Ham Radio Contests are SO Good!

There is a very good reason why I enter some contests, it's all about self-training, working under pressure and understanding my equipment (and me) better. What do you think? Callum.

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[gvqedave]

No, I hate contests, they're monotonous box ticking exercises but each to their own I guess? My idea of fun is to go on 17 when there's a big contest on and run a special activation listening up to 25 kHz up... or down.

[loughkb]

I've never been very interested in them myself, but each to his own. I do have a strong dislike for contest guys who feel like the contest gives them the right to operate wherever they feel like it. I've had a nice PSK31 rag chew blown by CW ops during a contest on more than one occasion. I've had a contester blast right into a SSB QSO I was in and when we asked him to move he told us it's a contest and we need to go to another band.
So there's that.
I caved. If there's a contest, I'll just hope that 30, 17, or 12 meters is open and if not, I'll find something else to do.

[MarkHirstSWL]

I can see how contesting improves your operational chops, but as an activity in itself, have never understood the attraction of it.

It's one of the reasons why I lost interest in transmitting early on in my amateur radio career.

[stevegriffin]

Good morning Callum I really enjoy working contest, now I don’t do every one of them, But they’re fun. To do a rag chew with somebody is hard because of the propagation because they can be 59 then next time I barely hear them. I really like working pota because those fellas are out in the hot or cold weather trying to activate a park. And the propagation here in Texas is not very good. But we will keep plugging along. Thank you for the video and I hope you have a great day
WD5ENH
Steve

[TRIPPLEJAY]

Never tried, I think I prefer regular local net's

[mmnrx]

Firstly I was dismayed at the contest every weekend, the only time I had to operate and more people would be on as no work. I then realised if you cant beat em join em. So I also found that working DX stations on 10w was much easier than trying for the usual pile up as the DX has sucked the band dry, during contests the DX is all over the band/bands

[daveblackford]

I never really liked contest weekends. It feels to me like it's too easy. I like normal conditions when some hams may have the rig on, but aren't trying for every contact they can get.

[markramsay]

Great video Cal. A contest is not my most favourite thing, but if nothing else gets things on the log. I do sometimes struggle to work out what contest it is, and what the exchange protocol is ! Mark, 2E0MSR.

[flipster]

The interesting thing: bands are mostly dead...untill there is a contest 🤣 90% of my contacts with new stations are made during contests.

[MNXF]

Contests not my thing but if i do take part they get a real signal report if there 4/3 they get a 4/3 report

[ivandubinsky]

In my experience, contesting brings out the worst in ham operators. Contesters think they can just jump on to any frequency they want and start transmitting without ever asking if the frequency is in use. And, if they are told the frequency is in use, more often than not they just continue calling "CQ Contest" anyway. So, there goes the usual explanation that contesting makes you a better operator. It's the opposite as far as I'm concerned. The other thing I've wondered about is, what is the point of contesting anyway? Is it just so you can see your callsign on a list in some ham radio publication? Just my two cents worth...Ivan VE7IVN

[DominicMazoch]

I have 3 answers to your question:

1. No.
2. Hades, No
3. Anathema, No

Turns Ladies and Gentlemen into monsters. The antithesis of what a ham should be

[waytospergtherebro]

Most people would have to work 18 hours a day to buy all that stupid equipment that serves absolutely no purpose.

[richardshort]

Have been thinking of getting into ham radio recently. But from what I’m finding out is it’s just a collecting hobby. Just like train spotting and the old days of CB. I remember as a kid getting a AM CB radio. Then they became illegal and so went over to FM with the reduced distance capability. Every time you called out “Breaker 19 for a copy it was the same old thing. What’s my power look like on the other end and what was their twenty. Zero content or conversation, just onto the next to see how far I could get out, to the point it became boring. Ham radio seems no different, just more costly for equipment. If you wish to contact people, just to see how far you can reach and what clarity and strength of signal your gear puts out what is the purpose of it all. Just go to the mall and speak to people face to face. It serves no purpose to collect these QSL cards. May as well collect stamps.

[dronephotographyireland]

Personally i despise contests i dont see the point and it turns some folk into parasites..

[rolfdressler]

I hate tests. Is it a weekend and I sit down to work some radio. Turn on the radio and what do you hear?
CQ contest cq contest! It's like I wants to throw up. 73 de SM/IZJ

[shARyn]

No--- they are competitive instead of cooperative

[timgtm]

Key to contests is inclusivity. If everyone is on a level playing field like CQWW then all good. The contests which I don’t like are the ones where ops are only interested in working certain countries for the big points, like the SP or OK contests. Otherwise, contests bring the higher bands to life, allow you to work new countries and really test out your antenna system. It’s only where some contests favour a particular country to chase that it then effectively shuts the gate on many joining in.

[johnyoung]

I was pretty much turned off contests right at the beginning of my amateur radio days in a local contest where I was effectively being hunted by contesters even though I had stated I was not a contest station, I got the “c’mon give us some numbers” routine. Needless to say I was not impressed by the “your on air so you’re fair game” attitude. This view was reinforced when a number of years ago I participated in the international lighthouse weekend which because of vagaries of the amateur radio calendar in Australia was on the same weekend as the remembrance day contest. RD contesters were “tail ending” ILW contacts and then “claiming” the frequency as their own. All this wasn’t helped by myself finding contests incredibly boring when I started listening to amateur activity prior to being licensed. Yes I believe there is room for all and I am friendly with some of the people who chased me for points, and I do believe in to each their own but sometimes the competitive spirit spills over in inappropriate ways. Rant over and cheers everyone. John VK3YO.

[mikeb]

Contesters are wankers. Look at all the youtubers who are now too cool for “please copy” on field day. These are the influencers.