2025 10GHz and Up Contest - Round One

Whew, we just got back from our destination spot for Round One of the ARRL 10GHz and Up Contest. We were invited by Dale AF1T and Micky W1MKY to join them at Block Island, Rhode Island. Having never been there, and having wanted to go explore the island, we jumped at the chance to go. Because of the rental requirements, we went to the island the weekend before the contest and spent the week exploring the island.

Block Island, Rhode Island - FN41ee

Six-meter contacts

Prior to the ARRL 10GHz and Up Contest, I took advantage of both meteor scatter and Sporadic-E band openings on six meters (6m). I ended up working sixty-six (66) contacts in forty (40) grids in six (6) countries (Azores, Canada, Italy, Madeira Islands, Spain, United States). All contacts were made using FT8 or MSK144.

Ten Gigahertz contacts

For the contest, I worked 64 contacts on 10GHz (3cm), 2 on 24GHz, 2 on 48GHz, 2 on 122GHz, and 2 on Light in 17 grids. Stations worked include:

  • AA1I

  • AF1T

  • K1CA

  • K1FMS

  • K1MAP

  • K1OR

  • K1RZ

  • K1TEO

  • K1UU

  • K2AEP

  • K2TER

  • K3WHC

  • KA1NKD

  • KA1SUN

  • KA2NYF

  • KB1QV

  • KC0IYT

  • KC1V

  • KG6CIH

  • N2WK

  • N2YTF

  • N3RG

  • N9ZL

  • NG3W

  • VE2KH

  • W1AIM

  • W1AUV

  • W1EX

  • W1FKF

  • W1MKY

  • W2FU

  • W2QK

  • W2RMA

  • W3IP

  • W3SZ

  • W3TI

  • WA3DRC

  • WB2RVX

  • WZ1V

58% of my contacts were SSB with 42% being CW. Best distance is 711km with VE2KH and total distance is 18,065km.

Summary

Overall, I’m pleased with my results for the weekend. I operated from three minor grids and worked thirty-nine (39) unique callsigns.

Thanks to all the stations that were on the air during the contest, especially those that roved.

All QSOs have been uploaded to LoTW.