K1AR Announcements

Reclassification of EF8R 2025 CQ WW SSB SOAB Entry

At the request of the operator, E77DX, the EF8R entry in the 2025 CQ WW
SSB Contest has been reclassified from Single Operator All Band to
Single Operator All Band Assisted. The results and records have been
updated accordingly.

We thank Braco for coming forward and for his sportsmanship.

John Dorr, K1AR
Director, CQ WW DX Contest
K1AR Announcements

2026 Rule Changes

This post announces the rule changes for the 2026 CQ WW contests in October and November. In summary:

1) The log deadline is 48 hours, moved from 5 days.

2) We have formally made the use of autonomous robot operation illegal.

These changes are now consistent with the WPX and digital WW contests.

73, John, K1AR

CQ WW Contest Director

Here is the actual text of the changes:

XI. LOG DEADLINE:

  1. All entries must be sent WITHIN 48 HOURS after the end of the contest: no later than 2359 UTC October 27, 2026 for SSB and 2359 UTC December 1, 2026 for CW. Resubmitting an entry after the deadline will result in it being considered as a late log.

IX. GENERAL RULES FOR ALL ENTRANTS:

<snip>

  1. A human operator must initiate the following actions at all times: 1) changing receive or transmit frequencies, 2) calling a station, 3) logging a QSO. Autonomous systems or robots that emulate these actions are prohibited.
K1AR Rules

2021 CQ WW Rules Updates

We are announcing some exciting updates to the CQ WW contest effective beginning in 2021. In summary, here is what’s new:

1) We have created a new YOUTH overlay that will be available to all competitors who are 25 years old or under, effective on the dates of the contest. The Cabrillo overlay format will be CATEGORY-OVERLAY: YOUTH. In support of this change, Youth overlay entries will be highlighted in the results (as is currently done for Classic and Rookies). In addition, plaques will be available for the winners.

2) A new EXPLORER category has been established to allow amateurs to participate in the CQ WW Contest while experimenting creatively with Internet-linked stations and other new technologies. The goal of this category is to encourage innovation in operating strategies, station design, and technology adaptation. Please review the detailed rules at cqww.com/explorer for more information.

3) As a reminder, audio recordings may be requested for your entry as part of the log checking process. Any single operator entrant competing for a top-five finish at the (a) World, (b) Continent, or (c) USA levels, including Classic Overlay, must record the transmitted and received audio as heard by the operator for the duration of the contest operation. Failure to respond to this request may result in your log being reclassified or disqualified.

The combination of embracing new technology as well as recognizing the youth community amongst us is going to make the CQ WW an even more popular event.

Note: This new Explorer category is only for the 2021 SSB and CW events. It does not apply to CQ WW DIGI or RTTY.