  Contest Country Files

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*The files were last updated on 19 April 2013*

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This is the home of the contest country files. These files are used by
amateur radio contest logging software (and other related programs) to
help determine country multipliers from a callsign. The files are
updated regularly throughout the year and changes are announced on the
various contest and logging software <http://lists.contesting.com/>
reflectors.

To download the file(s) you need, please click on the link above that
corresponds to the software you are using. Also read "Download
Instructions <#Version>" in the next section below.

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      Download Instructions

Clicking on any of the country file links below should prompt you to
save (download) the file. If the file is displayed in the browser window
instead, return to this page (using your browser's *Back* button) and
follow these instructions to save it:

    /Chrome:/ Right-click on the file name and choose "Save link as..."

    /Firefox:/ Right-click on the file name and choose "Save Link As..."

    /Internet Explorer:/ Right-click on the file name and choose "Save
    Target As..."

    /Netscape Navigator:/ Hold the SHIFT key down while clicking on the
    hyperlink (file name) and your browser will prompt you to save the file.

    /Safari:/ Hold the CTRL key down while clicking on the hyperlink
    (file name) and choose "Download Linked File As..."

*NOTE:* All links below are to the current version of the files. To
download a ZIP file containing all the files in the current or an older
version, follow the Revisions <history.htm> link on the left, and click
on the appropriate link to the right of the date.

*NOTE:* There are two different versions of CTY.DAT, CTY_WT.DAT,
CTY_WT_MOD.DAT and WL_CTY.DAT. Beginning with CTY-1805
<history.htm#CTY-1805>, full callsigns in the file are prefixed with the
'=' character. Some older logging programs will ignore these callsigns,
so "old" format versions of the files (without the '=') are available.
If you click on the appropriate link below for your software, you will
get the correct version of country file.

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      Version Information

To see the country file change history, click on the Revisions
<history.htm> link on the left.

Once the file is downloaded and installed, there are several ways to
tell what version of the country file you have:

 1. In your logging program, try to log the callsign "VERSION" (on a DX
    cluster node, use the SH/H VERSION or SH/SUN VERSION command). Each
    version of the country files will return a different country (except
    for Win-Test, see #3 below). That country will be indicated in the
    release notes for that version.
     
 2. Open the country file using a text editor like Notepad. Find the
    entry for Canada, VE. In the list of prefixes/callsigns, you'll find
    a "callsign" that looks like:

    VERyyyymmdd

    where "yyyymmdd" is the date of the release. For example, CTY-1812
    was released on 10 November, 2008 so the version string in this case
    is "VER20081110".

 3. The Win-Test files (cty_wt.dat and cty_wt_mod.dat) have their own
    version information at the top of the file. You can see the version
    number only by going to Options | Data Files | Country Files. You
    can *not* log the callsign VERSION, it will just come up as Canada,
    regardless of the country file version.

Except for Win-Test, the CTY file name (i.e. CTY-1812) can not be found
in the file.

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      A Note about USA Callsign Exceptions

Many USA callsigns are not in the CQ or ITU zone indicated by the number
in the callsign. For example, K5ZD is in CQ Zone 5, not Zone 4. The
country files do list a number of these callsigns with the correct zone.
However, they don't list everyone, only the most active contesters.
Here's how the list is created:

 1. Using the Super Check Partial Database
    <http://www.supercheckpartial.com/> of active contesters, build a
    list of callsigns that are found in 100 or more logs. 100 is an
    arbitrary number, but it tends to limit the number of callsign/zone
    exceptions to around 500, which seems like a reasonable number of
    active contesters.
     
 2. For each callsign that met the criteria in #1 above, predict the CQ
    and ITU zones based on the number in the callsign. For example, '1'
    is CQ zone 5, '5' is ITU zone 7, etc.
     
 3. For each callsign that met the criteria in #1 above, look up the
    callsign in the current FCC database, and determine the CQ and ITU
    zones based on the state (as listed). For example, Wyoming is CQ
    Zone 4, California is ITU zone 3. The ITU zone is determined from
    the state only for states that reside entirely within a single ITU
    zone (like Indiana, not Illinois).
     
 4. If the CQ or ITU zone from step #2 does NOT match the CQ or ITU zone
    from step #3, add an exception to the country file, showing the
    actual CQ and/or ITU zones.

That's the process, plain and simple. It's fully automated, and rewards
the most active contesters. If you want to "get on the list", then "get
on the air"!

If you do not live in or operate from the state listed as your callbook
address, let me know if it would result in a change to your CQ or ITU
zone. Many states cross ITU zone boundaries, so it's harder to get the
ITU zone exceptions correct. If your ITU (or CQ) zone is incorrect, let
me know and it will be fixed in the next release.

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*Aether <http://www.aetherlog.com/>*
    Save CTY.CSV <cty.csv> to the /Library/Application Support/Aether
    folder. Safari may to add a .TXT extension to the file that it
    downloads. Aether will only see the country file if it is named
    exactly CTY.CSV
 
*CQPWin <http://www.cqp.org/Software-AE6Y.html>*
    Save CTY.DAT <cty.dat> to the main CQPwin folder with the executable.
 
