I’ve been operating on various modes and bands since 1973. After a long hiatus for my career and family, I got active again in 2006. At that time, I promised to keep things simple. That lasted until I got interested in chasing DX. Then, I discovered all those DX stations that were active during contests. So, I began building my station and entering contests.

Radio Sport Overview

One thing I like about contesting or radio sport is that everyone starts with zero DXCC, Grids, or whatever. On top of that, there is lots and lots of activity. Often, a contest is the only time there are active stations. That’s particularly true with RTTY or radio-teletype operations. It can be one of the few times stations are on air from particular countries. It also focuses on activities over a weekend. It can also be a great escape from work and family duties.

My contesting journey began with CW contests in 2009 and continued through 2012. At that point, I started working RTTY contests in 2013 and still occasionally get on the air for a contest. I began with VHF contests in 2014. I like these contests because they offer directional antennas in a small footprint. The rover category is exciting, operating as a rover and picking them up from a home station.

RTTY Contesting

I started operating RTTY back in the early 1980s with Teletype Model 15 and 19 machines. They made lots of racket but I sure enjoyed working with the printouts and communicating with the skilled and technically focused operators. When I re-entered RTTY in 2013, it was a very different effort, all driven by computer software. I found I still enjoyed it a great deal.

In my RTTY contesting journey, I set a few records for the W5 region that still stand. Here’s the list:

• 2013 CQ WW RTTY – Low Power 15 meters – 2^nd North America and 6^th World.
• 2014 CQ WW WPX RTTY – QRP 15 meters – 1^st North America and 4^th World.
• 2014 CQ WW RTTY – Low Power 20 meters – 4^th North America and 14^th World.
• 2022 CQ WW RTTY – Low Power 10 meters – 2^nd North America and 28^th World.
• 2024 ARRL RTTY Roundup – Single Op Unlimited QRP – West Gulf Division Record.

VHF Contesting

In my contesting, I’m always finding ways to improve my station and to find the best entry category that matches my interests and capabilities. In HF contesting, that included working single band entries, usually 15 meters, that not only fit my equipment but allowed me to sleep on Saturday night. Plus, it limited the competition — instead of finishing 500th, I could finish 25th or so.

That focus, led me to push the 6 meter button on my radio and try the June VHF contest in 2014. Then I started collecting maidenhead grids and building new antennas, trying new bands, and even a spell as a rover. Here’s my journey to date.

• Single-Op Low Power 2014 to 2022.
• Single-Op 3-Band 2015 to 2016.
• Single-Op High Power 2023 to Now.
• Limited Rover 2017 to 2022.
• Single-Op Portable 2024 start.
• CQ VHF Hilltopper 2024 start.

Giving Back. Paying it Forward.

I continue to enjoy contesting, and as such, it’s well to give back. Toward that end, I’ve written a number of articles on this website to share the fun of contesting and offer insight into the technical aspects. I’ve also written articles for the ARRL National Contest Journal, and now I’m writing the full results articles for the ARRL June VHF Contest, starting with the 2023 article. I recently presented at the Central States VHF Conference on the June 2023 VHF contest.

That’s my story in a nutshell. I hope you find your favorite type of contesting and the entry category that fits. Good luck.