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VK7AX > WIA 02.08.26 08:26l 80 Lines 4633 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 15110_VK7AX
Subj: August Brings Two Great Australian Amateur Radio Contests
Path: IZ3LSV<ED1ZAC<CX2SA<VK7AX
Sent: 260802/0621Z 15110@VK7AX.#ULV.TAS.AUS.AUNZ LinBPQ6.0.24
August Brings Two Great Australian Amateur Radio Contests
Date : 01 / 08 / 2026
Author : WIA & ALARA
August will provide Australian radio amateurs with two very different opportunities to get on air, test their
operating skills and contribute to the amateur radio community.
The WIA Remembrance Day Contest will be held over 15 and 16 August 2026, followed by the 46th ALARA Contest on
29 and 30 August 2026.
Whether you enjoy a busy national contest, a relaxed search for YL operators, phone, CW, RTTY or simply handing
out a few contacts, there is an August event for you.
Remembering Through Radio
The Remembrance Day Contest, commonly known as the RD Contest, runs for 24 hours from 0300 UTC on Saturday 15 August
until 0300 UTC on Sunday 16 August.
That is 1.00 pm Saturday to 1.00 pm Sunday AEST, or 11.00 am Saturday to 11.00 am Sunday AWST.
Before the contest begins, stations are asked to observe 15 minutes of silence while the traditional opening
ceremony is broadcast.
The contest commemorates Australian radio amateurs who lost their lives during the Second World War.
It also encourages friendly competition, greater participation and the development of operating skills.
Contacts may be made with stations across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea on all permitted MF, HF, VHF
and higher bands, excluding the WARC bands.
Phone, CW and RTTY contacts are accepted, with double points for CW and RTTY and triple points available for
contacts made between 1.00 am and 6.00 am local time.
Operators can enter as single operators, QRP stations or multi-operator stations, while teams can combine the
scores of three participating stations.
There are also awards for rookies and operators aged 25 and under, giving newer amateurs another reason to join
the activity rather than listening nervously while experienced contesters occupy every detectable hertz.
Team nominations must be submitted to the contest manager before the contest begins.
The exchange is straightforward: send an RS or RST report followed by the number of years you have held an
amateur radio licence.
Logs are required in Cabrillo 3 format and should be submitted through VK Log Checker within 14 days of the contest finishing.
Link >> https://www.wia.org.au/members/contests/rdcontest/
The ALARA Contest Returns
The 46th Australian Ladies Amateur Radio Association Contest will run from 0600 UTC on Saturday 29 August until 0559 UTC
on Sunday 30 August.
That equates to 4.00 pm Saturday to 3.59 pm Sunday AEST, or 2.00 pm Saturday to 1.59 pm Sunday AWST.
The ALARA Contest is traditionally held on the final full weekend of August and is open to licensed operators throughout
the world.
Scout and Girl Guide groups are particularly encouraged to participate using club equipment and callsigns.
The operating objective is simple: YL operators may contact everyone, while OM operators contact YL stations only.
The contest supports phone and CW operation on the HF bands other than 160 metres and the WARC bands, with EchoLink
contacts also accepted.
Stations may be contacted again after an interval of more than one hour on the same band and mode.
ALARA members are worth five points on phone, YL non-members are worth four points and OM contacts made by
YL operators are worth three points.
CW contacts receive double points.
Certificates are available across a wide range of operating categories, while the highest-scoring Australian YL
and highest-scoring Foundation Licence ALARA member receive trophies.
The highest-scoring Australian YL who is not already an ALARA member will receive a one-year ALARA membership.
Both contests welcome casual participation.
You do not need a large station, a forest of antennas or the vocal stamina of an auctioneer.
A few contacts help create activity, support other entrants and provide valuable operating experience.
Check the published rules before operating, prepare your logging software and make August a busy month on the
Australian amateur bands.
Link >> https://www.alara.org.au/contests/
The Wireless Institute of Australia is Australia's national amateur radio peak body, powered by volunteers who
contribute their time, expertise and passion to advance amateur radio for the benefit of the entire community.
Page Last Updated: Saturday, 01 Aug 2026 at 09:35 hours by Justin Giles-clark
(Sourced from https://www.wia.org.au/newsevents/news/2026/20260801-1/index.php)
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(Posted to the packet radio network on behalf of WIA courtesy Tony VK7AX)
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