*CT Win <http://www.k1ea.com/>*
    Save CTY.DAT <cty.dat> to your CT Win directory, which by default is
    C:\Program Files\K1EA Software\CtWin
    If you did not install CT in the default location, save CTY.DAT in
    the same directory as CTWIN.EXE
 
*CT 10 <http://www.k1ea.com/> (DOS)*
    Save CTY.DAT <cty.dat> to your CT directory (the same directory
    where CT.EXE is found)
 
*CT 9.91 and later <http://www.k1ea.com/>*
    Save CTY.DAT <cty.dat> to your CT directory (the same directory
    where CT.EXE is found)
 
*CT 9.90 and earlier <http://www.k1ea.com/>*
    Save CTY.DAT <old/cty.dat> to your CT directory (the same directory
    where CT.EXE is found)
 
*CT 8 and earlier <http://www.k1ea.com/>*
    Save ARRL.CTY <arrl.cty>, CQWW.CTY <cqww.cty> and IARU.CTY
    <iaru.cty> to your CT directory (the same directory where CT86.EXE,
    CT286.EXE and/or CT386.EXE is found)
 
*Fldigi <http://www.w1hkj.com/Fldigi.html>*
    *Linux:* 	download CTY.DAT <cty.dat> to the directory *~/.fldigi*
    *Mac OS X:* 	download CTY.DAT <cty.dat> to the download folder. Open
    Fldigi and click on File/Show Config - then drag and drop CTY.DAT
    into the open .fldigi folder
    *Windows XP:* 	download CTY.DAT <cty.dat> to the folder
    *C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\fldigi.files*
    *Windows Vista:* 	download CTY.DAT <cty.dat> to the folder
    *C:\Users\<username>\fldigi.files*

 
*JL <http://www.qsl.net/w1jq/>*
    Save CTY.DAT <old/cty.dat> to the *jl/data* directory.
 
*KLog <http://jaime.robles.es/klog>*
    Save CTY.DAT <cty.dat> to the *~/.klog/* directory.
 
*MixW 3.1.1h and later <http://www.mixw.net/>*
    Save CTY.DAT <cty.dat> to your MixW directory.
 
*MixW 3.1.1g and earlier <http://www.mixw.net/>*
    Save CTY.DAT <old/cty.dat> to your MixW directory.
 
*N1MM 8.6.2 and later <http://www.n1mm.com/>*
    Save WL_CTY.DAT <wl_cty.dat> to your N1MM Logger directory and run
    *Tools* | *Import Country List from downloaded file* into the
    database you plan to use.
 
*N1MM 8.6.1 and earlier <http://www.n1mm.com/>*
    Save WL_CTY.DAT <old/wl_cty.dat> to your N1MM Logger directory and
    run *Tools* | *Import Country List from downloaded file* into the
    database you plan to use.
 
*NA <http://www.datomonline.com/>*
    Save COUNTRY.DAT <country.dat> to your NA directory and run NAU.
 
*RCKLog <http://www.rcklog.de/>*
    Save CTY.DAT <old/cty.dat> to your RCKLog directory.
 
*RCKRtty <http://www.rckrtty.de/>*
    Save CTY.DAT <old/cty.dat> to your RCKRtty directory.
 
*SD <http://www.ei5di.com/sd/>*
    SD uses multiple .CTY files derived mainly from CTY.DAT. They are
    updated in advance of major contests, and are available from
    ww.ei5di.com/sd/cty.zip <http://www.ei5di.com/sd/cty.zip>. I have no
    control over what is in cty.zip, please direct your queries to Paul,
    EI5DI.
 
*SkookumLogger <http://www.k1gq.com/SkookumLogger/about.html>*
    Choose File > Download Countries Database
 
*TLF <http://home.iae.nl/users/reinc/TLF-0.2.html>*
    Save CTY.DAT <old/cty.dat> to */usr/local/share/tlf*
 
*TR LOG 6.90 and later <http://www.trlog.com/>*
    Save CTY.DAT <cty.dat> to your TR directory.
 
*TR LOG 6.89 and earlier <http://www.trlog.com/>*
    Save CTY.DAT <old/cty.dat> to your TR directory.
 
*TR4W <http://www.tr4w.com/>*
    Save CTY.DAT <cty.dat> to your TR4W directory.
 
*WF1B*

     1. Save WF1B.DAT <wf1b.dat> to your WF1B RTTY folder
     2. Run COUNTRY.EXE
     3. Choose "Read CTY.DAT"
     4. At "Identify the K1EA Country File(.DAT)", type in WF1B.DAT then
        CTRL-Enter
     5. Select Contest Files: "Only CQWW & WAE"
     6. Exit

 
*Win-Test 4.x and later <http://www.win-test.com/>*

     1. *Options* | *Data Files* | *Country Files*
     2. Choose one
     3. Click on *Download*
     4. You will get a prompt to download - answer Yes

 
*Win-Test 3.19 and later <http://www.win-test.com/>*
    Save these two files to your Win-Test directory:

        CTY_WT.DAT <cty_wt.dat>
        CTY_WT_MOD.DAT <cty_wt_mod.dat> 

    Then in the program, go to *Options* | *Data Files* | *Country
    Files* to select the file you wish to use.
 
