It’s time to get ready for the 82nd Oceania DX (OCDX) contest on the first two weekends of October:
- Phone (SSB): 06:00 UTC Saturday 4 October to 06:00 UTC Sunday 5 October 2025
- CW: 06:00 UTC Saturday 11 October to 06:00 UTC Sunday 12 October 2025
Whether you’re a newcomer or seasoned contester, or have only a modest station, the 2025 contest should be another exciting event thanks to the current peak in the solar cycle.
The focus of the contest is on promoting HF contacts between stations in Oceania and the rest of the world. For operators outside the region, it’s a chance to work many Oceania stations, from remote Pacific islands to the outback of Australia and jungles of Indonesia. For Oceania-based operators, it’s a fantastic opportunity to make lots of DX QSOs as stations from the rest of the world turn their beams towards Oceania searching for you!
2025 is the 82nd birthday of the contest. Formerly known as the “VK DX Contest” and “VK/ZL Contest”, the contest was first run from 1935 through 1938 and then re-started in 1948, shortly after amateur licences were re-instated post-WW2. The contest has grown into a signature event for operators across Oceania and around the world, combining DX excitement, technical capability and operating skills.
So, save the contest dates in your calendar, warm up the rig, tune the antennas, brush up on your operating skills, and join amateurs across the globe in October to make this another amazing OCDX party!
The rules for 2025 are (here). There are no significant changes for 2025 but please take time to carefully review the rules before the contest.
The usual wide range of plaques and certificates will be available in 2025 for winners and participants, including the leaders in various youth, YL and new entrant categories. The latest information about the awards that will be available can be found (here).
