Each year, thousands of Australian amateur radio operators power up their rigs in mid-August—not just for the thrill of making contacts, but to honour a legacy.
This year’s Remembrance Day Contest will be held over the weekend of August 16–17, bringing together radio amateurs across VK, ZL and P29 call areas for one of the most meaningful events in the amateur radio calendar.
A contest with purpose
The Remembrance Day (RD) Contest is more than just a weekend of callsigns and contacts. It was first introduced in 1948 by the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) as a way to commemorate amateur radio operators who lost their lives during World War II.
The timing is symbolic—it takes place on the weekend closest to August 15, the date on which hostilities ceased in the Southwest Pacific in 1945. Each year, the contest brings the amateur radio community together to remember, reflect, and enjoy a spirit of friendly on-air competition.
How the contest works
The aim is simple: make contact with as many stations in VK, ZL and P29 as possible, on all amateur bands excluding the WARC bands (10, 18 & 24 MHz), and using traditional modes such as:
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PHONE
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CW (Morse Code)
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RTTY (Radio Teletype)
Operators can use MF (160 metres), HF, and VHF & above. Whether you’re chasing contacts or logging them as a Shortwave Listener, it’s a great weekend to hone your operating or listening skills.
Tips for shortwave listeners
SWLs can join in the fun by tuning into these frequencies during the contest:
160m: 1843–1875 kHz
80m: 3535–3570 kHz and 3600–3700 kHz
40m: 7080–7300 kHz
20m: 14112–14300 kHz
15m: 21150–21450 kHz
10m: 28300–29100 kHz
It’s the perfect opportunity to test your antennas, refine your logging, and experience the buzz of a live contest weekend.
Gear to get you contest-ready
Thinking of participating or improving your reception over the RD weekend? We recommend checking out some of our top gear for both operators and listeners:
Xiegu G90 HF Transceiver
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20W SDR-based radio
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Built-in antenna tuner
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0.5–30 MHz coverage
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Real-time panadapter display
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Compact, rugged and contest-friendly
HF Portable Dipole Antenna
Perfect for setting up in the field or at home, with coverage for the most-used HF bands.
10 Metre Amateur Transceiver & Base Station Antennas
Great options for working the 10m band, especially when band conditions open up.
Why this contest still matters
In a hobby that blends modern digital modes with century-old traditions, the Remembrance Day Contest stands out as a way to pause, reflect and connect—literally and figuratively. It’s a reminder that radio, even in its most technical form, carries with it real human stories.
Ready to join in?
Whether you’re operating, logging or just listening in, this is your weekend to tune in and pay tribute. Dust off the rig, check your antennas, and be part of this proud annual tradition.
For official contest rules, scoring, logging templates and more, head to the WIA website.
Need new gear? Explore our contest-ready range at tecsunradios.com.au
The Tecsun Radios Australia Team