Inside the ISTRA Contest Conference in Porec, Croatia

The ISTRA Contest Conference is taking place October 9–12th in Poreč, Croatia, and Braco E77DX, Mirko 9A6KX, and Dave 9A1UN are here to tell us all about it. Born from late-night conversations and a desire for deeper community, the ISTRA Contest Conference is quickly becoming Europe’s most vital gathering of contest operators. What started as a bold idea between friends has evolved—despite COVID delays—into a globally attended, three-day immersion in radiosport. With over 250 participants and growing interest from outside the Balkans, the event now draws contesters from across Europe, the Middle East, and even the U.S. But this isn’t Friedrichshafen or Dayton. There are no booths. No gear to buy. Instead, ISTRA offers live, interactive presentations: young operators debriefing DXpeditions, station builders explaining the guts of their setups, doctors addressing health in contesting, and yes—even discussions on the etiquette (and humor) of stealing frequencies from people you now consider friends. The tone is intimate and deeply human, with late-night “last-man-standing” competitions that blend camaraderie with contest-hardened stamina. Held on the stunning Istrian coast, ISTRA isn’t just for contesters—it’s also a rare invitation for spouses and families to enjoy world-class food, swim in the Adriatic, and savor the wines and quiet beauty of inland Croatia. This episode builds on earlier Q5 conversations with top operators and expedition teams, but shifts the focus to what happens off the air—when contesters come together to share war stories, swap tactics, and reimagine the future of the sport. Join the conversation and subscribe to Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio for more stories like this. Special thanks to DX Engineering for supporting contesters, DXers, Parks on the Air activators, and every ham who knows the thrill of calling CQ from somewhere new.