Contest Update Issue

The ARRL Contest Update for April 9, 2025 undefined

April 9, 2025


	ARRL Home Page


	Contest Calendar

In this Issue:

Upcoming Contests – Things to Do
Bulletins
Contest Summary
Results and Records
Technical Topics and Discussion
Contests
Log Due Dates

Upcoming Contests – Things to Do

Upcoming State QSO Parties

For those of you who enjoy state QSO parties, here are some upcoming events that might be of interest to you. You can also find more details in the Contests section.

April 12 - 13:

April 19 - 20:

April 20:

Quebec QSO Party

ARRL Rookie Roundup - SSB

The ARRL Rookie Roundup begins on Sunday, April 13 at 1800 UTC, and concludes at 2359 UTC. Rookie Roundup is a great opportunity for newly licensed operators to experience competitive amateur radio operating.

A Rookie is defined as having been first licensed or having made their first amateur radio contact in the current calendar year or the previous three calendar years, regardless of their license class. You can also be considered a Rookie if you haven't made any contest contacts using SSB phone before the event.

Visit the event webpage at www.arrl.org/rookie-roundup for rules and more information.

VHF/UHF Spring Sprints

The 144 MHz Spring Sprints, sponsored by the Central States VHF Society, begin at 2300 UTC on Monday, April 14, and conclude at 0600 UTC on Tuesday, April 15. The 144 MHz Spring Sprints are the first of five events, each focusing on specific bands. The Spring Sprints are great events to get your gear tuned up for the upcoming VHF/UHF contesting season.

The remaining sprint dates are as follows:

222 MHz - Tuesday April 22, 2300 UTC - Wednesday April 23, 0600 UTC

432 MHz - Wednesday April 30, 2300 UTC - Thursday May 1, 0600 UTC

Microwave - Saturday May 3, 0800 local time - 1400 local time

50 MHz - Saturday May 10, 2300 UTC - Sunday May 11, 0300 UTC

For rules and more information, visit

sites.google.com/site/springvhfupsprints/2025-information.

2025 Holyland DX Contest

The Holyland DX Contest, sponsored by the Israel Amateur Radio Club, begins on Friday, April 18 at 2100 UTC and concludes on Saturday, April 19 at 2059 UTC. For stations outside Israel, the exchange is a signal report and a sequential serial number starting with 1. Israeli stations will send a signal report and a 5-digit area number. Visit tools.iarc.org/wwhc/#/rules for complete rules.

Bulletins

2025 Florida QSO Party

Mark your calendars! The 2025 Florida QSO Party (FQP) begins on Saturday, April 26 at 1600 UTC and concludes on Sunday, April 27 at 2159 UTC.

This year, there will be a total of 14 1x1 special event stations whose call sign suffixes spell the word PIRATES. Contact at least one station of each suffix letter spelling the word PIRATES to earn a special Spelling Bee Award. The stations will use both modes (phone and CW) for the duration of the event. QSL via KU9C direct or Logbook of The World (LoTW).

Visit the FQP website at floridaqsoparty.org for rules, previous FQP results, records, and more information.

– Thanks to Chris Blake, NX4N

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

There's still room for more presentations for the 48th Eastern VHF/UHF/ Microwave Conference, to be held May 8 - 10, 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 including a preliminary agenda visit www.newsvhf.com.

Contest Summary

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

April 10

CWops Test (CWT)

April 11

April 12

April 13

April 14

April 15

April 16

April 17

April 18

April 19

April 20

April 21

April 22

April 23

Results and Records

2025 ARRL International DX Contest – Phone Raw Scores

The 2025 ARRL International DX Contest – Phone raw scores are available at contests.arrl.org/rawscores.php?cn=dxph. Raw scores are computed before any log checking score reductions. These scores may differ from the claimed scores calculated by your contest logging software. If you find any errors or have questions, contact the ARRL Contest Program Manager at contests@arrl.org.

2025 CQ WPX CW Contest Raw Scores

The raw scores for the 2025 CQ WPX CW Contest are now available at www.cqwpx.com/raw.htm?mode=ph. A record of more than 8,300 logs were received this year. Raw scores are calculated prior to log checking and should give

participants a good indication of their category placement at the world,

continent, or country level. Please check that your entry is in the correct category. Report any errors or questions to cqwpx.com/contact.

