Forum: The Ham Shack BBS

The ARRL Contest Update for December 17, 2025

From ARRL@memberlist@arrl.org to rec.radio.amateur.dx,rec.radio.info on Thu Dec 25 22:37:53 2025

From Newsgroup: rec.radio.amateur.dx

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December 17, 2025
Editor: Brian Moran, N9ADG [ http://contest-update@arrl.org ]

ARRL Home Page
https://www.arrl.org/

Contest Calendar
https://www.arrl.org/contest-calendar

iCom
[https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/amateur/]

In this Issue:
�-�Upcoming Contests - Things to Do
�-�Contest Summary
�-�News
�-�Word to the Wise
�-�Club Focus
�-�Sights and Sounds
�-�Results and Records
�-�Operating Tip
�-�Technical Topics and Discussion
�-�Conversation
�-�Contests
�-�Log Due Dates

Upcoming Contests - Things to Do

Being the end of the year and the holiday season, there are a lot of distractions that could keep you away from contesting.

Stay focused! If you must, you could make some concessions to the holiday season by choosing events that have seasonal words in the names, like "RAC Winter Contest [ https://www.rac.ca/contesting-results/ ] " or "DARC
Christmas Contest [ https://www.darc.de/der-club/referate/conteste/weihnachtswettbewerb/en/ ] ." Other good words to look for in a contest name could be "Snowball," "Old and New," "Happy New Year," and the ever popular and delicious "Bacon." You could also try any event name that has that festive word "Contest" in it.

How about trying something new-to-you, like RTTY. If you like FT modes, you might find all-digital RTTY to be to your liking, too. Get your setup configured and dialed in with the Weekly RTTY contest [ https://radiosport.world/wrt.html ] , then get on the air the weekend of January 3 - 4 to make a bunch of QSOs in the ARRL RTTY Roundup [ https://www.arrl.org/rtty-roundup?utm_source=Informz&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=ARRL
] . See below for RTTY-related hints and tidbits.

If you are new to contesting, give the ARRL Rookie Roundup [ https://www.arrl.org/rookie-roundup?utm_source=Informz&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=ARRL
] (CW) a go on December 21. If you're an old hand at contesting and hear this contest in progress, why not hand out a few contacts?

On January 1, reset all of your yearly counters for the DX Marathon [ https://www.dxmarathon.com/ ] (see below). Just when you thought you were
done at 2359z on December 31, this competition starts right up again at
0000z, and runs for the next year.

In the new year, if there are any younger non-ham relatives still lingering around the house on January 3, make it a requirement that they participate in ARRL Kids Day [ https://www.arrl.org/kids-day?utm_source=Informz&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=ARRL
] .

[https://surgestop.com/filter-products/index.html]

Contest Summary

December 18, 2025 - January 7, 2026

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

December 18
�-�Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest [ https://qrpcontest.com/pigwalk20/ ] �-�CWops Test (CWT) [ https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/ ]
�-�NTC QSO Party [ https://pi4ntc.nl/ntcqp/ ]

December 19
�-�NCCC FT4 Sprint [ https://www.ncccsprint.com/ft4ns.html ]
�-�Weekly RTTY Test [ https://radiosport.world/wrt.html ]
�-�QRP Fox Hunt [ http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm ]
�-�NCCC Sprint [ https://ncccsprint.com/rules.html ]
�-�AGB-Party Contest [ http://www.ev5agb.com/contest/agb_party.htm ]
�-�K1USN Slow Speed Test [ http://www.k1usn.com/sst.html ]

December 20
�-�Feld Hell Sprint [ https://sites.google.com/site/feldhellclub/Home/contests/sprints/Happy-Birthday-Rudolph-Sprint
]

�-�OK DX RTTY Contest [ http://okrtty.crk.cz/index.php?page=english ]
�-�RAC Winter Contest [ https://www.rac.ca/contesting-results/ ]
�-�Croatian DX Contest [ https://www.hamradio.hr/9a-dx-contest/ ]

December 21
�-�ARRL Rookie Roundup, CW [ http://www.arrl.org/rookie-roundup?utm_source=Informz&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=ARRL
]

�-�Run for the Bacon QRP Contest [ http://qrpcontest.com/pigrun/ ]

December 22
�-�K1USN Slow Speed Test [ http://www.k1usn.com/sst.html ]
�-�OK1WC Memorial (MWC) [ https://memorial-ok1wc.cz/index.php?page=rules2l ] �-�ICWC Medium Speed Test [ https://internationalcwcouncil.org/mst-contest/ ]

December 23
�-�Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest [ https://wwsac.com/rules.html ] �-�ICWC Medium Speed Test [ https://internationalcwcouncil.org/mst-contest/ ]

December 24
�-�SKCC Sprint [
https://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/weekday_sprint/ ]

�-�QRP Fox Hunt [ http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm ]
�-�Phone Weekly Test [ http://www.perluma.com/Phone_Fray_Contest_Rules.pdf ] �-�A1Club AWT [ https://a1club.org/contest/awt/ ]
�-�CWops Test (CWT) [ https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/ ]
�-�Mini-Test 40 [ http://minitest.narod.ru/ ]
�-�Mini-Test 80 [ http://minitest.narod.ru/ ]

December 25
�-�CWops Test (CWT) [ https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/ ]

December 26
�-�NCCC FT4 Sprint [ https://www.ncccsprint.com/ft4ns.html ]
�-�Weekly RTTY Test [ https://radiosport.world/wrt.html ]
�-�QRP Fox Hunt [ http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm ]
�-�NCCC Sprint [ https://ncccsprint.com/rules.html ]
�-�DARC Christmas Contest [ https://www.darc.de/der-club/referate/conteste/weihnachtswettbewerb/en/ ]

�-�K1USN Slow Speed Test [ http://www.k1usn.com/sst.html ]

December 27
�-�Stew Perry Topband Challenge [ https://www.kkn.net/stew/ ]
�-�Original QRP Contest [ http://www.qrpcc.de/contestrules/oqrpr.html ]

December 28
�-�RAEM Contest [ https://raem.srr.ru/rules/ ]

December 29
�-�K1USN Slow Speed Test [ http://www.k1usn.com/sst.html ]
�-�YOTA Contest [ https://yotacontest.mrasz.org/ ]
�-�QCX Challenge [ http://www.qrp-labs.com/party.html ]
�-�ICWC Medium Speed Test [ https://internationalcwcouncil.org/mst-contest/ ] �-�OK1WC Memorial (MWC) [ https://memorial-ok1wc.cz/index.php?page=rules2l ] �-�QCX Challenge [ http://www.qrp-labs.com/party.html ]

December 30
�-�Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest [ https://wwsac.com/rules.html ]
�-�QCX Challenge [ http://www.qrp-labs.com/party.html ]
�-�ICWC Medium Speed Test [ https://internationalcwcouncil.org/mst-contest/ ]

December 31
�-�QRP Fox Hunt [ http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm ]
�-�Phone Weekly Test [ http://www.perluma.com/Phone_Fray_Contest_Rules.pdf ] �-�Bogor Old and New Contest [ https://contest.orari-bogor.org/rule/ ] �-�A1Club AWT [ https://a1club.org/contest/awt/ ]
�-�CWops Test (CWT) [ https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/ ]
�-�Mini-Test 40 [ http://minitest.narod.ru/ ]
�-�Mini-Test 80 [ http://minitest.narod.ru/ ]

