What's a contest?
For a set time — often a weekend, sometimes just a few hours — stations around the world try to make as many contacts as they can, exchanging a short piece of information each time (a signal report and a zone, a name and a province…). Points for each contact are multiplied by the number of different places worked: countries, zones, provinces or prefixes, depending on the contest.
Contacts are quick: callsigns, the exchange, "thanks", next. It's the best way there is to improve your operating, and a great way to work stations you'd never otherwise hear.
How a shift works
- Pick a time. Every upcoming contest on the schedule lists its open slots. Ask for one — an hour or two is plenty for a first shift — and tick "I'd like a mentor".
- Get a reminder. You'll get an email confirming your shift, and a reminder a few days before.
- Arrive a little early so the operator before you can show you where things are and hand over.
- Your mentor sits in. They'll get you started, help with tricky calls and take a turn if you'd like a break.
- Hand over to the next operator at the end of your shift, and tell them what the band's been doing.
Two ways to operate
Search and pounce (S&P) — tune across the band, listen for stations calling CQ, and call them. This is the easiest way to start: you set the pace.
Running — find a clear frequency and call CQ yourself; stations come to you. Faster, and great fun once you're comfortable. Your mentor can help you try it.
The logging software (N1MM Logger+)
The club logs with N1MM Logger+. Type the other station's callsign, and the function keys send or say the standard messages for you (these are N1MM's defaults; your mentor will show you the club's setup):
The software checks for duplicates ("dupes") and fills in what it can, such as the other station's zone. Don't worry about mistakes — a wrong contact can be fixed afterwards.
On the air (phone)
Say callsigns with the standard phonetic alphabet. The club call is Victor Echo Seven Sierra Alpha Romeo.
A typical search-and-pounce contact:
- Give our call once, clearly. If they don't come back, try again or move on — there's always another station.
- If you only caught part of a call, say what you have: "the station with Kilo Three, again please?"
- Keep it short and friendly. Contesters appreciate speed, not chat.
Each contest's exchange is different — see the contest guides.
Not licensed yet?
You're welcome too. Come along to a shift, sit beside an operator, log contacts for them and get a feel for it. Ask the organizers what you can do on the air while you're studying.
After the contest
Your contacts go into the club's results, and you'll earn your first badge — First Contest — with your own page on the club leaderboard.