The ARRL Contest Update for November 5, 2025 undefined

 

 

 

 

November 21, 2025

Editor:

iCom

 

In this Issue:

Upcoming Contests – Things to Do

ARRL 160 Meter (CW) Contest

 

The CW-only begins at 2200 UTC on Friday, December 5, and ends at 1559 UTC on Sunday, December 7. This is a 42-hour period with no time limitation. There are no changes to multipliers in 2025.

 

The 2024 multiplier list will be used for all Section-based contests for the remainder of 2025. Canadian stations located in Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut should continue to send TER (Territories) as their section.

 

This Top-Band event is generally not for those who are weak in radiating surface (tower or wire) — that is, you need to consider what design of antenna you can muster to get on the band, whether the popular Inverted-L, or a loaded Vertical tower or Wire of some type. Even an Inverted-Vee can generally be managed (albeit 270 or so feet from end to end), but for most of the Vertical designs you need to establish a radial system (build out the radials to whatever fit your goals — the more the better).

 

Don’t forget the Club Competition: You can contribute your score to your ARRL Affiliated Club by selecting the club name when you upload your log. Club Competition rules are available .

 

And if you are still feeling the holiday’s contesting spirit, just a week later, start thinking about the .

 

ARRL 10 Meter Contest

 

The runs the second full weekend of December, starting at 0000 UTC on Saturday, December 13, and runs through 2359 UTC on Sunday, December 14. This event allows you to make contacts CW or SSB or both (Mixed) categories. Using only the 28 MHz band, both phone and CW may be used to contact stations only once per mode (there are no Digital contacts counted in this event). See for more details.

 

Contest exchange: All stations send a signal report. W/VE stations, including Alaska and Hawaii, send their state or province. District of Columbia stations send “DC.” Mexican stations send their state or province. DX stations send a serial number. Maritime mobile stations send ITU Region (1-3).

 

This is an event for newcomers as well as seasoned contesters! The 10-meter band can offer many propagation surprises, including: The elusive sporadic-E (single or multi-hop); early morning meteor Scatter; Aurora and Auroral-E; TEP; Backscatter; and Groundwave out to several hundred miles. Conditions can be open to any direction, and rapid propagation changes are routine. All it takes is a small antenna and low to medium power (5-50 watts) at the right time to make great contacts on SSB or CW.

 

Don’t forget the Club Competition: You can contribute your score to your ARRL Affiliated Club by selecting the club name when you upload your log. Club Competition rules are available . See the for major ARRL upcoming contests.

 

 

Call For Authors

Contest Results Authors and World Above 50-MHz QST Column Conductor Sought

 

ARRL conducts a number of contests in the calendar year, and there are a handful where we are seeking people wanting to write about them, to offer a fresh look at them. If you would like to try writing an analysis of an ARRL HF or VHF contest, contact us at with your availability. A stipend is paid for your work. Contact us with any questions you may have.

 

The World Above 50 MHz has been fortunate to have had several prolific VHF’ers conduct the column over many decades. Jon Jones, N0JK, has indicated that he wishes to pass the torch of conducting this column to a new conductor who is prepared to offer their own fresh perspective. Jon, N0JK; Emil, W3EP (sk); Gene, W3ZZ; Bill, W3XO (sk); and those before them, each brought a wealth of VHF+ flavor to this column. If you know of someone who follows VHF+/Weak-Signal activity closely, and is someone who enjoys writing about the activity, share their name or have them contact us at to help continue this QST journey on matters above 50 MHz.

 

Bulletins

(Reminder) ARRL’s Year of the Club Brings Contests and Opportunities for Clubs

 

As part of the Year of the Club in 2026, ARRL is sponsoring two contests and seeks club photos for publication.

 

Submit Your Club’s Newsletter or Website

 

The contests for ARRL Affiliated Clubs include a Club Newsletter Contest and a Club Website Contest. ARRL wants to see what your club does with the mix of information that can go into a newsletter or onto a website. Enter one or both of our Year of the Club contests for a chance to have your club newsletter or website honored in QST.

 

The Club Newsletter Contest is open to ARRL Affiliated Clubs that have published a newsletter for at least one (1) year. The Club Website Contest is open to ARRL Affiliated Clubs that maintain a club website.

 

Winners will be notified in May 2026, with awards presented at Huntsville Hamfest in August 2026. Winners will be announced in a 2026 issue of QST, as part of ARRL’s Year of the Club celebration.

