How to easily participate in the SSB SWL contest for beginners
If you don't have experience listening to ham radio on the air (shortwave), you might be a little worried about how to do it.
However, it is not very complicated in 2025 with the internet and a computer.
You need a computer, internet connection, a pen and paper !
I use this method to participate in the SSB SWL contest 2025 but for my log (my list of DXCCs listened to) I prefer to use my computer because it is easier to see if I have already heard a DXCC entity.
Personally, I use a WEB SDR that is not too far from my home because I don't have a good antenna for listening to shortwave. Of course, you can use a receiver and an antenna.
I also use an amateur radio cluster to listen to the 10 to 40 meter amateur radio bands in SSB mode.
For the DXCC entity playlist, as I already told you, I use my computer because that way it's very easy to know if I've already heard a DXCC entity. I have the list of entities in alphabetical order. If you do this with a pen and paper, it will be much slower.
If you're using an amateur radio cluster, you won't have to look up the DXCC entity. Otherwise, you'll have to look up the call sign on your computer.
When I want to participate in the contest I open my log on my computer, my DX cluster and the web sdr that I use.
Look at the cluster, if you see a DXCC entity that you have never heard before try to listen to it in SSB mode on your WEB SDR, if you heard this new DXCC entity marked there on your log.
example of WEB SDR in The Netherlands http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/
You see that it's not very complicated. However, read the contest rules carefully.
https://chinaradiosswl.blogspot.com/2025/02/ssb-swl-contest-2025-rules.html?spref=bl
If you are using a WEB SDR, you will need to use the same one for the duration of the contest. The sound gifts will be mainly for those who listen with real receivers and real antennas because listening from a WEB SDR is much simpler.
They are WEB SDR or KIWI SDR in many place in the WORLD.
https://rx-tx.info/map-sdr-points
For the amateur radio clusters they are also a lot of choice but my favorite is this one
http://www.dxsummit.fi/#/?include=14MHz&include_modes=PHONE
DXCC entities list
https://www.ng3k.com/Dxcc/index.html
How to use a WEB or KIWI SDR
https://icomjapan.blogspot.com/2023/12/listen-world-for-free-on-your-computer.html
If you are beginner to listen SSB mode on amateur radio bands
https://chinaradiosswl.blogspot.com/2025/04/how-to-easily-listen-to-radio-amateurs.html
Remember all SWL who have work this SSB SWL contest 2025 who will finish only end of October 2025 will receive an AWARD and if you are in the best score a gift from our nice sponsors.
Thank you de Frank FØDUW SSB SWL contest organizer also SWL F14368 near Paris France.
My FACEBOOK group for the contest https://www.facebook.com/groups/1241894917180398
QRZ.COM https://www.qrz.com/db/F0DUW
