{"id":33915,"date":"2024-02-29T11:44:14","date_gmt":"2024-02-29T11:44:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rsgb.org\/main\/?page_id=33915"},"modified":"2026-07-10T11:47:45","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T10:47:45","slug":"radcom-contesting","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rsgb.org\/main\/radio-sport\/radcom-contesting\/","title":{"rendered":"RadCom Contesting"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3><strong>\u201cContesting\u201d in RadCom &#8211; from April 2024<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>In RadCom we have planned a schedule of topics, such as might form the chapters of a book on contesting. Some will be written by members of the three contesting committees, some by others who can share their experiences. The following is a list of the topics that we plan to cover \u2013 not necessarily in the order in which they will appear. If you would like to suggest a missing topic, or would like to write an article, please get in touch: <a href=\"mailto:ContestClub@rsgbcc.org?subject=Radcom Contesting\">ContestClub@rsgbcc.org.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-33988\" src=\"https:\/\/rsgb.org\/main\/files\/2024\/02\/K3LR-shack-during-ARRL-DX-CW-2023.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"377\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rsgb.org\/main\/files\/2024\/02\/K3LR-shack-during-ARRL-DX-CW-2023.jpg 850w, https:\/\/rsgb.org\/main\/files\/2024\/02\/K3LR-shack-during-ARRL-DX-CW-2023-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rsgb.org\/main\/files\/2024\/02\/K3LR-shack-during-ARRL-DX-CW-2023-150x94.jpg 150w, https:\/\/rsgb.org\/main\/files\/2024\/02\/K3LR-shack-during-ARRL-DX-CW-2023-768x482.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-size: 10px\">(K3LR Contest Station during ARRL DX CW 2023, copyright Tim Duffy K3LR, used with their kind permission)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>We hope to also include one or more of the following headings&#8230;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Contesting tip of the month<\/li>\n<li>Featured UK Contester (if we can find any people willing to be featured \u2013 photo and paragraph)<\/li>\n<li>Contest of the month \u2013 why is this a good contest to enter?<\/li>\n<li>Links to relevant web pages<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>After the articles have been published, we will add the content here so that this can form a useful reference to Contesting. Just click on the title in bold and you will be able to read the RadCom article in full&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><strong>1. <a href=\"https:\/\/rsgb.services\/\/public\/radcom\/p54_55_contesting_radcom_Apr24.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Why Contesting <\/a><\/strong>(Nick, G4FAL)<br \/>\nHow does it work?<br \/>\nWhy take part?<br \/>\nWhat are the aspirations of contesters?<br \/>\nWhy do contesters send 59 reports all the time?<br \/>\nWhy are there contests every weekend?<br \/>\nWhy do contesters invest so much time and money in their stations?<br \/>\nPlan for the column over the next couple of years.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2. <a href=\"https:\/\/rsgb.services\/\/public\/radcom\/p60_61_contesting_radcom_May24.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Contesting History<\/a><\/strong> (Nick, G4FAL)<br \/>\nHow did it all start?<br \/>\nEarly Competitive Amateur Radio &#8211; Records and Achievements<br \/>\nFirst Contests<br \/>\nThe Growth of Contesting<br \/>\nYesterday\u2019s techniques<br \/>\nTechnological changes continue to enhance contesting tools<\/p>\n<p><strong>3. <a href=\"https:\/\/rsgb.services\/\/public\/radcom\/p54_55_contesting_radcom_June24.