The biggest telegraph holiday of the year - CQ World Wide DX CW Contest - once again attracts the attention of radio amateurs worldwide. Each year, a large number of expeditions from exotic destinations, top operators, and small single expeditions participate in this prestigious competition. Many of them prepare special activities just at the end of November to maximize their potential during the 48-hour contest and at the same time allow DX hunters to acquire new zones, countries, and locators. In the following overview, we present a look at the most interesting and most desired stations that should appear during this year's CW round of CQWW.
Africa and Indian Ocean - traditionally strong representation
In the Indian Ocean region, we will be able to hear several attractive callsigns. 3B8M from Mauritius will deploy the M/2 configuration again. The team led by G0CKV will be supplemented by operators KX7M, EY8MM, E70A, YT7KM, and JH4RHF, so we can expect high activity on all bands. On the nearby island of Rodrigues, 3B9KW, this time in the SOAB HP category, where M0CFW will be operating.
Fresh news of activity has arrived from Tunisia 3V8LL, which will focus mainly on 160 meters and will operate more in an S&P style. A new expedition will also join the competition a little further to the east 3W9A from Vietnam, prepared by KU1CW.
Strong CW activity can also be expected from the Caucasus and surrounding areas. 4L9M from Georgia will compete in the SOSB 20 m category. On the other hand, two stations are immediately reported from Uganda – 5X1XA (SOSB 15 m, G3XAQ) and 5X7W (SOAB QRP, SM0HPL), both active also outside of the contest in November and December.
It is worth mentioning other African destinations D4P from Cape Verdewhere HA5PP will compete again in the SOAB category, but also TY5FR from Beninwhich DL1BUG confirms operation on 80-10 m with 100 W. Traditionally, stations from the Indian Ocean will also be very popular – for example S79/OK6RA from the Seychelles in the SOSB 10 m category. from Seychelles in the category SOSB 10 m.
Caribbean - paradise of contesters
The Caribbean area is a hotspot for contest expeditions every year, and this year will be no different. Among the loudest will be again 8P5A from Barbadoswhere W2SC traditionally operates in the SOAB HP category. Another fresh expedition is 8R1/AG6UT from Guyana, prepared by DJ9RR.
Very strong operation can be expected from Trinidad and Tobago (9Z4BM), as well as from the Bahamas – C6AQQ ND3F will operate from New Providence Island with a focus on digital modes.
A large group of teams is also preparing on the islands east of Panama. For example HP3/OK2WXwho will compete single-op, or HQ9X from Honduras, this time in the M/2 configuration under the leadership of N1UR and K1XM.
Traditionally very active islands in the Caribbean are also preparing interesting activities. J38W from Grenada will bring top-notch SOAB HP operation, PJ4AaFrom Bonaire will be deployed experienced multi-op teams, from Bonaire will deploy experienced multi-op teams, will operate from the island of Sint Maarten and will operate from the island of Sint Maarten and will cover St. Eustatius with operations from 160 to 10 m. will cover St. Eustatius with operation from 160 to 10 m.
Highly sought-after DX will definitely include VP2MAAafrom Montserrat, with the first of them operating in the M/S category. In Bermuda, we will be able to hear the team from Montserrat, while the first of them will work in the M/S category. We will be able to hear the team in Bermuda , while, while ZF5Tawill ensure top-notch contest activity from the Cayman Islands. will provide top-notch contest activity from the Cayman Islands.
Pacific and Oceania - DX hunters beware!
In the Pacific, a grand multi-multi team is preparing from Hawaii from Hawaii, which will bring a whole constellation of well-known operators such as KH7U, NH7T or N6TJ. It will sound even more exotic , which will be, which will be active on 160-6 meters. active on 160–6 meters.
New reports confirm that the competition will also feature VK6Tafrom Australia, with VK1A deploying a team M/S configuration. Norfolk Island will be represented by from Australia, with VK1A deploying a team M/S configuration. From Norfolk Island will sign up , a traditional regular expedition in CW contests. Also highly sought after will be, a traditional regular expedition in CW contestos. It will also be in great demand from the Chatham Islands. from the Chatham Islands.
Europe - surprises and strong teams
Although Europe is well represented in CQWW, some activities are worth mentioning. Freshly announced multi-single team will come from Bosnia and Herzegovina , which will be hosted by the Bavarian Contest Club. Expeditions to the Aland Islands will also be interesting -, which will cover the Bavarian Contest Club. Excursions to the Aland islands will also be interesting - (SOAB HP) and new (SOAB HP) and new (SOSB 15 m). (SOSB 15 m).
A large team will participate in CQWW from Corsica in the multi-multi category. From Sardinia comes a newcomer TK0C in the multi-multi category. There is news coming from Sardinia , which will compete on 40 meters with high power., which will compete in the 40 meters with high performance.
LX7I LX7I , one of the most famous European single-ops with the 2BSIQ method.
North and South America
From the north will appear from Canada in the SOAB HP category led by VE3DZ. From the USA, although exotic prefixes traditionally do not appear, a multitude of domestic superstations will form the backbone of the competition. from Canada in the SOAB HP category led by VE3DZ. Although exotic prefixes do not traditionally appear from the USA, a number of domestic superstations will form the pillar of the competition.
South American stations will include for example from Uruguay, from Uruguay, from Suriname (SOAB LP) or from Suriname (SOAB LP) or from Easter Island, where a larger group of operators is planned with activity both in and out of the contest. from Easter Island, where a larger group of operators with activity outside the contest is planned.
Conclusion
This year's CQ World Wide DX CW Contest will bring a rich spectrum of attractive stations from all continents. Many of them will start broadcasting several days before the contest, so DX hunters will have the opportunity to 'preview' the conditions and fine-tune their antennas. Whether you belong to serious competitors, zone collectors, or just occasional listeners, this year promises an exceptionally diverse and interesting operation.