*Win-Test 3.18 and earlier <http://www.win-test.com/>*
    Save these two files to your Win-Test directory:

        CTY_WT.DAT <old/cty_wt.dat>
        CTY_WT_MOD.DAT <old/cty_wt_mod.dat> 

    Then in the program, go to *Options* | *Data Files* | *Country
    Files* to select the file you wish to use.
 
*WriteLog 10.78 and later <http://www.writelog.com/>*
    From the Windows Start menu, navigate to your WriteLog V10 folder
    and run (double-click on) "Convert CTY to WriteLog". Click the
    button that says, "Download wl_cty.dat...." and wait for the pop-up
    that says, "Successfully downloaded wl_cty.dat". Next, click the
    button that says, "Convert wl_cty.dat". When the conversion is done,
    it will say "ALL DONE" at the bottom of the text window. Then you
    can close the window by clicking either "Cancel" or the 'X' in the
    upper right-hand corner.
     
    If for some reason this procedure doesn't work, follow the
    instructions for WriteLog 10.77 just below.
 
*WriteLog 10.77 <http://www.writelog.com/>*
    Save WL_CTY.DAT <wl_cty.dat> to one of the following directories,
    depending on your operating system:

        Windows 2000: 	  	 
        Windows 98: 	  	C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application
        Data\WriteLog
        Windows XP: 	  	C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application
        Data\WriteLog
        Windows Vista: 	  	C:\ProgramData\WriteLog
        Windows 7: 	  	C:\ProgramData\WriteLog

    Next, run the "Convert CTY to WriteLog" program from the WriteLog
    program group (*Start | Programs | WriteLog v10 | Convert..*). If
    you don't have the shortcut, manually run the REACTY32.EXE program
    in the WRITELOG\PROGRAMS directory. Click on the "OK" button to
    convert the country files to a format that WriteLog can use.
 
*WriteLog 10.29 through 10.76 <http://www.writelog.com/>*
    Save WL_CTY.DAT <wl_cty.dat> to your WRITELOG\PROGRAMS directory and
    run the "Convert CTY to WriteLog" program from the WriteLog program
    group (*Start | Programs | WriteLog v10 | Convert..*). If you don't
    have the shortcut, manually run the REACTY32.EXE program in the
    WRITELOG\PROGRAMS directory. Click on the "OK" button to convert the
    country files to a format that WriteLog can use.
 
*WriteLog 10.28 and earlier <http://www.writelog.com/>*
    Save WL_CTY.DAT <old/wl_cty.dat> to your WRITELOG\PROGRAMS directory
    and run the "Convert CTY to WriteLog" program from the WriteLog
    program group (*Start | Programs | WriteLog v10 | Convert..*). If
    you don't have the shortcut, manually run the REACTY32.EXE program
    in the WRITELOG\PROGRAMS directory. Click on the "OK" button to
    convert the country files to a format that WriteLog can use.
     
    You can also update online if you are using a recent version of the
    program. *Files | Web Update Data Files* and click on the Download
    button. Note that there may be a delay between when the country
    files are announced and when the latest version is available for Web
    Update. Try test logging the callsign VERSION to see what country
    file version <#Version> you received.

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*AR User <http://www.ve7cc.net>*
    Save CTY.DAT <cty.dat> to your "AR User" directory (the same
    directory that contains ve7cc.exe)
 
*AR-Cluster <http://www.ab5k.net/>*

     1. Save ARRL.CTY <arrl.cty> to C:\Program
        Files\AR-Cluster\Configuration
     2. Click on *CFG* | *AUTO-COUNTRY*
     3. Click on IMPORT

 
*CC Cluster <http://www.bcdxc.org/ve7cc/ccc/cluster.htm>*
    Save WL_CTY.DAT <wl_cty.dat> to your cluster directory. If you are
    running a recent version of the cluster program, click the "Update
    WL_CTY" button. If you are running an older version, stop and
    restart the cluster program.
 
*DX Spider <http://www.dxcluster.org/>*
    Save CTY.DAT <cty.dat> to your spider/data directory. Run
    *spider/perl/create_prefix.pl*. Then log into the cluster as
    administrator and type "load/prefix".
 
*RDXCluster <http://rsoftx.googlepages.com/rdxcluster>*
    No information available.
 
*VE3SUN DX Monitor <http://www.benlo.com/dxmon.html>*
    In the Help menu select "check for Updates" and click on "Download
    CTY.DAT" if it shows the availability of a new version. If the
    "Update CTY.DAT automatically" box is checked in that window, DX
    Monitor will automatically download the latest CTY.DAT file directly
    from the country files web site. After the new CTY.DAT file is
    downloaded, it will be necessary to restart DX Monitor.
     
    DX Monitor checks the file header of
    http://www.country-files.com/cty/cty.dat
    <http://www.country-files.com/cty/cty.dat> each time DX Monitor is
    started. The URL can be changed in the User Preferences | URLs.
