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Sands Contest Group was formed in 2004 in the Morecambe Bay area by amateur radio enthusiasts who wanted to be more active with their hobby and to improve their techniques and skills. Since then the membership has grown rapidly and we are now a well established group. Members have skills and interests in various fields of the hobby, including QRP, construction, antenna modeling, data modes and computing.

We operate using several different radios (Elecraft being a firm favourite) and a Ranger 811 amp. Audio is provided by Heil microphones. As a club we own a 2.5kV generator, a 3 band Spiderbeam, two 50ft telescopic masts and a 60 foot telescopic fibreglass mast as well as the odd computer, all the rest of the antennas are homebrewed. We use the excellent Win-Test and Ham Radio Deluxe software.  We take part in as many contests and  radio events as we can, favourites being the 80m RSGB Club Calls and AFS series, ARRL contests, IARU, IOTA and Field Days.
We also do DXpeditions, like the one to the Isle of Mull in September 2006 and our recent one to the Isle of Jura with Workington ARC. Our aim is always to improve. We are doing so with each contest and the learning curve is thoroughly enjoyable!

If you worked us during our Jura DXpedition in September 2008 or want to see more about it, look at this page.

We tend to concentrate on portable/mobile operation including SOTA and WAB activities, however we occasionally host talks and visit other clubs in the region, you will see some of this in the Gallery. We also enjoy construction and many of our members have built their own radios, transverters and  ATUs. We are always interested to hear from Radio Amateurs who would like to join us and get involved with contesting or any other aspects of the hobby. Some of our members provide training locally for all three levels of Amateur Radio licence and also run a website which provides interactive learning. You will find a link to this at the top of the page.  We are based in Morecambe, near the City of Lancaster, in the North-West of England.

If you hear us on the air using our Amateur Radio Club callsign, M0SCG/MX0SCG or our contest call, G1T, please give us a shout!

We would be very pleased if you would find time to make a comment in our guestbook and let us know who you are. Also please visit our online diary (blog) and follow our adventures on there.

72/73

From all at Sands ARCG

Affiliated to the Radio Society of Great Britain

• Jura