CONTESTS….
This coming weekend sees one of the biggest DX contests of the year – CQWW SSB. Even if you’re not a contester, there’s usually something “juicy” to work on the bands. Will 10m be as good as last year? It’s unlikely but who knows – CQWW creates its own propagation!
Meanwhile, here are the rules: https://cqww.com/rules/
DXCC
This week on air….
3B9, RODRIGUES ISL Kazu M0CFW is once again operating as 3B9KW during the CQWW SSB contest (October 24-25) and during the CQWW CW contest (November 28-29). Operation before and after the contest as 3B9/call between October 20-28 and between November 22 end December 2. QSL via LoTW.
3DA0, ESWATINI Morten, LA9GY is operating as 3DA0GY until November 2. Morten says: ‘I will likely set up the antenna at the same location as last year — Piggs Peak, situated in the mountains of the Hhohho region. A year ago, 99% of the QSOs were CW. This time, I plan to operate SSB in the Worked All Germany Contest and CQWW. There will likely be a fair number of SSB QSOs outside of the contests as well’
5H, TANZANIA Maurizio, IK2GZU is once again operating as 5H3MB until November 18. QRV from 80 to 10 metres using CW, SSB and digi. Also QO-100. QSL via Club Log, LoTW or via home call. Maurizio is a volunteer at the Ikelu hospital in the South Highlands.
5W, SAMOA Ryan, AG4ZP is active in ‘holiday-style’ until October 29 as 5W0ZP. Operation from 40 to 10 metres using FT4/8 with some CW.
6O, SOMALIA Pertti, OG2M is QRV from Garowe as 6O2M until October 25. Operation from 40 to 10 metres using CW and SSB during his spare time. QSL via LoTW.
6W, SENEGAL The Italian Dxpedition Team has announced their next trip to Senegal between October 28 and November 9. Look for Elvira IV3FSG, Tony I2PJA, Oscar IK2AQZ, Alfeo I1HJT, Silvano I2YSB, Franco I1FQH, Stefano IK2HKT and Angelo IK2CKR will be active as 6W/I2YSB (CW, SSB & RTTY) and 6W/IK2HKT (FT8) Operation with 4 stations on all modes and frequencies. QSL via I2YSB direct and OQRS. https://www.i2ysb.com/idt/
8P, BARBADOS Thomas W2SC is active before, during and after the contest as 8P5A. QSL via HA1AG, LoTW.
9N, NEPAL Matjaz, S57MK will once again be operating as 9N/call from October 24 until November 11. During his time there, he will be trekking the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Area, and visiting Kathmandu too.
9N, NEPAL Look for Jan DL4XT as 9N7XT during October 23-31. Activity using CW, SSB and FT8. QSL via LoTW. https://yct.janlabs.de/dx/nepal2026
C5, THE GAMBIA Lui YT3PL, Luc F5RAV and Darko E70A are once again active as C5R from near Banjul until November 4. Their humanitarian work is ongoing – so far they made 3 new classrooms for WILCOS school for children aged 3 to 5 years old. All the money that is donated will be invested in this project – they already spent €7500 but still need to make new toilets and add new tiles to make new floors. You can donate via here.
C6, BAHAMAS Brian, ND3F is once again active as C6AQQ from New Providence Island until October 27. Activity on HF with a K3 and ground plane. An entry in the CQWW SSB contest. QSL via LoTW or EA5GL.
CT9, MADEIRA Helmut, DF7EE is once again active as CT9/call until October 27. An entry in the CQ WW SSB contest is included as CQ3W. Planned operation on 60m also. QSL via OQRS.
FK, NEW CALEDONIA Barry, KD6XU is operating as FK/call until mid-November. Operation on 20 metres using CW from POTA NC-0042.
FP, ST PIERRE AND MIQUELON Matt, WF2A is operating as FP/call until October 26. An entry in the CQWW SSB contest is included with an activity from POTA PM-0025. QSL via LoTW. https://www.qrz.com/db/FP/W2MJR
H44, SOLOMON ISL Bernard, DL2GAC is once again QRV from the Solomon islands as H44MS during the following periods: until November 20, 2026. February 5 to May 7, 2027.
J7, DOMINICA Fred, DH5FS is active as J79FS until October 27. An entry in the WAG contest and the CQWW SSB contest is included. QSL via home call, Club Log.
