Welcome to the
W3ACH On-Air Hub
The official home for contests, events, and on-air fun for the Cumberland Valley Amateur Radio Club.
Friendly Competition
Climb the leaderboards in our club-specific contests or see how you stack up in major worldwide events. It's all about having fun and improving your score.
Skill Development
Challenge yourself to learn a new mode, build a better antenna, or dust off your CW skills. Our events are a great excuse to experiment and grow.
Community Focus
Connect with your fellow Cumberland Valley hams! Our on-air events are the perfect way to make contacts and build camaraderie.
Event Leaderboards
Results Coming Soon!
The first leaderboard will be posted here after our upcoming contest events.
Learn More About Our Contests →
Your Home for On-Air Events
The W3ACH On-Air Activities Program is the club's hub for all things contesting and operating. We wanted to create a central place for members to find exciting reasons to get on the air, whether it's a club-sponsored event or a major international contest.
Our goal is to offer a calendar of events that cater to all interests. We also keep an eye out for other noteworthy HF events that our members might enjoy. The core idea is simple: get on the air and have fun!
Designed For Every Member
We've designed this program to be accessible and rewarding for everyone. Have an idea for a new contest or event? Let us know!
Our challenges and scoring systems are often structured to reward great operating. Whether you want to test your station's limits, try a new digital mode, or simply make a few casual contacts with fellow members, this program has something for you.
Explore Our Activities
Weekend Sprints
High-energy, fast-paced events perfect for a weekend afternoon. Rack up contacts and see how quickly you can climb the leaderboard!
Achievement Awards
Work towards long-term goals
Programs
From specialized propagation challenges to special events that are designed to test your skills
Getting Started is Simple
Check the Schedule
Visit the events page to see our full calendar of sprints, challenges, and award deadlines.
Read the Rules
Each activity has a quick rules page. A two-minute read will tell you the goals, bands, and exchange.
Get On The Air!
That's it! Participate, have fun, and submit your log via our easy online form to make the leaderboard.
Guidance & Growth
New to contesting or a specific digital mode? You're never alone. A core part of our club is the spirit of "Elmering"—experienced hams helping those new to the hobby. This program is a fantastic opportunity to learn.
If you have questions about setting up logging software, building an effective antenna, or understanding the rules, just ask! Reach out on our club's Discord, Groups.io list, or contact us. Fellow members are always happy to share their knowledge and help you get on the air with confidence.
Next Up: W3ACH Contest Season!
Our contest season features multiple events designed to challenge operators at all skill levels and test various aspects of amateur radio operation.
Bands
160m - 40m
Dates
TO-BE-DECIDED
Prizes
Gift Cards & ARRL Gear
Awards & Recognition
While having fun and improving our skills is the real prize, we also believe in recognizing on-air achievements! For every event you participate in, you'll be eligible for some form of recognition.
Top scorers in our major events can win special awards like gift cards or ARRL gear. More importantly, every single member who submits a valid log will receive a handsome, personalized digital certificate suitable for printing. It’s our way of saying thank you for getting on the air and making our club events a success.
Not a Member Yet?
Our On-Air Activities are an exclusive benefit for W3ACH members. Join today to participate, access our resources, and become part of the Cumberland Valley's premier amateur radio community.
Learn About Joining W3ACH