There is a part of Ham Radio called contesting, or Radio Sport. You can find a contest on the airwaves almost every weekend. They range from small local 'QRP' contests (QRP are radios under 5 watts) to huge, like the CQ Magazine World Wide contests.
I am NOT an avid contester, and in fact, have not contested in a couple of years due to family commitments, but when I have, I've found it fun.
My station is very much what would be considered a 'Pop-gun' station, as compared to 'Big Guns'.
That said, it has been upgraded quite a bit since the last page update.
I have an FT-1000 MkV Field (a GOOD radio), a Alpha 78, a LDG AT-1000Pro Antenna Tuner,
a Force 12 C3SS for 10,15 and 20 (and it'll tune 12 and 17 with the tuner),
a Force 12 D140 for 40m and a T.V. Evans 64ft 17m-80m dipole.
In 2012, I took 1st place, in the NY QSO Party in the Low Power SSB Class - my first piece of hardware for the wall
I've decided "Hey, let's put up some links, just so others can get an idea"