No radio amateur should ever utter the words “I am bored” or “there is nothing to do.”
One of the most incredible aspects of amateur radio is its endless variety. Whether you enjoy Morse Code (CW), digital modes like FT8 and FT4, high-speed contesting, low-power QRP operations, satellite tracking, microwave bands, or outdoor activations, there is always something happening on the airwaves every single day of the week.
To demonstrate just how action-packed the airwaves are, take a look at the event schedule below for a small 2-week period at the end of September. With dozens of contests, sprints, state QSO parties, and activity events spanning every band and operating mode, there is always a new challenge waiting on your dial!
🏆 Upcoming Operating Events & Contests (Late September)
📅 September 17
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VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest-NA 📅
Fast-paced digital FT8 contest on VHF and UHF bands focused on grid-square hunting across North America. -
Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest 📅
Fun low-power (QRP) CW contest encouraging operators to get on the air with minimal power. -
NAQCC CW Sprint 📅
Monthly North American QRP CW Club sprint celebrating low-power Morse Code operating skills. -
CWops Test (CWT) 📅
Weekly high-energy 1-hour Morse Code sprint sponsored by CWops to hone telegraphy speed. -
BCC QSO Party 📅
Bavarian Contest Club event bringing international CW and SSB operators together on HF bands. -
NTC QSO Party 📅
Novice Telegraphy Club QSO Party focused on friendly Morse Code exchanges for all skill levels.
📅 September 18
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NCCC FT4 Sprint 📅
Short, fast-action digital FT4 mode sprint organized by the Northern California Contest Club. -
Weekly RTTY Test 📅
Weekly radioteletype (RTTY) sprint for testing digital station setups and macro efficiency. -
NCCC Sprint 📅
Classic Northern California Contest Club high-speed CW sprint testing rapid exchange abilities. -
K1USN Slow Speed Test 📅
Friendly, welcoming CW event designed specifically to help operators practice slow-to-medium Morse Code.
📅 September 19
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FRAPR 10M Contest 📅
10-Meter band operating event taking advantage of solar propagation and high-band activity. -
ARRL 10 GHz and Up Contest 📅
Microwave operating challenge focused on extreme high-frequency line-of-sight and reflection communications. -
Scandinavian Activity Contest, CW 📅
Major international contest connecting operators worldwide with stations across Nordic countries on CW. -
Texas QSO Party 📅
Popular state QSO party celebrating Lone Star State hams, counties, and mobile operating teams. -
Iowa QSO Party 📅
Annual contest to work as many Iowa counties and stations as possible on HF bands. -
QRP Afield 📅
Outdoor QRP operating event encouraging portable battery-powered setup in parks and remote sites. -
New Hampshire QSO Party 📅
Statewide operating event connecting hams across New Hampshire with stations around the globe. -
Washington State Salmon Run 📅
Famous Pacific Northwest contest featuring active stations across all Washington state counties. -
Wisconsin Parks on the Air 📅
On-the-air event celebrating portable activations across Wisconsin's beautiful state park system. -
Feld Hell Sprint 📅
Specialty digital mode sprint utilizing historic Hellschreiber visual printer communications.
📅 September 20
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North American Sprint, RTTY 📅
Premier digital RTTY sprint requiring quick QSY operating tactics across HF bands. -
ARS Flight of the Bumblebees 📅
Popular outdoor QRP operating event where field stations ('bumblebees') operate from open spaces. -
BARTG Sprint PSK63 Contest 📅
British Amateur Radio Teledata Group digital PSK63 mode speed competition. -
Run for the Bacon QRP Contest 📅
Low-power CW contest dedicated to casual QRP operations and friendly competition.
📅 September 21
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K1USN Slow Speed Test 📅
Encouraging Morse Code event hosted by K1USN for building confidence at comfortable speeds. -
ICWC Medium Speed Test 📅
International CW Council sprint bridging the gap between beginner and high-speed telegraphy. -
OK1WC Memorial (MWC) 📅
Weekly Morse Code contest honoring OK1WC with short, lively CW exchanges. -
ICWC Medium Speed Test 📅
Second session ICWC sprint giving global operators another opportunity to sharpen CW skills. -
144 MHz Fall Sprint 📅
VHF 2-meter band contest focused on distance and grid-square logging across North America.
📅 September 22
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Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest 📅
Weekly phone (SSB) activity contest promoting active voice communications on HF bands. -
ICWC Medium Speed Test 📅
Regular ICWC Morse Code session for operators looking to polish medium-tempo CW proficiency. -
Tuesday's Telegraphy Contest 📅
Fun, casual mid-week Morse Code sprint hosted for CW enthusiasts everywhere.
