The Newport County Radio Club has created a innovative “Get On The Air Challenge” operating event beginning January 1, 2021.
From the NCRC website:
“Your club is offering a challenge to all members to get on the air on the high frequency bands. The Challenge will start Jan 1, 2021 and is open to all members. Its primary goal is to encourage newer members and members who have not been on the air regularly to get on the air on the HF bands in SSB/phone mode. A General or Extra license is required.
A certificate will be awarded to anyone making 25 contacts during the challenge. We will also post the QSO counts on the club website. We ask for an email message from participants at the end of each month with a count of the number of HF SSB QSO’s made during that month. One does not need to submit a log.
Help is available for anyone needing assistance with an antenna, an HF radio, with understanding how to make HF contacts, logging software or any other radio issue. The Challenge is intended to be a learning exercise and club veterans are very willing to help participants.
GOTA-C communications will be via email to gota@w1sye.org. Please send a message indicating your interest in the Challenge. We do not want to bug members who are not interested with unnecessary email messages.
Summary:
1. Send us a message that you are all in for the challenge.
2. Send us a message if you have a question or if would like assistance getting ready.
3. Starting Jan 1, 2021, record your SSB/Phone QSO’s on any HF band. Digital modes, FT4 or 8, and CW do not count. Maximum power is 100 watts.
4. At the end of January, February, and March send an email message with the count of your QSO’s.
At the end of March we will evaluate the challenge, continue it, or modify it depending feedback and experience.
In the coming weeks we will be posting tips on how to easily find a QSO opportunity on the HF bands. For example, how to use the following: Parks-on-the-Air spots, DX Summit web site, Winter Field Day, SSB contests, and more.