Contest Update Issue

The ARRL Contest Update for January 29, 2025 undefined

January 29, 2025


	ARRL Home Page


	Contest Calendar

In this Issue:

Upcoming Contests – Things to Do
Bulletins
Contest Summary
News, Press Releases, and Special Interest
Contests
Log Due Dates
ARRL Information
Acknowledgements

Upcoming Contests – Things to Do

NCJ North American CW Sprint

The NCJ North American CW Sprint begins at 0000 UTC on Sunday, February 2 (Saturday evening in North America) and concludes at 0359 UTC. The object of North American stations is to contact as many radio amateurs as possible. Stations located outside of North America can contact as many North American stations as possible. The exchange is the other station's call sign, your call sign, a sequential serial number, your name, and your location (state, province, or country). Full rules are available at ncjweb.com/Sprint-Rules.pdf.

If you've never participated in a Sprint before, check out the Thursday night, 30-minute practice session sponsored by the Northern California Contest Club, starting at 0230 UTC. See www.ncccsprint.com for more information.

– Thanks to Ward Silver, N0AX.

Upcoming State QSO Parties

The State QSO Party (SQP) season kicks off this weekend, with three opportunities to participate. The Vermont QSO Party begins at 0000 UTC on Saturday, February 1, and runs for 48 hours, concluding at 2359 UTC on Sunday, February 2. Also on Saturday, the Minnesota QSO Party kicks off at 1400 UTC and concludes at 2359 UTC. Finally, the British Columbia QSO Party begins at 1600 UTC on February 1 and concludes at 2359 UTC on February 2.

All three of the events qualify for the State QSO Party Challenge, which has an added Mobile/Portable Challenge in 2025. The organizers of the SQP have added this new challenge to encourage more operators to consider operating mobile and portable. Rules for the SQP Mobile/Portable Challenge are available at stateqsoparty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025SQPMobilePOrtableRulesFb.pdf.

CQ World Wide WPX RTTY Contest

The CQ World Wide WPX RTTY Contest begins at 0000 UTC on Saturday, February 8, and concludes at 2359 UTC on Sunday, February 9. The objective is for amateurs world-wide to contact as many stations and prefixes as possible. Single Operator stations may operate for 30 hours of the 48-hour contest period. Multi-operator stations may operate for the full 48 hours. Complete rules are available at www.cqwpxrtty.com/rules.htm.

ARRL School Club Roundup

The ARRL February School Club Roundup runs from 1300 UTC on Monday, February 10, through 2359 UTC on Friday, February 14. School Club Roundup is co-sponsored by ARRL and the Long Island Mobile Amateur Radio Club (LIMARC). For full details of the event, visit www.arrl.org/school-club-roundup.

Bulletins

New Contest Hall of Fame Website Launched

The World Wide Radio Operators Foundation (WWROF) is now managing the Contest Hall of Fame. They have launched a new website at contesthof.com that contains a short writeup about each Contest HOF inductee. As the new website is a work in progress, Randy Thompson, K5ZD, is seeking any additional biography information and photos of past inductees. He can be reached at k5zd@outlook.com.

– Thanks to Randy Thompson, K5ZD

Call for Papers and Presentations for the 2025 Eastern VHF/UHF/Microwave Conference

Presentations and papers are sought for the 48th Eastern VHF/UHF/ Microwave Conference, held May 8 - 11, 2025 in Windsor, Connecticut. All aspects of VHF/UHF/microwave operating, technical and non-technical (contesting, homebrewing, EME, antennas, software, etc.), are welcome. If you have a topic that you'd like to submit to the proceedings, contact Paul Wade, W1GHZ, via email at w1ghz@arrl.net.

The conference is sponsored by the North East Weak Signal Group. For more details visit www.newsvhf.com.

– Thanks to Paul Wade, W1GHZ and Mark Casey, K1MAP

Contest University Course Outline and Professor Bios Announced

Tim Duffy, K3LR, has announced that the 2025 course outline and professor biographies are now posted on the Contest University website at www.contestuniversity.com/course-outline. Contest University will be held on Thursday, May 15 from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, at the Hope Hotel in Dayton, Ohio.

Contest Summary

See the "Contests" section below for complete contest information.