– Thanks to CQ WPX Contest director Bud Trench, AA3B

Technical Topics and Discussion

NRSC Releases Details of AM Band RF Noise Study

Of particular interest to HF operators, the National Radio Systems Committee’s (NSRF) AM Improvement Working Group has published a study examining the effects of RF noise on AM radio reception in cars. The group’s study intended to provide a better understanding of how radio reception is affected by RF signal strength and noise in a range of roadway environments.

You can read the full report at www.nrscstandards.org/reports/nrsc-r102.pdf

– Thanks to Dana Shtun, VE3DS, via RadioWorld

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

April 10, 2025 – April 23, 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), Apr 10, 0300z to Apr 10, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Apr 12.

CWops Test (CWT), Apr 10, 0700z to Apr 10, 0800z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Apr 12.

NCCC FT4 Sprint, Apr 11, 0100z to Apr 11, 0130z; FT4; Bands: (see rules); 4-character grid square; Logs due: Apr 13.

Weekly RTTY Test, Apr 11, 0145z to Apr 11, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Apr 13.

NCCC Sprint, Apr 11, 0230z to Apr 11, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: Apr 13.

K1USN Slow Speed Test, Apr 11, 2000z to Apr 11, 2100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Apr 13.

QRP ARCI Spring QSO Party, Apr 12, 0000z to Apr 12, 0600z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RS + (state/province/country) + (ARCI number/power); Logs due: Apr 28.

JIDX CW Contest, Apr 12, 0700z to Apr 13, 1300z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; JA: RST + Prefecture No., non-JA: RST + CQ Zone No.; Logs due: May 13.

SKCC Weekend Sprintathon, Apr 12, 1200z to Apr 13, 2359z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (SKCC No./"NONE"); Logs due: Apr 20.

OK/OM DX Contest, SSB, Apr 12, 1200z to Apr 13, 1159z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; OK/OM: RS + 3-letter county code, non-OK/OM: RS + Serial No.; Logs due: Apr 20.

Yuri Gagarin International DX Contest, Apr 12, 1200z to Apr 13, 1159z; CW, SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, Satellites; RST + ITU Zone No.; Logs due: Apr 27.

IG-RY World Wide RTTY Contest, Apr 12, 1200z to Apr 13, 1800z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + 4-digit year license first issued; Logs due: Apr 18.

DIG QSO Party, CW, Apr 12, 1200z to Apr 13, 1100z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; DIG Member: RST + Member No., non-Member: RST; Logs due: May 31.

Texas State Parks on the Air, Apr 12, 1300z to Apr 13, 1259z; All; Bands: All, except WARC; TX Park: RS(T) + park abbreviation), W/VE: RS(T) + (state/province), DX: RS(T) + "DX", For FT4/8 use signal report and grid; Logs due: Apr 30.

New Mexico QSO Party, Apr 12, 1400z to Apr 13, 0200z; CW, Phone, Digital; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6, 2; NM: RS(T) + county, non-NM: RS(T) + (state/province/country); Logs due: Apr 26.

Africa FT4 DX Contest, Apr 12, 1500z to Apr 12, 1800z; FT4; Bands: 80, 40, 20; Signal report + 4-character grid square; Logs due: Apr 17.

Georgia QSO Party, Apr 12, 1800z to Apr 13, 2359z; CW, SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; GA: RST + county, non-GA: RST + (state/province/"DX"); Logs due: Apr 28.

North Dakota QSO Party, Apr 12, 1800z to Apr 13, 1800z; CW, Phone, Digital (RTTY/PSK); Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6, 2; ND: RS(T) + County, non-ND: RS(T) + (state/province/country); Logs due: Sep 1.

Hungarian Straight Key Contest, Apr 13, 1500z to Apr 13, 1600z; CW; Bands: 80; RST + Serial No. + Power Code; Logs due: Apr 28.

ARRL Rookie Roundup, SSB, Apr 13, 1800z to Apr 13, 2359z; SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + 2-digit year first licensed + (state/province/XE area/DX); Logs due: Apr 16.

4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint, Apr 14, 0000z to Apr 14, 0200z; 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: Apr 16.

K1USN Slow Speed Test, Apr 14, 0000z to Apr 14, 0100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Apr 16.

ICWC Medium Speed Test, Apr 14, 1300z to Apr 14, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: Apr 17.

OK1WC Memorial (MWC), Apr 14, 1630z to Apr 14, 1729z; CW; Bands: 80, 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Apr 18.

