OnAllBands is committed this October to keeping you as updated as possible on all the new products available at DX Engineering. Look out for posts this month spotlighting the hottest station upgrades you’ll find on our website.
Since October kicks off “sweater weather” season in northeast Ohio (home of DX Engineering headquarters), it’s a great time to get cozy in a comfortable chair with your favorite pumpkin spice beverage (straight black coffee for this ham) and read about amateur radio.
Before we get into what’s up this contesting season, we’ve highlighted some new reference books you’ll want to add to your amateur radio bookshelf. For the full list of reference books, license study guides, and instruction manuals at DX Engineering, click here.
You’ll find all the latest reference books and equipment by clicking on “What’s New” at DXEngineering.com. You’ll also discover savings on “scratch and dent” and “open box” gear to enhance your operating capabilities.
Cue the “Reading Rainbow” theme—Here we go:
Amateur Radio Contesting Basics
Written by experienced contester and amateur radio author Ed Durrant, DD5LP/G8GLM/VK2JI, this beginner-friendly guide published by the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) removes the mystery surrounding contesting and explains the fundamental concepts in a clear and practical way. From understanding what contesting is and why so many operators enjoy it to learning how to participate in your first event, the book serves as an accessible introduction to this rewarding aspect of the hobby. (88 pages, paperback.)
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Nifty Accessories now offers mini-manual reference guides for the Icom IC-7300MK2 and Yaesu FTX-1 Series transceivers.
These manuals have the same information contained in your owner’s manual but in concise, easy-to-follow, plain language. They feature clear illustrations and a logical approach to operations, providing users with a better understanding of their equipment’s functionality.
DX Engineering carries Nifty Accessories reference guides for many current and older transceivers; popular antenna analyzers; and instruction manuals for PSK31, D-STAR, EchoLink, and more.
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Also check out the RSGB “Radio Today Guide” for the IC-7300MK2 by Andrew Barron, ZL3DW.
Looking to purchase the IC-7300MK2 or its beloved predecessor, the IC-7300? You’ll find them at DX Engineering. Get them now to upgrade your station or to give as a holiday gift.
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Chameleon Antenna HOA Guide Book, First Edition
This 74-page guide explains everything you need for planning, selecting, and installing an antenna in an HOA. Topics covered include:
- How to understand and navigate HOA rules and limitations
- Proven real-world antenna installation strategies
- Effective stealth and camouflage techniques
- The advantages of temporary versus permanent antenna installations
- Solutions for apartments, condominiums, townhomes, suburban properties, urban lots, and mobile home communities
- Specialized installation methods for attics, soffits, fence tops, and remote tuner configurations
- Step-by-step DIY projects, including a flowerpot antenna mount, purple martin house mast, and flagpole mast solutions
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We’ll finish up our October reading rundown with one of our latest favorites, “Salty Walt’s Next Level Portable Antenna Sketchbook.” The 144-page paperback features 17 portable antenna designs and new ways to maximize your station’s potential from Walt Hudson, K4OGO, who shares his operating adventures and the magic of amateur radio on his YouTube channel, Coastal Waves & Wires, and now as an OnAllBands blogger.
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Now that you’ve had some valuable reading time, put into action what you’ve learned with these October contests, including the CQ World Wide DX Contest, SSB.
- Collegiate QSO Party: Oct. 3, 0000Z to Oct. 4, 2359Z. Per the contest website, “The Collegiate QSO Party is an operating event focused on amateur radio clubs at colleges and universities around the world. Each fall, the Collegiate QSO Party provides an opportunity for clubs to demonstrate amateur radio to new members, engage with alumni, and promote activity throughout college and university communities.” Participating schools in 2026 include Carnegie Mellon University, The Ohio State University, and Indiana University. Find the up-to-date list here.
- Oceania DX Contest, Phone: Oct. 3, 0600Z to Oct. 4, 0600Z. The 83rd running of this contest promotes HF contacts to and from stations in the Oceania region as well as contacts between stations in Oceania. Find complete rules here. The CW portion of the contest runs Oct. 10-11.
- QRP ARCI Fall QSO Party: Oct. 10, 0000Z to 2359Z. The QRP Amateur Radio Club International kicks off autumn in their usual manner—by doing more with less! This club for low-power enthusiasts worldwide sponsors various contests and events that promote QRP operating and related activities, such as building minimalist radios, portable ops, and antenna experimentation. Like much of the club’s activities, its Fall QSO Party (HF CW only) is a test of ingenuity and skill, as operators make QSOs using anywhere from 55 mW or less to 5W.
- Stew Perry Topband Challenge: Oct. 17, 1500Z to Oct. 18, 1500Z. Here’s a popular event 160M fans won’t want to miss. Point value of QSOs depends on the distance between the two stations. Participants are given one point plus another point for each 500km of distance. Points are also multiplied for lower power categories—for both the sending and receiving station. Looking to boost your topband capabilities? Read this article on the effectiveness of the DX Engineering 160M THUNDERBOLT® Vertical Antenna.
- ARRL School Club Roundup: Oct. 19, 1300Z to Oct. 23, 2359Z. This bi-annual event is designed to foster contacts with and among school radio clubs. Participants can exchange QSO information with any amateur radio station, so non-school clubs and individuals are encouraged to participate as well. All amateur bands except 60, 30, 17, and 12 meters are permitted.
- CQ World Wide DX Contest, SSB: Oct. 24, 0000Z to Oct. 25, 2359Z. This is why they call this time of year Contesting Season! The CQ Worldwide DX Contest is the largest amateur radio contest in the world. Featuring over 35,000 participants, the challenge is to make as many contacts with as many DXCC entities and CQ Zones as possible, while competing against the world’s elite contesters. Not into SSB? The CW portion of the contest is Nov. 28-29.
- ARRL’s EME—50 to 1296 MHz: Oct. 31, 0000Z to Nov. 1, 2359Z. Work as many amateur stations as possible via the earth-moon-earth path on designated frequencies. This portion of the ARRL EME event continues on November 28-29.
Also check out these State QSO Parties:
- California: Oct. 3, 1600Z to Oct. 4, 2200Z
- Arizona: Oct. 10, 1500Z to Oct. 11, 0500Z
- Pennsylvania: Oct. 10, 1600Z to Oct. 11, 0400Z, and Oct. 11, 1300Z to 2200Z
- South Dakota: Oct. 10, 1800Z to Oct. 11, 1800Z
- New York: Oct. 17, 1400Z to Oct. 18, 0200Z
- Illinois: Oct. 18, 1700Z to Oct. 19, 0100Z
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Ready to upgrade your station for better contesting results? Visit DXEngineering.com for everything you could possibly need to boost your scores:
- Antennas
- Transceivers
- Amplifiers
- Headsets
- Microphones
- DX Engineering Footswitches
- Keys and Paddles
- Coaxial Cable Assemblies
- Receive Antennas
The post Guide to October 2026 Ham Radio Contests: New Reference Books Edition appeared first on OnAllBands.
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