If you’ve ever wanted a way to show the world how exciting Amateur Radio can be, here’s your chance: The ARRL is sponsoring its Third Annual Video Contest! Here’s a chance to put that video camera to use: Shoot a ham radio-related video and send it our way. If your video takes first, second or third place, we’ll post it on the ARRL website for everyone to see. We’re looking for a few good videos (but only one per ARRL member, please) on any tasteful subject relating to Amateur Radio. Videos will be judged on overall quality and composition, and prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place.

Who can enter: The video author/producer must be an ARRL member; however, the people who appear in your video can be non-members. If you were one of the winners in our 2012 contest, you are ineligible to enter again.

Deadline: Entries must be postmarked by March 1, 2013. Burn your video to a CD or DVD using the appropriate software and mail it to ARRL Video Contest, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. Do not attempt to send it via e-mail, as our e-mail system cannot accommodate large files.

Subject: Must be directly related to Amateur Radio and be in good taste. Videos will be judged on overall quality and composition.

Specs

• Maximum length: 5 minutes
• Format: AVI, MPEG or WMV, 320×240 minimum resolution

Production equipment: We are looking for videos shot by amateur videographers using consumer-grade cameras and editing software/equipment. The use of professional-grade cameras, editing equipment or studios is not permitted. We reserve the right to reject videos that we suspect were commercially produced.

Miscellanea

• Accompanying Information: All entries must include the following information: Where the video was recorded, a description of the subject of the video and the names and call signs of any persons shown. If children appear, you must secure the permissions of their parents. Include the permissions as separate documents when you send your video. Something along the lines of the following is sufficient: “I, John Doe, grant permission for my child, Jane Doe, to appear in a video titled Two Reasons to Avoid Inserting Forks into AC Outlets by Hiram Percy Maxim, W1AW.”
• Rights: The ARRL automatically owns non-exclusive rights to all videos submitted for the contest. This means that by sending a video, you are granting us the right to use your video in any lawful manner. But you still retain the original rights to your video and can do with it as you please -- even to sell or publish it elsewhere.
• Music: If you add a music track to your video, make sure the music you select is free of copyright restrictions. For example, don’t add music by Eric Clapton unless you have Eric Clapton’s permission!
• Judging: Videos will be judged on overall quality and creativity. The decisions of the judges -- composed of HQ editorial and production staff -- are final.
• Prizes: The first place winner will be awarded $500, while the second-place winners will receive $250 and the third-place winner will receive $100. Winning videos will be displayed on the ARRL website and on the ARRLHQ YouTube channel.

Check out all the details -- including the fine print -- on the ARRL Video Contest Rules and Guidelines web page.