September 24, 2025

Editor: Paul Bourque, N1SFE

In this Issue:

• Upcoming Contests – Things to Do
• Bulletins
• Contest Summary
• Contests
• Log Due Dates

The 2025 AM QSO Party, hosted by the Antique Wireless Association, begins Saturday, September 27 at 2000 UTC, and concludes Sunday, September 28 at 2359 UTC. Any type of transmitter may be used, provided it’s capable of transmitting using the AM mode. Any frequency on the 160-, 75-, 40-, 20-, and 10- meter bands that’s legal for voice communication may be used. For more information, visit www.antiquewireless.org/homepage/am-qso-party-details.

CQ World Wide RTTY DX Contest

One of the largest RTTY operating events of the year, the CQ World Wide RTTY DX Contest, begins on Saturday, September 27 at 0000 UTC, and concludes on Sunday, September 28 at 2359 UTC. Full contest rules are available at cqwwrtty.com.

Fall VHF/UHF Sprints

The 2025 Fall VHF/UHF Sprints, sponsored by the Mt. Airy VHF Radio Club, continue with the 222 MHz Sprint on Tuesday, September 30 and the 432 MHz Sprint on Wednesday, October 8. These sprints will begin at 7:00 PM local time and conclude at 11:00 PM local time. The final event, the 902 MHz and Up Sprint, begins on Saturday, October 25 at 8:00 AM local time and concludes at 2:00 PM local time. For more information, visit packratvhf.com/index.php/fall-sprints.

Upcoming State QSO Parties

If you enjoy QSO party parties, there are two opportunities to operate in one over the next couple of weekends. The Maine QSO Party begins on Saturday, September 27 at 1200 UTC, and concludes on Sunday, September 28 at 1200 UTC. Visit www.ws1sm.com/MEQP.html for complete rules.

The California QSO Party (CQP) begins on Saturday, October 4 at 1600 UTC, and concludes on Sunday, October 5 at 2200 UTC. CQP Chairman Dean Wood, N6DE, states that all 58 California counties will be active on both CW and phone. 24 videos of activity in the 2024 CQP are available at cqp.org/av.html. Complete rules are available at www.cqp.org/Rules.html.

Collegiate QSO Party

The Collegiate QSO Party begins on Saturday, October 4 at 0000 UTC, and runs until Sunday, October 5 at 2359 UTC. This operating event focuses on amateur radio clubs at colleges and universities around the world. Each fall, the event provides opportunities for clubs to demonstrate amateur radio to new members, engage with alumni, and promote activity throughout college and university communities. The event is open to all radio amateurs. For more information, visit collegiateqsoparty.com.

The WSJT-X development team has announced that Release Candidate WSJT-X 3.0.0-rc1 is available for download. Candidate releases are intended for users interested in testing the new features and willing to provide feedback to the developers. If you download and use WSJT-X 3.0.0-rc1, please provide the developers with feedback on the new features and on anything that does not seem to work properly.

A full list of enhancements can be found in the release notes at wsjt.sourceforge.io/Release_Notes.txt. Direct links for downloading installation packages for Windows, Linux, and macOS can be found on the WSJT-X web page: wsjt.sourceforge.io/wsjtx.html.

• CWops Test (CWT)
• RSGB 80m Autumn Series, Data

September 26

• NCCC FT4 Sprint
• Weekly RTTY Test
• NCCC Sprint
• K1USN Slow Speed Test

September 27

• CQ Worldwide DX Contest, RTTY
• Bill Windle QSO Party
• YU DX Contest
• Maine QSO Party
• AGCW VHF/UHF Contest
• Masonic Lodges on the Air
• AWA Amplitude Modulation QSO Party

September 28

• UBA ON Contest, 6m

September 29

• K1USN Slow Speed Test
• QCX Challenge
• ICWC Medium Speed Test
• OK1WC Memorial (MWC)
• QCX Challenge

September 30

• Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest
• QCX Challenge
• ICWC Medium Speed Test
• 222 MHz Fall Sprint

October 1

• Phone Weekly Test
• A1Club AWT
• CWops Test (CWT)
• VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest
• Mini-Test 40
• Mini-Test 80
• UKEICC 80m Contest

October 2

• Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest
• CWops Test (CWT)
• SARL 80m QSO Party
• NRAU 10m Activity Contest
• SKCC Sprint Europe

October 3

• URC DX RTTY Contest
• NCCC FT4 Sprint
• Weekly RTTY Test
• NCCC Sprint
• German Telegraphy Contest
• K1USN Slow Speed Test

