There are several great things about contesting and ham radio. One of the primary ones in my mind is the ability to test out something new “under the gun.”

Usually, contests will offer a lot of activity across many different bands, giving the ham radio operator the opportunity to try out different things.

This is especially true with testing antennas. Testing antennas is a great activity for a contest:

Activity. Lots of stations on the air gives the operator a way to gauge how well the antenna works in a one-on-one situation. Get through on the first call? The other operator gets the report the first time with no repeats? Sweet!

Pileups. Using pileups to test antennas is a great way to utilize a contest. All the operator has to do is go for the latest DX Spot and head over to the pileup with a hundred other people calling and give the antenna a whirl.

Search and Pounce. Working up and down the band is a great way to determine how well your antenna is hearing stations. Do you hear your buddy down the street calling someone you can’t hear? Or are you hearing stations that others can’t in your area?

Calling CQ. How well can you hold a CQ frequency? What kinds of stations are answering you? Those with kilowatts and big antennas? Or, are you hearing 100-mw QRP stations on a dipole in the attic 6,000 KM away?

Working out the new antenna during a contest is a great test of the new antenna — and a perfect reason to contest.

Scot, K9JY

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