In August 1993, Jim Emery K4AMC and Ric Painter WA6KUI (now WO4O) took it upon themselves to assemble a team to compete in the CW North American QSO Party. K4AMC suggested the name "Tennessee Contest Group." The original team members were Jim K4AMC, Ric WA6KUI, Don N4ZZ, and Gary AA4DO. Much to their surprise, this first TCG team actually won the team competition in that event! The success of that effort prompted these fine operators to try again to form local teams for future NAQP contests.

Thanks to the efforts of these early TCG Radio Operators, several other active hams were contacted across Tennessee and invited to participate. TCG began to have "eyeball QSO" meetings at a local breakfast joint. Our numbers were beginning to grow, as were our scores. The regulars in those early "pre-official" days included Jim K4AMC, Ric WA6KUI (now WO4O), Mark K0EJ, Doug W9WI, Don N4ZZ, Kirk WR3O (now K4RO), Jeff KQ4HC (now K4JNY) and Clarence KO4EW (now N4CM.) K0EJ, W9WI, and WA6KUI provided most of the leadership and recruitment effort. This rag-tag group of radio nuts continued to do well in the NAQP and Sprint contests, and interest began to grow in competing as a club in the ARRL-sponsored contests.

In late 1996 the Group (now officially called the Tennessee Contest Group or TCG) decided to pursue becoming an ARRL-affiliated club. The reason for this was so that we could compete in ARRL-sponsored events such as the November Sweepstakes, ARRL DX, 160 Meter and 10 Meter contests. In order to qualify as an ARRL-affiliated club, we had to meet certain requirements. Soon we had a constitution, a roster, regularly scheduled meetings, and some growing pains. August 2008 TCG celebrates 15 years of of radio sport fun. We are still going strong.

Since those early beginnings, the TCG has become a well-recognized and active contest club. The TCG encompasses a membership which spans across the state and beyond. We invite you to consider joining us in the fun and excitement of amateur radio contesting.