RSGB Construction Competition 2027

Construction is a key aspect of amateur radio, whether that is soldering your first wire in a kit build to designing an advanced software or systems engineering project. In celebration of this we’re excited to have launched our Construction Competition for 2027.

This is your opportunity to try something new, develop your skills and be in with the chance to win a cash prize! The competition is open to all RSGB members, including those based overseas.

Through our seven competition categories, we want to encourage people from a wide range of backgrounds to get involved. So, whether you’re a newcomer to amateur radio, a serial constructor, or want to push yourself in a new direction, be it software or hardware – it’s time to get those construction ideas flowing!

Last year, our newly introduced category, ‘Reimagination’, proved popular. If you’re looking to spread the word about amateur radio and to inspire people from the maker community or groups such as Men’s Sheds, this is the category for you. As long as it is radio related and inspires non-radio amateurs to find out more, we welcome your entry!

Categories

1. Beginners: a chance to build a kit or create your own equipment to help you take your first steps into amateur radio. You could have your project featured in RadCom Basics

2. Construction excellence: recognising the skill and craftsmanship used in building your project

3. Outreach: a project that can be reproduced in a school or public environment

4. Reimagination: for projects that are radio related but not necessarily requiring an amateur radio licence to construct and operate. Projects using new modulation techniques such as LoRa are encouraged

5. Innovation: recognising an original contribution to the art and science of radio communication

6. Software: recognising the importance of software technology to all aspects of amateur radio

7. Antennas: an opportunity to design and build an antenna of your choice

How to enter

You need to be an RSGB member to enter, but you can live anywhere in the world – entries will be judged online to allow you to participate and demonstrate your creativity.

1. Email a short description of your entry and up to four photos to construction.competition@rsgb.org.uk

2. The judges also encourage you to send a link to a video that demonstrates your entry working

3. The deadline for entries is 1 March 2027

4. The judges will choose the category in which an entry is judged and the number of prizes/awards, after they have looked at all the projects submitted

If you’re not an RSGB member yet but you’ve got your eye on the prize, why not join the RSGB now. Not only will you be in with a chance to win, you’ll also be able to take advantage of the wide range of other RSGB member benefits.

What are the prizes?

A £150 cash prize will be awarded to the winner of each category, with a £50 cash prize for the runner-up.

The overall winner will also be declared the winner of the Pat Hawker G3VA Award and will receive a £200 bonus.

The winner of the beginner category will also receive the Gavin Nesbitt, MM1BXF trophy.

Special recognition

The judges will give special recognition to entries submitted by:

1. Radio amateurs aged 25 or under

2. Those who have just gained their Foundation licence

When will the winners be announced?

The results of the competition will be announced during the RSGB 2027 Annual General Meeting on Saturday 17 April 2027.

Looking for inspiration?

Have a look at our Construction Competition resources webpage for inspiration. You’ll also find helpful articles and advice on construction and builds in RadCom Basics and RadCom Plus, available online and via the RSGB app.