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Our Contesting Team
Our Contesting Team
Contesting is one of the most exciting aspects of amateur radio—part sport, part technical challenge, and part global conversation. Operators compete to make as many contacts as possible in a set time by accurately exchanging and logging key information, testing their skill, equipment, and knowledge of propagation under real-world conditions. 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 radio competition.
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 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 and the RAC Winter Contest between Christmas and New Year’s Day. However, the CQ WW DX Contest, the CQ WPX DX Contest, ARRL DX Contest and Commonwealth Contest (and many othes) 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 HP bandpass filters allow the simultaneous use of both radios on the same antenna.
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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