 

The Submission Deadline for both contests is Friday, January 30, 2026, 4 p.m. Eastern time. For more information and complete rules for both contests, visit .

 

Submit a Club Photo to QST

 

Additionally, QST will feature club photos in every 2026 issue, as just one way of honoring various clubs. If your club wants a shot at being highlighted in the pages of QST, visit for details on how to take photos that will work for QST.

 

Sweepstakes Mugs and Pins Are Available

 

If you’ve participated in the ARRL 2025 Sweepstakes and qualify for the mug or pin, see the , the , or the .

 

Technical Topics and Discussion

(Reminder) ARRL Call for Technical Manuscripts

 

Call for Manuscripts: Share Technical Insights On Your Field Day Setup

QST invites submissions of technical manuscripts from licensed amateur radio operators for upcoming issues focused on ARRL Field Day operations. We're looking for educational, how-to pieces that help fellow hams improve their setups, strategies, and technical know-how.

 

What We’re Looking For:

  • Technical solutions for Field Day operations — power, antennas, logging, digital modes, etc.
  • Integration of new technologies (e.g., SDR, mesh networking, solar power) in field scenarios.
  • Examples of how the popularity of Parks on the Air (POTA) portable activations has changed your approach to setting up Field Day stations.
  • Examples of how portable antennas and LiFePO batteries have replaced base-station antennas and generators.
  • Manuscripts should have a strong “how-to” component. Tell us what you did, but more importantly, tell us how you did it.

Submission Guidelines:

  • Audience: Licensed amateur radio operators
  • Length: 1,000 – 1,800 words, plus high-resolution images with caption and photo credit information (name and call sign of photographer)
  • Tone: Educational and collaborative — share what works
  • Format: Plain text or Word document
  • Deadline: January 31, 2026
  • Submit to:

Why Contribute? Your article could be published in QST, ARRL’s membership journal, which reaches thousands of fellow amateurs across the country and beyond. It’s a great way to give back to the community and inspire others with your experience.

 

Tell us about your contest activity (what made a difference this year vs prior years)

 

Send us your description of activity or changes that have or will make your contests more enjoyable (something others can benefit from in your experiences). Are you engaged in any youth or newcomer mentoring? Whatever it is, we want to hear about it (and we’d like to share your experiences with others. Share photos as well (include photo releases for youth younger than 18). Send to .

 

Contest Summary

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

 

November 19

November 20

November 21

November 22

November 23

November 24

November 25

November 26

November 27

November 28

November 29

December 1

 

RigSelect Radio Switch SO2R Controller

 

Contests

November 20, 2025 - December 1, 2025

 

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

 

, Nov 18, 0100z to Nov 18, 0159z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; RS +age group (OM, YL, Youth YL or Youth); Logs due: Nov 19.

 

, Nov 18, 0300z to Nov 18, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: Nov 20.

 

, Nov 19, 0200z to Nov 19, 0330z; CW; Bands: 20; RST + (state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: Nov 20.

 

, Nov 19, 0230z to Nov 19, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15; NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: Nov 21.

 

, Nov 19, 1145z to Nov 19, 1300z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: RST + Name; Logs due: Nov 24.

 

, Nov 19, 1300z to Nov 19, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Nov 22.

 

, Nov 19, 1700z to Nov 19, 2100z; FT8/4; Bands: 1.2G; 4-character grid square; Logs due: Nov 24.

 

, Nov 19, 1700z to Nov 19, 1759z; CW; Bands: 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Nov 21.

 

, Nov 19, 1800z to Nov 19, 1859z; CW; Bands: 80; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Nov 21.

 

, Nov 19, 1900z to Nov 19, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + state/province/country); Logs due: Nov 22.

 

, Nov 20, 0000z to Nov 21, 0300z; CW; Bands: 20; Maximum 13 wpm, RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (Member No./power); Logs due: Nov 27.

 

, Nov 20, 0130z to Nov 20, 0330z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20; RST + (state/province/country) + (NAQCC No./power); Logs due: Nov 23.

 

, Nov 20, 0300z to Nov 20, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Nov 22.

 

, Nov 20, 0700z to Nov 20, 0800z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Nov 22.

 

, Nov 20, 1900z to Nov 20, 2000z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20; NTC Member: RST + Member No., non-Member: RST + "NM", Less than 25 wpm; Logs due: Nov 24.

