RadCom Contesting

“Contesting” in RadCom – from April 2024 to November 2026

In RadCom, between April 2024 and November 2026, we have published 32 articles on a range of topics, such as might form the chapters of a book on contesting. Some have been written by members of the three contesting committees, some by others who have shared their experiences.

The following is a list of the topics that we have covered, with the articles available here for you to read. If you would like to suggest a “contesting” topic that might be covered in a future issue of RadCom, or would like to write an article, please get in touch: ContestClub@rsgbcc.org.

(K3LR Contest Station during ARRL DX CW 2023, copyright Tim Duffy K3LR, used with their kind permission)

1. Why Contesting (Nick, G4FAL)
How does it work?
Why take part?
What are the aspirations of contesters?
Why do contesters send 59 reports all the time?
Why are there contests every weekend?
Why do contesters invest so much time and money in their stations?
Plan for the column over the next couple of years.

2. Contesting History (Nick, G4FAL)
How did it all start?
Early Competitive Amateur Radio – Records and Achievements
First Contests
The Growth of Contesting
Yesterday’s techniques
Technological changes continue to enhance contesting tools

3. Choose your Contest (Nick, G4FAL)
Where do you start?
Where should you contest – HF, VHF or UHF?
Select your mode?
The Big Contests
RSGB Contests
Club Contesting
Reasonable expectations for beginners

4. Get ready for HF Contesting (Nick, G4FAL)
Minimum equipment to take part
Computer logging – why is this essential?
Ergonomics and operability
Read the rules – how do I optimise my score within the rules?
Read the band-plans – how do I respect other band users?
Does your HF station work – how to test it?
Contest Exchanges and efficient operating at HF
Submitting your log

5. Get ready for VHF Contesting (Andy, G4PIQ)
Minimum equipment to take part
Computer logging
Ergonomics and operability
Read the rules – how do I optimise my score within the rules
Does your VHF station work – how to test it?
Contest Exchanges and efficient operating at VHF

6. Effective and Enjoyable SSB Contesting (Chris, GM3WOJ)
Motivation
Learning
Logging Software
Hardware
Operating Technique

7. Aspects of CW Contesting (Chris, GM3WOJ)
How to setup your Receiver
CW Contesting in detail
Hardware
Computer considerations

8. MGM modes at HF or VHF (Nick, G4FAL & Andy, G4PIQ)
Running FT modes for contesting
Operating Technique for MGM modes
FT mode automation – fair or foul?

9. RTTY and PSK (Rich, M5RIC)
What is needed to participate?
Operating techniques for RTTY and PSK
Two radio operating

10. Contest Propagation at HF (Nick, G4FAL)
Low Bands 160m-40m
High Bands 20m-10m

11. Contest Propagation at VHF, UHF and Microwaves (Andy, G4PIQ)
VHF
UHF
Microwaves

12. Operating Styles (John, G4IRN)
Search and Pounce
Running
What is SO2V and how is it achieved?
What is SO2R and how is it achieved?
What is 2BSIQ and how is it achieved?

13. Entry Sections and How to Enter (John, G4IRN)
Unassisted/Assisted
Single Band/Multiband
High Power/Low Power/QRP
Single Op/Multi Op – Multi 1, Multi 2 or Multi-Multi
Contest results and history – plot your progress over time

14. Station Locations (John, G4IRN)
Home Contesting
Portable/Mobile Contesting
DXpedition Contesting

15. Accurate Logging (John, G4IRN)
Super Check Partial
N+1
Dupes
Obvious Errors
Checking for easy mistakes
What can go wrong with an entry during adjudication and how to avoid it

16. Progression at HF – Antennas (Nick, G4FAL)
Resonant or tuned
The UK planning system
Dipoles
Verticals and vertical arrays
Masts and Towers, winches, rotators
Yagis
Feeder efficiency
How to optimise your station in an urban environment

17. Progression at HF – more equipment (Nick, G4FAL)
Radios
Amplifiers
Computer equipment dedicated to the radio station
Auto band detection
Band pass filters
Antenna switching

18. Progression at HF – Software (John, G4IRN)
DXLog
N1MM+
Wintest
SD
Others
Computer interfaces – do they help or hinder?

19. Progression at VHF, UHF and Microwaves – Antennas (Andy, G4PIQ)
Yagis
Rotators
Feeder efficiency
Operate from home or portable?

20. Progression at VHF, UHF and Microwaves – Equipment (Andy, G4PIQ)
Radios
Amplifiers
Preamps
Computer equipment dedicated to the radio station
More on using KST during VHF contests

21. Progression at HF or VHF – Logistics and skills (John, G4IRN)
Touch-typing
Foot switch operation
Voice keyers
Optimising macros
SO2R in practice
2BSIQ in practice
Practicing contest skills with simulation

22. Contesting Strategy at HF (John, G4IRN)
Where, what and how?

23. Team Contesting – how does M6T work? (Andy, G4PIQ)

24. Team Contesting – how does a super-station work? (Tim, K3LR)

25. Travelling to Operate as an Individual – CQWW CW from Grenada (Jamie, M0SDV)

26. Travelling to Operate as a Team (John, G4IRN)

27. Remote Operating (John, G4IRN)
Why do it?
How could you do it?

28. Distributed Multi/Multi Operating (Tim, G4FJK)
RSGB HQ station – GR2HQ

29. RSGB HF Contests (Nick, G4FAL)
The contests that we run and why you should be a participant.

30. RSGB VHF and above Contests (Andy, G4PIQ)
The contests that we run and why you should be a participant.

31. World Radiosport Team Championship (John, G4IRN)
Competing at WRTC.

32. Club Contesting (Roger, G3LDI)
Norfolk Amateur Radio Club.