ICWC Medium Speed Test, Apr 14, 1900z to Apr 14, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: Apr 17.

Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest, Apr 15, 0100z to Apr 15, 0159z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; RS + age group (OM, YL, Youth YL or Youth); Logs due: Apr 16.

ICWC Medium Speed Test, Apr 15, 0300z to Apr 15, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: Apr 17.

ZL Sprint, Apr 15, 0800z to Apr 15, 0929z; CW, SSB, FT4; Bands: 80; CW/SSB: RS(T) + Outside Temperature (C), FT4: 4-character grid square; Logs due: Apr 16.

Phone Weekly Test, Apr 16, 0230z to Apr 16, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15; NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: Apr 18.

A1Club AWT, Apr 16, 1145z to Apr 16, 1300z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: RST + Name; Logs due: Apr 21.

CWops Test (CWT), Apr 16, 1300z to Apr 16, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Apr 19.

Mini-Test 40, Apr 16, 1700z to Apr 16, 1759z; CW; Bands: 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Apr 18.

Mini-Test 80, Apr 16, 1800z to Apr 16, 1859z; CW; Bands: 80; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Apr 18.

RSGB 80m Club Championship, SSB, Apr 16, 1900z to Apr 16, 2030z; SSB; Bands: 80; RS + Serial No.; Logs due: Apr 17.

CWops Test (CWT), Apr 16, 1900z to Apr 16, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Apr 19.

Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest, Apr 17, 0000z to Apr 18, 0300z; CW; Bands: 20; Maximum 13 wpm, RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (Member No./power); Logs due: Apr 24.

CWops Test (CWT), Apr 17, 0300z to Apr 17, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Apr 19.

CWops Test (CWT), Apr 17, 0700z to Apr 17, 0800z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Apr 19.

Maundy Thursday Contest, Apr 17, 1200z to Apr 17, 2300z; CW, SSB, RTTY; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RS(T) + Serial No.; Logs due: May 17.

NTC QSO Party, Apr 17, 1900z to Apr 17, 2000z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20; NTC Member: RST + Member No., non-Member: RST + "NM", Less than 25 wpm; Logs due: Apr 21.

NCCC FT4 Sprint, Apr 18, 0100z to Apr 18, 0130z; FT4; Bands: (see rules); 4-character grid square; Logs due: Apr 20.

Weekly RTTY Test, Apr 18, 0145z to Apr 18, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Apr 20.

NCCC Sprint, Apr 18, 0230z to Apr 18, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: Apr 20.

K1USN Slow Speed Test, Apr 18, 2000z to Apr 18, 2100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Apr 20.

World Wide Holyland Contest, Apr 18, 2100z to Apr 19, 2059z; CW, SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; 4X: RS(T) + area, non-4X: RS(T) + Serial No.; Logs due: Apr 26.

ES Open HF Championship, Apr 19, 0500z to Apr 19, 0859z; CW, SSB; Bands: 80, 40; RS(T) + Serial No.; Logs due: May 1.

Worked All Provinces of China DX Contest, Apr 19, 0600z to Apr 20, 0559z; SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; BY: RS(T) + 2-character province, non-BY: RS(T) + Serial No.; Logs due: Apr 27.

Dutch PACCdigi Contest, Apr 19, 0700z to Apr 19, 1900z; FT4/8, RTTY; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; PA: Signal report + 2-character province, non-PA: Signal report + serial number; Logs due: Apr 27.

QRP to the Field, Apr 19, 0800 local to Apr 19, 1800 local; CW, SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + (state/province/country) + name/SOTA; Logs due: May 3.

CQMM DX Contest, Apr 19, 0900z to Apr 20, 2359z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; All: RST+continent abbreviation, CWJF members: RST + continent + "M", QRP: RST + continent + "Q", YL: RST + continent + "Y", Multi-Op,Clubs,Groups: RST + continent + "C"; Logs due: Jun 30.

Nebraska QSO Party, Apr 19, 1100z to Apr 20, 2259z; CW, Phone, Digital (non-FT8), FT4/8; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, VHF/UHF; NE (non-FT8): county, non-NE (non-FT8): (state/province/country), FT8: grid square; Logs due: May 24.

Michigan QSO Party, Apr 19, 1600z to Apr 20, 0400z; CW, SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; MI: RST + county, non-MI: RST + (state/province/"DX"); Logs due: Apr 27.

