JARL WorldWide RTTY Contest
Date :
13 /
10 /
2026
Author :
JARL
The amateur radio bands will be particularly busy next weekend, with the Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL) World Wide RTTY Contest taking place alongside the international Jamboree On The Air and Jamboree On The Internet (JOTA-JOTI) weekend.
While thousands of Scouts and Guides will be discovering the excitement of amateur radio through JOTA-JOTI, radio amateurs around the world will also be putting their digital operating skills to the test in a major international RTTY contest.
The JARL World Wide RTTY Contest runs for 48 hours, commencing at 0000 UTC on Saturday 17 October and concluding at 2400 UTC on Sunday 18 October 2026. In Australian Eastern Daylight Time, that's 11:00 am Saturday 17 October through to 11:00 am Monday 19 October.
A Contest for Digital Radio Enthusiasts
RTTY, or Radio Teletype, is one of amateur radio's longest-established digital communication modes. Long before today's sophisticated digital modes, amateurs were using RTTY to exchange text messages over HF radio.
The JARL contest celebrates that tradition, challenging operators to contact as many stations as possible worldwide using Baudot RTTY.
The contest operates on the 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 metre amateur bands, with categories for single and multiple operators, including high-power, low-power and QRP operation.
There is also a Youth category for single operators aged 25 and under, providing an opportunity for younger licensed amateurs to compete internationally.
The contest exchange is straightforward: RST signal report and operator age. The rules also permit specified substitute age numbers for operators who prefer not to disclose their age.
Contacts within the same continent score two points, while contacts between different continents score three points. Multipliers include DXCC entities and individual call areas in Japan, the United States, Canada and mainland Australia.
Two Major International Amateur Radio Activities, One Weekend
The coincidence with JOTA-JOTI provides an interesting opportunity for amateur radio clubs.
While Scouts and Guides are discovering amateur radio through voice contacts, digital activities and practical demonstrations, clubs can also showcase RTTY as an example of how computers and radios have been used together for decades.
A short demonstration of receiving and decoding RTTY signals could provide an excellent STEM activity for young participants interested in digital communications, electronics and software.
For clubs supporting JOTA-JOTI, however, there is an important consideration: the contest and JOTA are separate activities sharing the amateur bands.
Contest operators should remain mindful of JOTA stations, avoid causing interference and demonstrate the considerate operating practices that make amateur radio welcoming to newcomers.
After all, introducing young people to amateur radio is rather more important than squeezing one extra contact into the contest log!
Get Ready for the Contest
Operators planning to participate should check their RTTY software, radio interfaces and logging arrangements before the weekend.
JARL accepts electronic logs in Cabrillo or JARL format, with Cabrillo recommended. Logs must be submitted within ten days of the contest ending.
Whether you're chasing multipliers, experimenting with RTTY for the first time, or demonstrating digital radio to Scouts and Guides, next weekend promises plenty of amateur radio activity.
The WIA encourages operators to enjoy the JARL World Wide RTTY Contest while giving JOTA-JOTI stations the space and encouragement they need to introduce the next generation to amateur radio.
Further Information
JARL World Wide RTTY Contest Rules:
Link
JARL Contest Information:
Link
RTTY Cabrillo Log Format:
Link
Official JOTA-JOTI Website:
Link
JOTA Amateur Radio Activities:
Link
Page Last Updated: Monday, 12 Oct 2026 at 22:20 hours by Justin Giles-clark
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