January 1
�-�AGB New Year Snowball Contest [ https://www.qsl.net/eu1eu/agb_nysb.htm ] �-�Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest [ https://qrpcontest.com/pigwalk40/ ] �-�CWops Test (CWT) [ https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/ ]
�-�SARTG New Year RTTY Contest [ http://www.sartg.com/contest/nyrules.htm ] �-�AGCW Happy New Year Contest [ https://www.agcw.de/contest/hnyc/hnyc-engl/
]

�-�AGCW VHF/UHF Contest [ https://www.agcw.de/contest/vhf-uhf/ ]
�-�IRTS 80m Counties Contest [ https://www.irts.ie/cgi/st.cgi?r_hfcrules.html
]

�-�NRAU 10m Activity Contest [ https://nrau.net/nrau-contests-in-general/ ] �-�SKCC Sprint Europe [ https://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/skse/
]

January 2
�-�NCCC FT4 Sprint [ https://www.ncccsprint.com/ft4ns.html ]
�-�Weekly RTTY Test [ https://radiosport.world/wrt.html ]
�-�QRP Fox Hunt [ http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm ]
�-�NCCC Sprint [ https://ncccsprint.com/rules.html ]
�-�K1USN Slow Speed Test [ http://www.k1usn.com/sst.html ]

January 3
�-�PODXS 070 Club PSKFest [ http://www.podxs070.com/o7o-club-sponsored-contests/pskfest ]

�-�Marconi Club ARI Loano QSO Party Day [ http://www.ariloano.it/marconiclub/mcd_reg/regolamentomcday_ENG.pdf ]

�-�WW PMC Contest [ http://www.s59dcd.si/index.php/sl/ww-pmc/ww-pmc-contest-rules ]

�-�RSGB AFS Contest, CW [ https://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2026/rafs.shtml ] �-�ARRL RTTY Roundup [ https://www.arrl.org/rtty-roundup?utm_source=Informz&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=ARRL
]

�-�ARRL Kids Day [ https://www.arrl.org/kids-day?utm_source=Informz&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=ARRL
]

�-�EUCW 160m Contest [ https://www.uft.net/activites-et-concours/concours-eucw-uft-on5me/ ]

January 4
�-�FOC Old School Classic 1960s QSO Party [ https://www.g4foc.org/foc-old-school-classic-1960s-qso-party/ ]

January 5
�-�K1USN Slow Speed Test [ http://www.k1usn.com/sst.html ]
�-�ICWC Medium Speed Test [ https://internationalcwcouncil.org/mst-contest/ ] �-�OK1WC Memorial (MWC) [ https://memorial-ok1wc.cz/index.php?page=rules2l ] �-�ICWC Medium Speed Test [ https://internationalcwcouncil.org/mst-contest/ ]

January 6
�-�ARS Spartan Sprint [ http://ars-qrp.com/Spartan_Sprint/Spartan_Sprint.html
]

�-�Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest [ https://wwsac.com/rules.html ] �-�ICWC Medium Speed Test [ https://internationalcwcouncil.org/mst-contest/ ]

January 7
�-�QRP Fox Hunt [ http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm ]
�-�Phone Weekly Test [ http://www.perluma.com/Phone_Fray_Contest_Rules.pdf ] �-�A1Club AWT [ https://a1club.org/contest/awt/ ]
�-�CWops Test (CWT) [ https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/ ]
�-�VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest [ http://www.ft8activity.eu/index.php/en/ ] �-�Mini-Test 40 [ http://minitest.narod.ru/ ]
�-�Mini-Test 80 [ http://minitest.narod.ru/ ]
�-�CWops Test (CWT) [ https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/ ]
�-�UKEICC 80m Contest [ https://www.ukeicc.com/80m-rules.php ]

RigSelect Radio Switch SO2R Controller
[https://rigselect.com/]

News

This is the year-end issue covering the interval of December 18, 2025, to January 7, 2026 �-" one week longer than the usual cadence.

The ARRL Solar Update of December 5 [ https://www.arrl.org/news/the-arrl-solar-update-11?utm_source=Informz&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=ARRL
] noted that the Weekly Commentary on the Sun, the Magnetosphere, and the Earth's Ionosphere December 05 - December 11, 2025 [ https://space.asu.cas.cz/weekly-forecast?date=20251204 ] by F.K. Janda,
OK1HH, states: "The significant increase in solar activity since the
beginning of December has finally confirmed the original assumption that the current 25th eleven-year solar cycle will have two peaks.

The first occurred last October, while we have been eagerly awaiting the
second one this year (especially in the fall). The increase in activity at
the end of this summer started promisingly, but it was only the first of several.

It was not until the large solar flare on November 11, 2025, which was the largest since October 3, 2024, that we knew the secondary maximum was
near.... During December, we are likely to experience another increase in
solar activity in the last third of the month, preceded by several days of increased geomagnetic activity."

"FCC Allocates 60-Meter World-Wide Amateur Band Approved at WRC-15; Continues Amateur Use of Four Additional 60-Meter Channels, and Updates 420 MHz Coordination Information" �-" See the ARRL Letter for December 11, 2025 [ https://arrl.informz.net/informzdataservice/onlineversion/ind/bWFpbGluZ2luc3RhbmNlaWQ9MzUwOTY4NCZzdWJzY3JpYmVyaWQ9NTIwNTAzNjMx
] . An FCC Report and Order 25-60A1 [ https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-25-60A1.pdf ] was issued December 9, 2025, referencing changes to the Amateur Service in the 60 meter and 440
MHz bands. Note that any changes don't take effect until 30 days after being published in the Federal Register.

Potential 60-meter changes include a new segment for QRP that lowers ERP limits.

Current segments remain unchanged.
Watch the ARRL website for more information.

Contest University [ http://contestuniversity.com/ ] 2026 is now open for registration! CTU will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at the Hope Hotel [ https://www.hopehotel.com/ ] in Dayton, Ohio. "This is the daybefore
Hamvention opens in Xenia, Ohio.

CTU 2025 Dayton was amazing, and we expect 2026 CTU to be even better!" according to Tim Duffy, K3LR, Contest University Chairman.

Presentations from past CTU events are available at the Contest University website [ http://contestuniversity.com/ ] . Scholarships are available to
cover the CTU registration fees for students 25 years old and younger through
a generous grant from the Northern California DX Club (NCDXF). See the
website for all of the details.

CBS as a service! A web version of the well-known Cabrillo statistics program (CBS) by K5KA and N6TV is now available at the following link: https://logtools.contesting.com/cbs.php [ https://logtools.contesting.com/cbs.php ] . Contesters have been using this application for years on their own computers, and now it can be used with
just a web browser. For supported contests, one can obtain QSO rates, multiplier and country stats, unique counts, dupes, band changes, and more.

According to Bruce Horn, WA7BNM: "The web version offers a few additional features:

�-�Easy access to the public log repositories for CQ and ARRL sponsored contests

�-�Automatic sorting of the Cabrillo log in chronological order (not a common problem, but sometimes occurs)

�-�Immediate output to a web page, with the option to download a text file

Thanks to Bob, N6TV, for allowing use of his program and acting as an expert reviewer."

Mark, WC3W, is the new president of CWOps [ https://cwops.org/ ] starting January 1, 2026! He's also the person behind the DX Marathon Award.

He writes: "The DX Marathon [ https://www.dxmarathon.com/ ] is one of amateur radio's most accessible, exciting, and year-round operating challenges.

The program rewards operators for working as many DX entities and CQ Zones as possible during the calendar year�-"no complex rules, QSL or LOTW verifications, and no need to submit logs after every QSO.