October 4

• Collegiate QSO Party
• TRC DX Contest
• Oceania DX Contest, Phone
• Worked All Provinces of China DX Contest
• Russian WW Digital Contest
• IARU Region 1 UHF/Microwaves Contest
• California QSO Party
• International HELL-Contest
• IARU Region 2 Area G HF SSB Contest

October 5

• UBA ON Contest, SSB
• Peanut Power QRP Sprint

October 6

• K1USN Slow Speed Test
• ICWC Medium Speed Test
• OK1WC Memorial (MWC)
• RSGB 80m Autumn Series, CW

October 7

• ARS Spartan Sprint
• Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest
• ICWC Medium Speed Test

October 8

• Phone Weekly Test
• A1Club AWT
• CWops Test (CWT)
• VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest
• Mini-Test 40
• Mini-Test 80
• 432 MHz Fall Sprint

73, Paul, N1SFE

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.

CWops Test (CWT), Sep 25, 0300z to Sep 25, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./”CWA”, non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Sep 27.

CWops Test (CWT), Sep 25, 0700z to Sep 25, 0800z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./”CWA”, non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Sep 27.

RSGB 80m Autumn Series, Data, Sep 25, 1900z to Sep 25, 2030z; RTTY, PSK; Bands: 80; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Sep 28.

NCCC FT4 Sprint, Sep 26, 0100z to Sep 26, 0130z; FT4; Bands: (see rules); 4-character grid square; Logs due: Sep 28.

Weekly RTTY Test, Sep 26, 0145z to Sep 26, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Sep 28.

NCCC Sprint, Sep 26, 0230z to Sep 26, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: Sep 28.

K1USN Slow Speed Test, Sep 26, 2000z to Sep 26, 2100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Sep 28.

CQ Worldwide DX Contest, RTTY, Sep 27, 0000z to Sep 28, 2359z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; 48 States/Canada: RST + CQ Zone + (state/VE area), All Others: RST + CQ Zone; Logs due: Oct 3.

Bill Windle QSO Party, Sep 27, 0000z to Sep 27, 2359z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, VHF; FOC-Member: RST + Name + Member No., non-Members: RST + Name; Logs due: Oct 4.

YU DX Contest, Sep 27, 1200z to Sep 28, 1159z; CW, SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; YU/YT: RS(T) + County, non-YU/YT: RS(T) + Serial No.; Logs due: Oct 8.

Maine QSO Party, Sep 27, 1200z to Sep 28, 1200z; CW, Phone; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; ME: RS(T) + county, non-ME: RS(T) + (state/province/”DX”); Logs due: Oct 13.

Masonic Lodges on the Air, Sep 27, 1400z to Sep 27, 2200z; SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Lodge: Lodge Name + Lodge No. + Jurisdiction, non-Lodge: (State/Province/”DX”); Logs due: Oct 11.

AWA Amplitude Modulation QSO Party, Sep 27, 2000z to Sep 28, 2359z; AM; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 10; Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Oct 26.

K1USN Slow Speed Test, Sep 29, 0000z to Sep 29, 0100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Oct 1.

QCX Challenge, Sep 29, 1300z to Sep 29, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + Name + (state/province/country) + Rig; Logs due: Oct 5.

ICWC Medium Speed Test, Sep 29, 1300z to Sep 29, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: Oct 2.

OK1WC Memorial (MWC), Sep 29, 1630z to Sep 29, 1729z; CW; Bands: 80, 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Oct 3.

QCX Challenge, Sep 29, 1900z to Sep 29, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + Name + (state/province/country) + Rig; Logs due: Oct 5.

ICWC Medium Speed Test, Sep 29, 1900z to Sep 29, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: Oct 2.

Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest, Sep 30, 0100z to Sep 30, 0159z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; RS + age group (OM, YL, Youth YL or Youth); Logs due: Oct 1.

QCX Challenge, Sep 30, 0300z to Sep 30, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + Name + (state/province/country) + Rig; Logs due: Oct 5.

ICWC Medium Speed Test, Sep 30, 0300z to Sep 30, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: Oct 2.

Phone Weekly Test, Oct 1, 0230z to Oct 1, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15; NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: Oct 3.

A1Club AWT, Oct 1, 1145z to Oct 1, 1300z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: RST + Name; Logs due: Oct 6.

CWops Test (CWT), Oct 1, 1300z to Oct 1, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./”CWA”, non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Oct 4.

Mini-Test 40, Oct 1, 1700z to Oct 1, 1759z; CW; Bands: 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Oct 3.

Mini-Test 80, Oct 1, 1800z to Oct 1, 1859z; CW; Bands: 80; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Oct 3.

CWops Test (CWT), Oct 1, 1900z to Oct 1, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./”CWA”, non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Oct 4.