January 30

CWops Test (CWT)

January 31

February 1

February 2

February 3

February 4

February 5

February 6

February 7

February 8

February 9

Balkan HF Contest

February 10

February 11

February 12

News, Press Releases, and Special Interest

28th Annual Dayton Contest Dinner

North Coast Contesters are proud to announce that the 28th Annual Dayton Contest Dinner will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at the Hope Hotel in Dayton, Ohio.

The Master of Ceremonies is Contest Hall of Fame member and CQ World Wide Contest Director, John Dorr, K1AR. This year’s keynote speaker will be Chris Hurlbut, KL9A. The 2025 CQ Contest Hall of Fame inductees will also be announced at the dinner. For complete details and to purchase tickets, please visit their website contestdinner.com.

– Thanks to Tim Duffy, K3LR, Dayton Contest Dinner Chairman

That's all for this time. Remember to send contesting-related stories, book reviews, tips, techniques, press releases, errata, schematics, club information, pictures, stories, blog links, and predictions to contest-update@arrl.org.

73, Paul, N1SFE

Contests

January 30, 2025 – February 12, 2025

An expanded, downloadable version of QST's Contest Corral is available as a PDF. Check the sponsors' website for information on operating time restrictions and other instructions.

HF CONTESTS

CWops Test (CWT), Jan 30, 0300z to Jan 30, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Feb 1.

CWops Test (CWT), Jan 30, 0700z to Jan 30, 0800z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Feb 1.

NCCC FT4 Sprint, Jan 31, 0100z to Jan 31, 0130z; FT4; Bands: (see rules); 4-character grid square; Logs due: Feb 2.

Weekly RTTY Test, Jan 31, 0145z to Jan 31, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Feb 2.

QRP Fox Hunt, Jan 31, 0200z to Jan 31, 0330z; CW; Bands: 20; RST + (state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: Feb 1.

NCCC Sprint Ladder, Jan 31, 0230z to Jan 31, 0300z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15; Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: Feb 2.

K1USN Slow Speed Test, Jan 31, 2000z to Jan 31, 2100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Feb 2.

Vermont QSO Party, Feb 1, 0000z to Feb 2, 2359z; All (see rules for FT8 guidance); Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, VHF/UHF; VT: RS(T) + County, non-VT W/VE: RS(T) + (state/province), DX: RS(T); Logs due: Feb 16.

LABRE-RS Digi Contest, Feb 1, 0000z to Feb 2, 2059z; FT4/8; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; 4-character grid square; Logs due: Feb 12.

10-10 Int. Winter Contest, SSB, Feb 1, 0001z to Feb 2, 2359z; Phone; Bands: 10; 10-10 Member: Name + 10-10 number + (state/province/country), Non-Member: Name + 0 + (state/province/country); Logs due: Feb 10.

Mexico RTTY International Contest, Feb 1, 1200z to Feb 2, 2359z; RTTY Only; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; XE: RST + State, non-XE: RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Mar 16.

European Union DX Contest, Feb 1, 1200z to Feb 2, 1200z; CW, SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; EU Union: RS(T) + EU Union Region (4-characters), Non-EU Union: RS(T) + ITU Zone No.; Logs due: Feb 9.

Minnesota QSO Party, Feb 1, 1400z to Feb 2, 2359z; CW, Phone (FM/SSB/AM); Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; MN: Name + County, W/VE: Name + (state/province), DX: Name; Logs due: Feb 15.

FYBO Winter QRP Sprint, Feb 1, 1400z to Feb 2, 2359z; CW, SSB, Digital; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RS(T) + (state/province/country)+ name + power out + temperature(F); Logs due: Mar 4.

AGCW Straight Key Party, Feb 1, 1600z to Feb 2, 1900z; CW; Bands: 80; AGCW: RST + Serial No. + "/" + Class + "/" + Name + "/" + Age; Logs due: Feb 26.

British Columbia QSO Party, Feb 1, 1600z to Feb 2, 2359z; CW, SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; BC: RS(T) + District, non-BC: RS(T) + (state/province/"DX"); Logs due: Feb 17.

North American Sprint, CW, Feb 2, 0000z to Feb 2, 0359z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20; [other station's call] + [your call] + [serial no.] + [your name] + [your state/province/country]; Logs due: Feb 9.

