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 Second 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. All videos must be postmarked by February 29, 2012. 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.

If you’re 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. While you are welcome to submit a video on any theme, we’re especially looking for videos that illustrate the joy and excitement of Amateur Radio.

Videos will be judged on overall quality and composition, and prizes will be awarded. This year, the ARRL will be offering two categories: Professional and Amateur. The Professional category is intended for entrants who are professional videographers, or who have access to professional-grade video equipment and software. Both categories -- Professional and Amateur -- will have prizes 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 2011 contest, you are ineligible to enter again.

• Deadline: Entries must be postmarked by February 29, 2012. 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.E-mailed entries will not be accepted.
• Subject: Must be directly related to Amateur Radio and be in good taste. We’d like to see something that stresses the joy and excitement of Amateur Radio. Videos will be judged on overall quality and composition.
• Specs
  • Maximum length: 5 minutes
  • Format: AVI, MPEG or WMV, 320×240 minimum resolution
    

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 Duran Duran unless you have Duran Duran's permission (or you are a member of Duran Duran)!
• 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 winning entry in each category (Professional and Amateur) will be awarded $500, while the second-place winners will receive $250 and the third-place winners will receive $100. Winning videos will be displayed on the ARRL website.

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