UKEICC 80m Contest, Oct 1, 2000z to Oct 1, 2100z; SSB; Bands: 80; 6-Character grid square; Logs due: Oct 1.

Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest, Oct 2, 0000z to Oct 3, 0300z; CW; Bands: 40; Maximum 13 wpm, RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (Member No./power); Logs due: Oct 9.

CWops Test (CWT), Oct 2, 0300z to Oct 2, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./”CWA”, non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Oct 4.

CWops Test (CWT), Oct 2, 0700z to Oct 2, 0800z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./”CWA”, non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Oct 4.

SARL 80m QSO Party, Oct 2, 1700z to Oct 2, 2000z; SSB; Bands: 80; RS + Serial No. + Grid Locator or QTH; Logs due: Oct 14.

NRAU 10m Activity Contest, Oct 2, 1700z to Oct 2, 2100z; CW, SSB, FM, Digital; Bands: 10; RS(T) + 6-character grid square; Logs due: Oct 16.

SKCC Sprint Europe, Oct 2, 1900z to Oct 2, 2100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (SKCC No./”NONE”); Logs due: Oct 9.

URC DX RTTY Contest, Oct 3, 0000z to Oct 3, 2359z; RTTY; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + 3-letter territory code (see rules); Logs due: Oct 8.

NCCC FT4 Sprint, Oct 3, 0100z to Oct 3, 0130z; FT4; Bands: (see rules); 4-character grid square; Logs due: Oct 5.

Weekly RTTY Test, Oct 3, 0145z to Oct 3, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Oct 5.

NCCC Sprint, Oct 3, 0230z to Oct 3, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: Oct 5.

German Telegraphy Contest, Oct 3, 0700z to Oct 3, 1000z; CW; Bands: 80, 40; DL: RST + LDK, non-DL: RST; Logs due: Oct 17.

K1USN Slow Speed Test, Oct 3, 2000z to Oct 3, 2100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Oct 5.

Collegiate QSO Party, Oct 4, 0000z to Oct 5, 2359z; CW, Phone, Digital; Bands: All, except WARC; Collegiate: School Identifier + RS(T), Individual: State/Province/DX Entity + RS(T); Logs due: Oct 31.

TRC DX Contest, Oct 4, 0600z to Oct 5, 1800z; CW, SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; TRC Members: RST + Serial No. + “TRC”, non-TRC Members: RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Oct 12.

Oceania DX Contest, Phone, Oct 4, 0600z to Oct 5, 0600z; Phone; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RS + Serial No.; Logs due: Oct 26.

Worked All Provinces of China DX Contest, Oct 4, 0600z to Oct 5, 0559z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; BY: RS(T) + 2-character province, non-BY: RS(T) + Serial No.; Logs due: Oct 12.

Russian WW Digital Contest, Oct 4, 1200z to Oct 5, 1159z; BPSK63, RTTY; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; UA: RST(Q) + 2-character oblast code, non-UA: RST(Q) + QSO No.; Logs due: Oct 10.

California QSO Party, Oct 4, 1600z to Oct 5, 2200z; CW, Phone; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; CA: Serial No. + County, non-CA: Serial No. + (state/VE province or territory/DX); Logs due: Oct 20.

International HELL-Contest, Oct 4, 1600z to Oct 5, 1100z; Hell; Bands: 80, 40; RST + QSO No.; Logs due: Oct 19.

IARU Region 2 Area G HF SSB Contest, Oct 4, 2200z to Oct 4, 2359z; SSB; Bands: 80, 40; RS + Serial No.; Logs due: Oct 12.

UBA ON Contest, SSB, Oct 5, 0600z to Oct 5, 1000z; SSB; Bands: 80; ON: RS + Serial No. + ON Section, non-ON: RS + Serial No.; Logs due: Oct 10.

Peanut Power QRP Sprint, Oct 5, 2200z to Oct 5, 2359z; CW, SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20; RS(T) + (state/province/country) + (peanut no./power output); Logs due: Oct 22.

K1USN Slow Speed Test, Oct 6, 0000z to Oct 6, 0100z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Maximum 20 wpm, Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Oct 8.

ICWC Medium Speed Test, Oct 6, 1300z to Oct 6, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: Oct 9.

OK1WC Memorial (MWC), Oct 6, 1630z to Oct 6, 1729z; CW; Bands: 80, 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Oct 10.

RSGB 80m Autumn Series, CW, Oct 6, 1900z to Oct 6, 2030z; CW; Bands: 80; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Oct 9.

ICWC Medium Speed Test, Oct 6, 1900z to Oct 6, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: Oct 9.

