In the recent CQ World Wide WPX SSB Contest 2025, I went to help out the OM3KUK team. They operate from Chmeľová Hill in the JN99BB locator, where they have a cabin serving as their base. It’s not a traditional HF location. Moreover, it’s accessible only on foot, and electricity is provided by solar panels.
For some team members, this will be their first world contest. So the goals aren’t set too high. However, the guys have prepared a 7-element tribander and a wire antenna for the lower bands for the contest. We arrange to meet Zdeno OM4AZL in the parking lot at 9:30 a.m. We’ll take over from the night shift. Despite taking different routes, we arrive at the same time. We unpack our gear, and a 25-minute climb follows. Zdeno connects his Icom IC-7300, while I tweak N1MM+. We gradually make contacts. This is spiced up by a visit from some tourists, whom we show what we’re doing.
View from Chmeľová
In the afternoon, Juro OM4AJK arrives. Zdeno and I head back down and pack up our supplies—wood briquettes. Even this is part of contesting from Chmeľová. We sit back down at the radio for a while. But then I have to say goodbye. The rain, which had been avoiding us until now, has finally caught up with us. The descent in the rain goes by quickly. On the way, I run into the second part of the group led by Paľo OM4APF. Evening and nighttime operations await them.
On Sunday morning, I return to Chmeľová. But the guys are QRT: they drained the batteries overnight, so we have to wait until they recharge at least a little. The club’s Kenwood TS-140S is now on the table. I tweak the settings a bit, since this rig handles tougher contest conditions a little better. Transmitting on the upper bands also means some serious hand training: the rotator is manual. Turning the HF antenna is already quite a workout. We’re starting with reduced power, which we’re gradually increasing to 100W.
Most of the group that was transmitting overnight is heading downstairs. Juro OM4AJK stays behind, and we wait for Peter OM4AJA. We switch out the equipment again. The Yaesu FT-991 goes on the table. We make more contacts. Rišo OM6RT comes to visit. At 4:00 p.m., we say goodbye and leave the rest of the contest to Peter. He didn’t waste any time and added more contacts by evening, pushing the score up by nearly half a million points.
Summary: OM3KUK CQ World Wide WPX Contest SSB 2025
For me, this was an unusual contest. It’s been a long time since I’ve had the chance to operate with ham radio operators who show such great enthusiasm for every QSO. Thank you, OM3KUK, for your hospitality and great company!
