The RST Contest SIG is a Special Interest Group (SIG) that provides a venue for members of RST and their friends, family, and colleagues to explore the radio sport aspect of Amateur Radio. The RST Contest SIG uses the callsign AK7AZ for all of its contest activities.

For more information about the RST Contest SIG, feel free to contact either of the RST Contest SIG Co-Chairmen listed below.

Bill K6WSC was originally licensed in 1969. He was largely QRT for 37 years until 2008 when he got hooked on the Sport of Amateur Radio, Contesting. Primarily a CW operator, Bill enjoys both DX and domestic contests. He is a member of Radio Society of Tucson, Arizona Outlaws Contest Club, Southern Arizona DX Association, and the Catalina Radio Club. He is the Chairman of the Arizona QSO Party, and past President of the Southern Arizona DX Association.

Bill began with a basic station. He had a transceiver running 100 watts. His antenna was an Alpha Delta DX-CC multi-band dipole strung up in a very compromised location. The center was hung from the chimney of his house. The wire elements were strung out parallel to the rain gutters and only a few inches away from the stucco on his house. Under that stucco was a very large area of "chicken wire". And so, he started out. After "getting his feet wet" he won some contests and did well in others. As time passed, he became a competitive operator. Now he has an Icom IC-7300 transceiver feeding a hex beam for 20 15 & 10 meters plus a Butternut vertical for 40 and 80 meters. But these antennas are not high up on a tower. The base of the hex beam is 24 feet up on a guyed pole. The base of the vertical is up 8 feet on a pole using 4 radials for 40 meters and 2 radials for 80 meters. For a long time, he limited his power to 100 watts. Last year and this year he used a small amplifier raising his power to 500 watts. With this increased power level, he can more easily hold a run frequency and realize a higher rate of contacts. So how does he compete as well as he does? Two reasons come to my mind. First, over time he has gained experience operating in contests - one step at a time. Second, he stays in his chair and goes at it for several hours at a stretch - another skill acquired over time. YOU TOO CAN DO THIS - give it a try. You might find it to be a lot of fun. Bill will probably give you the following advice if you ask him: (1) Any station is a great station to get started in contesting. (2) Start out in the various state and/or area QSO parties. Among his favorites are the California QSO Party, the 7th Call Area QSO Party and his personal pride (because he manages it) the Arizona QSO Party. He also has fun operating during the annual ARRL Field Day. (3) You probably have a computer so get a logging program and start using it. Bill recommends N1MM. Bill is a Co-Leader in the Radio Society of Tucson Contesting Special Interest Group.

Bill is very approachable and easy to talk to. Go find him at a club meeting or contact him for additional information

• Arizona QSO Party
• Arizona Outlaws Contest Club
• ARRL Contest Page
• Perpetual Contest Calendar

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