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 became interested in chasing DX. Then I discovered all those DX stations 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 from particular countries are on the air. It also focuses activity 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. In 2013, I started working RTTY contests 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 in the early 1980s with Teletype Model 15 and 19 machines. They made a lot of noise, but I sure enjoyed working with the printouts and communicating with skilled, technically focused operators. When I re-entered RTTY in 2013, it was a very different effort, driven entirely 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 meant working single-band entries, usually on 15 meters, that not only fit my equipment but also 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, building new antennas, trying new bands, and even had 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 2024
• Limited Rover 2017 to 2022.
• CQ VHF Hilltopper 2024.
• Single-Op Portable 2024 start.

You can find out more on my VHF Rover page and on my VHF Hilltopper/Portable page.

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 insights 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, and for the ARRL September VHF Contest, starting in 2024, and, more recently, for the ARRL January VHF Contest in 2026. Read more about writing these articles at Behind the Keyboard — VHF Contest Results Writeup.

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