📅 September 23
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SKCC Sprint 📅
Straight Key Century Club event celebrating classic manual keys, bug keys, and traditional CW. -
Phone Weekly Test 📅
Weekly SSB voice operating test for honing phone contesting techniques and audio setups. -
A1Club AWT 📅
Weekly Japanese A1 Club Morse Code activity test open to CW operators worldwide. -
CWops Test (CWT) 📅
Mid-week 60-minute CWops sprint featuring rapid-fire Morse Code exchanges. -
Mini-Test 40 📅
Short, intense 40-meter band CW mini-contest testing antenna and operator efficiency. -
Mini-Test 80 📅
Short 80-meter band CW mini-contest designed for nighttime low-band propagation operating. -
CWops Test (CWT) 📅
Evening session of the popular CWops sprint connecting operators across multiple continents.
📅 September 24
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CWops Test (CWT) 📅
Late-week CWops Morse Code sprint for continuous operating practice and ranking points. -
RSGB 80m Autumn Series, Data 📅
Radio Society of Great Britain 80-meter digital mode event testing low-band data efficiency.
📅 September 25
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NCCC FT4 Sprint 📅
Rapid digital FT4 contest organized by Northern California Contest Club for fast logging. -
Weekly RTTY Test 📅
Weekly digital RTTY event allowing operators to test software macros and signal decoding. -
NCCC Sprint 📅
Action-packed Friday evening CW sprint renowned for high speed and quick band changes. -
K1USN Slow Speed Test 📅
Welcoming Morse Code session designed to build speed and accuracy in a friendly environment.
📅 September 26
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CQ Worldwide DX Contest, RTTY 📅
One of the largest international digital contesting events of the year with global participation. -
Bill Windle QSO Party 📅
Special memorial QSO party honoring Bill Windle with active HF operating. -
YU DX Contest 📅
Serbian Amateur Radio Union international contest connecting global stations with YU operators. -
Maine QSO Party 📅
Annual state QSO party giving operators a chance to contact rare Maine counties on HF. -
AGCW VHF/UHF Contest 📅
German Activity Group for CW VHF/UHF Morse Code contest testing propagation. -
Masonic Lodges on the Air 📅
Special event connecting amateur radio operators affiliated with Masonic lodges nationwide. -
AWA Amplitude Modulation QSO Party 📅
Antique Wireless Association event celebrating classic vintage AM transmitter audio and history.
📅 September 28
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K1USN Slow Speed Test 📅
Start-of-week relaxed Morse Code sprint perfect for newcomers and seasoned hams alike. -
QCX Challenge 📅
QRP Labs challenge specifically for operators using low-cost QCX CW transceivers. -
ICWC Medium Speed Test 📅
International CW Council session encouraging steady, clean Morse Code sending. -
OK1WC Memorial (MWC) 📅
Short Monday CW memorial contest celebrating friendly international telegraphy. -
QCX Challenge 📅
Second session of the QRP Labs QCX transceiver challenge for global QRP operators. -
RSGB FT4 Contest 📅
Radio Society of Great Britain FT4 digital contest promoting fast data operations. -
ICWC Medium Speed Test 📅
Evening session ICWC Morse Code sprint open to all skill levels worldwide.
📅 September 29
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Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest 📅
Weekly voice (SSB) contest fostering active phone contacts across HF bands. -
QCX Challenge 📅
Tuesday session for QRP Labs QCX low-power transceiver owners and enthusiasts. -
ICWC Medium Speed Test 📅
Mid-week ICWC Morse Code event focused on smooth, enjoyable CW contacts. -
Tuesday's Telegraphy Contest 📅
Weekly Tuesday CW sprint dedicated to classic Morse Code operating fun. -
222 MHz Fall Sprint 📅
VHF 1.25-meter band sprint encouraging activity and contacts on 222 MHz.
📅 September 30
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Phone Weekly Test 📅
End-of-month phone (SSB) sprint for testing voice clarity and logging speed. -
A1Club AWT 📅
Japan A1 Club Morse Code activity event uniting international CW enthusiasts. -
CWops Test (CWT) 📅
Weekly 1-hour Morse Code sprint sponsored by CWops for continuous practice. -
Mini-Test 40 📅
Intense 40-meter band CW mini-sprint for quick contacts and propagation testing. -
Mini-Test 80 📅
Short 80-meter band CW mini-sprint focusing on nighttime regional propagation. -
CWops Test (CWT) 📅
Final Wednesday session of the CWops sprint for working worldwide CW stations. -
UKEICC 80m Contest 📅
UK & Ireland Emergency Amateur Radio Contest Club 80-meter high-speed contest.
So fire up your rig, tune your antenna, try out a new mode, and get on the airwaves. Whatever your operating style or skill level, there’s a station waiting to log your signal!
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