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Choose your Contest <\/a><\/strong>(Nick, G4FAL)<br \/>\nWhere do you start?<br \/>\nWhere should you contest &#8211; HF, VHF or UHF?<br \/>\nSelect your mode?<br \/>\nThe Big Contests<br \/>\nRSGB Contests<br \/>\nClub Contesting<br \/>\nReasonable expectations for beginners<\/p>\n<p><strong>4. <a href=\"https:\/\/rsgb.services\/\/public\/radcom\/p60_61_contesting_radcom_July24.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Get ready for HF Contesting <\/a><\/strong>(Nick, G4FAL)<br \/>\nMinimum equipment to take part<br \/>\nComputer logging \u2013 why is this essential?<br \/>\nErgonomics and operability<br \/>\nRead the rules \u2013 how do I optimise my score within the rules?<br \/>\nRead the band-plans \u2013 how do I respect other band users?<br \/>\nDoes your HF station work \u2013 how to test it?<br \/>\nContest Exchanges and efficient operating at HF<br \/>\nSubmitting your log<\/p>\n<p><strong>5. <a href=\"https:\/\/rsgb.services\/\/public\/radcom\/p54_55_contesting_radcom_Aug24.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Get ready for VHF Contesting<\/a><\/strong> (Andy, G4PIQ)<br \/>\nMinimum equipment to take part<br \/>\nComputer logging<br \/>\nErgonomics and operability<br \/>\nRead the rules \u2013 how do I optimise my score within the rules<br \/>\nDoes your VHF station work \u2013 how to test it?<br \/>\nContest Exchanges and efficient operating at VHF<\/p>\n<p><strong>6. <a href=\"https:\/\/rsgb.services\/\/public\/radcom\/p70_71_contesting_radcom_Sep24.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Effective and Enjoyable SSB Contesting <\/a><\/strong>(Chris, GM3WOJ)<br \/>\nMotivation<br \/>\nLearning<br \/>\nLogging Software<br \/>\nHardware<br \/>\nOperating Technique<\/p>\n<p><strong>7. <a href=\"https:\/\/rsgb.services\/\/public\/radcom\/p54_55_contesting_radcom_Oct24.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Aspects of CW Contesting <\/a><\/strong>(Chris, GM3WOJ)<br \/>\nHow to setup your Receiver<br \/>\nCW Contesting in detail<br \/>\nHardware<br \/>\nComputer considerations<\/p>\n<p><strong>8. <a href=\"https:\/\/rsgb.services\/\/public\/radcom\/p60_61_contesting_radcom_Nov24.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">MGM modes at HF or VHF <\/a><\/strong>(Nick, G4FAL &amp; Andy, G4PIQ)<br \/>\nRunning FT modes for contesting<br \/>\nOperating Technique for MGM modes<br \/>\nFT mode automation \u2013 fair or foul?<\/p>\n<p><strong>9. <a href=\"https:\/\/rsgb.services\/\/public\/radcom\/p54_55_contesting_radcom_Dec24.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">RTTY and PSK <\/a><\/strong>(Rich, M5RIC)<br \/>\nWhat is needed to participate?<br \/>\nOperating techniques for RTTY and PSK<br \/>\nTwo radio operating<\/p>\n<p><strong>10. <a href=\"https:\/\/rsgb.services\/\/public\/radcom\/p54_55_contesting_radcom_Jan25.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Contest Propagation at HF<\/a><\/strong> (Nick, G4FAL)<br \/>\nLow Bands 160m-40m<br \/>\nHigh Bands 20m-10m<\/p>\n<p><strong>11. <a href=\"https:\/\/rsgb.services\/\/public\/radcom\/p54_55_contesting_radcom_Feb25.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Contest Propagation at VHF, UHF and Microwaves <\/a><\/strong>(Andy, G4PIQ)<br \/>\nVHF<br \/>\nUHF<br \/>\nMicrowaves<\/p>\n<p><strong>12. <a href=\"https:\/\/rsgb.services\/public\/radcom\/p54_55_contesting_radcom_Mar25.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Operating Styles <\/a><\/strong>(John, G4IRN)<br \/>\nSearch and Pounce<br \/>\nRunning<br \/>\nWhat is SO2V and how is it achieved?<br \/>\nWhat is SO2R and how is it achieved?<br \/>\nWhat is 2BSIQ and how is it achieved?<\/p>\n<p><strong>13. <a href=\"https:\/\/rsgb.services\/\/public\/radcom\/p36_37_contesting_radcom_April25.