EA-QRP CW Contest, Apr 19, 1700z to Apr 20, 1200z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + 1-letter category + "M" (if EA-QRP member); Logs due: May 20.

Feld Hell Sprint, Apr 19, 1800z to Apr 19, 2159z; Feld Hell; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; (see rules); Logs due: Apr 23.

Ontario QSO Party, Apr 19, 1800z to Apr 20, 1800z; CW, Phone; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6, 2; ON: RS(T) + county, non-ON: RST + (state/province/country); Logs due: May 20.

International Vintage Contest HF, Apr 20, 0700z to Apr 20, 1900z; CW, SSB, AM; Bands: 80, 40; RS(T) + 6-character grid square; Logs due: May 4.

Quebec QSO Party, Apr 20, 1200z to Apr 20, 2200z; CW, Phone; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6, 2; QC: RS(T) + QC zone, non-QC: RST + (state/province/'DX'); Logs due: May 20.

Run for the Bacon QRP Contest, Apr 20, 2300z to Apr 21, 0100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + (state/province/country) + (Member No./power); Logs due: Apr 26.

K1USN Slow Speed Test, Apr 21, 0000z to Apr 21, 0100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Apr 23.

ICWC Medium Speed Test, Apr 21, 1300z to Apr 21, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: Apr 24.

DARC Easter Contest, Apr 21, 1500z to Apr 21, 1729z; CW, SSB; Bands: 80, 40; DL: RS(T) + DOK (or "NM" if not a DARC member), non-DL: RS(T) + QSO No.; Logs due: Apr 28.

OK1WC Memorial (MWC), Apr 21, 1630z to Apr 21, 1729z; CW; Bands: 80, 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Apr 25.

ICWC Medium Speed Test, Apr 21, 1900z to Apr 21, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: Apr 24.

Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest, Apr 22, 0100z to Apr 22, 0159z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; RS + age group (OM, YL, Youth YL or Youth); Logs due: Apr 23.

ICWC Medium Speed Test, Apr 22, 0300z to Apr 22, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: Apr 24.

ZL Sprint, Apr 22, 0800z to Apr 22, 0929z; CW, SSB, FT4; Bands: 80; CW/SSB: RS(T) + Outside Temperature (C), FT4: 4-character grid square; Logs due: Apr 23.

SKCC Sprint, Apr 23, 0000z to Apr 23, 0200z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (SKCC No./"NONE"); Logs due: Apr 26.

Phone Weekly Test, Apr 23, 0230z to Apr 23, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15; NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: Apr 25.

A1Club AWT, Apr 23, 1145z to Apr 23, 1300z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: RST + Name; Logs due: Apr 28.

CWops Test (CWT), Apr 23, 1300z to Apr 23, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Apr 26.

Mini-Test 40, Apr 23, 1700z to Apr 23, 1759z; CW; Bands: 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Apr 25.

Mini-Test 80, Apr 23, 1800z to Apr 23, 1859z; CW; Bands: 80; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Apr 25.

CWops Test (CWT), Apr 23, 1900z to Apr 23, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Apr 26.

VHF+ CONTESTS

144 MHz Spring Sprint, Apr 14, 2300z to Apr 15, 0600z; Any; Bands: 2; 4-character grid square; Logs due: Apr 28.

VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest, Apr 16, 1700z to Apr 16, 2100z; FT8/4; Bands: 1.2G; 4-character grid square; Logs due: Apr 21.

IRTS 70cm Counties Contest, Apr 21, 1300z to Apr 21, 1330z; FM, SSB; Bands: 70cm; EI/GI: RS(T) + Serial no. + county, non-EI/GI: RS(T) + Serial No.; Logs due: May 5.

IRTS 2m Counties Contest, Apr 21, 1330z to Apr 21, 1500z; FM, SSB; Bands: 2; EI/GI: RS(T) + Serial no. + county, non-EI/GI: RS(T) + Serial No.; Logs due: May 5.

222 MHz Spring Sprint, Apr 22, 2300z to Apr 23, 0600z; (not specified); Bands: 222 Mhz; 4-character grid square; Logs due: May 6.

Log Due Dates

April 10

April 11

April 12

April 13

April 14

April 15

April 16

April 17

April 18

April 19

CWops Test (CWT)

April 20

April 21

April 23

ARRL Information

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Acknowledgements

ARRL Contest Update wishes to acknowledge information from WA7BNM's Contest Calendar.

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