This Amateur Radio DX news, Solar Flare info and Contest information is provided by: dxnews.com, 424 DX News, spaceweatherlive.com and contestcalendar.com
On this page you will find a collection of links from the above sites.
SOLAR Information:
Take note of Solar Flares and activity which can be found on the left side of this site under “Band Conditions”, they are a huge part of successful DXing on HF!
OKAY…but what does the info above and in that side bar mean?
When you find yourself on a solar weather website and you see three measurements have you ever wondered what they actually mean? Solar Flux Index, SFI, Sunspot Number, SSN, and Area are three indices used to measure solar activity along with the R and Kp values. Let’s take a look at what these values mean to amateur radio.
Andrew, VK3FS explains it well in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsI0JezFZ80
LOGGING Programs….
Before we get into doing too much DXing, Contesting, Special Event or POTA operations we should have a look at having a Logging program.
Amateur radio operators, know a precise logbook is vital. The logbook is more than just a bare contact record, it is a treasure. It reflects dedication, enthusiasm, and skill. It characterizes this stimulating hobby. Organizations like the American Radio Relay League emphasize the importance of accurate and organized logging as part of responsible amateur radio operations. As amateur radio grows in popularity, many radio logging apps have emerged to meet users’ needs. These new tools will help operators monitor communications and log streams. They will also enable easy data sync with other platforms
The best amateur radio logging program depends on your needs (Contesting, DXing, POTA), but popular, highly-regarded options include DXLab Suite (DXKeeper), a robust free suite for complex tasks; N3FJP Software, praised for features like WSJT-X/QRZ integration, N1MM Logger+, the top choice for contests and QRZ.com, a great online option. Other strong contenders are HRD Logbook, HAMRS, Log4OM and specific apps like MacLoggerDX for Mac users.
After doing a poll of active Contesters, DXers and POTA users the following 5 came to the top and are free, also in order of use:
- DXKeeper for everyday logging from the DX Lab of Suite https://www.dxlabsuite.com/
- N3FJP ACLog for everyday logging https://www.n3fjp.com/aclog.html
- N1MM Logger+ Mainly for contesting https://n1mmwp.hamdocs.com
- Ham2K https://www.ham2k.com/apps/polo/ POTA – Parks On The Air, SOTA – Summits On The Air, WWFF – Worldwide Flora & Fauna, Field Day, Winter Field Day, and many more.
- QRZ https://logbook.qrz.com/ The QRZ Logbook System is a master collection of QSO records from all participating members. Each member may create and populate one or more logbooks for their personal or club use. The cloud-based QRZ Master Logbook contains over 300,000 logbooks from individual hams worldwide. Users of the QRZ Logbook enjoy a 40%+ confirmation rate on their QSOs. On a typical day, as many as 200,000 new QSOs arrive, and around 88,000 new confirmations are produced.
Some others that were not mentioned but maybe worth checking:
Fldigi https://sourceforge.net/projects/fldigi/ (Free download but maybe costs later) Fldigi is a favorite among digital mode operators. This lightweight, powerful tool supports various digital modes, including PSK, RTTY, and CW. Its logging features are designed to simplify operations without compromising on functionality.
HAMRS https://hamrs.app/ a simple, portable logger tailored for activities like Parks on the Air, Field Day, and more. For macOS, Windows, Linux and Raspbian. Requests Donation for use, but then says $1.99 Month under pricing.
WRL – World Radio League/Smart Logger https://worldradioleague.com/ Log your contacts, compete in contests, track your analytics, and much more. Can be costly, see subcription section ($36 – $108 Yearly)
Log4OM https://www.log4om.com/ (FREE – Requests Donation for use)
Ham Radio Deluxe (HRD) https://www.hamradiodeluxe.com/ ($99.95 with 12 Months Support)
Logic10 https://www.hosenose.com/store/productgrid.aspx?primarycatid=44 Cost $39.00 US
MacLoggerDX https://www.dogparksoftware.com/MacLoggerDX.html For Mac Users, Free Demo and then a $100 USD (one-time purchase).
WA7BNM Contest Calendar to Dec. 11:
Get ready for the RAC Canada Winter Contest: Saturday, December 20, 2025 – 00:00:00 UTC to 23:59:59 UTC
RAC Canada Winter Contest Rules 2025: https://www.rac.ca/rac-canada-winter-contest-rules-2025/
To see other Contest information for the next 8 Days of Contests go to: https://www.contestcalendar.com/weeklycont.php
DX Information beginning Dec.11:
To find information about any “Callsign”enter the call sign into the QRZ.Com https://www.qrz.com/ data base, which is at the top left under the QRZ Logo. Note that most Special Stations will allow you to download their certificate at no cost by supplying your Event Log….note the section above on Logging Programs.
JG8NQJ/JD1 Take, JG8NQJ will be active again from Marcus Island, IOTA OC – 073, Minami Torishima, until December 14, 2025. He will operate on HF Bands CW, FT8. QSL via JA8CJY, LOTW.
TR8CR Roland, F8EN ex CN8EM, FO8BV, 3C3CR, TR50R will be active again from Gabon, starting 25 October 2025. He will operate on 30 – 10m, CW. QSL via F6AJA.
HK3JCL Lothar, DK8LRF will be active from Colombia, 3 September 2025 – 15 May 2026. He will operate mainly on 20m SSB. QSL via home call. QTH – Finca Ligia. QTH Locator FJ34fg.
