Worked All Europe DX contest SSB (WAEDC SSB)

What is WAEDC?

Worked All Europe DX contest (WAEDC) is a worldwide known competition organized by the German radio amateur organization DARC. It features a unique format that emphasizes connections between European and non-European stations, in SSB mode. In 2025, it takes place during the second complete weekend in September, namely from 00:00 UTC on Saturday, September 13 to 23:59 UTC on Sunday, September 14, 2025.

Bands used

The competition takes place on classic KV bands:

• 3.5 MHz (80 m)
• 7 MHz (40 m)
• 14 MHz (20 m)
• 21 MHz (15 m)
• 28 MHz (10 m)
  Operation outside the preferred segments according to IARU-R1 are disabled (ie 3650-3700; 7040-7060; 7100-7130; 14100-14125; 14300-14350 KHz)

Competitive categories

Contestants may enter one of the following categories:

• Single-Op Low: output ≤ 100 W, only one TX signal at a given time
• Single-Op High: power > 100 W, only one TX signal at a given time
• Multi-Op: several operators, with the possibility to interrupt and select bands every 10 minutes; possible parallel operation of the radio only when hunting multipliers.

An activity limit applies to Single operators 36 of the total 48 hours, with a minimum of one break (off time) lasting at least 60 minutes

Exchange of information during the connection

Each connection (QSO) takes place between:

• European and non-European (DX) stations (RTTY exception)
• exchange includes RS(T) in addition with serial number from 001, respectively 000 if no number was received.

Multipliers and bonus

• DX stations they get a multiplier for each a European entity (from the WAE list), on each band separately.
• European stations they get a multiplier for each non-European DXCC entity, and in addition the numerical areas of selected countries (W, VE, VK, ZL, ZS, JA, PY, BY) are calculated separately.

Every multiplier has weight factor by band:

• 80 m → × 4
• 40 m → × 3
• 20/15/10 m → × 2
  The result is added as a sum of weighted multipliers.

QTC – unikát v rámci contestov

A specific feature of WAEDC is the so-called QTC operation. DX stations can transmit connection reports (QTC) with data on previous connections that count as points for both sender and receiver if recorded correctly.

QTC framework:

• must contain: time, call sign, QSO sequence number
• QTC series there can be 1-10 records, series are marked as "QTC 3/7" - the third series of 7 QTC records.
• Each completely correctly transferred QTC = +1 point for both sides of the connection.

This feature increases tactical options: experienced stations can gain up to 70% points from QTC operation.

Calculation of the final score

The score = (number of QSOs + number of QTCs) × (sum of weighted multipliers).

Odoslanie logu a diskvalifikácie

• Logs are sent in Cabrillo format elektronicky; zapracované kontroly logov (From robotov) upozornia na chyby a výzvy na opravu.
• Delivery date: 7 days after the end of the competition. For example for SSB WW in 2025 till 21st September.
• Non-compliance with the rules, unsportsmanlike behavior or unreasonable duplication can lead to disqualification.

Club Competition

• Výsledky klubov sa sčítavajú zo všetkých členov (min. 3 logy) – vyhrávajúce kluby (EÚ a DX) získavajú plaques.

Awards and certificates

• The leading competitors in the categories will win plaques.
• The others will gain digital diploma, if they achieve at least 50% of the winning score.

Conclusion

WAEDC SSB je skutočne prestížna súťaž s komplexným systémom bodovania, zahrňujúcim strategickú QTC prevádzku, vážené násobiče a vyváženú štruktúru vysielania. Ponúka výzvu pre serióznych contestmanov i zábavu pre bežných DX lovcov. Je to jedinečná možnosť otestovať skúsenosti v spojení s dlhotrvajúcim strategickým plánovaním. Kompletné podmienky nájdete na https://www.darc.de/der-club/referate/conteste/wae-DX-contest/regeln