December is one of the most interesting months among radio amateurs. The end of the year is approaching, the days are short, the noise is lower and the conditions in the lower bands often surprise. At the same time, it is a period when several traditional world competitions are held - from QRP sprintov až po veľké „majors“ ako ARRL 160 m contest či ARRL 10 Meter contest.
Tento Article prináša komplexný prehľad diania v éteri počas decembra 2025, zoradený chronologicky a doplnený o lokálne súťaže v priestore OK/OM.
You will read in the article
Beginning of the month: short tests and CW training
Right away December 1 štartuje séria rýchlych tréningových contestov zameraných najmä On CW prevádzku. Patria medzi ne:
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K1USN Slow Speed Test – ideal for novice CW operators.
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ICWC Medium Speed Test (three sessions per day on different days of the week) - medium speed skill training, popular in the CWops community.
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OK1WC Memorial contest – a short one-hour race in CW/SSB format, which is also very popular locally.
During the first days there are also:
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Worldwide Sideband Activity contest,
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ARS Spartan Sprint – for fans of minimalist QRP sets,
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A1CLUB Weekly Test,
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the traditional Wednesday fast race Wednesday Mini-contest on 40 m and 80 m.
Tieto „mikro-contesty“ sú obľúbené preto, že trvajú len desiatky minút, a preto sa do nich dá zapojiť takmer hocikedy.
Local OK/OM events in the first decade of December
In our region, the beginning of the month is not missing:
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1.12. – Memorial OK1WC (16:30–17:30), CUC (17:30–18:00) and evening Activity 160 SSB.
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6.12. – SSB League, two-hour watch in the 80m range.
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7.12. – traditional Sunday 1-hour KV operational assets and short Sunday race.
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8.12. – again Memorial OK1WC + CUC + evening Activity 160 CW.
These competitions are a fixed part of our calendar and also serve to train operators for larger events.
Prvý veľký highlight mesiaca: ARRL 160 Meter contest
In period 5.–7. December prebieha jeden z najväčších zimných contestov:
ARRL 160 m contest (CW)
It lasts almost 42 hours and is a unique opportunity for long-distance connections on 160 meters - the so-called "top band". For Central European operators, this is an ideal moment to verify their DX setup for long night conditions.
Second decade: heavy programming, lots of CW and digital modes
From December 8, regular weekly tests continue, but interesting larger events are also added:
PRO CW contest (6.–7.12.)
A challenging race focused on pure CW operation.
INORC contest (6.–7.12.)
Competition of the Italian Maritime Club, a nice chance for European and distant connections.
FT Challenge (6.–7.12., FT4/FT8)
A digital marathon lasting more than a day, suitable even for modest antennas.
NAQCC or SKCC sprints
December dates are traditionally popular for fans of straight keys (straight key, bug).
In addition, the following regularly take place:
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NCCC FT4 Sprint (every Friday),
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Weekly RTTY Test,
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NTC QSO Party,
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AGB-Party contest (19.12.) – multidisciplinary international plant,
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Russian 160 m DX contest – a popular evening race on the top band.
Najväčší DX sviatok mesiaca: ARRL 10 Meter contest
13.–14. decembra – ARRL 10 Meter contest (CW/SSB)
One of the most interesting events of winter. The 10 m zone tends to be changeable in December, but during the period of increased solar activity it offers surprising windows towards the Pacific or South America.
At the same time, these days are also taking place:
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TRC DIGI contest (RTTY)
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SKCC Weekend Sprintathon (CW)
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ARI 40/80 contest
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International Naval contest
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Competition "Snezhinka" (youth)
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QRP ARCI Holiday Spirits Sprint
Pre-Christmas competitions and holiday sprints
Tretia dekáda decembra prináša kombináciu sviatočne ladených contestov a niekoľkých väčších DX pretekov.
Among the most interesting are:
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Happy Birthday Rudolph Sprint – celodenný multiformátový contest.
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RAC Canada Winter contest (CW/Phone) – great opportunity for Canadian prefixes.
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Croatian DX contest (20.–21.12.) – popular winter DX race, strong European participation.
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Memory Lives Forever QSO Party a Crimea Cup – regional competitions with international participation.
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ARRL Rookie Roundup CW (21.12.) – competition intended mainly for new operators.
Regular CWT, WWT, SSB Weekly tests and QRP sprints also continue during this period.
Vianočný týždeň: tradičný DARC XMAS contest a ďalšie
On December 26 looks familiar DARC XMAS contest – a short holiday competition in both CW and SSB, which attracts many European operators every year.
CW trainings, FT4 sprints, RTTY tests and local Wednesday mini-races also continue around Christmas.
End of the year: RAEM, Stew Perry and other big events
Koniec decembra prináša niekoľko ikonických contestov:
Stew Perry Topband Distance Challenge (December 27-28)
Prestigious race for 160 m evaluating above all the actual distance of the QSO.
Original QRP contest
It also takes place on the same date – a paradise for lovers of low performances.
RAEM International HF contest (28.12.)
Jediný contest hodnotený podľa geographical distances in km and dedicated to the famous telegrapher Ernst Krenkel - RAEM.
YOTA contest (29.12.)
A strong youth race in the 40/80 m bands, popular for its fast pace and high participation.
The December calendar is closed by a combination of CW tests, QCX Challenge, Phone Weekly Test and the last two CWT sessions of the year.
Conclusion
December 2025 is extremely rich for radio amateurs - from short 30-minute sprints to large international marathons. There is something in the calendar for every operator, whether he prefers CW, SSB or digital modes.
Vďaka zimným podmienkam je toto obdobie často ideálne pre DX na 160 m aj 10 m, a preto sa oplatí sadnúť si za rádio, vyskúšať antény a prispieť do štatistík niektorého z mnohých contestov.