Olive Branch ARC

COMMUNITY RADIO

On-Air Contests & Special Events

Sharpen your skills with curated contest calendars and local scoreboards.

Meetings • 3rd Tuesday • 7:00 PM
Location • Fairhaven Volunteer Fire Station - Center Hill Rd.
Join the Club Upcoming Events

We welcome every operator, from brand-new Technicians to seasoned Extras.

Compete
1998
Founded
50+
Active Members
2
Club Repeaters
  • Weekly nets & Elmer mentorship
  • ARRL Affiliated & 501(c)(3)
  • Hands-on projects and field deployments
W5OBM

Amateur Radio Contests

Competition, Learning, and Fun in Amateur Radio

Upcoming Contests

Mark your calendar for these exciting amateur radio contests

SSB
ARRL DX Contest (SSB)

March 2-3, 2025

Work DX stations on 160-10 meters

SSB
CQ WPX Contest (SSB)

March 29-30, 2025

Work as many prefixes as possible

Mixed
ARRL Field Day

June 28-29, 2025

Emergency preparedness exercise

Contest Management System

Contest Success Tips

Proven strategies to improve your contest performance

PREPARATION
Preparation Tips
  • Study the contest rules thoroughly before participating
  • Test all equipment well in advance of the contest
  • Plan your station layout and operation schedule
  • Prepare logging software and practice using it
  • Check antenna system and connections
OPERATING
Operating Tips
  • Use proper contest exchange format
  • Keep a steady rhythm when calling CQ
  • Log contacts immediately to avoid duplicates
  • Take regular breaks to maintain focus
  • Listen before transmitting to avoid interference
STRATEGY
Strategy Tips
  • Focus on multipliers early in the contest
  • Work different bands as propagation changes
  • Plan sleep schedule for multi-day contests
  • Monitor band conditions and adjust accordingly
  • Practice efficient keyboard shortcuts
POST-CONTEST
Post-Contest Tips
  • Submit your log before the deadline
  • Double-check log for accuracy and duplicates
  • Calculate your score properly
  • Review your performance for future improvement
  • Share your experience with other club members

Contest Resources & Links

Essential resources for successful contesting

Contest Calendars
Logging Software
Contest Clubs

Ready to Join the Contest Fun?

W5OBM members regularly participate in contests throughout the year. Whether you're a seasoned contester or just getting started, we welcome you to join our contest activities!

Team Efforts

Multi-operator fun

Learn & Improve

Elmering available

Station Sharing

Access to club station

Competition

Individual & club scores

Join W5OBM Contest Questions Join Our Net
Contest discussions during club meetings every 3rd tuesday • Contest planning on weekly nets • Mentoring for new contesters available