Experimentation, building, and contesting all come together on the weekends of August 16-17 and September 20-21, when radio amateurs can competitively explore the microwave portion of the radio spectrum during the 2014 ARRL 10 GHz and Up Contest. The contest period on both weekends run from 6 AM local time on Saturday until midnight local time on Sunday.

The exchange is your six-character Maidenhead Locator or “Grid Square,” (eg, FN64co). Participants earn points based on the distance of each contact.

Operating from several locations during the event is not only allowed, it’s encouraged. Many stations will run just a few hundred milliwatts, using parabolic dishes to maximize gain. Along with line-of-sight contacts — often made from mountaintops — stations may make use of tropospheric and rainfall scatter or bounce signals off large objects, such as buildings or mountains.

A list of resources with more information is available. Complete rules and entry forms are on the ARRL website. All logs must be e-mailed or postmarked no later than 2359 UTC on Tuesday, October 21, 2014. Send paper logs to ARRL 10 GHz and Up Contest, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111.