Submissions can be made online anytime by simply uploading an ADIF file to entry.dxmarathon.com [ https://entry.dxmarathon.com/ ] . No registration is required and any Q that you may have worked in a contest is good.

Because every valid contact counts, the DX Marathon encourages regular on-air activity, better station optimization, and exploration of new modes, bands,
and propagation paths.

It is equally friendly to newcomers and seasoned DXers, with multiple competitive classes�-"High Power, Low Power, QRP, CW-only, Digital-only, and more. Option of single mode, single band can be selected.

You can decide right now to enter for 2025 - Just upload your ADIF file.
Make more contacts, upload more contacts.
Final submittals for 2025 must be submitted on or before January 5, 2026."

The Southern VHF Society [ https://groups.io/g/SVHFS ] will have the 2026
SVHFS Conference [ https://groups.io/g/SVHFS ] April 16 - 19, 2026, in Macon, Georgia. The event kicks off on Thursday evening with a social event at a
local venue.

Friday is a day full of technical talks, including a luncheon and speaker.
The fun continues into the evening with a flea market and hospitality suite. Saturday, presentations continue until the early afternoon, when the focus moves to the antenna range and rover displays.

Saturday night is the culmination of scheduled activities with a banquet, banquet speaker, awards, and door prize giveaways.

The conference announcement [ https://groups.io/g/SVHFS/message/634 ]
contains additional information.

Papers and presentations are solicited for this event across a wide range of technical and operational topics, including contesting, roving, and DXpeditions.

If you like contests with interesting and challenging exchanges, the RAEM Contest [ https://raem.srr.ru/rules/ ] may be for you! Your exchange is a serial number and your latitude-hemisphere, and longitude-hemisphere. A
typical exchange would be 001 55n37o, because instead of "e" for east, you're going to use "o" for the German word for east, "Ost." There are single operator, multioperator, and per-band single operator entry categories, and even SINGLE-OP-MECHANIC-LOW for those using straight keys, sideswipers, or "bugs." QSOs earn points. Additional points are earned for a QSO by working stations that differ in latitude and longitude, with bonus points for working polar stations, and the stations signing the RAEM callsign.

This contest was started in 1972.

Word to the Wise

UOS or USOS

UnShift on Space. RTTY uses the 5-bit Baudot code, which relies on toggling between Letters (LTRS) and Figures (FIGS) to expand its limited character
set. For instance, "N9ADG" requires shifting modes: "N FIGS 9 LTRS A D G". If
a shift command is lost to interference, text can become garbled (e.g., "599" appearing as "TOO"). The "Unshift on Space" (USOS) feature reduces errors by resetting to LTRS at every space. RTTY software often compensates for this by auto-inserting FIGS symbols before numbers and offering a "hover" feature to decode garbled words using the alternate character set.

The invisible yet needed shifting and unshifting symbols sent between letters and figures is why it's NOT good practice to use "5NN" in your exchange for RTTY. It can cost you time since you're sending "FIGS 5 LTRS N N" while "599" is "FIGS 5 9 9" and time is contacts!

Club Focus

Cheese Bits [ https://www.packratvhf.com/index.php/newsletter ] is the newsletter of the Mt.

Airy VHF Radio Club [ https://www.packratvhf.com/ ] . The monthly issues, available on the website, are focused on activity at VHF frequencies and
above.

Technical article [ https://www.packratvhf.com/index.php/technical-articles ]
s [ https://www.packratvhf.com/index.php/technical-articles ] are also
provided on the club's website, including the most recent, "Managing Digital Modes in VHF Contests [ https://www.packratvhf.com/index.php/technical-articles/1206-managing-digital-modes-in-vhf-contests
] ," a presentation by W2EA, to address the changing trends of analog vs.

digital VHF contests.
Everyone laments the continued reduction of CW and SSB contacts during contests.

W2EA proposes to try reversing this trend by publicizing specific times when "analog" activity will be featured.

For 2025, the strategy was "At the top of every hour, we will operate phone
or CW for 5 minutes; if no contacts are made for 5 minutes, then we will
switch to a digital mode (FT4/FT8)." After collecting statistics for 2025,
and continuing to get the word out, next year's strategy is going to be "At
the top of every hour, we will operate phone or CW for 10 minutes or 5
minutes after the last contact, then the operator will switch to a digital
mode (FT4/FT8)." See the presentation for more details.

The December/January issue of NCJ features "Meet the Kansas City Contest
Club" as part of its emphasis on the Year of the Club. ARRL members can read
it here [ http://www.arrl.org/ncj?utm_source=Informz&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=ARRL
] .

Send in some contest club news, so we can feature it in the Contest Update! Next year, 2026, is the ARRL Year of the Club [ https://www.arrl.org/year-of-the-club?utm_source=Informz&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=ARRL
] . Recognizing that radio clubs have traditionally been the backbone of the hobby, there will be an emphasis on club growth and club activities.

If your club does a contest activity you find fun or club program you think
is especially helpful, and think other clubs could benefit from, send the details to rate-sheet@arrl.org [ mailto:rate-sheet@arrl.org ] . You might
find it in this spot in a future Contest Update issue.

Contest club newsletter editors: put rate-sheet@arrl.org [ mailto:rate-sheet@arrl.org ] on your club newsletter email distribution list, or send a link to where your club newsletters are located on the web.

Sights and Sounds

Dave Hachadorian, K6LL, used the callsign K7ABC for the ARRL 160-Meter
Contest. While he normally operates from his location in Arizona, he was
unable to due to impossible local noise.

He shared his experience [ https://www.3830scores.com/showrumor.php?arg=RvYizV7nJLDYJU ] in choosing, at the last minute, to sign up for a one-month subscription to Remote Ham Radio
[ https://www.remotehamradio.com/ ] , and using a low power station on the
East Coast to enter the contest.

"It took me 3 hours and 42 minutes to work 220 stations, for an airtime
charge of $48. It was fun though, and worth it.... I can see myself doing
this in my doddering old age in a nursing home, while a CNA feeds me oatmeal from a spoon."

W2NNN's YouTube video of the band during a portion the ARRL 160-Meter Contest
[ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKB3Vwx3ZN0 ] showed some of the activity
on the East Coast. You can even hear some West Coast stations calling CQ. The FlexRadio display combined with spot information makes for a very nice
display.

Results and Records

In the first 12 hours after the close of the 2025 CQ WW CW Contest, over
4,000 logs were received. Over 8,300 logs were submitted as of December 8.
Raw scores (before logs are checked) are available on the CQWW website [ https://cqww.com/raw.htm?mode=cw ] . (John Dorr, K1AR, via CQ-Contest)

For those that are participating in the State QSO Party Challenge [ http://stateqsoparty.com/ ] , current participation and scores can be viewed
on the 3830scores website [ https://www.3830scores.com/sqpsummary.php ] . The cutoff for "corrections or late submissions for QSO Parties included in the
SQP Challenge" was November 30.

Operating Tip

When getting started in RTTY contesting, use a good contest-oriented RTTY
macro message set for your contest exchanges. Here's one that the N1MM
Logger+ folks make available [
https://n1mmwp.hamdocs.com/mmfiles/arrlrtty-mc/ ] .

The running station's CQ Message is {TX}{ENTER} RU {MYCALL} {MYCALL} CQ {RX}{CLEARRIT}, which effectively gets sent as RU N9ADG N9ADG CQ. A calling station sends it's call twice: NN7ABC NN7ABC. The running station provides
the exchange: NN7ABC 599 WA WA NN7ABC, and the calling station provides the exchange: 599 MT MT. The running station acknowledges and indicates it's
ready for a new contact with TU N9ADG CQ.

