November amateur radio contests 2025

Month full of CW, DX and traditions

November is one of the most active months in the amateur radio calendar. After summer events like IOT a Contest or Field Day comes a series of contests where fans of CW, SSB, digital modes, and QRP operations. This article provides an overview of the most interesting contests awaiting us in November 2025 - from small hourly competitions to legendary world DX marathons.

🏁 Beginning of the month: memories, friendships, and club activity

Immediately November 1st the month starts Silent Key Memorial contest, which commemorates deceased radio amateurs. The short CW contest (06:00-08:59 UTC) has a symbolic meaning - it's not about high scoring, but about connections dedicated to colleagues who no longer respond from the other side of the ether.

On the same day also takes place IPARC Contest (CW round), organized by the international postal amateur radio organization. The following day (2nd November) continues SSB round, so participants can use both bands and both modes. These contests have a friendly character - it's not just about the number QSO, but also the possibility of establishing connections between radio amateurs from different countries belonging to IPARC., but also for the opportunity to establish connections between radio amateurs from different countries who belong to IPARC.

An interesting aspect of the first weekend of November is also Russian youth competition 'Druzhba' (Friendship). The goal is to involve young operators and motivate them to CW and SSB operation on KV bands. Such competitions help to keep the younger generation interested in radio amateurs - something that is needed in every country.

🌍 International contests and DX challenges

From From 1st to 3rd November will appear in the ether ARRL Sweepstakes Contest CW, one of the oldest and most prestigious CW contests in the USA. Typical for this contest is that each participant must transmit a complex code containing the sequence number, call sign, category, and the year they obtained their license. It is a test of patience and accuracy - typical of the American contesting school., one of the oldest and most prestigious CW competitions in the US. It is typical for this race that each participant must transmit a complex code during the connection containing the serial number, the challenge, the category and the year in which the license was obtained. It is a challenge to patience and precision - typical of the American contest school.

The same weekend also falls UK/EI DX Contest SSB - a contest that connects the British Isles with the rest of the world. Although some radio amateurs point out organizational disputes and 'Ham Spirit' issues, operationally it is an attractive opportunity to make many contacts with British stations. – a race that connects the British Isles with the rest of the world. Although some radio amateurs point to organizational disputes and "Ham Spirit" issues, from an operational point of view it is an attractive opportunity to get a lot of connections with British stations.

An interesting addition is also WAB DX Contest, where stations from the UK transmit their locators, known as 'WAB squares'. This contest is also suitable for those collecting WAB awards and looking to expand their collection., where stations from Great Britain transmit their locators to the so-called "WAB squares". This race is also suitable for those who collect WAB diplomas and want to expand their collection.

🔁 European and regional CW activities

During the first week of November smaller, yet popular European CW contests take place during HSC Contest (High Speed Club) and (High Speed ​​Club) a George V. Nekhoroshev Memorial Contest. These contests are among the favorite training grounds for those preparing for larger DX events. HSC Contest emphasizes accuracy, readability, and quality of keying - values highly valued in the CW community.. These races are among the favorite training sessions for those preparing for larger DX events. The HSC Contest emphasizes accuracy, readability, and keying quality—values ​​that are highly valued in the CW community.

Traditional contests are also not missing Mini contests Short hourly or half-hourly tests, such as OK1WC Memorial contest every Monday afternoon. The Czech Memorial OK1WC is a great way to test your skills even during working days - not only in the Czech Republic but also in Slovakia, where dozens of operators regularly participate.

Domestic scene: SSB league, OM Activity, and OK/OM DX Contest CW

Slovak and Czech radio amateurs have a diverse range of their own competitions in November.
Already November 1st begins SSB League - a two-hour race that is among the most popular domestic activities. The next day follows CW, a short hourly CW race and afternoon Sunday race (3:00 - 3:30 PM), a popular Czech 'half-hour' for those who want to make a few stress-free connections.

