non-FOC Member from each continent. Participation Certificates available on line.

Results: Published on the G4FOC.org and other club websites (as allowed)

More Information: Contact Don, WB6BEE