The ARRL 160 Meter Contest -- an all-CW event -- is tremendous fun! As the object of the contest is for DX stations to contact American and Canadian stations (and vice versa), everyone will be seeking you (especially if you live in a rare section like North Dakota, Nebraska or any of the rare sections from November’s Sweepstakes contests).

In this contest, Alaska (KL7) and Hawaii (KH6) count as DX, as do the Caribbean US possessions (KP1-KP5) and all of the Pacific Ocean territories (KH0-KH9). According to ARRL Contest Branch Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X, if you don’t have an antenna for 160, you should just load up whatever you have through an antenna tuner and give “top band” a try -- even a 40 meter dipole through a tuner will make QSOs.

Since ARRL and RAC Sections are worth 2 points each and count as multipliers, the ARRL 160 Meter Contest is a good way to begin working -- or finishing up! -- your Worked All States (WAS) award. But don’t forget about those DX stations -- each DXCC entity is a multiplier and is worth 5 points each.

The ARRL 160 Meter Contest runs from 2200 UTC Friday, December 3 through 1559 UTC Sunday, December 5. Logs must be e-mailed or postmarked no later than 1600 UTC Tuesday, January 4, 2011. Paper logs should be sent to ARRL 160 Meter Contest, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111.