November 8th the Slovak OM Activity contest, a two-hour race on the 80 and 40 m bands, in CW and SSB modes. OMAC has gained popularity thanks to its clear scoring system and friendly atmosphere. The same weekend also includes OK/OM DX contest CWone of the most significant Central European contests, regularly attended by stations from around the world.

💻 Digital modes and modern trends

November also brings several digital events. Among the most significant are Worked All Europe DX contest (RTTY), which takes place over the weekend November 8-9. This race has a unique system of so-called QTC messages, which allow participants to exchange information about previous connections - increasing the complexity and number of points.

Another digital highlight is 10-10 International Fall Digital QSO, but also the possibility of establishing connections between radio amateurs from different countries belonging to IPARC. Party (November 8-9), focused on the 10-meter band. Although activity on this band depends on solar activity, in years with increased ionization, it can offer truly exotic connections.

At the end of the month, there will be several more FT4 a FT8 contests such as RSGB FT4 contest (November 17th) or regular NCCC FT4 Sprints, which are ideal for those who have little time but don't want to fall out of rhythm.

International CW Autumn: Austria, Balkans, and South America

November 15-16 two very interesting CW races are held - All Austrian 160m contest a For lovers of low frequencies (top band), it is a unique opportunity to test their antennas on 160 meters.. For lovers of low frequencies (top band), this is a unique opportunity to test their antennas on 160 meters.

In the Balkans, at the same time, takes place which supports connections between stations from South America and the rest of the world. For Europeans, it is a challenge to cross the Atlantic on CW - something that will please every DX hunter., which supports connections between stations from South America and the rest of the world. For Europeans, it presents a challenge to cross the Atlantic on CW - something that will please any DX hunter.

In the middle of the month, there will also take place - a newer contest aimed at restoring emphasis on fairness and friendly competitiveness. Organizers seek to remind of the original meaning of 'ham spirit': respect, respect, and willingness to help each other even during contests. – a newer race that aims to restore the emphasis on fairness and friendly competition. The organizers try to recall the original meaning of "ham spirit": respect, reverence and willingness to help each other even during the race.

The end of the month is marked by LZ DX and CQWW CW

penultimate weekend November 22-23, it belongs of the LZ DX Contest, organized by the Bulgarian Amateur Radio Association BFRA. It is a popular two-day contest with simple rules - the goal is to make as many connections as possible with stations from Bulgaria, but also among others, which is organized by the Bulgarian radio amateur association BFRA. This is a popular two-day race with simple rules - the goal is to establish as many connections as possible with stations from Bulgaria, but also between others entities. For Central European operators, it is an excellent opportunity to earn points for various diplomas. entities. For Central European operators, this is an excellent opportunity to earn points for various diplomas.

However, the absolute highlight of the whole month is WW DX CW Contest (November 29-30). This 'king of contests' annually attracts tens of thousands of stations from around the world. High performance, low noise, perfectly prepared antenna systems, and tactics - all decide on success. Slovak stations also regularly appear here with excellent results - for example WW DX CW Contest (November 29-30). This "king of contests" attracts tens of thousands of stations from all over the world every year. High performance, low noise, perfectly prepared antenna systems and tactics - all this determines success. Slovak stations also regularly appear here with excellent results - let's mention, for example OM3RMM or OM7M, which are among the stalwarts of world rankings., OM3RMM or OM7M, which are among the constants of the world charts.

Overview of Slovak and Czech contests in November 2025

🎙️ Conclusion

November is a period for radio amateurs when short autumn days alternate with long evenings - ideal for working on bands. Whether you participate in a small hour activity, regional memorial, or a large DX contest, it is always an opportunity to improve your operator skills, test equipment, and most importantly - be part of the global community.

Let's not forget that every contest is also a training ground for ham spirit - patience, fairness, and friendship across the waves of the ether.

We wish all participants of November races many connections, clean signal, and joy from good work in the ether!