On the last weekend of March, March 29–30, 2025, SZ1A once again participated in the CQ WPX SSB Contest, and this time we made history. With a better score than any previous year, our team achieved a new station record, proving that dedication, preparation, and teamwork really do pay off.
The Team Returned Strong
The first arrivals at the station started mid-week. We were thrilled to welcome back our dear friends DD2CW (Jef) and ON3UN (Dirk), who once again traveled to join us. On Friday afternoon, the station filled with life as SV1DKD, SV8PMM, SV3RPQ, SV1GE, SV1JG, SV1DPI, SV1CIB, SV3SKM arrived, while SV1CQK, SV1HKH, SV1HLB, SV1CQG, SV1TBW, and others made sure nothing was missing on the support side.
The Contest Begins!
We started Saturday in the Multi-Two (M/2) category with great enthusiasm and high hopes. Unfortunately, propagation was not on our side, and some technical issues cost us valuable time and momentum. Thankfully, they were resolved quickly, and the team adapted right away. As always, our score was broadcast live on the online live-score contest scoreboard sites!
CQing, Pouncing, QSOs and adrenaline: Action inside the shack, with the team hard at work…
Later on, band conditions improved considerably. Our new antennas performed beautifully, and the pileups were incredibly satisfying for our operators. The QSO count steadily climbed, and our final score surpassed all previous records for SZ1A!
The QSO count steadily climbed, and our final score surpassed all previous records for SZ1A!
More than just a Contest
Contesting isn’t just about performance. SZ1A once again became a hub of activity and camaraderie. Friends, new radio amateurs, visitors, and community members came by the station bringing smiles, conversations, treats, and of course, Aegina pistachios! For us, a contest is an experience. It’s learning, collaboration, self-improvement, and joy.
As we always say: You have to live it to truly understand it. So don’t miss out on the next one. Come be part of it! SZ1A is our own land of the Lotus-Eaters – once you come, you won’t want to leave.
You have to live it to truly understand it...
Thanks & Acknowledgements
Our appreciation and a huge thank you:
- To those who contacted us on the air and spotted us on the clusters.
- To our operators: Jef DD2CW, Dirk ON3UN, Dimitris SV1CIB, Andy SV1DKD, Kostas SV1DPI, Vasilis SV1DPJ, John SV1GE, Cliff SV1JG, Andreas SV3RPQ, Dimitris SV3SKM, and Panos SV8PMM.
- To the support team: Thanasis SV1CQK (our President and soul of the station), Panos SV1HKH (the king of the kitchen), Kostas SV1HLB, Kostas SV1CQG, Sotiris SV1TIQ, Dimitris SV1TBW, Sotiris SV1RRX, Spiros SV1CQM, and all the friends who visited, lent a hand, or simply brought positive energy.
Jef and Dirk – we can’t wait to see you again at the next contest!
Here’s to even more QSOs and new heights next year!
73 de SZ1A
You can find the detailed statistics of our participation here:
👉 https://www.qsl.net/sz1a/sh5/2025/2025_cq-wpx-ssb_sz1a