 

, Nov 21, 0100z to Nov 21, 0130z; FT4; Bands: (see rules); 4-character grid square; Logs due: Nov 23.

 

, Nov 21, 0145z to Nov 21, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name +(state/province/country); Logs due: Nov 23.

 

, Nov 21, 0200z to Nov 21, 0330z; CW; Bands: 20; RST + (state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: Nov 22.

 

, Nov 21, 0230z to Nov 21, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: Nov 23.

 

, Nov 21, 2000z to Nov 21, 2100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Nov 23.

 

, Nov 22, 1200z to Nov 23, 1200z; CW, SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; LZ: RS(T) + 2-letter district, non-LZ: RS(T) + ITU Zone No.; Logs due: Dec 8.

 

, Nov 23, 0000z to Nov 23, 0400z; SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20; [other station's call] + [your call] + [serial no.] + [your name] + [your state/province/country]; Logs due: Nov 30.

 

, Nov 24, 0000z to Nov 24, 0100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Nov 26.

 

, Nov 24, 1300z to Nov 24, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + Name + (state/province/country) + Rig; Logs due: Nov 30.

 

, Nov 24, 1300z to Nov 24, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: Nov 27.

 

, Nov 24, 1630z to Nov 24, 1729z; CW; Bands: 80, 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Nov 28.

 

, Nov 24, 1900z to Nov 24, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + Name + (state/province/country) + Rig; Logs due: Nov 30.

 

, Nov 24, 1900z to Nov 24, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: Nov 27.

 

, Nov 25, 0100z to Nov 25, 0159z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; RS + age group (OM, YL, Youth YL or Youth); Logs due: Nov 26.

 

, Nov 25, 0300z to Nov 25, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + Name + (state/province/country) + Rig; Logs due: Nov 30.

 

, Nov 25, 0300z to Nov 25, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: Nov 27.

 

, Nov 26, 0000z to Nov 26, 0200z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; RST +

(state/province/country) + Name + (SKCC No./"NONE"); Logs due: Nov 29.

 

, Nov 26, 0200z to Nov 26, 0330z; CW; Bands: 20; RST + (state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: Nov 27.

 

, Nov 26, 0230z to Nov 26, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15; NA:

Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: Nov 28.

 

, Nov 26, 1145z to Nov 26, 1300z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: RST + Name; Logs due: Dec 1.

 

, Nov 26, 1300z to Nov 26, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Nov 29.

 

, Nov 26, 1700z to Nov 26, 1759z; CW; Bands: 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Nov 28.

 

, Nov 26, 1800z to Nov 26, 1859z; CW; Bands: 80; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Nov 28.

 

, Nov 26, 1900z to Nov 26, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Nov 29.

 

, Nov 26, 2000z to Nov 26, 2100z; CW; Bands: 80; 6-Character grid square; Logs due: Nov 26.

 

, Nov 27, 0300z to Nov 27, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + state/province/country); Logs due: Nov 29.

 

, Nov 27, 0700z to Nov 27, 0800z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Nov 29.

 

, Nov 27, 2000z to Nov 27, 2130z; CW; Bands: 80; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Nov 30.

 

, Nov 28, 0100z to Nov 28, 0130z; FT4; Bands: (see rules); 4-character grid square; Logs due: Nov 30.

 

, Nov 28, 0145z to Nov 28, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Nov 30.

 

, Nov 28, 0200z to Nov 28, 0330z; CW; Bands: 20; RST + (state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: Nov 29.

 

, Nov 28, 0230z to Nov 28, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: Nov 30.

 

, Nov 28, 2000z to Nov 28, 2100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Nov 30.

 

, Nov 29, 0000z to Nov 30, 2359z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + CQ Zone No.; Logs due: Dec 5.

 

, Dec 1, 0000z to Dec 1, 0100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + state/province/country); Logs due: Dec 3.

 

, Dec 1, 1300z to Dec 1, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: Dec 4.

 

, Dec 1, 1630z to Dec 1, 1729z; CW; Bands: 80, 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Dec 5.

 

, Dec 1, 1900z to Dec 1, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: Dec 4.

 

Log Due Dates

November 18

November 19

November 20

November 21

November 22

November 23

November 24

November 26

November 27

November 28

November 29

November 30

December 1

December 9

 

 

 

 

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Acknowledgements

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