J7, DOMINICA Laurent FM5BH together with F5VHJ, FM5FJ and FM1HN are active as J79BH, J79A, J79FJ and J79H until October 27. An entry in the CQWW SSB contest is included as J75A. QSL J79A and J75A via LoTW, Club Log’s OQRS, direct to G5RC, or via the bureau to F5VHJ; QSL J79N via KU9C; QSL J79BH via Club Log’s OQRS or direct to FM5BH; QSL J79FJ via LoTW, Club Log’s OQRS, or via KU9C.
JD1, OGASAWARA Koutarou, JP1IHD is once again active as JD1BQP from Chichijima until November 2. Operation from 160 to 6 metres with a combo of antennas. QSL via home call direct.
P4, ARUBA Look for Chad WE9V until October 29 as P4/call. I’ll be joined by station owner W6LD/P40L and also K9NW where we’ll operate the CQWW SSB contest as P40L. QSL P4/WE9V to WD9DZV and P40L to WA3FRP.
PJ4, BONAIRE Olli, DH8BQA is active as PJ4/call until October 27. An entry in the WAG contest and CQWW DX SSB contest as PJ4Y. QSL via home call bureau, LoTW, OQRS for PJ4Y.
PY, BRAZIL Look for Claudio PY3OZ as PR3X, it’s a Brazilian Islands, Lighthouses and LLOTA Dxpedition until November 15. Operation from 80 to 10 metres using CW and SSB. See more on QRZ.com
S9, SAO TOME Francisco, CT7AKS is active as S9R with EC7R, D2ACE, CT1BOL, D2IM, CT1BZG and CT3MD until October 31. QRV with 3 stations from 160 to 6 metres using CW, SSB and digi. https://s9r.viacom.ao/
SV5, DODECANESE Martin, ON4PO is once again operating as J45PO until October 28. An entry in the CQWW DX SSB is included in the SX5P team. QSL for both calls via OQRS, LoTW or home call.
T32, CHRISTMAS ISL Ken, KH6QJ is active again as T32AZ from Kiritimati (Christmas Island, OC-024), East Kiribati in October. QSL via KH6QJ, direct or bureau.
T8, PALAU A team with Masu JA3AVO, Mune JI3DNN, Kuni JA1CJA, Jusei JA3IVU and Shozo JA3HJI plan (tentatively) activity from the VIP Guest Hotel, Koror, Palau until October 29. QRV on various bands and modes as: T88MB (JA3AVO), T88CZ (JI3DNN), T88DK (JA1CJA), T88ED (JA3IVU) and as T88DN (JA3HJI).
TZ, MALI Jeff, TZ4AM will be back between October 22 and December 2. QRV from 80 to 6 metres using CW and SSB. QSL via KX4R or LoTW. This might be Jeff’s final run from Mali. As the security situation continues to decline, he says, the primary challenge remains the local economy. With rent and utilities running over USD 10,000 a year, maintaining the operation is no longer viable, and he is considering closing it down completely.
V2, ANTIGUA N3OC (V26OC), K3RA (V26RA), KC2GOW (V26AG), AA3R (V26FT), K3MTT (V26T), NM2O (V26OO) and N2ZN (V26XU) will be active as V26B during the CQWW DX SSB contest (October 24-25). QRV in M/M category. QSL via KA2AEV direct.
V4, ST KITTS Jon, W5JON will once again be operating as V47JA from October 28 until November 6. Operation from 160 to 6 metres using SSB and FT8 with a Yaesu FT-3000D and Elecraft KPA500 amplifier. Antennas: Mosley MP-32N beam for 10/15/20m, 33′ vertical for 10-160m and a 6m Yagi. QSL direct to W5JON or via LoTW.
V4, ST KITTS N2NT, K5ZD and KI7WX will be active as V47T during the CQWW SSB contest (October 24-25). Category: M/S, HP. Operations on CW, SSB and FT8 before the contest is likely with V4/homecalls. QSL via W2RQ, LoTW. In addition, N2NT will also be QRV during the CQWW CW contest (SOAB/HP) as V47T.
V5, NAMIBIA Until early December 2026, I shall be in Namibia supporting an exciting motoring event with my colleague Richard G8SVC. We will be located at Walvis Bay and in our spare time plan to operate an HF station running SSB and FT8. Will also have WSPR. Thanks to the help of Nam Ham and CRAN we have the licenced callsign of V5/G0RIB to use for the remainder of 2026.
