I'm curious how a competitor with home-made equipment would be categorised at a
competition? Any judges out there that can tell me if my home made amps and
processors would be allowed to run? Is there more than one sanctioning body,
each with different rules?

Someone recently posted that it would be fun to compete with Pyle gear
(inexpensive) and match the high-end (expensive) gear with a great install. I'd
like to try it once with home made stuff, just for fun.