School clubs are busily prepping their stations for The “Winter/Spring Term” School Club Roundup, which gets under way Monday, February 9 at 1300 UTC, and continues through Friday, February 13, at 2359 UTC.

The twice-yearly event is an opportunity for school club stations — from elementary school to college — to get on the air for a friendly radio activity. Sponsored by the ARRL, the ARRL Hudson Division Education Task Force, and the Long Island Mobile Amateur Radio Club (LIMARC), the contest aims to foster contacts with and among school radio clubs.

Participation in the School Club Roundup is easy, and there’s a club category for everyone: Elementary/Primary, Middle/Intermediate/Junior High School, Senior High School, College/University Club, and Non-School Club. There is also an Individual category.

Stations exchange signal reports, class (“Individual”, “Club,” or “School”), and US state, Canadian province/territory, or DXCC entity. Stations may operate on all amateur bands except 60, 30, 17 and 12 meters (no repeater contacts and VHF/UHF contacts must be on recognized simplex frequencies, except calling frequencies). Stations may operate phone, CW, and digital modes, or a combination.

The most popular time for younger students is during the after-school hours, but older students may be on the air anytime. All groups are limited to one transmitter on the air. Stations may operate no more than 6 hours in any 24-hour period (up to a maximum of 24 hours).

If you just want to get on the air and hand out contacts, enter in the Individual category. Tune around in any mode and listen for SCR stations calling CQ, or call CQ yourself and see who answers. Call “CQ School Clubs” or “CQ SCR” on CW, if you aren’t a club station. After the contest is over, submit your log online (preferred) or by paper.

Logs are due no more than 15 days after the operating period end and can be submitted online via the WA7BNM website. Claimed scores are displayed and the logs are reviewed by LIMARC before final results are posted.

The top three entries in each category — Elementary, Middle/Intermediate/Junior High School, Senior High School College/University — will receive an Award Certificate. Non-school clubs or multiop groups and individuals are also eligible for certificates. 

See “Getting Organized for School Club Roundup” for some helpful tips! Stay up to date on SCR by subscribing to the School Club Roundup reflector.