Note that:
�-�Just the information necessary for the QSO is sent
�-�RST is sent once. It must be sent as part of the exchange.
�-�A S&P station does NOT send the running station's callsign.
�-�A S&P station does NOT send its own callsign as part of the exchange, as long as the running station got it correctly.

�-�The "signal report" part of the exchange is sent once. The state is sent
two times.

A small quibble: I personally don't like to have as many {ENTER}s in my messages, since it causes the received messages to scroll up on the receiving side. I might also not CLEARRIT after a CQ since there's already a CLEARRIT after the TU message.

If you notice that your RTTY exchanges are different (longer) than others
being used in the contest, you may want to consider changing them.

Bonus Tip: Remember to read contest rules about what constitutes a valid contest exchange. If the contest rules say send a signal report and state,
you must send a signal report and state. You cannot omit the signal report.
Or the state. If you don't want to send a signal report, enter a contest that doesn't require that signal reports be sent, like the upcoming Stew Perry Top Band Distance Challenge [ https://www.kkn.net/stew/ ] .

Technical Topics and Discussion

One type of vacuum power tube is not the same as another �-" they have different characteristics and requirements for reliable and long-term use.
For example, proper filament voltage is more critical for some types of tubes to avoid damage. Tom Rauch, Jr., W8JI, has a web page that provides some guidelines on the use of tubes in amplifiers [ https://www.w8ji.com/vacuum_tubes_and_vaccum_tube_failures.htm ] , and how to get the most from them.

Through a software update, Starlink has improved the ability of its equipment to perform under conditions where portions of the sky are occluded [ https://www.pcmag.com/news/spacex-dont-worry-about-cutting-down-trees-to-get-a-starlink-signal-anymore
] due to trees or other vegetation.

This is good news for DXpeditions since sometimes station locations are influenced by the ability to set up a reliable internet connection.

Starlink is already the internet provider for some airlines where fast, free internet is provided to passengers on some intercontinental flights.

It's also being used by some amateur motor racing teams to live-stream from inside the fast-moving race car (an appropriate roaming service plan is required).

Mick Stutler, W8BE, is using some Shelly-brand relays [ https://groups.io/g/nodered-hamradio/message/15104 ] with Node-RED [ https://nodered.org/ ] to control and monitor devices in his shack.

"I wanted ethernet connectivity and the smart plugs did not offer that.
I ended up with a Pro4 PM relay [ https://www.amazon.com/Shelly-3800235268049-Pro-4PM/dp/B09CKVZSDY ] .... I am impressed with the Shelly device.

The available data is impressive.
I reset the Watt Hours counter at midnight.
You can run it on Bluetooth, WiFi, ethernet, and the cloud.... I also use
MQTT from my main dashboard to control the relays and track the status on the relay server dashboard."

Maintaining older equipment can require creativity over time.
For amplifiers, this can mean changing older glass tubes to more modern metal ceramic ones, or even changing the type of metal ceramic tubes when they
become too expensive or difficult to find.

Alex Lisitsyn, RU0LL, has an Alpha 87a Amplifier �-" which were made from
1991 to 2006 �-" which needed tubes. Instead of finding 3cx800a tubes, he
chose to re-tube it to a more obtainable (for him) GU-74B tetrodes [ https://groups.io/g/Alpha87A/message/1269 ] . He reports that "The output
power turned out to be in the range of 1000-1500 watts now. At the same time, third and fifth-order IMD distortions are within 22-28 dB at nominal power.

Additionally, screen voltage sources were applied, and it was necessary to slightly increase the cathode bias voltage.

All automation, including Alpha-MAX, is functioning normally." After a
workout in the CQWW CW Contest, he reported [ https://groups.io/g/Alpha87A/message/1273 ] : "worked on CQ for 35 hours and made 1,774 QSOs. The upgraded amplifier worked flawlessly at an average power of about 1,000 watts. The protection did not trigger even once.

I always use a powerful 5 kW stabilizer on the 230-volt mains input. I was a little concerned about whether the cooling for the tubes would be sufficient, but the temperature monitoring gave me no reason to worry.

The room temperature was 20-23°C. Ten years ago, I replaced the motor in the main fan.

I installed a compact asynchronous motor on rolling bearings, which ensured nearly everlasting operation without periodic lubrication." Alex estimates
he's made over 1 million QSOs on this amplifier, which has also been on some DXpeditions.

"If circumstances allow, I will continue to operate and repair it until my
very death"

Conversation

AI for Contest Data Conversion

Here's an example of using an AI tool for a contest purpose �-" data format conversion.

If you happen to have a Cabrillo-format file for a contest, but didn't make
an ADIF, you can have an AI do it for you.

Note that this is NOT the most efficient way to do this.
There are specialized log processing apps you can download and use on your computer, and any AI will use more resources than a dedicated program.

However, this example may spur you on to use it for other one-off data conversion tasks.

In this example, I'm using Google Gemini [ https://gemini.google.com/app ] . Starting with an example Cabrillo file [ https://cqww.com/cabrillo.htm ] (you can use yours), save it and upload it into your AI program of choice.

Then, prompt the AI: "Please convert the uploaded Cabrillo-formatted log to
an ADIF log file format." After some thinking, ocean boiling, and so on, the
AI responds:

Here is the ADIF (.adi) file converted from your Cabrillo log.

This conversion extracts the station data (Callsign: AA1ZZZ, Operator: K5ZD) and the five QSO records provided in the log. The frequencies have been converted from kHz to MHz, and the standard amateur bands (80m, 40m, 20m,
15m, 10m) have been derived automatically.

<ADIF_VER:5>3.1.4
<PROGRAMID:8>WriteLog
<PROGRAMVERSION:7>V10.72C
<EOH>
<CALL:5>K9QZO <QSO_DATE:8>20001026 <TIME_ON:4>0711 <BAND:3>80m <FREQ:5>3.799 <MODE:3>SSB <RST_SENT:2>59 <RST_RCVD:2>59 <CQZ:2>04
<STATION_CALLSIGN:6>AA1ZZZ <OPERATOR:4>K5ZD <EOR>

<CALL:5>P29AS <QSO_DATE:8>20001026 <TIME_ON:4>0711 <BAND:3>20m <FREQ:6>14.256 <MODE:3>SSB <RST_SENT:2>59 <RST_RCVD:2>59 <CQZ:2>28
<STATION_CALLSIGN:6>AA1ZZZ <OPERATOR:4>K5ZD <EOR>

<CALL:6>4S7TWG <QSO_DATE:8>20001026 <TIME_ON:4>0711 <BAND:3>15m
<FREQ:6>21.250 <MODE:3>SSB <RST_SENT:2>59 <RST_RCVD:2>59 <CQZ:2>22 <STATION_CALLSIGN:6>AA1ZZZ <OPERATOR:4>K5ZD <EOR>

<CALL:6>JT1FAX <QSO_DATE:8>20001026 <TIME_ON:4>0711 <BAND:3>10m
<FREQ:6>28.530 <MODE:3>SSB <RST_SENT:2>59 <RST_RCVD:2>59 <CQZ:2>23 <STATION_CALLSIGN:6>AA1ZZZ <OPERATOR:4>K5ZD <EOR>

<CALL:6>WA6MIC <QSO_DATE:8>20001026 <TIME_ON:4>0711 <BAND:3>40m <FREQ:5>7.250 <MODE:3>SSB <RST_SENT:2>59 <RST_RCVD:2>59 <CQZ:2>03
<STATION_CALLSIGN:6>AA1ZZZ <OPERATOR:4>K5ZD <EOR>

Gemini even provided some additional info:

Conversion Notes
�-�Mode Mapping: The Cabrillo mode PH (Phone) was mapped to the ADIF standard SSB.