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Entry Sections and How to Enter <\/a><\/strong>(John, G4IRN)<br \/>\nUnassisted\/Assisted<br \/>\nSingle Band\/Multiband<br \/>\nHigh Power\/Low Power\/QRP<br \/>\nSingle Op\/Multi Op \u2013 Multi 1, Multi 2 or Multi-Multi<br \/>\nContest results and history \u2013 plot your progress over time<\/p>\n<p><strong>14. <a href=\"https:\/\/rsgb.services\/\/public\/radcom\/p54_55_contesting_radcom_May25.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Station Locations <\/a><\/strong>(John, G4IRN)<br \/>\nHome Contesting<br \/>\nPortable\/Mobile Contesting<br \/>\nDXpedition Contesting<\/p>\n<p><strong>15. <a href=\"https:\/\/rsgb.services\/\/public\/radcom\/p60_61_contesting_radcom_June25.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Accurate Logging <\/a><\/strong>(John, G4IRN)<br \/>\nSuper Check Partial<br \/>\nN+1<br \/>\nDupes<br \/>\nObvious Errors<br \/>\nChecking for easy mistakes<br \/>\nWhat can go wrong with an entry during adjudication and how to avoid it<\/p>\n<p><strong>16. <a href=\"https:\/\/rsgb.services\/\/public\/radcom\/p54_55_contesting_radcom_July25.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Progression at HF \u2013 Antennas <\/a><\/strong>(Nick, G4FAL)<br \/>\nResonant or tuned<br \/>\nThe UK planning system<br \/>\nDipoles<br \/>\nVerticals and vertical arrays<br \/>\nMasts and Towers, winches, rotators<br \/>\nYagis<br \/>\nFeeder efficiency<br \/>\nHow to optimise your station in an urban environment<\/p>\n<p><strong>17. <a href=\"https:\/\/rsgb.services\/\/public\/radcom\/p60_61_contesting_radcom_Aug25.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Progression at HF \u2013 more equipment <\/a><\/strong>(Nick, G4FAL)<br \/>\nRadios<br \/>\nAmplifiers<br \/>\nComputer equipment dedicated to the radio station<br \/>\nAuto band detection<br \/>\nBand pass filters<br \/>\nAntenna switching<\/p>\n<p><strong>18. <a href=\"https:\/\/rsgb.services\/\/public\/radcom\/p54_55_contesting_radcom_Sep25_.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Progression at HF \u2013 Software <\/a><\/strong>(John, G4IRN)<br \/>\nDXLog<br \/>\nN1MM+<br \/>\nWintest<br \/>\nSD<br \/>\nOthers<br \/>\nComputer interfaces \u2013 do they help or hinder?<\/p>\n<p><strong>19. <a href=\"https:\/\/rsgb.services\/\/public\/radcom\/p60_61_contesting_radcom_Oct25.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Progression at VHF, UHF and Microwaves \u2013 Antennas<\/a><\/strong> (Andy, G4PIQ)<br \/>\nYagis<br \/>\nRotators<br \/>\nFeeder efficiency<br \/>\nOperate from home or portable?<\/p>\n<p><strong>20. <a href=\"https:\/\/rsgb.services\/\/public\/radcom\/p60_61_contesting_radcom_Nov25.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Progression at VHF, UHF and Microwaves \u2013 Equipment<\/a><\/strong> (Andy, G4PIQ)<br \/>\nRadios<br \/>\nAmplifiers<br \/>\nPreamps<br \/>\nComputer equipment dedicated to the radio station<br \/>\nMore on using KST during VHF contests<\/p>\n<p><strong>21. <a href=\"https:\/\/rsgb.services\/\/public\/radcom\/p60_61_contesting_radcom_Dec25.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Progression at HF or VHF \u2013 Logistics and skills <\/a><\/strong>(John, G4IRN)<br \/>\nTouch-typing<br \/>\nFoot switch operation<br \/>\nVoice keyers<br \/>\nOptimising macros<br \/>\nSO2R in practice<br \/>\n2BSIQ in practice<br \/>\nPracticing contest skills with simulation<\/p>\n<p><strong>22. <a href=\"https:\/\/rsgb.services\/\/public\/radcom\/p60_61_contesting_radcom_Jan26.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Contesting Strategy at HF <\/a><\/strong>(John, G4IRN)<br \/>\nWhere, what and how?<\/p>\n<p><strong>23. <a href=\"https:\/\/rsgb.services\/\/public\/radcom\/p54_55_contesting_radcom_Feb26.