SO2B - Single Operator, Two Bands

What is SO2B?

SO2B is a new contesting concept being introduced in CQWW SSB and CW 2025.

It's a contest within the contest that makes high-level competition possible with fewer technical resources.

SOAB (All Bands) is dominated by stations with large infrastructure. SO2B offers a new path - it keeps the challenge but removes many of the barriers.

Key Benefits:

Promote SO2B as an unofficial CQWW category
Offer serious competition for operators with modest stations
Increase accessibility and inclusion in top-level contesting

SO2B – Pure skill. Zero excuses.

Pick 2 bands. Go all in. Show your skill.

Whether you're in Europe, Brazil, or the Pacific - SO2B lets you compete on equal ground.

Choose your best two bands, build your strategy, and dive into smart, focused contesting.

How It Works

36-Hour Operation

Maximum operating time of 36 hours during the contest period.

Choose Any Two Bands

Select your two most productive bands. No restrictions.

Participation Process

Submit your regular CQWW/WPX log as usual
Separately report your selected SO2B bands to us
Provide us with your UBN raport from CQWW/WPX after official results are published and logs public
We'll process results and publish official rankings
Winners receive plaques, all participants get digital certificates
E-mails for participation submission are: cqwwssb@so2b.org
E-mails for participation submission are: cqwwcw@so2b.org
Do not send your logs to us, especially before CQWW log submission deadline!
Just report your callsign and entrance to SO2B category via e-mail
When CQ WW reuslts are known logs are public and we will fetch your log from WW website
You will be asked then to provide UBN raport received by e-mail for adjucation process of SO2B portion!

Example Stations

S53ZO

Location: Europe

Selected Bands: 40M and 20M

PY2SEX

Location: Brazil

Selected Bands: 10M and 15M

VK9DX

Location: Pacific

Selected Bands: 20M and 15M

All three stations are competing in the SO2B category with equal chances of winning.

The challenge lies in choosing the right two bands for multipliers and QSO volume.

SO2B Categories

High Power Low Power

Both categories - assistance allowed
Winners in each category will receive a plaque.
All participants will receive a digital certificate.

SO2B Initiative Team

Ranko

4O3A - SO2B Initiative Coordinator

Mirko

9A6KX - SO2B Initiative Member

Richard

NN3W - SO2B Initiative Member

Tonno

ES5TV - SO2B Initiative Member

SO2B Initiative Survey

By completing this survey you become a signatory of the initiative for single operator two bands category in CQ WW and CQ WPX

I agree with the described initiative

Your Callsign:

Please answer the questions

How much operating time would you like in the contest:

48 hours

36 hours

24 hours

Do you agree with scoring system like in WW or prefer alternative scoring system where 1 QSO = 1 point?

WW-like scoring system

Alternative scoring system (1 QSO = 1 point)

I agree that my callsign is publicly displayed

Survey Results (Total Votes: 186)

Operating Time Preference

48 hours: 5.9%
36 hours: 70.4%
24 hours: 23.7%

Scoring System Preference

WW-like: 67.7%
Alternative: 32.3%

Public Signatories (150)

9A6KX, 4O3A, YT8WW, UT3D, YT2T, S50B, E70Y, YT2AAA, IT9RGY, VU2DED, S57SU, YT6DX, AC6ZM, WV4P, CT1ILT, IK2EGL, UT7EZ, YL2KL, YU1EW, OK1CDJ, YT1X, IV3KKW, YU3DX, N1TA, 9A3J, OM0A, YU1JW, YL9T, EA5DF, WW6SKY, ON5UR, SV5DKL, LY5W, PA5MW, S53X, 4O4SM, VK4DX, HG2DX, K5TD, 4O4A, NP4Z, M1TRA, EA3O, E79AA, WW4LL, DH0NN, EA3IBV, CT1HXB, N8II, KX7M, YU7KW, WA3AER, M0TTQ, S53ZO, SJ2W, HP1XT, EA5GJ, LY4A, WA1FCN, EA4HKF, E79Q, SP5C, YO9HP, SV2DSJ, F4EGZ, HB9FBS, 3Z0X, XQ7IR, WQ6X, OY1R, BH6BSP, YT2SS, XE2X, EC1A, EA2LMI, EA7ZC, OP7B, EA5U, EA1BP, W9SN, EC5AN, S53K, N6GQ, YU1ZZ, WB4TT, XE2K, W7IV, N6WM, 9A5M, ES2RR, HA1AG, G6AD, OO4M, E76MB, LU2PWY, 9A5KW, K0AP, YU5R, KE0NKF, IK0UAY, E75HZ, RW4CLF, RW3DY, YU9YAU, YU3A, ES6RW, YU1XDX, HA9AX, HA5JI, PA7DX, Z33C, YO8TTT, 9A5CW, 9A3AGS, NP3N, G1YBB (M1B), UT5WW, HB9DHG, DV1K, SP3WKW, LZ2BE, S56C, 4X1ST, W1BOY, K9XR, LZ4AE, HA8LLK, EA9LZ, RN5M, RZ4AG, RG6A, YU1FJK, 4O4O, YT1CI, ZM3A, S54W, YT3DA, R3MBB, 9A3XV, PY2SEX, 4O4B, VA2AN, W4IPC, 4O9ITT, M0DSK, DK8ZZ, LZ4UU, UT5WAA, HK5Z, NS0R

SO2B – Single Operator, Two Bands