The UKSMG organises three contests throughout the year, primarily to increase activity on Six Metres, and to demonstrate propagation possibilities on the "Magic Band". 

In addition, contests can be great fun, and can help improve station performance and operating skills.  In the three contests offered by the UKSMG, entry is open to everyone (yes, it is free !), and we encourage you to submit a log. You may be surprised at the propagation possibilities even during the depths of the Solar Cycle.

For these contests, certificates are awarded and a prize of 12 month free Internet membership for Marathon winners.

A. UKSMG Summer Contest

The UKSMG organise a 24-hour Summer contest on the first weekend in June each year, and the aim is to work as many stations as possible in the 24-hour period. In 2026, the next contest starts on Saturday 6th June at 13:00 UTC and finishes on Sunday 7th June 2026 at 13:00 UTC.

This weekend is shared with HF Field Days across Europe, and is an ideal opportunity to put a Six Metre station on and join in the Summer Contest, to give operators experience of the Magic Band.

The rules for the Contest can be found here UKSMG Summer Contest Rules.

Please send your contest pictures to the Six News Editor. We would be happy to include them in Six News magazine.

B. UKSMG Marathon Events

The UKSMG organises Summer and Winter Marathon events to promote activity on the Six Metre band. The aim of these events is to work as many grid squares as possible.  These contests are easy to enter and only require an ADIF file export from your logging program to be uploaded to the UKSMG website.

The Summer Marathon runs between the first Saturday of May (3rd May 2025 at 00:00 UTC)
and the first Sunday of August (3rd Aug 2025 ending at 23:59 UTC) on the Six Metre band.

Further information can be found on the UKSMG Summer Marathon page, and the full rules are available on the UKSMG Summer Marathon Rules page.

UKSMG Winter Marathon Event

The Winter Marathon runs between the first day of December 2025 and the last day of January 2026 on the Six Metre band.

Further information can be found on the UKSMG Winter Marathon page, and the full rules are available on the UKSMG Winter Marathon Rules page.

RSGB Contests

The RSGB run a number of contests on 50MHz throughout the year, notably the Backpackers and 50MHz Trophy during the Summer and the 50MHz contests in Spring and Autumn. They also have a 50MHz UK Activity contest which takes place on the fourth Tuesday of each month, from 2000 to 2230. Rules and a full calendar of VHF contests can be obtained from the RSGB VHF Contest Committee web site.

Other Contests