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Team Contesting<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 how does M6T work? (Andy, G4PIQ)<\/p>\n<p><strong>24. <a href=\"https:\/\/rsgb.services\/\/public\/radcom\/p60_61_contesting_radcom_Mar26.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Team Contesting<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 how does a super-station work? (Tim, K3LR)<\/p>\n<p><strong>25. <a href=\"https:\/\/rsgb.services\/\/public\/radcom\/p40_41_contesting_radcom_Apr26.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Travelling to Operate<\/a><\/strong> <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/rsgb.services\/\/public\/radcom\/p40_41_contesting_radcom_Apr26.pdf\">as an Individua<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/rsgb.services\/\/public\/radcom\/p40_41_contesting_radcom_Apr26.pdf\">l<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 CQWW CW from Grenada (case studies) (Jamie, M0SDV)<\/p>\n<p><strong>26. <a href=\"https:\/\/rsgb.services\/\/public\/radcom\/ p60_61_contesting_radcom_May26.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Travelling to Operate<\/a><\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/rsgb.services\/public\/radcom\/p60_61_contesting_radcom_May26.pdf\"><strong>as a Team<\/strong><\/a> (John, G4IRN)<\/p>\n<p><strong>27. <a href=\"https:\/\/rsgb.services\/\/public\/radcom\/p40_41_contesting_radcom_June26.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Remote Operating<\/a><\/strong> (John, G4IRN)<br \/>\nWhy do it?<br \/>\nHow could you do it?<\/p>\n<p><strong>28. <a href=\"https:\/\/rsgb.services\/\/public\/radcom\/p60_61_contesting_radcom_July26.pdf\">Distributed Multi\/Multi Operating <\/a><\/strong>(Tim, G4FJK)<br \/>\nRSGB HQ station &#8211; GR2HQ (case study)<\/p>\n<p><strong>29. RSGB HF Contests<\/strong> (Nick, G4FAL)<br \/>\nWhat contests do we run and why you should be a participant.<\/p>\n<p><strong>30. Club Contesting <\/strong>(Garo, G0PZA)<br \/>\nWhitton Club experience.<\/p>\n<p><strong>31. RSGB VHF and above Contests <\/strong>(Andy, G4PIQ)<br \/>\nWhat contests do we run and why you should be a participant.<\/p>\n<p><strong>32. World Radio Team Championship <\/strong>(John, G4IRN)<br \/>\nCompeting at WRTC.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cContesting\u201d in RadCom &#8211; from April 2024 In RadCom we have planned a schedule of topics, such as might form the chapters of a book on contesting. Some will be written by members of the three contesting committees, some by others who can share their experiences. The following is a list of the topics that [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20386,"featured_media":0,"parent":18,"menu_order":5,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-33915","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rsgb.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/33915","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rsgb.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rsgb.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rsgb.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20386"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rsgb.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33915"}],"version-history":[{"count":49,"href":"https:\/\/rsgb.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/33915\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":48979,"href":"https:\/\/rsgb.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/33915\/revisions\/48979"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rsgb.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/18"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rsgb.org\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33915"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}