\u2022 HF contesting is a growing aspect of amateur radio which can be enjoyed (at any level) throughout the year. There are HF (or LF) contests almost every weekend and on some weekday evenings.
\n\u2022 All contests have different sections, allowing you to choose which one suits your mode preferences, skill level, station capabilities and available time.
\n\u2022 You don’t need a ‘super-station’ to take part from home (although you could ask a friend to use their station!)
\n\u2022 If you have limited time available for our hobby, HF contesting allows you to make a lot of QSOs (possibly including new DXCC entities) in a relatively short time.
\n\u2022 You can be as competitive or otherwise as you like, from competing against yourself (equalling or bettering your own score in the same contest as last year), to representing the UK in international contests as part of an RSGB team.<\/p>\n
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RSGB and worldwide HF contests have been established since the 1930s and remain very popular in the 21st century.\u00a0 They give an unparalleled opportunity to improve operating skills and have been the driving force behind many technological developments – transceiver and antenna performance, etc.\u00a0 They also allow you to satisfy your competitive spirit!<\/p>\n
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You will need a radio, an antenna and, ideally, a shack computer.\u00a0 All logging of QSOs is done using contest logging software. These electronic logfiles can then be easily added to your main station logfile and\/or uploaded to the contest organiser’s website as your entry for that contest. (Ideally your radio and laptop will be linked by CAT control, which helps avoid frequency or mode logging errors)<\/p>\n
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\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n UK-based 80m SSB contests are the most straightforward to enter. Even if you don\u2019t have a resonant 80m antenna, you will still be able to work a good number of stations with e.g. a long-wire or half-sized G5RV fed via an ATU. Although many stations are competitive in these events, newcomers are always welcome \u2013 just don\u2019t expect a chat!<\/p>\n The easiest path is<\/p>\n _________________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n After the contest, the contest logging software will do the work for you \u2013 just press a button to prepare a text file in Cabrillo format. (This Cabrillo format is the format requested by all HF contest organisers).\u00a0 You then upload this Cabrillo logfile (your contest entry) via an online log submission robot. The robot sends you an acknowledgement e-mail (or asks you to correct any information that is incorrect or missing).\u00a0 You then wait patiently for the results of that event to be published \u2013 again usually online.<\/p>\n _________________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n The above information is just a brief introduction \u2013 more comprehensive advice and guidance is available\u00a0here<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0or you can follow the links below for more information.<\/p>\n Calendar of RSGB HF contests:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 https:\/\/www.rsgbcc.org\/hf\/<\/a><\/p>\n Calendar of other HF contests:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 http:\/\/www.contestcalendar.com\/\/<\/a><\/p>\n Glossary of contesting terms:\u00a0\u00a0 https:\/\/www.rsgbcc.org\/hf\/information\/Contesting_Glossary_v3.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n N1MM+ website:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 https:\/\/n1mm.hamdocs.com\/tiki-index.php<\/a><\/p>\nWhich HF contests are the most suitable for a beginner?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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\u00a0I\u2019ve competed in my first 80m contest \u2013 what do I do now?<\/strong><\/h4>\n