�-�Zone Data: The received exchange values (e.g., 04, 28) were mapped to the ADIF <CQZ> field.

�-�Station info: AA1ZZZ is logged as <STATION_CALLSIGN> and K5ZD as the <OPERATOR>. Would you like me to adjust any specific fields (such as adding a default MY_CQ_ZONE or comment) before you save this?

Converting this file also hit my "Thinking Limit" for Gemini for two hours on my free plan, but you get the idea.

I've also used Gemini (and other AI consoles) for more general purpose data conversion tasks. Some websites provide data in a form that is not directly compatible with spreadsheets, or isn't formatted for easy analysis. By
copying the HTML (or portions) out of a web page into your AI console, you
can ask the AI to reformat the data in a form you can readily use, like a CSV
[ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comma-separated_values ] .

Sometimes the AI will just tell you other ways to accomplish your goal: When
I asked for a list of all of the counties in all of the states in the US in a CSV format, rather than produce the list itself, the AI pointed me to an already-existing list of these on the US Census website, with instructions on how I could use a small program (it provided) to download them, and also suggested that I just download the raw data [ https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/reference/codes/files/national_county.txt ] myself.

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 [ mailto:contest-update@arrl.org ] .

73, Brian, N9ADG

Contests

December 18, 2025 - January 7, 2025

An expanded, downloadable version of QST's Contest Corral [ http://www.arrl.org/contest-calendar?utm_source=Informz&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=ARRL
] is available as a PDF. Check the sponsors' website for information on operating time restrictions and other instructions.

HF CONTESTS

Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest [ https://qrpcontest.com/pigwalk20/ ] , Dec
18, 0000z to Dec 19, 0300z; CW; Bands: 20; Maximum 13 wpm, RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (Member No./power); Logs due: Dec 25.

CWops Test (CWT) [ https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/ ] , Dec 18, 0300z to Dec
18, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member
No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Dec 20.

CWops Test (CWT) [ https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/ ] , Dec 18, 0700z to Dec
18, 0800z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member
No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Dec 20.

NTC QSO Party [ https://pi4ntc.nl/ntcqp/ ] , Dec 18, 1900z to Dec 18, 2000z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20; NTC Member: RST + Member No., non-Member: RST + "NM", Less than 25 wpm; Logs due: Dec 22.

NCCC FT4 Sprint [ https://www.ncccsprint.com/ft4ns.html ] , Dec 19, 0100z to Dec 19, 0130z; FT4; Bands: (see rules); 4-character grid square; Logs due:
Dec 21.

Weekly RTTY Test [ https://radiosport.world/wrt.html ] , Dec 19, 0145z to Dec 19, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Dec 21.

QRP Fox Hunt [ http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm ] , Dec 19, 0200z
to Dec 19, 0330z; CW; Bands: 20; RST + (state/province/country) + name +
power output; Logs due: Dec 20.

[ https://ncccsprint.com/rules.html ]
NCCC Sprint [ https://ncccsprint.com/rules.html ] , Dec 19, 0230z to Dec 19, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: Dec 21.

AGB-Party Contest [ http://www.ev5agb.com/contest/agb_party.htm ] , Dec 19, 1600z to Dec 19, 1700z; CW, SSB, Digital; Bands: 80, 40; AGB Member: RST +
QSO No. + Member No., non-Member: RST + QSO No.; Logs due: Jan 16.

K1USN Slow Speed Test [ http://www.k1usn.com/sst.html ] , Dec 19, 2000z to
Dec 19, 2100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Dec 21.

[ https://sites.google.com/site/feldhellclub/Home/contests/sprints/Happy-Birthday-Rudolph-Sprint
]

Feld Hell Sprint [ https://sites.google.com/site/feldhellclub/Home/contests/sprints/Happy-Birthday-Rudolph-Sprint
] , Dec 20, 0000z to Dec 20, 2359z; Feld Hell; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15,
10, 6; (see rules); Logs due: Dec 24.

[ http://okrtty.crk.cz/index.php?page=english ]
OK DX RTTY Contest [ http://okrtty.crk.cz/index.php?page=english ] , Dec 20, 0000z to Dec 20, 2359z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + CQ Zone; Logs due: Dec 27.

[ https://www.rac.ca/contesting-results/ ]
RAC Winter Contest [ https://www.rac.ca/contesting-results/ ] , Dec 20, 0000z to Dec 20, 2359z; CW, Phone; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6, 2; VE: RS(T)
+ (province/territory), non-VE and VE0: RS(T) + Serial No.; Logs due: Jan 3.

[ https://www.hamradio.hr/9a-dx-contest/ ]
Croatian DX Contest [ https://www.hamradio.hr/9a-dx-contest/ ] , Dec 20,
1400z to Dec 21, 1400z; CW, SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; 9A: RS(T) + county, non-9A: RS(T) + ITU Zone; Logs due: Dec 29.

[ http://www.arrl.org/rookie-roundup?utm_source=Informz&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=ARRL
]

ARRL Rookie Roundup, CW [ http://www.arrl.org/rookie-roundup?utm_source=Informz&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=ARRL
] , Dec 21, 1800z to Dec 21, 2359z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; NA: Name + 2-digit year first licensed + (state/province/XE area/DX); Logs due: Dec 24.

Run for the Bacon QRP Contest [ http://qrpcontest.com/pigrun/ ] , Dec 21,
2300z to Dec 22, 0100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + (state/province/country) + (Member No./power); Logs due: Dec 27.

[ http://www.k1usn.com/sst.html ]
K1USN Slow Speed Test [ http://www.k1usn.com/sst.html ] , Dec 22, 0000z to
Dec 22, 0100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Dec 24.

[ https://internationalcwcouncil.org/mst-contest/ ]
ICWC Medium Speed Test [ https://internationalcwcouncil.org/mst-contest/ ] , Dec 22, 1300z to Dec 22, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name +
QSO No.; Logs due: Dec 25.

OK1WC Memorial (MWC) [ https://memorial-ok1wc.cz/index.php?page=rules2l ] ,
Dec 22, 1630z to Dec 22, 1729z; CW; Bands: 80, 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs
due: Dec 26.

ICWC Medium Speed Test [ https://internationalcwcouncil.org/mst-contest/ ] , Dec 22, 1900z to Dec 22, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name +
QSO No.; Logs due: Dec 25.

[ https://wwsac.com/rules.html ]
Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest [ https://wwsac.com/rules.html ] , Dec
23, 0100z to Dec 23, 0159z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; RS + age group (OM, YL, Youth YL or Youth); Logs due: Dec 24.

[ https://internationalcwcouncil.org/mst-contest/ ]
ICWC Medium Speed Test [ https://internationalcwcouncil.org/mst-contest/ ] , Dec 23, 0300z to Dec 23, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name +
QSO No.; Logs due: Dec 25.

[ https://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/weekday_sprint/ ]
SKCC Sprint [ https://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/weekday_sprint/
] , Dec 24, 0000z to Dec 24, 0200z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6;
RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (SKCC No./"NONE"); Logs due: Dec 27.

[ http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm ]
QRP Fox Hunt [ http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm ] , Dec 24, 0200z
to Dec 24, 0330z; CW; Bands: 20; RST + (state/province/country) + name +
power output; Logs due: Dec 25.