H44MS Bernhard, DL2GAC will be active from Manakwai village, Malaita Island, IOTA OC – 047, Solomon Islands, during September – December 2025 and January – April 2026. He will be operate on 40 – 6m SSB and FT8. QSL via home call.
C5YK Andre, ON7YK will be active from Bijilo, Gambia, until 25 January 2026. He will operate on 20 – 10m Bands, Digital modes, CW, SSB, Digital Modes. QSL via home call direct, LOTW, eQSL.
Z81D Diya, YI1DZ will be active from Juba, South Sudan, starting 14 December 2025. He will operate on 40-6m Bands, SSB, FT8 and possibly 80 and 60m. QSL via OM3JW, LOTW, ClubLog, eQSL.
Special Event and Special Call Signs for Dec.2025.
Christmas Special Call Signs:
CE2EH – from Dec.8 to Jan 6 How to Get Your Special QSL Card Requirement: Only one contact confirmed via the QRZ.COM platform: https://www.qrz.com/db/CE2EH
Band Operating Modes
40m SSB, FT8, FT4, CW
20m SSB, FT8, FT4, CW
10m SSB, FT8, FT4, CW
6m SSB, FT8, FT4, CW
PH25XMAS – from 6th December 2025 until 28th December 2025
PH26HNY – from 28 December 2025 until 5th January 2026
The Radio Scouting Fellowship PA3EFR/J will activate yet again, during the Xmas Season. We celebrate our 5th Anniversary hence the special award for active operators. We work every day in voice and digital modes.
PA25SANTA – 01/12-01/01 2026 Special callsign
PA25XMAS – 01/12-31/12 Special callsign
PD25STAR – 01/12-31/12 Special callsign
PF25XMAS – 01/12-31/12 Special callsign
PI25XMAS – 01/12-31/12 Special callsign
PD26HNY – 01/12-31/01 2026 Special callsign
YO0HOHO, YO0XMAS, YR0UDOLPH – 05/12-31/12 Special callsigns
WX3MAS – Dec 11-Dec 14, 1400Z-2200Z, WX3MAS, Nazareth, PA. Christmas City ARC. 14265 7270 3850. QSL. WX3MAS c/o DLARC, 14 Gracedale Ave, Nazareth, PA 18064. DLARC.club
WX3MAS was the 1st Special Call issued in 1969 by the FCC for Special Event Stations in the Country and is active each year around 2 weeks before Christmas. This Call sign is associated with our Club, the Delaware Lehigh ARC (W3OK) in Nazareth, PA., home to Mario Andretti, Portland Cement, and Martin Guitar. Join us to celebrate the Holidays from the twin Christmas Cities of Nazareth and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Sponsored by the Christmas City Amateur Radio Club and the Delaware/Lehigh Amateur Radio Club. Listen for us on the published SSB Frequencies: 14.265, 7.270, and 3.850, from December 11th through 14th, from 1400Z to 2200Z (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM). If there is a lot of activity, then we will stay longer. That all depends on conditions. We may operate CW and FT8.
Christmas in Bethlehem, NM
Dec 19-Dec 24, 1500Z-2359Z, KC5OUR, Peralta, NM. Valencia County ARA. 7.183 14.283 21.283 28.383. QSL. VCARA, P.O. Box 268, Peralta, NM 87042. KC5OUR.com
Other Special Call Signs:
till 15/12 AU2JCB: special callsign
till 15/12 DL2025B, DL2025C, DL2025E: special callsigns
till 15/12 DL2025S, DL2025W: special callsigns
till 23/12 TM60ATX: special callsign (France)
till 29/12 II3GONG: special callsign
till 31/12 4U0ITU: ITU HQ 1775
till 31/12 9A169TESLA: special callsign
till 31/12 9A68AA: special callsign
till 31/12 D450ICV: special callsign (Cabo Verde)
till 31/12 DL100DM: special callsign
till 31/12 GB70RS: special callsign
till 31/12 H82AT: special callsign (Panama)
till 31/12 HB20SOTA: special callsign
till 31/12 HB70IPA: special callsign
till 31/12 HF4SES: special callsign
till 31/12 HG100AN, HG100EG, HG100FO: special callsigns
till 31/12 HG100IT, HG100RC, HG100SD, HG100UD: special callsigns
till 31/12 HG100RADIO and HG100YHRB: special callsigns
till 31/12 LA100A: special callsign
till 31/12 LZ306WW: special callsign
till 31/12 LZ75IPA: special callsign
till 31/12 OF60AP: special callsign
till 31/12 OL100I, OL100A, OL100R, OL100U: special callsigns
till 31/12 OL100IARU: special callsign
till 31/12 OL26WRTC: special callsign
till 31/12 PA40MARAC: special callsign
till 31/12 S5100IARU: special callsign
till 31/12 VR100IARU: special callsign
till 31/12 ZS100SARL: special callsign
till 31/03 2026 YR1600VT: special callsign
till 06/08 2026 ZL100C: special callsign
till 30/09 2026 9A10SOTA: special callsign
01/12-03/12 YR6ZIPD: special callsign
01/12-07/12 OZ90NRAU: special callsign
01/12-30/12 HS25SG: special callsign
01/12-31/12 4T95O: special callsign
01/12-31/12 II4TJTB: special callsign
01/12-31/12 SN0TPAX: special callsign
02/12-12/01 2026 EG1NV: special callsign
06/12-10/12 A975IARU: special callsign
GL es Gud DX – Ken VY2RU