CQ WW DX SSB 2026: The World’s Biggest Ham Radio Event Is THIS WEEKEND!
The countdown is almost over! On October 24–25, 2026, the amateur radio world comes together for its biggest annual celebration: the CQ World Wide DX SSB Contest!
For 48 hours, the HF bands will be buzzing with activity as tens of thousands of radio amateurs from every corner of the globe take to the airwaves. From modest home stations running 100 watts into simple wire antennas to some of the world’s most impressive contest superstations, everyone shares the same excitement: making contacts, chasing rare DX, discovering new countries, and enjoying the thrill of international radio communication.
And that is what makes the CQ World Wide DX Contest so special. Regardless of station size, experience, or operating ambitions, everyone can participate in this extraordinary worldwide gathering.
A Tradition Going Back to 1948!
The CQ World Wide DX Contest has a remarkable history stretching back to 1948, when the first edition was organized by CQ Magazine. Nearly eight decades later, it has grown into the world’s largest and most prestigious amateur radio contest, bringing together generations of operators who share a passion for DX and radio sport.
The scale of the event continues to amaze. Last year’s CQ WW SSB set a new participation record, with 10,576 submitted logs representing more than 5.1 million QSOs!
But the magic of CQ WW goes well beyond the numbers. It’s the excitement of hearing a rare country suddenly appear on 10 meters, the satisfaction of completing a difficult contact through a crowded pileup, or the surprise of discovering just how far your signal can travel when propagation cooperates.
For DXers, it’s a fantastic opportunity to work new countries and CQ Zones. For competitive operators, it’s the ultimate test of skill, strategy, and endurance. And for newcomers, it’s perhaps the best weekend of the year to discover just how exciting HF amateur radio can be.
CQ WW is not just a contest. It’s a worldwide celebration of everything that makes amateur radio special!
CQ WW SSB 2026: What You Need to Know
The contest begins at 00:00 UTC on Saturday, October 24, and continues until 23:59 UTC on Sunday, October 25, 2026.
Activity takes place on the six traditional HF contest bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters. The exchange is simply an RS signal report and CQ Zone, and the objective is to contact as many countries and zones as possible.
Whether you plan to operate the entire weekend or simply make a few contacts, don’t miss the opportunity to join the fun!
You can find the official CQ WW 2026 rules here.
Important: Logs must be submitted within 48 hours of the contest’s conclusion, no later than 23:59 UTC on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, through the official log submission page.
Team SZ1A Returns to the Air!
Naturally, Team SZ1A wouldn’t miss the biggest contest weekend of the year!
At our Red Forest Contest Station near Agrinio, Western Greece, preparations are underway for another demanding but thoroughly enjoyable weekend of operating, teamwork, DX, and probably far too little sleep!
Following a busy contesting year and our special SZ40A 40th anniversary celebrations, we’re returning to the familiar SZ1A callsign, ready to take on the challenge once again.
We’re especially delighted to welcome back our good friends Jef (DD2CW) and Dirk (ON3UN), who are once again traveling from abroad to operate with us. Over the years, these international friendships have become an important part of the SZ1A contesting experience, and it’s always a pleasure to reunite for another big weekend on the air.
Our Operators
- DD2CW – Jef
- ON3UN – Dirk
- SV0XAF / HB9EBC – Mike
- SV1GE – John
- SV1JG – Cliff
- SV1CIB – Dimitris
- SV1DAY – Manos
- SV1DKD – Andy
- SV1DPJ – Vasilis
- SV8PMM – Panos
- SY1ERB – George
Support Team
- SV1CQK – Thanasis
- SV1CQG – Kostas
- Additional Support: Thanasis SV1RLC, Sotiris SV1RRX, Dimitris SV1TBW, Sotiris SV1TIQ, George SV1TLY, and Dennis SV1CDN, who provides pre-contest skimmer spot analysis and the HF propagation forecast for the weekend.
As always, a heartfelt thank you to everyone contributing to the preparations, technical operations, logistics, and everything else that makes a contest weekend at SZ1A possible!
See You on the Bands!
Wherever you are in the world, whatever your station or experience level, this is your weekend to get on the air!
Tune across the bands, call CQ, chase some DX, work a few new countries, and enjoy being part of the biggest gathering of amateur radio operators anywhere in the world.
And of course, listen out for SZ1A from CQ Zone 20. We’d love to have you in our log! If you hear us, give us a call and a spot on the DX cluster after our QSO.
To all our friends, fellow contesters, and radio amateurs around the world, we wish you fantastic propagation, exciting DX, plenty of QSOs, and a truly memorable CQ WW SSB 2026!
See you on the air!
73 de Team SZ1A!