Phone Weekly Test [ http://www.perluma.com/Phone_Fray_Contest_Rules.pdf ] ,
Dec 24, 0230z to Dec 24, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15; NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: Dec 26.

A1Club AWT [ https://a1club.org/contest/awt/ ] , Dec 24, 1145z to Dec 24, 1300z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: RST + Name; Logs due: Dec 29.

CWops Test (CWT) [ https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/ ] , Dec 24, 1300z to Dec
24, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member
No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Dec 27.

Mini-Test 40 [ http://minitest.narod.ru/ ] , Dec 24, 1700z to Dec 24, 1759z; CW; Bands: 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Dec 26.

Mini-Test 80 [ http://minitest.narod.ru/ ] , Dec 24, 1800z to Dec 24, 1859z; CW; Bands: 80; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Dec 26.

CWops Test (CWT) [ https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/ ] , Dec 24, 1900z to Dec
24, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member
No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Dec 27.

CWops Test (CWT) [ https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/ ] , Dec 25, 0300z to Dec
25, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member
No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Dec 27.

CWops Test (CWT) [ https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/ ] , Dec 25, 0700z to Dec
25, 0800z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member
No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Dec 27.

NCCC FT4 Sprint [ https://www.ncccsprint.com/ft4ns.html ] , Dec 26, 0100z to Dec 26, 0130z; FT4; Bands: (see rules); 4-character grid square; Logs due:
Dec 28.

Weekly RTTY Test [ https://radiosport.world/wrt.html ] , Dec 26, 0145z to Dec 26, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Dec 28.

QRP Fox Hunt [ http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm ] , Dec 26, 0200z
to Dec 26, 0330z; CW; Bands: 20; RST + (state/province/country) + name +
power output; Logs due: Dec 27.

NCCC Sprint [ https://ncccsprint.com/rules.html ] , Dec 26, 0230z to Dec 26, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: Dec 28.

DARC Christmas Contest [ https://www.darc.de/der-club/referate/conteste/weihnachtswettbewerb/en/ ] ,
Dec 26, 0830z to Dec 26, 1059z; CW, SSB; Bands: 80, 40; DL: RS(T) + DOK (or "NM" if not a DARC member), non-DL: RS(T) + QSO No.; Logs due: Jan 2.

K1USN Slow Speed Test [ http://www.k1usn.com/sst.html ] , Dec 26, 2000z to
Dec 26, 2100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Dec 28.

Stew Perry Topband Challenge [ https://www.kkn.net/stew/ ] , Dec 27, 1500z to Dec 28, 1500z; CW; Bands: 160; 4-Character grid square; Logs due: Jan 12.

Original QRP Contest [ http://www.qrpcc.de/contestrules/oqrpr.html ] , Dec
27, 1500z to Dec 28, 1500z; CW, SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20; RST + Serial No. +
"/" + Power category; Logs due: Jan 31.

RAEM Contest [ https://raem.srr.ru/rules/ ] , Dec 28, 0000z to Dec 28, 1159z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Serial No. + latitude (degs only) + hemisphere
+ longitude (degs only) + hemisphere (see rules), N=North, S=South, W=West, O=East (e.g. 57N 85O); Logs due: Jan 11.

K1USN Slow Speed Test [ http://www.k1usn.com/sst.html ] , Dec 29, 0000z to
Dec 29, 0100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Dec 31.

YOTA Contest [ https://yotacontest.mrasz.org/ ] , Dec 29, 1000z to Dec 29, 2159z; CW, SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Single Op: RS(T) + age (on Jan 1
of year of contest), Multi-Op: RS(T) + average age of ops (on Jan 1 of year
of contest); Logs due: Jan 3.

QCX Challenge [ http://www.qrp-labs.com/party.html ] , Dec 29, 1300z to Dec
29, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + Name + (state/province/country) + Rig; Logs due: Jan 4.

ICWC Medium Speed Test [ https://internationalcwcouncil.org/mst-contest/ ] , Dec 29, 1300z to Dec 29, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name +
QSO No.; Logs due: Jan 1.

[ https://memorial-ok1wc.cz/index.php?page=rules2l ]
OK1WC Memorial (MWC) [ https://memorial-ok1wc.cz/index.php?page=rules2l ] ,
Dec 29, 1630z to Dec 29, 1729z; CW; Bands: 80, 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs
due: Jan 2.

QCX Challenge [ http://www.qrp-labs.com/party.html ] , Dec 29, 1900z to Dec
29, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + Name + (state/province/country) + Rig; Logs due: Jan 4.

ICWC Medium Speed Test [ https://internationalcwcouncil.org/mst-contest/ ] , Dec 29, 1900z to Dec 29, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name +
QSO No.; Logs due: Jan 1.

Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest [ https://wwsac.com/rules.html ] , Dec
30, 0100z to Dec 30, 0159z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; RS + age group (OM, YL, Youth YL or Youth); Logs due: Dec 31.

QCX Challenge [ http://www.qrp-labs.com/party.html ] , Dec 30, 0300z to Dec
30, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + Name + (state/province/country) + Rig; Logs due: Jan 4.

ICWC Medium Speed Test [ https://internationalcwcouncil.org/mst-contest/ ] , Dec 30, 0300z to Dec 30, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name +
QSO No.; Logs due: Jan 1.

QRP Fox Hunt [ http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm ] , Dec 31, 0200z
to Dec 31, 0330z; CW; Bands: 20; RST + (state/province/country) + name +
power output; Logs due: Jan 1.

Phone Weekly Test [ http://www.perluma.com/Phone_Fray_Contest_Rules.pdf ] ,
Dec 31, 0230z to Dec 31, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15; NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: Jan 2.

Bogor Old and New Contest [ https://contest.orari-bogor.org/rule/ ] , Dec 31, 0900z to Dec 31, 2359z; SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 10; RS + operator age; Logs due: Jan 31.

A1Club AWT [ https://a1club.org/contest/awt/ ] , Dec 31, 1145z to Dec 31, 1300z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: RST + Name; Logs due: Jan
5.

CWops Test (CWT) [ https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/ ] , Dec 31, 1300z to Dec
31, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member
No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jan 3.

Mini-Test 40 [ http://minitest.narod.ru/ ] , Dec 31, 1700z to Dec 31, 1759z; CW; Bands: 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Jan 2.

Mini-Test 80 [ http://minitest.narod.ru/ ] , Dec 31, 1800z to Dec 31, 1859z; CW; Bands: 80; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Jan 2.

CWops Test (CWT) [ https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/ ] , Dec 31, 1900z to Dec
31, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member
No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jan 3.

AGB New Year Snowball Contest [ https://www.qsl.net/eu1eu/agb_nysb.htm ] ,
Jan 1, 0000z to Jan 1, 0100z; CW, SSB, Digital; Bands: 80; AGB Member: RST + QSO No. + Member No., non-Member: RST + QSO No.; Logs due: Jan 22.

Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest [ https://qrpcontest.com/pigwalk40/ ] , Jan 1, 0000z to Jan 2, 0300z; CW; Bands: 40; Maximum 13 wpm, RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (Member No./power); Logs due: Jan 8.

CWops Test (CWT) [ https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/ ] , Jan 1, 0300z to Jan 1, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jan 3.

[ https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/ ]
CWops Test (CWT) [ https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/ ] , Jan 1, 0700z to Jan 1, 0800z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jan 3.

