Help figuring out the up-coming big contests.

[W9KDX]

I follow the contest schedules on a number of sites but they are not really designed to tell me when something is a really big deal.  I listen for all the contests I can, but I nearly missed a worldwide event last fall because I didn't know what it was.  I wound up getting over 35 new countries.

I don't want to miss anything coming up; could someone with a bit more experience give me some idea of the names I should not miss, specifically 10-40 meters SSB.

Thanks

[KS2G]

The three biggest DX Contests for SSB are:

ARRL DX Contest (February)

CQWW WPX Contest (March)

CQWW DX Contest (October)

Also worthwhile now that sunspots have returned:
ARRL 10 Meter Contest (December)

And there are lots of other smaller events that are worthwhile for chasing DX.

See: http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/perpetualcal.php

73,
Mel - KS2G

[NN3W]

ARRL DX SSB is March.

I would consider the major HF contests to be as follows:

ARRL DX
CQ WPX
Russia DX
IARU
CQWW DX
Sweepstakes

RDXC and IARU are 24 hour events utilizing both the modes.  The rest run one weekend on one mode and another weekend on the other mode (e.g., CQWW DX SSB is the last weekend of October and CQWW DX CW is the last weekend on November).

[N3QE]

Others have named the DX contests, but in terms of domestic contests: Winter NAQP is always my favorite. SSB is Jan 21 and CW is Jan 14.

I really like the NAQP not because it's the biggest baddest meanest contest ever, but there's a lot of intense activity over all the bands and power is limited to 100W so everyone is on a more level playing field. If you've never run a frequency before, this is your chance.

In terms of enjoyment the NAQP has a leg up over the ARRL Sweepstakes (November) because you can work each station once per band. As each band opens up both locally and coast-to-coast there's a new burst of activity.

[W9KDX]

Thanks for the input, I'll make a note of these.  I don't need the biggest, just the stuff that is "do not miss" for any reason, US as well as DX.  The recent Canadian contest got me the Northwest Territory north of the Arctic Circle.


My 15 meter antenna should be working in a few weeks; can't wait to see what happens.

[KS2G]

NN3W...
You're right -- it's ARRL DX CW that's in February
SRI...

73,
Mel - KS2G

[AD6KA]

Hopefully you'll get comfortable on the
digital modes as well. RTTY contesting is a blast.
A little late for the Roundup this weekend.....
But the huge ones like CQ Worldwide DX RTTY
are phenomenal.

RTTY is very popular with a lot of DX stations
because of language issues.

Welcome to contesting. It gets in your blood......
73, Ken  AD6KA,  ex 5R8GQ

[K5END]

NAQP CW is coming up. It's a fun event.

[AD6KA]

I put upcoming contests not only on the
"shack calendar" but the "BIG ONES" on the
"all purpose calendar" in the kitchen for both
the XYL and I to see.

That way a few months in advance of a favorite
big contest (CQWW DX RTTY for example) I can start
"suggesting" to my wife that she and her girlfriends
really deserve that "girls only weekend" out of town!  

[VA2FSQ]

Great Idea...on to the calendar it goes!!

[W3HKK]

Dont forget your state's  QSO Party contest.  It's a big deal too.  You can try to work all the counties in your own state, or all the  states in one weekend. 

Another new contest  is the State Parks on the Air, usually in Sept.  Ohio has a big one which is fun.  IN has picked up on it and I hear other states are going that way too because of its success.   Hams  try to set up at all the state parks.  Others try to work all the state parks.  SImple stations  are in demand.  Kind of like Field Day.

[K7MH]

Download the current month PDF of the ARRL's Contest Corral which includes non ARRL contests. I keep it on my desktop. It lists all of that months contests and has the exchange info and the sponsors website.
Very handy to have and it is complete. It saves a lot of chasing down info.
http://www.arrl.org/contest-calendar