The EXPLORER category was created to allow amateurs to participate in CQ WW contest a zároveň tvorivo experimentovať s internetovo prepojenými stanicami a inými novými technológiami. Cieľom tejto kategórie je podporiť inovácie v prevádzkových stratégiách, dizajne staníc a prispôsobovaní technológií.
Základné pravidlá CQ WW DX Contestu apply to the contest, code exchange and scoring period. In addition to the current rules, the EXPLORER category includes the following:
1. Objective: The goal of the EXPLORER category is to support innovation in operational strategies, station design and technology adaptation.
2. Categories (only high power, where the total power must not exceed 1500 watts):
(a) One operator, in which one licensed radio amateur serves as the control operator who performs or supervises all operational and recording functions.
b) Multiple operators, in which multiple operators perform or supervise all operational and recording functions. Multi-operator team members can work from different locations.
3. Help with follow-up QSO and getting QSOs: Use of QSO alert systems using packet radio, Internet, local or remote type devices skimmer
devices, internet chat rooms, live broadcasts on social networks, etc. is allowed in both single-operator and multi-operator categories. However, independent searching or asking to be spotted is not allowed. All connections must be made by air.
4. Places: All participants can use multiple transmission and/or reception locations.
All broadcast locations must be in one country and one CQ zone. Remote receiving points can be located anywhere.
5. Broadcasting: all QSOs made within the Explorer category must use the same call sign. One broadcast signal is allowed on a given band at any given time, regardless of location. The maximum signal bandwidth must not exceed the normal bandwidth of a single voice SSB (for SSB weekend) or CW (for CW weekend) signal. This prohibits multi-carrier or time-multiplexed signals that occupy multiple channels in a single band. Also, it is not allowed to occupy two frequencies in one band, even if they alternate. For example, it is not allowed to have "running" stations on multiple frequencies in the same band, interleaving their CQ.
6. Service (services): Zodpovednosť za ovládanie nesie človek, ktorého úlojou je zabezpečiť, aby sa pred vysielaním prijali bežné bezpečnostné opatrenia, ako je napríklad počúvanie, aby sa zistilo, či je frekvencia voľná pred zavolaním CQ. Toto je rozhodujúce pri používaní automatizovaných „robotických“ staníc. Každá stanica, u ktorej sa zistí, že spôsobuje rušenie nedodržaním tohto pravidla, bude diskvalifikovaná a operátor môže byť diskvalifikovaný z účasti na CQWW DX Conteste v nasledujúcom roku. Všetky cezhraničné vzdialené prevádzky musia byť v súlade s predpismi v krajine, v ktorej sa nachádza vysielacie pracovisko (pracoviská).
7. Sending logs: Logs must be sent via upload to cqww.com. Logos must be in the format Cabrillo and must contain the line: CATEGORY - STATION: EXPLORER.
8. Awards: The winning competitor in the category for one or more operators will receive a plaque. In addition, works that demonstrate a significant degree of innovation will also be awarded, and may receive special plaques at the discretion of the CQWW Competition Committee
9. Club results: logy v tejto kategórii nie sú oprávnené prispieť svojím CQWW skóre klubu v klubovej súťaži.