CQ WPX CW 2025: The CW Challenge is THIS WEEKEND!
The CQ WPX CW Contest is one of the most anticipated events in the amateur radio calendar, attracting thousands of operators from around the globe. It is the second largest CW contest of the year, after CQ WW CW in late November. Taking place over the last weekend of May, this high-paced contest challenges participants to make as many contacts as possible using unique call sign prefixes as multipliers. It’s a true test of operating skill, endurance, and station performance – especially for those who thrive in challenging and rewarding CW contesting.
This weekend, Team SZ1A returns to the airwaves for the CW leg of CQ WPX 2025. Building on our momentum from the SSB edition earlier this spring, the team has been working hard over the past two months, upgrading and optimizing the station. With a dedicated operating crew and a series of key improvements now complete, we’re entering the contest with stronger signals, cleaner receive paths, and high expectations.
Don’t forget to review the official contest rules for full details on scoring, operating categories, and how the contest is structured.
You can find the 2025 rules in English and many other languages here: https://cqww.com/rules.htm
Major Upgrades for CQ WPX CW 2025
To strengthen our performance in this year’s CW contest, we’ve made a number of targeted technical upgrades:
- 20M Tower Upgrade
The 20-meter monoband antenna now sits atop a fully rebuilt, reinforced, and now much higher 21-meter tower, and is fed by a 0.5-inch M&P Hyperflex-13 ultra-low-loss transmission line, replacing the older RG-213 legacy coax. This combination is expected to deliver significantly improved signal performance across the band, and with the new height, we’re expecting much better and lower DX angles, allowing us to work openings for longer. - 10M Monobander Serviced
Our 10-meter monobander has undergone service and repair and is again ready for action, just in time for anticipated high-band openings. - Station RF Performance Optimization
Several lossy components in the RF chain were identified and addressed as part of an ongoing performance review. This contest will be the first full-scale test of the improvements, and we expect to see measurable gains in both transmit power and receive sensitivity.
Operator Team
This year’s CW team includes a tight group of highly experienced SZ1A contesters and CW veterans:
Operators (alphabetical):
G0PZA, SV1BJW, SV1CDN, SV1CIB, SV1DKD, SV1DPI, SV1DPJ
Support Crew:
SV1CQG, SV1CQK, SV1HKH, SV1HLB, SV1TBW, SV1RRX, SV1CQM, SV1RLC, SV1TIQ, SY1DOB, and others supporting logistics, infrastructure, technical operations, and of course, BBQing and cooking to keep the team fueled throughout the weekend.
Work Us – Visit Us
We warmly invite all amateur radio operators to find and work SZ1A on the bands throughout the weekend. Whether you’re chasing prefixes, filling band slots, or just joining in the fun, every QSO with us is appreciated, and we’ll be pushing hard to put in a strong performance across all bands.
If you hear us, work us, and spot us! Every cluster spot makes a real difference in keeping the pileups going and helps more stations find us during openings. Your support truly counts and is always appreciated.
If you’re nearby or just curious about the world of serious contesting, you’re welcome to visit us at the station. The SZ1A – RAAWG, Redforest Contest Station, is located at Kokkinologos, Agrinio, and visitors are always encouraged to stop by, tour the shack, watch live operations, and connect with the team in person.
📍 Google Maps – SZ1A RAAWG Redforest
Come experience the energy, the camaraderie, and the sound of CW filling the airwaves.
To all contest teams, single ops, and stations taking part in CQ WPX CW 2025, we wish you the very best of luck!!
Have fun, stay sharp, and may the bands be kind.
See you in the log or in person.
73 from all of us at SZ1A!
