The Top9 Activity

ICWC has already established a successful MST contest, so why do we need an “activity”? The answer is straightforward. We are all different, and our
preferences are different, and some of us are not active in contesting. Therefore ICWC wants all operators to be included and have fun.

In Top9 any 5-minute minimum contact is OK at any time.  To initiate one you may find CQ callers scanning the Reverse Beacon Network, you may invite a friend by phone, or you may just call CQ the old-fashioned way to name a few ways.

What counts is your presence. With your active participation, you are showing your love of CW and that you support the efforts of ICWC and its member clubs to keep CW alive. By using the Top 9 KHZ of each CW band, we will have a better chance to preserve them by showing activity there.

If you invest some time in Top9, you will certainly make new friends and will have quality CW contacts. Especially during the important first phase of Top9, we are looking for volunteers to make general CQ calls.  This is still the most common way to establish a CW contact.

Questions or concerns, please contact Martin DL1GBZ: dl1gbz@mailnesia.com

Rules for the Top9 Activity

  1. Frequencies: Top 9 kHz of the CW-only bands (see table below)
  2. Stations to contact: All
  3. Mode: CW
  4. QSO points: QSO duration less than 5 min.- 0 points.  QSO duration minimum 5 min. – 1 point then 1 point for every additional 5 minutes. Example: a 15 minute QSO counts for 3 points and a 19 minute QSO still counts only for 3 points.
  5. Participants declare their monthly scores (i.e. QSO numbers) on the ICWC website.

Top9 Bands & Transmit Frequencies per IARU Region:

80m: 3.561-3.570 MHz
40m: 7.031-7.040 MHz
30m: 10.121-10.130 MHz
20m: 14.061-14.070 MHz
17m: 18.086-18.095 MHz
15m: 21.061-21.070 MHz
12m: 24.906-24.915 MHz
10m: 28.061-28.070 MHz

80m: 3.561-3.570 MHz
40m: 7.031-7.040 MHz
30m: 10.121-10.130 MHz
20m: 14.061-14.070 MHz
17m: 18.086-18.095 MHz
15m: 21.061-21.070 MHz
12m: 24.906-24.915 MHz
10m: 28.061-28.070 MHz

80m: 3.526-3.535 MHz
40m QRO: 7.021-7.029 MHz
40m QRP: 7.021-7.030 MHz
30m: 10.121-10.130 MHz
20m: 14.061-14.070 MHz
17m: 18.086-18.095 MHz
15m: 21.061-21.070 MHz
12m: 24.906-24.915 MHz
10m: 28.061-28.070 MHz