CQ 160-Meter Contest, CW

The CQ 160-Meter Contest is a popular event where we aim to contact as many U.S. states, Canadian provinces, and DXCC countries as possible on the 160m band. Participants get on the air using CW, making contacts and exchanging basic signal reports along with their geographic location (state, province, or CQ Zone). It's a challenging contest given the nature of the 160-meter band, often called the "top band" due to its unique propagation characteristics, especially at night. The CW portion of the contest runs for 48 hours, typically starting on a Friday evening and concluding on Sunday evening UTC. It's a great opportunity to test your antenna systems and operating skills on this often-demanding band. For first-time participants, we recommend focusing on making consistent contacts and enjoying the experience of working stations across various regions. Always remember to consult the official rules for specific entry categories, exchange formats, and scoring details.