V6, MICRONESIA Masa, JM1LBO is once again active s V63SC until October 26. Activity from 80 to 2 metres using FT8 and SSB. QSL via LoTW or via home call direct.
XX, MACAU Alberto VR2XAN will be operating as XX9TXN from October 23 until October 29. Operation from 160 to 6 metres using CW, SSB and FT8. An entry in the CQWW SSB contest is included. QSL via LoTW and IV3SKB.
YJ, VANUATU Chris, VK2YUS is operating as YJ0CA until October 30. Operation using SSB only between 2100z and 1000z. QSL via homecall, LoTW
Z6, KOSOVO Rene DL2JRM together with DM7XX and HB9EHJ are operating as Z66BCC until October 26. An entry in the CQWW DX SSB contest is included as Z68XX. QSL via DL2JRM.
IOTA
This week on air…
AFRICA
AF-067 Wasini Island Look for Reto 5Z4GO/P in QRP mode during October 28-30. QSL via LoTW. Follow Reto on X.
EUROPE
EU-012 Shetland Stewart, G4AFF will be QRV during the CQWW contest as GM5E. Before and after (October 22-26) he signs as GM4AFF/P with a focus on WARC bands. QSL via LoTW.
EU-038 Schiermonnikoog Volker, DL1WH is active as PA/call from PAFF-0017 National Park until October 26. QRV in ‘holiday-style’ on HF using CW with some SSB. QSL via home call bureau.
NORTH AMERICA
NA-057 Roatan Isl Look for James NV1U during the CQWW SSB contest as HQ9X. Outside the contest is he operating as call/HR9 until October 26. QSL via Club Log.
NA-151 Christian IV Isl Bo, OX3LX will once again be active as OX3LX during October 24-29. Bo mentions: ‘It’s a difficult place to go and weather can be a challenge and I need a helicopter to reach NA-151, therefore dates can be change without any notice. I will try to be on some of the
low bands. For me this is not a DXped, but QRL trip – don’t expect to much actvity.’
NA-174 Igloolik Isl Mike, VE2XB is active until November 6 as VY0ZOO. Activity from 20 to 10 metres using CW. QSL via home call.
OCEANIA
OC-195 Deal Isl John, VK1AX is operating until late November. Operation during his spare time from 80 to 10 metres using FT8.
SOUTH AMERICA
SA-018 Chiloe Heli, CE7/DD0VR will be QRV from October 25 until November 29.
Antarctic destinations
HF0PAS South Shetland Islands
Rafal, SQ4O informs that all going well, he will try to be active as HF0PAS from the Henryk Arctowski Polish Antarctic Station, King George Island, South Shetland Islands after May. He will remain there until October 2026. News updates will posted on the HF0PAS QRZ page.
Special calls
THE NEWCOMERS
CN, MOROCCO The special event station CN1UNI marks Morocco’s Unity Day (Oct. 31) on the air from October 26 until November 8.
THE REMINDERS
9A, CROATIA Throughout 2026, Tom, 9A2AA will use 9A69AA to mark his 69 years of activity on the amateur radio bands. QSL via home call.
9A, CROATIA To celebrate their 15th anniversary, members of the Croatian Flora Fauna ARC (9A1WFF) are active as 9A44FF and 9A44FF/p until end 2026. See https://www.qrz.com/db/9A44FF for information about the Anniversary Award.
CE, CHILE On the occasion of the 90th jubilee of the Radio Club Rancagua (CE4RG), the club members will use the special event callsign XR90RG until the end of the year. QSL direct via CE4RG.
DL, GERMANY During 2026, the following special event stations celebrate 100 years of the German aviation company Lufthansa: DA100LH, DL100LH and DK100LH (special DOK 100DLH). QSL via DK5ON (d/B).
DL, GERMANY The special event stations DA100TV and DL100TV (special DOK 100TV) celebrate 10 years of television in Germany during 2026. QSL via DK5ON (d/B).
DL, GERMANY The special callsign DB100FT will be active throughout 2026 to celebrate the centenary of the Berlin Radio Tower (Funkturm), one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. The 150-metre-high steel lattice tower occupies a prominent place in the history of radio broadcasting in Germany, as it was used to broadcast transmissions starting in 1926. QSL via the bureau, or direct to DO2PZ.
