With more than 30 videos submitted from all corners of the Earth, the ARRL’s production and editorial team had a tough job ahead of them as they sat down to pick the best one. But in the end, these ARRL HQ staff members picked a clear a decisive winner.

In December, the ARRL announced that it was looking for ARRL members to shoot and submit videos that showcase how fun and electrifying our hobby can be. Extra points were awarded for videos showing someone -- young or old, licensed or not -- making their first contacts. Videos were judged on their creativity, overall quality and composition, and how well each communicated enthusiasm for Amateur Radio. All videos had to be less than five minutes long.

The Winners

The winner of the ARRL video contest was the father/daughter team of Frank Callaghan, AC2EE, and Becky Callaghan, KC2YZI, of Cresskill, New Jersey for their video No Communication, No Problem! This video started off with typical teenager behavior: a teen and her parent not communicating with each other. But once they get on the radio, they can’t stop! This video not only showcased the fun and excitement that Amateur Radio can bring, it showed Amateur Radio as an activity that can be shared and enjoyed with family members of all ages. For winning first place, Becky Callaghan -- who wrote and edited the video -- will receive $250.

Second prize was awarded to Stefan Hein, DL7AOS, of Pliezhausen, Germany. It’s good to have friends and neighbors who will help you out. In his video, Hein and his friends erect a 20 meter homebrew Moxon beam antenna in his backyard. He will receive $100 for his second place video.

Based upon their video submission, Stan Leschinsky, VE3TW, and Bert Almemo, VE3OUB -- both of Scarborough, Ontario, Canada -- know how to have fun. In their video CQ WW 160 Contest, these hams definitely “ham it up” while putting VE3CCO on the air in 2010. With all the snow up at the Kennisis Lake location -- located in Haliburton County, Ontario -- it’s a good thing Leschinsky and Almeno packed their snowshoes! This video won third place and $100.

Fourth place goes to Yogeswaran Umasankar, NY3W, of Taipei, Taiwan, who showed how much fun operating outdoors can be in his video BV0PC Outdoor QSO. Operating on 20 meters USB with a full wavelength long wire antenna and logging by hand, Umasankar -- along with a handful of friends -- went out to ShinChu, Taiwan (at an elevation of more than 3900 feet) for a November 2010 contest. For winning fourth place, Umasankar will receive $100.

Honorable Mention

Two videos received Honorable Mention. The Loudoun Amateur Radio Group (Virginia) submitted K4LRG/B Flight 2009A, featuring a high altitude balloon lunch. Gary Hartman, KK7LV, of Henderson, Nevada, submitted a video showing the fun and pitfalls of foxhunting in Las Vegas.

See all the winning videos on the ARRL website.