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Our Contesting Team
Our Contesting Team
SARC contest teams are frequent high scorers in local, national and international radio contests. We have many certificates and awards that confirm our reputation as an organization that is ready for any emergency.
Contesting is one of the most exciting aspects of amateur radio—part sport, part technical challenge, and part global conversation. More importantly, contesting supports emergency preparedness by allowing regular testing of equipment and correction of technical issues, giving operators experience in accurately recording information under chaotic or difficult conditions, and developing a strong understanding of radio signal propagation as it varies with season, time of day, solar activity, frequency, and mode. As it is often said, the time to test equipment and sharpen skills is before an emergency, not during it.
During a contest, operators compete to make as many contacts as possible in a set time by accurately exchanging and logging key information. Contests sharpen on-air technique, improve station efficiency, and build confidence, all while connecting with hams around the world.
At SARC, contesting is a group effort and a teaching opportunity, led by John Brodie VA7XB. Newcomers can learn by observing or participating alongside experienced operators, using our high-performance radios, antennas, and logging tools at the Operations and Training Centre. With regular contests scheduled throughout the year, SARC is an ideal environment to get started, improve your skills, and experience the thrill of worldwide (DX) radio contacts.
Our roster of regular contest operators is comprised of about 15 SARC members of all skill levels from beginner to pro, who endeavour to participate in at least one contest a month. Most common modes are SSB, CW and RTTY on the HF bands, but other digital modes are occasionally used in contesting.
The most popular and well-supported contests at SARC are the BC QSO Party in February, the RAC Summer Contest on July 1, the RAC Winter Contest between Christmas and New Year’s Day, and Field Day at the end of June. However, the CQ WW DX Contest, the CQ WPX DX Contest, the ARRL DX Contest, the Commonwealth Contest (and many others) are popular events because worldwide contacts are the normal fare.
Depending on the level of participation, we will use either one radio or two radios, operating at high or low power. Our high power bandpass filters/triplexer/diplexers constructed by Les Tocko VA7OM and John Brodie VA7XB allow the simultaneous use of both radios on the same antenna and ensure clean signals, free of harmonics.
We refer to the Contest Calendar at https://contestcalendar.com/contestcal.php to schedule our contest events. N1MM is the logger of choice at SARC.
A few of the more skilled members also participate in microwave contests which challenge the limitations of very low power transmitters and a smaller pool of enthusiasts on 10 and 24 GHz.
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