DL, GERMANY The 125th birthday of Rudolf Hell, inventor of the the HELL/Feld-HELL mode, will be celebrated with the special event callsign DA125RH from October 1 until the end of the year. More information on QRZ.com.
DL, GERMANY DARC Team SES will be active as DL25WIKI throughout 2026. The special callsign celebrates the 25th anniversary of Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, founded in January 2001: “the station reflects the spirit of free knowledge and international collaboration within the amateur radio community. Wikipedia and amateur radio share common values: openness, education, technical enthusiasm, and world-wide networking”. QSL cards will be sent automatically via the bureau; QSOs will also be uploaded to LoTW and the DCL (DARC Community Logbook)
DL, GERMANY DQ30GDXF is the special callsign celebrating the 30th anniversary of the German DX Foundation (https://www.gdxf.de/ ) during 2026. QSL via Club Log’s OQRS and LoTW.
DL, GERMANY DR170TESLA is the special callsign for members of DARC’s Ortsverband Mainz (DL0MZ) to celebrate the 170th anniversary of the birth of Nikola Tesla until end 2026. QSL via Club Log’s OQRS (preferred), or via DK8ZZ.
DL, GERMANY DB70DLRS is a special callsign marking the 70th anniversary of the Deutschland-Rundspruch, the DARC’s weekly news broadcast tailored specifically for amateur radio enthusiasts in Germany. Look for activity on all bands and modes from 1 June to 31 December. QSL via DK5ON, LoTW and DCL (DARC Community Logbook). More information can be found on https://www.qrz.com/db/DB70DLRS
F, FRANCE The radio club Mazirat (F4KOK, dept. 03) uses the callsign TM3CF on Sundays during October, drawing attention to one of the officially recognised geographical centres of France in Nassigny.
G, ENGLAND GB80CV is the special callsign for members of the Cray Valley Radio Society to celebrate their club’s 80th anniversary on 1-28 October. See https://cvrs.uk/cvrs80/ for detailed information on the Oak Anniversary Award. QSL via LoTW.
G, ENGLAND GB50PUNK is a special callsign for David, G3SKA “and team” to use at various times during 2026 to celebrate 50 years of punk rock music. QSOs will be uploaded to Club Log and eQSL; QSL via the bureau or direct. Updates will be posted to https://www.facebook.com/61585208894891 .
HP, PANAMA Henry, HP1CDW, celebrates his 40 years on the air with the callsign 3E40CDW until the end of November. QSL via LoTW.
I, ITALY Throughout 2026, ARI Fidenza (IQ4FE), with the patronage and historical supervision of the Guglielmo Marconi Foundation, will use a series of special callsigns, each representing one of the “key figures who played a fundamental role in Marconi’s personal and emotional, educational and cultural, academic, scientific and, finally, entrepreneurial development II4NTTI (October), II4GCLB (November), II4SLRI (December). QSL via LoTW, or direct only to IQ4FE. Complete information about the “Marconi Supporters” award: http://www.arifidenza.it/
JA, JAPAN 8J7SPO is a special callsign commemorating the Japan Sport Association’s 80th Japan Games and the 25th National Sports Festival for People with Disabilities, to be held in Aomori Prefecture. Look for activity on various bands and modes between 1 August and 26 October. QSOs will be uploaded to Club Log, and confirmed automatically via the bureau; direct cards go to JQ7ATB.
JA, JAPAN 8J70JARE is a special callsign celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition, which on 29 January 1957 established Syowa Station on East Ongul Island. The special callsign will be in use from various locations across Japan between 22
May 2026 and 29 January 2027. QSOs will be confirmed automatically via the bureau; direct cards should be sent to JG2MLI.
