Events

Guide to November 2025 Ham Radio Contests—Giving Thanks Edition

DX Engineering thanks its customers with its new Rewards Program!

For contesting enthusiasts, there’s a lot to be excited about for the remainder of November, including the CW portion of the CQ Worldwide DX Contest and the ARRL November Sweepstakes, SSB.

But before we get into fall contesting fun, DX Engineering and OnAllBands would like to take this moment to say a few words in the spirit of Thanksgiving…

To our loyal customers, thank you for making DX Engineering your source for amateur radio gear for more than 25 years. Your support means the world to us. Our most sincere appreciation for your emails praising our service and offering constructive feedback that help us work even harder to make your customer experience exceptional.

To our loyal readers, thank you for spending your time with OnAllBands. We truly appreciate your input and kind words.

To hamfest volunteers who devote countless hours to making these celebrations of amateur radio possible, thank you for your passion and commitment. This includes events like Four Days in May and Contest University, which continue to challenge hams to be the best operators they can be. By the way, registration begins for the 2026 edition of Contest University on December 16.

man behind a trade show radio table
Troy, AC80W, DX Engineering customer/technical support specialist and OnAllBands blogger, at DX Engineering’s 2025 Four Days in May table. (Image/DX Engineering)

To the manufacturers who produce equipment that makes operating easier and more enjoyable, thank you for your constant pursuit of building a better mousetrap. Below are a few of the innovators (out of 180-plus brands carried at DX Engineering) we crossed paths with at 2025 Dayton Hamvention®.

2 men speaking at a trade show
Rod Ehrhart, K8RR, DX Engineering RF amplifier specialist, caught up with Vesselin, LZ5VK, at the ACOM booth at Dayton Hamvention for a look at the newest ACOM amps, like the 1003 HF+6 shown above, as well as some of the longtime favorites from the company’s impressive lineup. (Image/DX Engineering)
man standing at a trade show table
Courtney Krehbiel, KD6X, designer/developer of the RigSelect Pro Transceiver Switch and SO2R Controller. (Image/DX Engineering)
man at a trade show table display
Jim Newcomb, N7LDO, president of Lido, shows off some of the company’s latest mounting solutions for mobile devices. (Image/DX Engineering)
man working with a customer at a trade show booth
Kevin Karamanos, WD6DIH, director of sales and marketing for 12 Volt Power, Comet, Daiwa, and Create products. (Image/DX Engineering)
man and woman speaking at a trade show
Rod, K8RR, talks CW with Bruna Begali, KI2RTF, at the Begali Keys booth. DX Engineering now sells Begali’s world-famous line of finely made keys and paddles revered by hams everywhere. (Image/DX Engineering)
men watching video display at a trade show
Dr. Michael Carper, WA9PIE, (right) CEO of HRD Software and co-founder of Ham Radio Deluxe, showed off the latest additions to the company’s comprehensive software suite for amateur radio operators. Watch a video of Tim Duffy, K3LR, interviewing WA9PIE from DX Engineering’s YouTube channel. (Image/DX Engineering)
man being interviewed at a trade show display
Alpha Antenna founder Steven Deines, N0TES, with the company’s HF/VHF/UHF MagLoop Antenna in the background. Discover more about Alpha Antenna’s products in this interview with Tim, K3LR and find their full lineup of easily portable and high-performance antennas at DXEngineering.com. (Image/DX Engineering)
CLOSE UP OF A DIPOLE ANTENNA CENTER SECTION
Alpha Antenna’s HexTenna Deluxe Multi-Band (40-6M/2M/1.25M/70cm) Rigid Dipole and Vertical Antenna. (Image/DX Engineering)

To POTA enthusiasts, thank you for keeping the bands hopping and encouraging more hams to get outside and get on the air!

To amateur radio operators around the globe, thank you for displaying the spirit of international friendship that unites us, makes us stronger, and sets an example of goodwill for others to follow.

group of ham radio operators at small desktop station
DX Engineering and Icom America donated an Icom IC-7610 HF/50 MHz All Mode Transceiver in 2024 to help upgrade the operating capabilities of young amateur radio enthusiasts in the southeastern African nation of Malawi. The donation supported the work of the HacDC Amateur Radio Club (W3HAC), a Washington, D.C. group that, among other activities, mentors and licenses new amateur radio operators in Malawi and Uganda. In the photo from left to right: Urgent Jere, 7Q6UJ; HacDC member Don Jones, K6ZO/7Q6M; and Blessings Msimuko, 7Q5BM. (Image/Don Jones)

Also, watch this Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio video featuring Don, 7Q6M, discussing amateur radio operations in Malawi.

To the clubs and organizations that host contests, thank you for keeping the bands active, allowing hams everywhere to hone critical operating skills while having a blast throughout the year.

To those who serve in emergencies, thank you for being there for those who depend on reliable communication in their darkest hour.

To every Elmer who has helped a new ham get on the air, thank you for your wisdom and knowledge.

man at a trade show booth
At Dayton Hamvention, OnAllBands caught up with Amateur of the Year Neil Rapp, WB9VPG. Among his many contributions to amateur radio, Rapp (licensed at the age of 5!) co-founded and became the camp director of Youth On The Air (YOTA) Americas. He previously taught chemistry and sponsored amateur radio clubs for 28 years at two high schools in Indiana, introducing more than 3,600 students to amateur radio. (Image/DX Engineering)

To all the talented young operators, thank you for carrying the torch for the next generation of contesters, DXpeditioners, and ambassadors for the best hobby in the world.

