One of the world’s largest amateur radio competitions is underway this weekend. The 2026 CQ World Wide DX SSB Contest, running October 24–25, brings together radio operators from countries across the globe. The annual competition challenges participants to make as many successful radio contacts as possible with stations in different countries and geographic zones. Organizers say the event attracts more than 35,000 participants. Operators use high-frequency (HF) radio equipment and single-sideband (SSB) voice communication to reach stations hundreds or thousands of miles away. Contacts between North America, Europe, Asia, and other regions are common when radio conditions cooperate. Even operators who are not competing can listen to the increased activity and attempt contacts with distant stations, provided they have the necessary operating privileges.
The competition runs from 0000 UTC on October 24 through 2359 UTC on October 25. Participants receive points for successful contacts, with additional credit for reaching different countries and contest zones. The event is especially attractive to operators interested in DXing, a term used in amateur radio for contacting distant stations. The next major CQ World Wide event will be the Morse code competition on November 28–29. Information and official contest rules are available at www.cqww.com.