LZ, BULGARIA Radio Club Blagovestnik (LZ1KCP) will use six special callsigns during 2026 to honour as many different Orthodox saints: LZ936BA (October), LZ911TD (November and December). QSL via the bureau or direct to P.O. Box 36, 4300 Karlovo, Bulgaria. Details on the “All Saints 2026 Award” can be found at https://www.lz1kcp.com/
LZ, BULGARIA LZ75HSC is the special callsign for Bulgarian HSC members to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Radio Telegraphy Highspeed Club (HSC) until the end of the year. QSL via LZ2JE. The club was founded in 1951 as a community within the Deutscher Amateur Radio Club (DARC). To date, membership has grown to include over 1,400 operators spanning every continent: http://www.highspeedclub.org
ON, BELGIUM The ONZ Oostkust Radioclub (ON6HC) will be active on all bands and modes as OR82CLM between 16 October and 15 November to commemorate the 82nd anniversary of the liberation of the region of Knokke Heist by Canadian troops in 1944. QSL via eQSL. A certificate will be available: https://www.onz.be/or82clm-award-request/
ON, BELGIUM OR80AF — 80 years of the Belgian Air Force. From 1 to 30 October 2026 BAFARA will activate special callsign OR80AF on all HF bands, CW, SSB and digital, together with air base stations ON4BAF, ON4BFS, ON4BBE, ON6BK and members’ own stations. Free award in four grades, nothing to submit: points are credited from the station logs. SWLs welcome. Log, eQSL and award at www.bafara80.be. contact via info@bafara80.be
PA, THE NETHERLANDS PG75HSC is the special callsign for Theo, PA3HEN to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Radio Telegraphy Highspeed Club (HSC) until the end of the year. QSL via home call, and LoTW. Also joining the celebrations is Artur, SP3LPR as 3Z75HSC (QSL via home call, direct or bureau). The club was founded in 1951 as a community within the Deutscher Amateur Radio Club (DARC). To date, membership has grown to include 1400+ operators all over the world: http://www.highspeedclub.org
PY, BRAZIL Celebrating “five decades of radio activity, international contacts, contesting, dxpeditions, technical development and friendship”, members of the Araucaria DX Group will use the special callsign ZW50B until the end of October. See https://araucariadx.com/50anos/ programme .
SP, POLAND Special callsigns 3Z100LKK, HF100LKK, SN100LKK, SO100LKK, SP0LKK, SP100LKK and SQ100LKK celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Lviv Shortwave Club, founded in 1926 as Lwowski Klub Krotkofalowcow (LKK) until end 2026. “The cradle of Polish Amateur Radio”, LKK was one of the largest clubs in Europe before World War II. See https://radiodyplom.pl/ses/282 for the commemorative certificate.
SP, POLAND The Dobrzycki Amateur Radio Club (SP3PDO) will use twelve special callsigns during 2026 to honour as many different Polish saints: SP1550SK (October), SP1234KK (November) and SP1835JK (December). QSLs via SP3PDO. See https://radioawards.club/ses/155 for the certificates.
TF, ICELAND TF80IRA is the special callsign used by the club station of Icelandic Radio Amateurs (IRA) to celebrate the 80th anniversary since the foundation of Iceland’s IARU member society (14 August 1947). Look for activity between 14 August and 31 December. QSL via the bureau, direct, and LoTW.
UR, UKRAINE Special callsigns EO210WLP and EM70WWW will be active from 1 September until 31 December for the 210th anniversary of the Lviv Polytechnic National University, and for the 70th anniversary of the Polytechnic’s club station. QSLs via LoTW; see qrz.com for the certificates available for QSOs made with the special calls.
UR, UKRAINE To celebrate his 50th anniversary in amateur radio, Nick, US8AR will be active throughout 2026 using the special callsign EM50AR. Electronic QSL cards can be downloaded from https://em50ar.pp.ua
VK, AUSTRALIA AX120AAC celebrates the 120th anniversary of the Australian Army Cadets (AAC) during 2026.
YU, SERBIA To commemorate the 170th anniversary of Nikola Tesla’s birth, members of the Amateur Radio Union of Serbia (YU0SRS) are active as YT170TESLA until end 2026. QSL via LoTW; paper QSL cards will not be available.
YU, SERBIA The special event callsign YU65AEC celebrates the 65th anniversary of the first radio club in Odzaci throughout 2026.
YU, SERBIA The radio club Mihajlo Pupin YU7BCD in Pancevo celebrates its 45th anniversary during 2026 with the callsign YU45MJA. QSL via LoTW.
ZB, GIBRALTAR ZB2FTY celebrates 50 years of Amateur Radio on Gibraltar during 2026. QSL direct via ZB2BU.
ZL, NEW ZEALAND The New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters (NZART) was founded in Auckland in 1926. To celebrate their centenary, NZART members are encouraged to use the ZM prefix during the 2026 year.
GL es Enjoy de Ken VY2RU