UTARC-sponsored efforts in radio contests encourage members to become more active and develop better operating skills. N5XU has been quite successful in the past, winning awards, and even setting records, while at the same time, giving every member an opportunity to operate. The most success for the club has come from the ARRL November Sweepstakes/ Collegiate Championship competitions every November. In the CW contest, N5XU (ex:W5EHM) has won the South Texas (STX) ARRL section in 1986, 1987, 1988, 1994, 1997, and 1999 with a 1986 top ten national finish and a 1996 West Gulf Division championship. In the Phone contest, N5XU/W5EHM has won STX in 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, and 1999, with a top ten finish in 1989. In the combined Collegiate Championships category, UTARC placed third in the nation in 1996, and second in the nation in 1997.
N5XU participates in many other contests, frequently with the intention of being relaxed, informal training sessions for novice contesters. Every club member interested in participating is encouraged and welcome to join in, regardless of license class (assuming we have a control operator on hand with the necessary license privileges) or experience. Should the club win a certificate of some kind, the club can get multiple copies and present one to each member participant. Award certificates for many of N5XU/W5EHM's ARRL November Sweepstakes victories, as well as victories in other contests, are on display on the walls of the club station. Contesting can be a lot of fun, and a great way to learn better operating skills that you can use in every other aspect of the hobby.