Seventy competitors sought fame and a bit of fortune in this year’s CW Pileup Competition, a rigorous test of expertise whose popularity bestows celebrity on the winners and humility on the also-rans. The contest, which has been held on an annual basis in non-pandemic years, featured a spirited duel between Dan, N6MJ, and Yuri, VE3DZ, for the top spot. The Californian edged past the Ontario resident by three points to win an IC-7300 transceiver donated by Icom. Yuri was awarded a paddle furnished by Begali.

Randy, K5ZD, finished third to claim a gift certificate from DX Engineering. A wire antenna provided by Associated Radio, Kansas City’s hometown ham store, went to fourth-place finisher Chris, KL9A. (David, N6AN, took possession of the prize for Chris, who had retired for the evening.)

But it was a contestant who finished 65th that won the club’s hearts. At the contest’s end, Maggie, KE2AIZ, had but 8 points. But since she just turned 10 years old, the KCDXC gang on site agreed that she’s a star on the rise.

Complete results: https://kcdxclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/2025-05-17_KCDXC_CW_Pile-up_Contest_Final_Results.pdf