Contests are a big part of Amateur Radio, although some amateurs dislike them intensely. Contests are generally held across weekends and there will be several each month. Most of the well known contests are run by national societies, such the RSGB or ARRL, but some are run by clubs or special interest groups, like Worked All Britain, or by magazines, including Practical Wireless and CQ Magazine.
You can enter most contests just by switching on the radio and joining in - many amateurs just "give away points" and don't bother to make a formal entry at all. Some contests are designed around club entries or field-day operation, but you can still just give away a few points in most of these.
My VHF Field Day article will give you a hint of the fun that can be had from contesting.
2004 Contest Calendar
Contests in August 2004
- 10-10 International Summer Contest, SSB - 7th / 8th August (Saturday and Sunday)
- National Lighthouse Weekend QSO Contest - 7th / 8th August (Saturday and Sunday)
- WAE DX Contest (CW) - 14th / 15th August (Saturday and Sunday)
- YO DX HF Contest - 28th / 29 August (Saturday and Sunday)
- SARL HF CW Contest - 29th August (Sunday)
Contests in September 2004
Contests in October 2004
Contests in December 2004
File under: Category Amateur Radio.