The National Contest Journal is the place where you can learn about some of the latest innovations and read stories about contesters in action around the world. But you don't have to consider yourself to be a contester to enjoy reading the magazine.

Contesters build some of the biggest and most effective stations in the world, and they develop the most efficient operating techniques around. Some of the information in the NCJ, like that pertaining to antenna system design and equipment improvements, is valuable to a broad range of ham radio enthusiasts.

Click on the links to the left to view the complete text of some of the articles published in the current and recent issues of the NCJ. You can also use these links to find out more about our regular columns and the columnists who write them.

Each issue of the NCJ is also packed with other great stuff. You will find stories of contest DXpeditions, reviews of new equipment/books/software, contesting tips (and tricks!), letters from readers, commentary, photos, humor, proposals for new rules, construction details for useful hardware, and prophecy -- all delivered in a friendly, easy-to-read style.

As sponsor of the ever-popular and unique NA Sprint and NAQP contests, the NCJ is also the only place to find the official results of these contests. There are a total of 12 of these NCJ-sponsored contests per year (2 per year for each mode), so check out WA7BNM's Contest Calendar to see when the next one is. The NAQP contests are designed to be user-friendly so as to attract newcomers into contesting. The Sprints are for the more competitive contester.

To subscribe to the NCJ, click on the subscription link at the top of this page. If you would like to see a sample issue before deciding whether to subscribe, send me your call sign, name and mailing address. I will arrange for you to receive a free sample.

If your contest club is sponsoring a contest forum at an amateur radio event, let me know. I can help with a door prize or two and some free samples of the NCJ to hand out.

I am proud to be the editor of the NCJ, leading its dynamic and motivated volunteer team of columnists, contest managers and regional contributing editors representing contesters around the world, and feature authors. The editorship changes every few years to provide new perspectives and keep things fresh, so I intend to enjoy every moment of my tenure. And I hope to meet as many of you fellow contesters as possible over the next few years - on the air and in person.

- Kirk Pickering, K4RO (editor)