Contest News – 26 April 2020

Due to social distancing and movement precautions around the world, most contest organisers are not accepting entries from multi-operator groups or from portable stations. Check the rules before taking part.

The SP DX RTTY contest ends its 24 hour run at 1200UTC this Sunday, the 26th. Using the 3.5 to 28MHz contest bands the exchange is signal report and serial number, with SP stations also sending their province code.

This Sunday, the 26th, the BARTG Sprint 75 contest runs form 1700 to 2100UTC. Using the 3.5 to 28MHz contest bands, the exchange is your serial number only.

On Monday the third FT4 series contest will run from 1900 to 2030UTC using the 3.5MHz band. The exchange is your four character locator.

Tuesday sees the SHF UK Activity Contest run from 1830 to 2130UTC using all modes on the 2.3GHz and up bands. The exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

The UK and Ireland Contest Club 80m CW contest runs for an hour on Wednesday between 1900 and 2000UTC. The exchange is your four character locator.

Next weekend is busy for contests, but please remember to check before the events for new rules due to lockdown and social distancing, which may differ around the world. RSGB strongly advises obeying your own government’s advice first and foremost.

The 432MHz Trophy contest and the 10GHz Trophy contest are both on Saturday between 1400 and 2200UTC. Using all modes in the respective bands, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

The 432MHz to 248MHz Trophy contest runs for 24 hours over next weekend from 1400 on the 2nd to 1400UTC on the 3rd. Using all modes the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

Another 24 hour contest is the ARL International DX event from 1200UTC on the 2nd to 1200UTC on the 3rd. Using phone and RTTY on the 3.5 to 28MHz contest bands, the exchange is signal report and serial number, with Italian stations also giving their province code.

Next Sunday, 3 May, the UK Microwave Group Low Band Contest runs from 0800 to 1400UTC. Using all modes on the 1.3 to 3.4GHz bands, the exchange is signal report, serial number and locator.

The UK Six Metre Group’s Summer Marathon runs from 2 May to 2 August. Using all modes in the 50MHz band, the exchange is you four character locator.

A one-off independent 2m contest is being held on Bank Holiday Monday, 4 May, to promote 2m usage during the COVID-19 lockdown. From 2pm to 3pm there will be an FM contest, where operators should exchange signal reports, serial number and four character grid squares. From 3pm to 4pm there will be an FT8 contest using the standard FT8 messages to exchange signal reports and grid squares. The contests are open to all licensed amateur radio operators and short wave listeners but due to the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions no portable or mobile operation is permitted. Further details can be found at vhflockdown.fun.

And finally, don’t forget the RSGB Hope QSO Party on weekdays—see rsgbcc.org/hf for further details. So far around 300 UK and non-UK participants have taken part, and for some it has been their first attempt at an HF contest. One participant told us that it was their first ever attempt at CW in 36 years. Come and join in the fun.

Category: GB2RS Contest News