I’m delighted to see that the National Contest Journal is now published online for all ARRL Members. It’s available at this link http://www.arrl.org/arrl-magazines or on ARRL’s Magazine App.
I’ve been a subscriber for quite some time. The journal provides superb insight into all aspects of contesting from the big guns to the little pistols. I’ve always valued its insight and often implemented the ideas I’ve read there in my own station and operating practices.
Yet, about a year ago I was thinking of dropping my subscription. Since my contesting activity is now centered on VHF contests I wasn’t sure it fit anymore, see my blog for Icom America on my Radio Contesting Journey for more background. My decision was made for me when I realized I still read the journal from cover to cover for great stories and reports, many of which I could still implement in my station.
Having made that decision, I was delighted to read in the very next issue, May/June 2019, Greg Jurrens, K5GJ, article on “The VHF Contest Rover Experience.” Then Scott Wright, K0MD, the NCJ editor reached out via Twitter to ask me about writing on VHF topics. Really?
That led to one of my favorite writing assignments with lots of insight into VHF roving. It’s called “K5ND’s VHF Limited Rover Experience” and you can now find it online in the January/February 2020 issue of the National Contest Journal.
But it didn’t stop there. In the just published May/June 2020 issue you can find more VHF articles. Jon Platt, W0ZQ, offers “The VHF+ Summertime Contesting Season” and I’ve contributed “Magic Band, Magic Contesting.” Plus, there’s the now regular column from Jon Jones, N0JK, titled “VHF-UHF Contesting!” Jon also does “The World Above 50 MHz” column for QST magazine.
I encourage you to check out the National Contest Journal for great insight into contesting from 160 meters to the 6 meter magic band and on into the microwaves. There’s something for everyone interested in amateur radio contesting.
