Members of Dragon ARC are busy preparing to take part in their November 24MHZ (12 metre) Operating Challenge. But what is the challenge, and how will it work?

The aim of the challenge is to encourage club members to get active on the 24MHz band, with a little friendly rivalry. Of course this is not a formal contest and any QSO you have can be a good old natter, or a 59 and 73 ‘rubber stamp’ QSO, the choice is yours. But to add to the interest we have created a simple set of rules and a scoring system to encourage us all to not only work as many QSOs as we wish, but to challenge us to work as many different countries as possible.
Remember 24MHz is a WARC Band and therefore a non contest band, so simply call CQ and not CQ Contest, as the scoring is just to challenge a few of us at DARC who want to take part.
24MHz Challenge Rules
• 1st until 30th November
• Make as many contacts as possible on the 12m 24MHz band.
• All modes: voice / CW / Digi
• Two power categories: 1) 25 Watts
2) 100 Watts
•You must use one or more homemade (homebrew) aerials.
•Scoring: 1 point per QSO multiplied by the number of DXCC worked.
For example: 103 QSO x 15 DXCC = 1545 points.
•To enter a claimed score, you will be asked to complete a simple form which will be emailed to members.
GOOD LUCK!’
On Monday 21st October members met at their usual home in Gaerwen to test their homemade aerials using masts and analysers to check they were resonant on the 24MHz band, in readiness for the November 24MHz Challenge. Whilst not everyone brought their newly built creations along, members encouraged those who were busy tinkering with their wires, whilst drinking hot beverages and eating copious amounts of Jaffa Cakes!
The club also welcomed two visitors who became members the very same evening, a warm welcome was extended to Harrison who is studying for the Foundation exam and Michael MW7KKE. It is great to see Dragon ARC continue to thrive and encourage new members to join our club.