M4X - contest station

M4X

Special Contest Call-sign G3S

When OFCOM, the UK regulator, agreed to issue Special Contest Call-signs (SCCs), they did so on the basis of issuing them to licensed radio clubs only and so my friend Kev M0TNX and I applied for a SCC for the Over Wyre Amateur Radio Club, M0WYR around 2013. We decided to go for G3S and were successful.

I used G3S until late 2016 when the licence needed to be renewed, following a change to the qualification rules based on a points system ie. on contests entered and the number of QSOs achieved compared to the leader in your class.

I decided to apply for a different SCC as an individual, but what call-sign to go for? Steve G3VMW had a few good suggestions based on the CW “flow” and length and so M4X was created.

Special Contest Call-sign M4X

I started to use the call-sign in late 2016 and so far all has gone well with it and the call-sign is quite quick to send.

Favourite Contests

If I’m available, I like to enter:

ARRL 10m, CQ160CW, ARRL 1.8Mhz, CQWW CW, ARRL International DX, BERU (Commonwealth), Russian DX and RSGB IOTA. I also join in the Cwops CWTs and the MWC.

I’d like to do the RSGB DX Contest (October) more seriously but Sunday is usually a day of commitments for me.

I always compare myself with other G stations in my section to determine how well I’ve done and wherever possible, I will enter the low power, 12hr and/or single band section - always CW and more often than not, “assisted”.

I have come top of my section and received 1st certificates (ie. Country winner) in the Russian Dx, ARRL 10m and the ARRL International DX contest.

I came late into contesting after many years of work and family commitments and even now, I choose my contests to cause minimum disruption to the household. This is best done by entering contests where I’m able to use propagation such that I am not disadvantaged by doing less operating during the day…..this means I do some contests late evening/overnight when there’s propagation and then I have free time during the day - 80m & 160m are prime examples.

I do have to say that the overnighters are getting more strenuous as I get older!

Starting in Contesting

QSL Policy

I will be pleased to QSLL ie. Any cards received directly to M0OXO or via OQRS All requests need to be sent to my QSL Manager, Charles M0OXO - see QRZ.com for Charles’ contact details. He also has a OQRS system and all details can be found on his website - m0oxo.com.

Email: <my UK G call-sign> at <my UK G call-sign>.co.uk

QSL POLICY: see below…..

Page last modified: 24 June 2022