DX Engineering will be well-represented at three not-to-be-missed southern Ohio ham radio events in May: Four Days in May (FDIM, May 15-18); Contest University, (May 15); and Dayton Hamvention® (May 16-18). Be sure to visit the entire DX Engineering team in Building One at the Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo Center in Xenia to get a close look at loads of amateur radio gear ready for purchase, including these diverse devices designed to boost your contesting prowess:
- RigSelect Pro Transceiver Switch and SO2R Controller: This device offers an extensive array of capabilities that make it possible to implement an award-winning SO2R station where any two of up to four connected radios can be selected as the SO2R pair—and in any order.
- Antennas-Amplifiers 4,000W PEP High-Power Band Pass Filters (160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10M)
- EA4TX (ETX-AS2X2) Antenna Switch, Two Input Ports into Two Output Ports (Look for a review of the AS2X2 later this month on OnAllBands)
Get on the Air in May 2025
While you’re busy getting ready to show off your latest QRP creation at FDIM, increase your contesting prowess at Contest University, or capture that rare find from the Dayton Hamvention flea market, here are a few May contests to keep you occupied:
Straight Key Century Club Weekend Sprintathon: May 10, 1200Z to May 11, 2400Z. This monthly event “aims to bring together operators with different skill levels in a regularly scheduled, informal operating event lasting 36 hours,” per the SKCC website. The SKCC was established in 2006 and is going strong with more than 28,000 members. From the group’s website:
“The Straight Key Century Club is the most active group of mechanical-key Morse code radiotelegraph operators in the world…Here’s how it works: Apply for free membership (open to licensed amateur radio operators only.) Make HF radio contacts using any of the three original types of manual telegraph keys: Straight, Bug, and Cootie. Gain on-air experience in sending and receiving by swapping numbers with other members; enter Club-sponsored sprints, contests, and special events; rag chew; earn activity and achievement awards; access our online resources, newsletter, forum, and chat.”
Find the SKCC membership request form here. And check out its website for useful resources, including the “SKCC Beginner’s Corner.”
Canadian Prairies QSO Party: May 10, 1700Z to May 11, 0300Z. This marks the fourth running of the CPQP, an SSB/CW event on 40/20/15/10M. From the CPQP website: “This is your opportunity to get to know your western Canadian neighbors in the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.”
“The Canadian prairie provinces consist of Manitoba (VA4/VE4), Saskatchewan (VA5/VE5) and Alberta (VA6/VE6),” the website explains. “Unlike most American states, these three Canadian provinces are not subdivided into counties. Instead, we have federal electoral districts. Manitoba and Saskatchewan have 14 districts each, while Alberta has 34, making for a total of 62 districts. For those who are ‘out of province’ (think ‘out of state’), your goal will be to work as many of the 62 districts as possible. For those ‘in-province’, the goal is to work everybody (13 provinces/territories plus 50 states). Note that stations within the Canadian prairie provinces can count one multiplier from every province, including their own.”
59th Alessandro Volta Worldwide RTTY Contest: May 10, 1200Z to May 11, 1200Z. Hosted by the SSB and RTTY Club COMO and the Associazione Radioamatori Italiani, this annual event is designed to “increase interest in RTTY mode and to honor the Italian discoverer of electricity, Alessandro Volta.” Learn the story behind Volta’s amazing work in this article. And check out these OnAllBands posts from Ed Muns, W0YK, on RTTY:
His Majesty King of Spain Contest, CW: May 17, 1200Z to May 18, 1200Z. Sponsored by the Unión de Radioaficionados Españoles (URE), this contest is available to amateurs worldwide. Choose from 14 single- and multi-operator categories. Amateur operator and King of Spain emeritus, Juan Carlos de Borbon, EA0JC, was leader of the country from 1974-2014.
Arkansas QSO Party: May 17, 1400Z to May 18, 0200Z.
NZART Sangster Shield Contest: May 17, 0800Z to 1100Z and May 18, 0800Z to 1100Z. Hosted by the New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters, this low-power CW challenge is NZART’s longest-running contest. Founded in 1926, NZART is an organization dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding of amateur radio and to making the hobby accessible to everyone.
Check into OnAllBands this month for articles highlighting Hamvention 2025, FDIM, and Ohio’s contributions to amateur radio.
