Make a New Year’s resolution to hone your CW and RTTY skills, get ready to score some Topband contacts, dust off your antique gear, mentally prepare to operate in frigid conditions, and start making more QSOs in 2022! We’ve included a few of January’s notable ham radio events to help you start the year on the right foot, or footswitch, if you prefer hands-free keying:
ARRL RTTY Roundup, January 8, 1800Z to January 9, 2400Z. Amateurs worldwide contact and exchange QSO information with other amateurs using digital modes (Baudot RTTY, PSK, FT8/FT4, ASCII, AMTOR, and Packet—attended operation only) on 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meter bands. Any station may work any other station. Stations may be worked once per band, regardless of mode. Automated operation is not permitted; each claimed contact must include contemporaneous direct initiation by the operator on both sides of the contact.
North American QSO Party, CW, January 15, 1800Z to January 16, 0559Z. From the National Contest Journal: “The North American QSO Parties are favorites of beginners and seasoned operators alike. The NAQPs are low-power only (no amplifiers allowed) which makes for a lot more breathing room on the bands. Small stations can generate very effective ‘runs’ in the NAQP contests. Multipliers count once per band, which makes for an exciting format, as multipliers can be ‘moved’ from band to band. The NAQPs allow stations from all parts of North America to be in the running for the top spots.”
CW not your thing? The SSB portion of the contest runs January 22-23, 1800Z to 0559Z. The North American Collegiate Championship, SSB, is scheduled to run simultaneously with the North American QSO Party. Read more about this annual event here.
ARRL January VHF Contest, January 15, 1900Z to January 17, 0359Z. For amateurs in the U.S. and Canada (and their possessions) to work as many amateur stations in as many different 2 degrees x 1 degree Maidenhead grid squares as possible using authorized frequencies above 50 MHz.
Antique Wireless Association (AWA) Linc Cundall Memorial CW Contest, January 26-27 and 29-30, 2300Z to 2300Z. This event honors the memory of Linc Cundall, W2QY/W2LC (SK), one of three founders of the AWA back in 1952. From the AWA website: “This contest is designed to favor those using low power equipment constructed before 1950. As with other on-air events, you do not need to be an AWA member to participate.” Participants are encouraged to send in photos of the gear used during the event, as the website reads: “This is a great opportunity to get that World War II surplus gear on the air!” For more details on the AWA, check out the AWA website.
CQ 160 Meter Contest, CW, January 28, 2200Z to January 30, 2200Z. For amateurs around the world to contact other amateurs in as many U.S. states, Canadian provinces, and countries as possible utilizing the 160 meter band. You’ll find plenty of help for your 160 meter pursuits at DX Engineering, including 160 meter preamps, vertical antennas, add-on kits, matching networks, DXing on the Edge, the Thrill of 160 Meters by Jeff Briggs, K1ZM, and more.
Winter Field Day, January 29, 1900Z to January 30, 1900Z. Sponsored by the Winter Field Day Association (WFDA), this weekend event is a great opportunity for amateur operators to come together, spend time in the great outdoors, and put their emergency communication skills to the test. Get all the details at the WFDA website. Want to keep yourself warm while braving less-than-balmy conditions? Check out these DX Engineering Logo Knit Caps, Hoodies, Fleece Jackets, and Sweatshirts.
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