ARS Spartan Sprint, Oct 7, 0000z to Oct 7, 0200z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; RST + (state/province/country) + Power; Logs due: Oct 9.

Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest, Oct 7, 0100z to Oct 7, 0159z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6; RS + age group (OM, YL, Youth YL or Youth); Logs due: Oct 8.

ICWC Medium Speed Test, Oct 7, 0300z to Oct 7, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Name + QSO No.; Logs due: Oct 9.

Phone Weekly Test, Oct 8, 0230z to Oct 8, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15; NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: Oct 10.

A1Club AWT, Oct 8, 1145z to Oct 8, 1300z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: RST + Name; Logs due: Oct 13.

CWops Test (CWT), Oct 8, 1300z to Oct 8, 1400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./”CWA”, non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Oct 11.

Mini-Test 40, Oct 8, 1700z to Oct 8, 1759z; CW; Bands: 40; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Oct 10.

Mini-Test 80, Oct 8, 1800z to Oct 8, 1859z; CW; Bands: 80; RST + Serial No.; Logs due: Oct 10.

CWops Test (CWT), Oct 8, 1900z to Oct 8, 2000z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10; Member: Name + Member No./”CWA”, non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: Oct 11.

VHF+ CONTESTS

AGCW VHF/UHF Contest, Sep 27, 1400z to Sep 27, 1800z; CW; Bands: 144 MHz, 432 MHz; RST + “/” + Serial No. + “/” Power class + “/” + 6-character grid locator; Logs due: Oct 5.

UBA ON Contest, 6m, Sep 28, 0700z to Sep 28, 1000z; CW, Phone; Bands: 6; ON: RS(T) + Serial No. + ON Section, non-ON: RS(T) + Serial No.; Logs due: Oct 3.

222 MHz Fall Sprint, Sep 30, 2300z to Oct 1, 0600z; Analog, Digital; Bands: 222 MHz; 4-character grid square; Logs due: Oct 15.

VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest, Oct 1, 1700z to Oct 1, 2100z; FT8/4; Bands: 144 MHz; 4-character grid square; Logs due: Oct 6.

IARU Region 1 UHF/Microwaves Contest, Oct 4, 1400z to Oct 5, 1400z; All; Bands: 435 MHz, 1.3 GHz, 2.4 GHz, 3.4 GHz, 5.7 GHz, 10 GHz, Millimeter; RS(T) + QSO No. + 6-character grid square; Logs due: Oct 13.

VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest, Oct 8, 1700z to Oct 8, 2100z; FT8/4; Bands: 432 MHz; 4-character grid square; Logs due: Oct 13.

432 MHz Fall Sprint, Oct 8, 2300z to Oct 9, 0600z; Analog, Digital; Bands: 432 MHz; 4-character grid square; Logs due: Oct 23.

• Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest
• ARRL September VHF Contest
• ICWC Medium Speed Test

September 26

• Mini-Test 40
• Mini-Test 80
• Phone Weekly Test
• OK1WC Memorial (MWC)
• Scandinavian Activity Contest, CW

September 27

• Run for the Bacon QRP Contest
• CWops Test (CWT)
• SKCC Sprint

September 28

• NCCC Sprint
• NCCC FT4 Sprint
• Weekly RTTY Test
• IRTS 70cm Counties Contest
• IRTS 2m Counties Contest
• North American Sprint, RTTY
• BARTG Sprint PSK63 Contest
• RSGB 80m Autumn Series, Data
• K1USN Slow Speed Test

September 29

• A1Club AWT

September 30

• AGCW Straight Key Party
• New Jersey QSO Party
• ALARA Contest
• U.S. Islands QSO Party
• Wisconsin Parks on the Air

October 1

• New Hampshire QSO Party
• Kansas QSO Party
• Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest
• UKEICC 80m Contest
• K1USN Slow Speed Test

October 2

• ICWC Medium Speed Test

October 3

• UBA ON Contest, 6m
• CQ Worldwide DX Contest, RTTY
• Mini-Test 40
• Mini-Test 80
• Phone Weekly Test
• OK1WC Memorial (MWC)

October 4

• Colorado QSO Party
• Bill Windle QSO Party
• CWops Test (CWT)

October 5

• NCCC Sprint
• ARS Flight of the Bumblebees
• Washington State Salmon Run
• AGCW VHF/UHF Contest
• NCCC FT4 Sprint
• Weekly RTTY Test
• QCX Challenge
• Texas QSO Party
• K1USN Slow Speed Test

October 6

• A1Club AWT
• VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest

October 7

• 144 MHz Fall Sprint

October 8

• Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest
• YU DX Contest
• K1USN Slow Speed Test
• URC DX RTTY Contest

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