SARTG New Year RTTY Contest [ http://www.sartg.com/contest/nyrules.htm ] ,
Jan 1, 0800z to Jan 1, 1100z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40; RST + QSO No. + name +
happy new year (native language); Logs due: Jan 31.

AGCW Happy New Year Contest [ https://www.agcw.de/contest/hnyc/hnyc-engl/ ] , Jan 1, 0900z to Jan 1, 1200z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20; AGCW: RST + Serial No. + "/" + Member No., non-AGCW: RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Jan 14.

IRTS 80m Counties Contest [ https://www.irts.ie/cgi/st.cgi?r_hfcrules.html ]
, Jan 1, 1700z to Jan 1, 1800z; CW, SSB; Bands: 80; EI/GI: RS(T) + Serial no.
+ county, non-EI/GI: RS(T) + Serial No.; Logs due: Jan 15.

NRAU 10m Activity Contest [ https://nrau.net/nrau-contests-in-general/ ] ,
Jan 1, 1800z to Jan 1, 2200z; CW, SSB, FM, Digital; Bands: 10; RS(T) + 6-character grid square; Logs due: Jan 15.

SKCC Sprint Europe [ https://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/skse/ ] , Jan 1, 2000z to Jan 1, 2200z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (SKCC No./"NONE"); Logs due: Jan 8.

NCCC FT4 Sprint [ https://www.ncccsprint.com/ft4ns.html ] , Jan 2, 0100z to
Jan 2, 0130z; FT4; Bands: (see rules); 4-character grid square; Logs due: Jan 4.

Weekly RTTY Test [ https://radiosport.world/wrt.html ] , Jan 2, 0145z to Jan
2, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jan 4.

QRP Fox Hunt [ http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm ] , Jan 2, 0200z to Jan 2, 0330z; CW; Bands: 20; RST + (state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: Jan 3.

NCCC Sprint [ https://ncccsprint.com/rules.html ] , Jan 2, 0230z to Jan 2, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: Jan 4.

K1USN Slow Speed Test [ http://www.k1usn.com/sst.html ] , Jan 2, 2000z to Jan 2, 2100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jan 4.

PODXS 070 Club PSKFest [ http://www.podxs070.com/o7o-club-sponsored-contests/pskfest ] , Jan 3, 0000z
to Jan 3, 2359z; PSK31; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jan 10.

[ http://www.ariloano.it/marconiclub/mcd_reg/regolamentomcday_ENG.pdf ] Marconi Club ARI Loano QSO Party Day [ http://www.ariloano.it/marconiclub/mcd_reg/regolamentomcday_ENG.pdf ] , Jan
3, 0700z to Jan 3, 2100z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20; Marconi Club Member: RST + "MC" + Member No., non-Members: RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Jan 11.

WW PMC Contest [
http://www.s59dcd.si/index.php/sl/ww-pmc/ww-pmc-contest-rules ] , Jan 3,
1200z to Jan 4, 1200z; CW, SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; PMC: RS(T) + PMC abbreviation, World: RS(T) + CQ Zone; Logs due: Jan 11.

[ https://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2026/rafs.shtml ]
RSGB AFS Contest, CW [ https://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2026/rafs.shtml ] ,
Jan 3, 1300z to Jan 3, 1700z; CW; Bands: 80, 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Jan 4.

ARRL RTTY Roundup [ https://www.arrl.org/rtty-roundup?utm_source=Informz&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=ARRL
] , Jan 3, 1800z to Jan 4, 2359z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; W/VE: RST
+ (state/province), non-W/VE: RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Jan 11.

ARRL Kids Day [ https://www.arrl.org/kids-day?utm_source=Informz&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=ARRL
] , Jan 3, 1800z to Jan 3, 2359z; SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 17, 15, 12, 10, 2m repeaters; name + age + QTH + favorite color; Logs due: Feb 3.

[ https://www.uft.net/activites-et-concours/concours-eucw-uft-on5me/ ]
EUCW 160m Contest [ https://www.uft.net/activites-et-concours/concours-eucw-uft-on5me/ ] , Jan 3, 2000z to Jan 4, 0700z; CW; Bands: 160; Affiliated Club Member: RST + name + club + membership no., Other: RST + name + "NM"; Logs due: Jan 12.

[ https://www.g4foc.org/foc-old-school-classic-1960s-qso-party/ ]
FOC Old School Classic 1960s QSO Party [ https://www.g4foc.org/foc-old-school-classic-1960s-qso-party/ ] , Jan 4,
1200z to Jan 5, 1200z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; Real RST + 3-letter class + year first licensed + name; Logs due: Jan 12.

[ http://www.k1usn.com/sst.html ]
K1USN Slow Speed Test [ http://www.k1usn.com/sst.html ] , Jan 5, 0000z to Jan 5, 0100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jan 7.

ICWC Medium Speed Test [ https://internationalcwcouncil.org/mst-contest/ ] , Jan 5, 1300z to Jan 5, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: Jan 8.

OK1WC Memorial (MWC) [ https://memorial-ok1wc.cz/index.php?page=rules2l ] ,
Jan 5, 1630z to Jan 5, 1729z; CW; Bands: 80, 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Jan 9.

ICWC Medium Speed Test [ https://internationalcwcouncil.org/mst-contest/ ] , Jan 5, 1900z to Jan 5, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: Jan 8.

ARS Spartan Sprint [ http://ars-qrp.com/Spartan_Sprint/Spartan_Sprint.html ]
, Jan 6, 0100z to Jan 6, 0300z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + (state/province/country) + Power; Logs due: Jan 8.

[ https://wwsac.com/rules.html ]
Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest [ https://wwsac.com/rules.html ] , Jan 6, 0100z to Jan 6, 0159z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; RS + age group (OM, YL, Youth YL or Youth); Logs due: Jan 7.

[ https://internationalcwcouncil.org/mst-contest/ ]
ICWC Medium Speed Test [ https://internationalcwcouncil.org/mst-contest/ ] , Jan 6, 0300z to Jan 6, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: Jan 8.

QRP Fox Hunt [ http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm ] , Jan 7, 0200z to Jan 7, 0330z; CW; Bands: 20; RST + (state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: Jan 8.

Phone Weekly Test [ http://www.perluma.com/Phone_Fray_Contest_Rules.pdf ] ,
Jan 7, 0230z to Jan 7, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15; NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: Jan 9.

A1Club AWT [ https://a1club.org/contest/awt/ ] , Jan 7, 1145z to Jan 7,
1300z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: RST + Name; Logs due: Jan 12.

CWops Test (CWT) [ https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/ ] , Jan 7, 1300z to Jan 7, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jan 10.

Mini-Test 40 [ http://minitest.narod.ru/ ] , Jan 7, 1700z to Jan 7, 1759z;
CW; Bands: 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Jan 9.

[ http://minitest.narod.ru/ ]
Mini-Test 80 [ http://minitest.narod.ru/ ] , Jan 7, 1800z to Jan 7, 1859z;
CW; Bands: 80; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Jan 9.

CWops Test (CWT) [ https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/ ] , Jan 7, 1900z to Jan 7, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./"CWA", non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Jan 10.

VHF+ CONTESTS
[ https://www.agcw.de/contest/vhf-uhf/ ]
AGCW VHF/UHF Contest [ https://www.agcw.de/contest/vhf-uhf/ ] , Jan 1, 1400z
to Jan 1, 1800z; CW; Bands: 144 MHz, 432 MHz; RST + "/" + Serial No. + "/" Power class + "/" + 6-character grid locator; Logs due: Jan 9.

VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest [ http://www.ft8activity.eu/index.php/en/ ] ,
Jan 7, 1700z to Jan 7, 2100z; FT8/4; Bands: 144 MHz; 4-character grid square; Logs due: Jan 12.

Log Due Dates

December 18, 2025 - January 7, 2025

December 18
�-�NRAU 10m Activity Contest [ https://nrau.net/nrau-contests-in-general/ ] �-�QRP Fox Hunt [ http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm ]
�-�ICWC Medium Speed Test [ https://internationalcwcouncil.org/mst-contest/ ]

December 19
�-�Mini-Test 40 [ http://minitest.narod.ru/ ]
�-�Mini-Test 80 [ http://minitest.narod.ru/ ]
�-�Phone Weekly Test [ http://www.perluma.com/Phone_Fray_Contest_Rules.pdf ] �-�OK1WC Memorial (MWC) [ https://memorial-ok1wc.cz/index.php?page=rules2l ] �-�ARI 40/80 Contest [ http://www.ari.it/en/contest-hf/contest-4080.html ]

December 20
�-�Homebrew and Oldtime Equipment Party [ http://www.qrpcc.de/contestrules/hotr.html ]

�-�QRP Fox Hunt [ http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm ]
�-�CWops Test (CWT) [ https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/ ]
�-�NAQCC CW Sprint [ http://naqcc.info/sprint_rules.html ]

December 21
�-�NCCC Sprint [ https://ncccsprint.com/rules.html ]
�-�ARRL 10-Meter Contest [ http://www.arrl.org/10-meter?utm_source=Informz&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=ARRL
]

�-�NCCC FT4 Sprint [ https://www.ncccsprint.com/ft4ns.html ]
�-�Weekly RTTY Test [ https://radiosport.world/wrt.html ]
�-�SKCC Weekend Sprintathon [ https://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/weekend_sprintathon/ ]

�-�TRC Digi Contest [ https://trcdx.org/rules-trc-digi/ ]
�-�K1USN Slow Speed Test [ http://www.k1usn.com/sst.html ]

December 22
�-�NTC QSO Party [ https://pi4ntc.nl/ntcqp/ ]
�-�A1Club AWT [ https://a1club.org/contest/awt/ ]
�-�PODXS 070 Club Triple Play Low Band Sprint [ http://www.podxs070.com/o7o-club-sponsored-contests/triple-play-low-band-sprint ]

�-�VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest [ http://www.ft8activity.eu/index.php/en/ ]

December 23
�-�QRP ARCI Holiday Spirits Sprint [ http://qrparci.org/contest/holiday-spirit-sprint ]

December 24
�-�Feld Hell Sprint [ https://sites.google.com/site/feldhellclub/Home/contests/sprints/Happy-Birthday-Rudolph-Sprint
]

�-�Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest [ https://wwsac.com/rules.html ] �-�ARRL Rookie Roundup, CW [ http://www.arrl.org/rookie-roundup?utm_source=Informz&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=ARRL
]

�-�K1USN Slow Speed Test [ http://www.k1usn.com/sst.html ]

December 25
�-�Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest [ https://qrpcontest.com/pigwalk20/ ]
�-�QRP Fox Hunt [ http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm ]
�-�ICWC Medium Speed Test [ https://internationalcwcouncil.org/mst-contest/ ]

December 26
�-�Mini-Test 40 [ http://minitest.narod.ru/ ]
�-�Mini-Test 80 [ http://minitest.narod.ru/ ]
�-�Phone Weekly Test [ http://www.perluma.com/Phone_Fray_Contest_Rules.pdf ] �-�OK1WC Memorial (MWC) [ https://memorial-ok1wc.cz/index.php?page=rules2l ]

December 27
�-�OK DX RTTY Contest [ http://qrpcontest.com/pigrun/ ]
�-�Run for the Bacon QRP Contest [ http://qrpcontest.com/pigrun/ ]
�-�QRP Fox Hunt [ http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm ]
�-�CWops Test (CWT) [ https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/ ]
�-�SKCC Sprint [
https://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/weekday_sprint/ ]

December 28
�-�NCCC Sprint [ https://ncccsprint.com/rules.html ]
�-�NCCC FT4 Sprint [ https://www.ncccsprint.com/ft4ns.html ]
�-�Weekly RTTY Test [ https://radiosport.world/wrt.html ]
�-�K1USN Slow Speed Test [ http://www.k1usn.com/sst.html ]

December 29
�-�Croatian DX Contest [ https://www.hamradio.hr/9a-dx-contest/ ]
�-�A1Club AWT [ https://a1club.org/contest/awt/ ]

December 31
�-�Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest [ https://wwsac.com/rules.html ] �-�K1USN Slow Speed Test [ http://www.k1usn.com/sst.html ]

January 1
�-�QRP Fox Hunt [ http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm ]
�-�ICWC Medium Speed Test [ https://internationalcwcouncil.org/mst-contest/ ]

January 2
�-�DARC Christmas Contest [ https://www.darc.de/der-club/referate/conteste/weihnachtswettbewerb/en/ ]

�-�INORC Contest [
https://www.inorc.it/wp/2025/09/23/contest-inorc-2025-it-en/ ]

�-�Mini-Test 40 [ http://minitest.narod.ru/ ]
�-�Mini-Test 80 [ http://minitest.narod.ru/ ]
�-�Phone Weekly Test [ http://www.perluma.com/Phone_Fray_Contest_Rules.pdf ] �-�OK1WC Memorial (MWC) [ https://memorial-ok1wc.cz/index.php?page=rules2l ]

January 3
�-�QRP Fox Hunt [ http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm ]
�-�CWops Test (CWT) [ https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/ ]
�-�YOTA Contest [ https://yotacontest.mrasz.org/ ]
�-�RAC Winter Contest [ https://www.rac.ca/contesting-results/ ]

January 4
�-�NCCC Sprint [ https://ncccsprint.com/rules.html ]
�-�NCCC FT4 Sprint [ https://www.ncccsprint.com/ft4ns.html ]
�-�Weekly RTTY Test [ https://radiosport.world/wrt.html ]
�-�QCX Challenge [ http://www.qrp-labs.com/party.html ]
�-�RSGB AFS Contest, CW [ https://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2026/rafs.shtml ] �-�K1USN Slow Speed Test [ http://www.k1usn.com/sst.html ]

January 5
�-�A1Club AWT [ https://a1club.org/contest/awt/ ]

January 7
�-�Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest [ https://wwsac.com/rules.html ] �-�UKEICC 80m Contest [ https://www.ukeicc.com/80m-rules.php ]
�-�K1USN Slow Speed Test [ http://www.k1usn.com/sst.html ]

ARRL Information

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get (and stay) active and on the air. Membership includes access to digital editions of all four ARRL magazines: QST, On the Air, QEX, and NCJ.

Subscribe to NCJ - the National Contest Journal [ http://www.arrl.org/ncj?utm_source=Informz&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=ARRL
] . Published bimonthly, it features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint, and QSO Parties.

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ARRL offers a wide array of products [ http://www.arrl.org/arrl-store?utm_source=Informz&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=ARRL
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Acknowledgements

ARRL Contest Update wishes to acknowledge information from WA7BNM's Contest Calendar [ http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal ] .

The ARRL Contest Update is published every other Wednesday (26 times each year). ARRL members may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their Member Data Page at www.arrl.org/opt-in-out [ http://www.arrl.org/opt-in-out?utm_source=Informz&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=ARRL
] .

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The ARRL Contest Update for December 17, 2025

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