Marconi Club ARI Loano Slow CW QSO Party, Feb 2, 1300z to Feb 2, 2300z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20; Marconi Club Member: RST + "MC" + Member No. + Serial No., non-Members: RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Feb 9.

K1USN Slow Speed Test, Feb 3, 0000z to Feb 3, 0100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Feb 5.

ICWC Medium Speed Test, Feb 3, 1300z to Feb 3, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: Feb 6.

OK1WC Memorial (MWC), Feb 3, 1630z to Feb 3, 1729z; CW; Bands: 80, 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Feb 7.

ICWC Medium Speed Test, Feb 3, 1900z to Feb 3, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: Feb 6.

RSGB 80m Club Championship, SSB, Feb 3, 2000z to Feb 3, 2130z; SSB; Bands: 80; RS + Serial No.; Logs due: Feb 4.

ARS Spartan Sprint, Feb 4, 0100z to Feb 4, 0300z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + (state/province/country) + Power; Logs due: Feb 6.

Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest, Feb 4, 0100z to Feb 4, 0159z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; RS + age group (OM, YL, Youth YL or Youth); Logs due: Feb 5.

ICWC Medium Speed Test, Feb 4, 0300z to Feb 4, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: Feb 6.

QRP Fox Hunt, Feb 5, 0200z to Feb 5, 0330z; CW; Bands: 20; RST + (state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: Feb 6.

Phone Weekly Test, Feb 5, 0230z to Feb 5, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15; NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: Feb 7.

A1Club AWT, Feb 5, 1145z to Feb 5, 1300z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: RST + Name; Logs due: Feb 10.

CWops Test (CWT), Feb 5, 1300z to Feb 5, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Feb 8.

Mini-Test 40, Feb 5, 1700z to Feb 5, 1759z; CW; Bands: 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Feb 7.

Mini-Test 80, Feb 5, 1800z to Feb 5, 1859z; CW; Bands: 80; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Feb 7.

CWops Test (CWT), Feb 5, 1900z to Feb 5, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Feb 8.

UKEICC 80m Contest, Feb 5, 2000z to Feb 5, 2100z; SSB; Bands: 80; 6-Character grid square; Logs due: Feb 5.

Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest, Feb 6, 0000z to Feb 7, 0300z; CW; Bands: 40; Maximum 13 wpm, RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (Member No./power); Logs due: Feb 13.

CWops Test (CWT), Feb 6, 0300z to Feb 6, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Feb 8.

CWops Test (CWT), Feb 6, 0700z to Feb 6, 0800z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Feb 8.

NRAU 10m Activity Contest, Feb 6, 1800z to Feb 6, 2200z; CW, SSB, FM, Digital; Bands: 10; RS(T) + 6-character grid square; Logs due: Feb 20.

SKCC Sprint Europe, Feb 6, 2000z to Feb 6, 2200z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (SKCC No./"NONE"); Logs due: Feb 13.

NCCC FT4 Sprint, Feb 7, 0100z to Feb 7, 0130z; FT4; Bands: (see rules); 4-character grid square; Logs due: Feb 9.

Weekly RTTY Test, Feb 7, 0145z to Feb 7, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Feb 9.

QRP Fox Hunt, Feb 7, 0200z to Feb 7, 0330z; CW; Bands: 20; RST + (state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: Feb 8.

NCCC Sprint Ladder, Feb 7, 0230z to Feb 7, 0300z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15; Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: Feb 9.

K1USN Slow Speed Test, Feb 7, 2000z to Feb 7, 2100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Feb 9.

CQ WW RTTY WPX Contest, Feb 8, 0000z to Feb 9, 2359z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Feb 14.

FISTS Saturday Sprint, Feb 8, 0000z to Feb 8, 2359z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; FISTS: RST + first name + FISTS No. + (state/province/country), non-FISTS: RST + first name + "0" + (state/province/country); Logs due: Feb 15.

Asia-Pacific Spring Sprint, CW, Feb 8, 1100z to Feb 8, 1300z; CW; Bands: 40, 20; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Feb 15.

SKCC Weekend Sprintathon, Feb 8, 1200z to Feb 9, 2359z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (SKCC No./"NONE"); Logs due: Feb 16.

