Rules

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Colorado QSO Party 2026 Rules

Sponsored by
Grand Mesa Contesters of Colorado

  1. Colorado QSO Party Objectives. To encourage amateur radio stations outside the State of Colorado to work as many Colorado stations and Colorado counties as possible, and Colorado stations to work as many amateur radio stations as possible.
  2. New Schedule. Commencing with the 2026 event and moving forward, the event will be held on the second Saturday in September each year.
  3. Date for 2026. Saturday, September 12, 2026.
  4. Hours of Operation. 14:00 UTC Saturday through 03:59 UTC Sunday.
  5. Bands. 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6, and 2 meters.
  6. Modes. CW and Phone (SSB, AM, FM). Digital modes are not permitted.
  7. Entry Categories.
    • In-State (Colorado) Stations:
      • Fixed station: CW, Phone, or Mixed (QRP, Low Power, High Power)
      • Mobile: CW, Phone, or Mixed (Low Power)
      • Portable: CW, Phone, or Mixed (QRP, Low Power)
    • Out-of-State Stations: CW, Phone, or Mixed (QRP, Low Power, High Power). Out-of-State stations may be fixed, mobile or portable, but there will only be three Out-of-State entry categories: QRP, Low Power, and High Power.
    • Power Limits. QRP: 5 watts or less. Low Power: 100 watts or less. High Power: greater than 100 watts. Mobile and Portable categories may not use High Power.
    • Fixed Station. All operations are from a fixed location. This category includes both single operator and multiple operators, single transmitter (i.e., multi-single) types of operations.
    • Mobile. Mobile means operating in or on a movable vehicle, independent of all commercial power sources, and able to travel at any time without having to disconnect any wiring or change any antennas in order to move to another location. Mobile may be operated by either a single operator or multiple operators.
    • Portable. Portable is a station operated from one or more temporary locations using antennas brought to the location by the operator(s). The station must be able to be moved (setup, torn down, relocated, re-setup) in a reasonable period of time. You may operate portable from your home county but not from your home. Portable may be operated by either a single operator or multiple operators.
  8. Exchange. Colorado stations send RST plus the 3-character Colorado county abbreviation. Stations outside Colorado send RST plus their State, Canadian Province or Territory, or “DX” 2-character abbreviation.
  9. QSO Points. Two points are awarded for each valid QSO between a Colorado station and any other station.
  10. Multipliers. Multipliers are per mode, not per band.
    • Colorado Stations: One multiplier per mode is awarded for each Colorado county, U.S. state, Canadian province or territory, and one DX multiplier if any DX station is worked. Maximum multipliers per mode: 128.
    • Stations Outside Colorado: One multiplier per mode for each Colorado county worked. Maximum multipliers per mode: 64.
  11. Bonus Points. Colorado Mobile and Portable stations shall receive a 500-point bonus for each Colorado county activated, with at least 15 QSOs per county required to earn the bonus.
  12. Final Score. Final score equals the number of QSO points (not counting any bonus points) times the number of multipliers. To that product we add any bonus points. For mixed entries, CW and Phone QSOs and multipliers are calculated separately and then summed.
  13. Awards. Certificates will be awarded to the top three finishers in each category. Additional awards include “Top Score – Colorado Station”, “Top Score – Out-of-State Station”, “Most Counties Activated”, “Most Counties Worked by an Out-of-State Station”.
  14. Best Practices.
    • Avoid calling CQ if the frequency is in use.
    • Follow the WWROF Contester’s Code of Ethics.
    • Be sure to identify your station frequently, no fewer than every 3 QSOs.
    • CW operators should slow down to respond to stations sending at slower speeds.
  15. Miscellaneous.
    • Spotting and assisted operation, including self-spotting, are permitted.
    • Only one transmitter may be on the air at a time.
    • QSOs must include at least one Colorado station.
    • Cross mode, cross band, repeater, and satellite QSOs will not count.
    • QSOs on county lines must be logged as two entries and two exchanges should be given, one for each county.
    • Duplicate QSOs (i.e., same call, band, mode, and Colorado county) and QSOs with incorrect calls or exchanges shall not be counted, but no additional penalty will be assessed.
    • The States of Alaska and Hawaii shall count only as state multipliers.
    • The District of Columbia counts as Maryland.
    • Neither the USA nor Canada counts as DX.
    • Suggested frequencies:
      • CW: 3555, 7055, 14055, 21055, and 28055.
      • SSB: 3850, 7180, 14280, 21380, and 28380.
      • 6m: 50.125 MHz for SSB and 52.525 MHz for FM
      • 2m: 146.52 MHz FM
      • [keep this?] in accordance with the band plan.
    • Logs must be submitted in Cabrillo format within 7 days of the event, September 19, 2026, at 24:00 UTC at https://coqp.contesting.com
    • Any disputes will be resolved by a committee established by the sponsor and that committee’s decision shall be final and binding.