HF Contesting usually hits a dry spell during the summer months, but the weekend of July 12-13 brings a summer bright spot for HF contesters -- the IARU HF World Championship.

According to ARRL Contest Branch Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X, the IARU contest is a little different from most major HF contests. "For starters, it's only 24 hours long (instead of the normal 48). This leaves you plenty of time over the weekend to have fun in the contest and participate in other activities. Another difference is that you can combine modes. While most HF contests are either CW or SSB, IARU allows you to operate CW, SSB or a mixture of both. Lastly, the IARU contest exchange is a signal report and your ITU zone." ITU zones are different than CQ zones, Kutzko said. For a map of ITU zones, visit the IARU Web site.

One of the features of the IARU contest is the highlighting the IARU member Amateur Radio organizations from all around the world. These organizations often participate in the contest with a special call (often ending in HQ, designating a national headquarters station) and can be worked as special multipliers in the contest. Kutzko said that IARU Administrative Council members from around the world will also be on and can also be worked for special multiplier credit. "If you hear a station giving R1, R2, R3 or AC as their contest exchange, that station represents part of the IARU Administrative Council or regional Executive Committee."

The IARU HF World Championship runs from 1200 UTC Saturday, July 12 to 1200 UTC Sunday, July 13. For complete rules and forms, you can visit the IARU Contest Web page or the ARRL Contest Web page.