KCJ Topband Contest, Feb 8, 1200z to Feb 9, 1200z; CW; Bands: 160; JA: RST + Prefecture/District Code, non-JA: RST + CQ Zone; Logs due: Feb 24.

Dutch PACC Contest, Feb 8, 1200z to Feb 9, 1200z; CW, SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; PA: RS(T) + province, non-PA: RS(T) + Serial No.; Logs due: Feb 14.

F9AA Cup, CW, Feb 8, 1200z to Feb 9, 1200z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 2; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Mar 9.

OMISS QSO Party, Feb 8, 1500z to Feb 9, 1500z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RS + (state/province/DX) + (OMISS No. if member); Logs due: Mar 1.

WAB 1.8 MHz Phone, Feb 8, 1900z to Feb 8, 2359z; SSB; Bands: 160; British Isles: RS + serial no. + WAB square, Other: RS + serial no. + country; Logs due: Feb 18.

RSGB 1.8 MHz Contest, Feb 8, 2000z to Feb 8, 2300z; CW; Bands: 160; UK: RST + Serial No. + District Code, non-UK: RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Feb 9.

Balkan HF Contest, Feb 9, 1300z to Feb 9, 1700z; CW, SSB; Bands: 80, 40; RS(T) + QSO No.; Logs due: Feb 16.

K1USN Slow Speed Test, Feb 10, 0000z to Feb 10, 0100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Feb 12.

4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint, Feb 10, 0100z to Feb 10, 0300z; CW, SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: RS(T) + (State/Province/Country) + Member No., Non-member: RS(T) + (State/Province/Country) + Power; Logs due: Feb 12.

ARRL School Club Roundup, Feb 10, 1300z to Feb 14, 2359z; CW, Phone, RTTY/Digital; Bands: All, except 60, 30, 17, 12m; RS(T) + Class (I/C/S) + (state/province/country); Logs due: Mar 1.

ICWC Medium Speed Test, Feb 10, 1300z to Feb 10, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: Feb 13.

OK1WC Memorial (MWC), Feb 10, 1630z to Feb 10, 1729z; CW; Bands: 80, 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Feb 14.

ICWC Medium Speed Test, Feb 10, 1900z to Feb 10, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: Feb 13.

Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest, Feb 11, 0100z to Feb 11, 0159z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; RS + age group (OM, YL, Youth YL or Youth); Logs due: Feb 12.

ICWC Medium Speed Test, Feb 11, 0300z to Feb 11, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: Feb 13.

DARC FT4 Contest, Feb 11, 1900z to Feb 11, 2029z; FT4; Bands: 80; DL: RST + 4-character grid square; Logs due: Feb 18.

NAQCC CW Sprint, Feb 12, 0130z to Feb 12, 0330z; CW; Bands: 160; RST + (state/province/country) + (NAQCC No./power); Logs due: Feb 15.

QRP Fox Hunt, Feb 12, 0200z to Feb 12, 0330z; CW; Bands: 20; RST + (state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: Feb 13.

Phone Weekly Test, Feb 12, 0230z to Feb 12, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15; NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: Feb 14.

A1Club AWT, Feb 12, 1145z to Feb 12, 1300z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: RST + Name; Logs due: Feb 17.

CWops Test (CWT), Feb 12, 1300z to Feb 12, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Feb 15.

Mini-Test 40, Feb 12, 1700z to Feb 12, 1759z; CW; Bands: 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Feb 14.

Mini-Test 80, Feb 12, 1800z to Feb 12, 1859z; CW; Bands: 80; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Feb 14.

CWops Test (CWT), Feb 12, 1900z to Feb 12, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Feb 15.

RSGB 80m Club Championship, Data, Feb 12, 2000z to Feb 12, 2130z; RTTY, PSK; Bands: 80; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Feb 13

VHF+ CONTESTS

VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest, Feb 5, 1700z to Feb 5, 2100z; FT8/4; Bands: 144 MHz; 4-character grid square; Logs due: Feb 10.

VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest, Feb 12, 1700z to Feb 12, 2100z; FT8/4; Bands: 432 MHz; 4-character grid square; Logs due: Feb 17.