To our media partner Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio, thank you for growing amateur radio by keeping enthusiasts everywhere informed and entertained. Watch this Q5 interview with Tim, K3LR, chairman of the World Radio Operators Foundation, an organization founded in 2009 that provides global support for events like CQ WW, CQ WPX, and many others. Learn all about the organization below.

To the talented writers who share their insights on OnAllBands, thank you for making the blog a hub for positivity and news hams can use.

To the intrepid DXpeditioners who brave extreme conditions to activate locales from Saba Island to Bouvet Island, thank you for keeping amateur radio vibrant and exciting. And a special thank you to all those who sponsor the operators who put these entities on the air.

men building an outdoor antenna in jungle
Members of the VU4AX March 2025 Andaman Islands team install antennas during the DX Engineering-sponsored DXpedition to this 65th Most Wanted DXCC Entity as of September 2025. (Image/VU4AX)

To the scientists—from university professors and students to dedicated operators who are participating in research from their home stations—thank you for using amateur radio to increase our understanding of the ionosphere.

man posing for a photo outside
Dr. Nathaniel Frissell, professor of physics/electrical engineering at the University of Scranton and founder of HamSCI (Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation), led a team that installed a Personal Space Weather Station at K3LR in August. HamSCI is an organization committed to advancing scientific research and understanding through amateur radio activities. (Image/HamSCI)

To the DX Engineering team of active operators, thank you for your commitment to making the ham radio journey exceptional for both new and experienced operators.

group of DX Engineering employees
(Image/DX Engineering)

To you, thank you for being a valued part of the amateur radio community. We hope to hear you on the air soon! 73

***

New DX Engineering Rewards Program

DX Engineering is celebrating 25 years of serving the amateur radio community by rewarding the people who have helped the company reach this significant milestone—its customers.

When you buy items at DX Engineering, earn points toward the purchase of more products, from coaxial cable to transceivers, antennas to apparel. Join today—it’s free!

The DX Engineering Rewards Program makes it simple to earn points—called QSO Points—and convert those into DX Bucks™ which can be used toward the purchase of products at DX Engineering. Click here for complete details and to join the program.

DX Engineering Rewards Program Logo
(Image/DX Engineering)

***

Now let the November contesting excitement begin!

  • 10-10 International Fall Contest, Digital: Nov. 8, 0001Z to Nov. 9, 2359Z. This QSO party is open to new and prospective members of Ten-Ten International Net, Inc., which was formed in 1962 as the Ten-Ten Net of Southern California to promote activity and good operating practices on the 10-meter band. Over the years the group has expanded internationally, with more than 75,000 10-10 numbers issued worldwide. Here is a list of affiliated chapters.
  • Antique Wireless Association (AWA) Bruce Kelley 1929 QSO Party: Nov. 8, 2300Z to Nov. 10, 0300Z, and Nov. 15, 2300Z to Nov. 17, 0300Z. Started in 1991, this is an annual CW event in which operators use an original transmitter they own or one they have built based on “the designs, techniques, and tubes that were available in 1929 and earlier,” according to the AWA website. The goal is to contact as many other 1929 stations as possible. You do not need to be an AWA member to participate. Bruce Kelley, W2ICE, who championed the contest in its seminal years, was an AWA co-founder.

    “Since early designed gear is used, it is a wonderful blend of whooping, chirping, buzzing, clicking, drifting, swishing, swaying, warbling, and other interesting signals,” the AWA website reads. “This is what ham radio sounded like in 1929, and it’s 1929 again on the ham bands!”

    Also check out the Homebrew and Oldtime Equipment Party (Nov. 16, 1300Z to 1500Z on 40M and 1500Z to 1700Z on 80M).
  • ARRL’s EME—50 to 1296 MHz: Nov. 8, 0000Z to Nov. 9, 2359Z. Work as many amateur stations as possible via the earth-moon-earth path on any authorized amateur frequency above 50 MHz.
  • 4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint: Nov. 10, 0100Z to 0300Z. This two-hour SSB/CW event runs the second Sunday of every month. Participation is limited to 4SQRP members, but QSOs with non-members count for one point as long as they are also running QRP power. The 4 States QRP Group (Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, and Kansas) is devoted to low-power amateur radio building and operation. Visit their website, which reads “Little Radios, Big Fun,” for many more details.

    Looking to get started with low-power operating? Check out “QRP Basics—3rd Edition” from the Radio Society of Great Britain.

  • ARRL November Sweepstakes, SSB: Nov. 15, 2100Z to Nov. 17, 0300Z. The objective is for stations in the U.S. and Canada to exchange QSO information with as many other U.S. and Canadian stations as possible on 160/80/40/20/15/10M. (The CW portion of the Sweepstakes ended Nov. 3.)

    Never participated in this annual event? Read blogger Sean Kutzko, KX9X’s article, “Why ARRL Sweepstakes is the Best Contest of All,” and find out what makes it different (the lengthy exchange, for one thing), and why you need to get in on the fun.
  • CQ Worldwide DX Contest, CWNov. 29, 0000Z to Nov. 30, 2359Z. The CW and SSB (already held in October) CQ WW is the largest amateur radio competition in the world, boasting 35,000 participants attempting to make as many contacts with as many different DXCC entities and CQ Zones as possible.

Tags:

Leave a Reply