Rules
The purpose of the SM290 competition is to stimulate amateur radio, encourage physical activity and nature experiences.
By establishing radio contacts with other radio amateurs from different municipalities and exchanging the municipal codes, a basis for applying for different diplomas is obtained.
In Sweden, the competition has previously taken place in various forms, but now the competition returns with a modern website and new rules. The organizer behind the competition is Skövde Amarörradioklubb which also arranges the famous SMFF competition. Many people get active just because it's fun, without any collector's interest. Transmitting from a unique municipality usually means a so-called pile-up, ie. you become the hunted object - something that most people like.
There are 290 municipalities in Sweden.
SM290-diploma
Publisher of the diploma is SK6EI, Skovde Amateur Radio Club (SARK). The club is responsible for the administration and issuance of diploma and website. The diploma can be downloaded and printed
at your own suitable printer, free of charge. The diploma is then signed with an electronic signature.
Questions and suggestions regarding SM290 set to smkr(at)sk6ei.se.
Participant
The diploma is issued to radio amateurs after that according to the rules complied with the number of QSOs with the Swedish municipalities that are stipulated.
Registration and fees
Participants in SM290 shall register at the website sm290.sk6ei.se where also all the QSO are to be logged.
The annual fee for the competition is currently 50kr (SEK)/year regardless of the time for registration and is valid for this yeard. The fee is never paid back. For accounts go to the register site.
After registration, you have 30 days to pay, here after the possibility of logging is inhibited.
Note: Foreigner hams do not need to pay the fee.
Exceptions from the fees
Members of SARK and the co-organizers will pay no fee, this will also apply for foreigner hams.
CQ SM290 - Competition
The contest runs in a calendar year 1/1 - 31/12 and the contest is open to all hams. This contest is then annualized and starts on the 1/1 each subsequent year.
During the "year of the competition" it is important to collect as many SM290 points as possible.
Prices
Winners on "Alla", "phone and CW will be awarded as with no fee for the next coming year. There also will be a price check to an active, paying cometitor who has earnt a minimum of 50 municipalities. There will be a maximum of one prize per participant and
in the case of "double win" the second standing in line to get the prize. Earnings are distributed in a form of gift cards at a value of 500kr.
Profit Plan is subject to change.
Logging of QSO
Completed QSOs shall be logged on the SM290 website within 14 days and note that ALL QSO have to be logged within current year. This means that QSO worked 31/12 has to be logged the same day.
The other station's QSO's log cannot differ in time no more than 45 minutes. It is not possible to delete confirmed QSO's as they are locked by the program. Should you
have accidentally sent the wrong area code, it is very important that it is announced on the Blog to avoid suspicions of cheating.
Rules for diploma
In order to obtain the diploma you must implement two-way communication with municipalities in Sweden (so-called SM290-area). At least one of the stations shall be located within a SMFF area.
Diplomas will be awarded as follows:
Diploma 1 issued by 50 municipalities. Next diploma obtained at every 50 municipalities. For diploma QSOs are counted from 1/1 - 31/12.
SK6EI reserves for future rule changes, even during the ongoing activity program.
The call, activation of the area and the exchange of traffic
It is suitable to use the international way of indicating that you are in a municipality by calling "Swedish municipalities" and/or "CQ SM290".
For example, "CQ SM290 DE SK6EI SMKR 14960". The QTC included shall contain CALL + SM290-AREA for both stations if applicable.
RS (T) is not required for SMKR, but shall be included in the QSO.
Remember that there are many stations chasing those who are in SM290 area, it may be appropriate to adjust the length of QSOs according to this.
Scoring
2 points will be awarded for each single unique contact. If both stations are in the same municipality, each station receive 1 point. If the other part is a foringer station 1 poin is stipulated.
Points will be given on both phone, CW and on additional bands! Eg, if a station is worked on 40m and then on 80m, there will be an additional points.
Area boundaries
On the map the center of the area is mostly marked. Exact boundaries may be found by clicking the map and follow the link in the popup.
The boundaries are primarily shown by signs in place, secondly the map. Approved operation site is within the area. Operator and all equipment shall be within the area boundaries. QSO via repeaters not allowed but remote staitions are. If remote is used the Tx location determines the municipality.
Documenting therefore is welcome of all your activations with digital camera, phone etc.
Activity frequencies
Call Frequencies (kHz)
7090 7034
3750 3554
Additional frequencies:
Approved bands: 160m - 70cm
Other frequency: 1950, 3750, 5360, 7090, 14250, 18150, 21250, 24950, 28450, 50150 kHz
1930, 3550, 5360, 7034, 10130, 14050, 18090, 21050, 24894, 28050, 50085 kHz
Frequencies are of course not exclusive to the SMK290, but will serve only as a recommendation.
Activity Blog
In the activity blog, activation and reports from activations may be submitted, information regarding unconfirmed QSO may be taken up directly with the current amateur radio via his e-mail or other means.
We will dispose submitted images without reservations and photographers Signal and name will appear below the image.
Support
If you can't login or need a new password you can contact the support. We do not change logs and missing confirmations. Suggestions for new features are welcome to smkr(at)sk6ei.se
Steering committee
The activity is led by SM6TOB, Bengt and a steering committee of SARK.
Rule changes
The organizers may need to change the rules in which case will beannounced on the blog.
Foul
As values apply Transmitting the amateur Code of honor link to the PDF document (see below) and common sense. To e.g. consciously and deliberately give another transmitting location than that of which is reported, is completely unacceptable. Zero tolerance applies to derogatory comments in writing and transmitting to other participants. It is the responsibility of all participants to contact the person or people, they believe are acting improperly. Only in exceptional cases, the competition management will step in and expel a participant.
A radio amateur have to:
- Promote good traffic culture and never to use radio, internet or otherwise to spoil the fun.
- Use language that a child can hear.
- Show respect, be polite and help out over the transmissions and in contact with others.
- Follow the national and international regulations and agreements.
- To the best of your ability have an effective radio station and use it with good judgment.
- Be prepared to use your radio station to aid society.
Copyright
Every municipality is covered by: Attribution-ShareAlike 2.5 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.5)
Source: Wikipedia: Kommunvapen i Sverige