April 2026: Big Guide to Amateur Radio Contests

April is a turning point in the amateur radio calendar. Winter sleep is finally over, the snow has (hopefully) disappeared from the antennas, and spring propagation is starting to work its magic on the higher bands. 2026 promises to be another interesting year for solar cycle 25, and the April race calendar is so packed that your transceiver probably won't even have time to cool down.

Whether you're a die-hard CW fan, a mouth-to-microphone (SSB) enthusiast, or a modern digital operator honing FT8 and RTTY, April 2026 has it all - from lightning-fast half-hour sprints to demanding 24-hour marathons.

In this article, we'll take a detailed look at what's in store for us, with special attention to our home Czechoslovak scene, which is literally booming in April.

Home stage: Hearts performed by OM and OK

For Slovak and Czech radio amateurs, April is a month of traditions. Local competitions have a unique atmosphere – you recognize the brands, recognize the operators by their voice or keying style, and fight for every point in the year-round rankings.

1. SSB Liga ( 4. apríl, 05:00 – 07:00 UTC)

Saturday morning at the very beginning of the month belongs to fans of sound service. SSB Liga is a classic on the 80-meter range. It is the ideal way to test your technique before more demanding international competitions. Two hours on a Saturday morning will fly by and is a great training for novice contestants.

2. KV Operational assets (April 5, 05:00 – 06:00 UTC)

Sunday morning belongs to the Czech KV operational asset. This is an hour on CW, where the pace is high and the discipline of the operators is exemplary. If you want to see what efficient telegraph operation looks like in Central Europe, this is the right place.

3. OK1WC Memorial (Every Monday – April 6, 13, 20, 27)

This race is already a legend. It is held in memory of OK1WC, and is a mainstay of Monday evenings (16:30 – 17:29 UTC). It is a CW-style competition. It is a great opportunity to regularly improve yourself and honor the memory of a prominent radio amateur.

4. CUC (Every Monday – April 6, 13, 20, 27)

Immediately following the OK1WC Memorial is the CUC (17:30 – 18:00 UTC). These short CW sprints are renowned for their speed. If you want to learn how to react quickly in pile-ups and train your ears, the CUC is a must-ride.

5. OM Activity Contest (11. apríl, 04:00 – 06:00 UTC)

Najvýznamnejší mesačný slovenský contest na krátkych vlnách. Každú druhú sobotu v mesiaci sa na pásme 80 metrov stretáva celá slovenská a česká KV komunita. Súťaží sa v kategóriách CW, SSB aj Mixed. Aprílové kolo býva vďaka stabilnejším podmienkam na 80m veľmi zaujímavé.

6. VHF Operational Asset / VHF Operational Asset (April 19, 08:00 – 11:00 UTC)

For lovers of "very short waves" the third Sunday of the month is a holiday. From 144 MHz to 76 GHz - antennas and portable workplaces appear on the hills of Slovakia and the Czech Republic. April weather can be treacherous, but that is what gives this race the right "outdoor" flair. It is the ideal preparation for the big summer field days.

7. Holicky Cup (April 25, 04:00 – 06:00 UTC)

This race bears the name of the city associated with the largest amateur radio meeting in our region. The Holický Cup is a prestigious affair on the 80m band (CW/SSB). The points from the April round can be decisive in the overall standings, so expect heavy traffic.

8. Other local snacks

• Sunday Race (CW): Every Sunday evening (17:30 – 18:00 UTC), a short and punchy half hour.

• Activity 160 (SSB/CW): Monday evenings (19:30 – 20:30 UTC) belong to the “top band.” Atmospheric noise from approaching storms is already starting to increase on 160 in April, making this race more technically challenging.

• MOON Contest: Pre nadšencov VHF/UHF pásiem. Rozdelený podľa dní: 144 MHz (1. 4.), 432 MHz (8. 4.), 50 MHz (15. 4.) a 1296 MHz (22. 4.). Vždy od 18:00 do 20:00 UTC.

International Events: When the World is Small

If local competition isn't enough for you, April 2026 offers several world-class giants.

SP DX Contest ( 4. – 5. apríl)

The Polish National Race is extremely popular in our region. We have excellent signal conditions with our northern neighbors, so the log will fill up at breakneck speed. The race lasts 24 hours (starting Saturday 15:00 UTC) and is a great test of endurance.

EA RTTY Contest ( 4. – 5. apríl)

For those who are enchanted by the classic teletype sound of RTTY, there is the Spanish race. Although modern modes such as FT8 dominate regular operation, RTTY still has its unmistakable place in contests due to the speed of information transmission.

Yuri Gagarin International DX Contest (11. – 12. apríl)

A race reminiscent of the first man in space. It has a specific atmosphere and often involves stations from all over the world, including those from "space" locations (near cosmodromes, etc.).

Helvetia Contest (25. – 26. apríl)

The Swiss race is known for its precision. The aim is to establish connections with the cantons of Switzerland. HB stations are known for their great equipment and discipline. For us it is almost a "local" race on the lower bands and interesting DX on the upper bands.

Detailed calendar of world contests for April 2026

For better orientation, we bring you an overview of important international events (all times are in UTC):

VHF and Microwaves: April "Awakening"

Slovak and Czech VHF The community is among the world's top. The April VHF calendar is built on three pillars:

1. MOON Contest

This unique race series is great for testing your technique during the work week. At just two hours long, it doesn't require an extreme time investment, but it forces you to keep your technique on point at all times.

2. Nordic Activity Contest (NAC)

Although this is a Nordic race, due to the good signal propagation in our area, stations from Scandinavia (especially from southern Sweden and Denmark) are normally reachable for OM/OK stations on 2m and 70cm. It is a challenge to establish a connection over 1000 km using reflections from the aurora borealis or due to tropo conditions.

3. IARU R1 50 MHz MGM c’test (18. – 19. apríl)

April is the time when the first signs of sporadic E (Es) layer start to appear in the "magic zone" of 6 meters. This race can be either a boring local scraping of points or an incredible ride across Europe if the "heavens open".

Why get involved? (A little motivation)

You might be asking yourself, "Why should I spend a nice April weekend in a hamshack?"

1. Improving skills: No other activity teaches you to listen in the noise and respond under pressure like contesting.

2. Testing the technology: Only at the factory will you find out if your transceiver is not overheating, if the filter is working properly, and if the antenna is actually shining where it should.

3. Community: Even if you're alone in a room, you're with thousands of friends on the bands. The short "TU" (Thank You) or "599" is a form of greeting that connects people across continents.

4. Diplomas and trophies: Who wouldn't be happy with a nice PDF diploma or (in the case of top performances) a plaque on the wall?

Table overview of domestic KV races – April 2026

For your hamshack bulletin board:

Conclusion: April, the month of amateur radio joy

April 2026 promises to be an unforgettable month for radio amateurs. From the Monday morning rush with the OK1WC Memorial to the big challenges of the SP DX Contest. Whether you're a 40 WPM "key crusher" or a novice operator just learning to distinguish call signs in the tangle of signals, April will give you a helping hand.

Nezabudnite, že contesting nie je len o bodoch. Je to o radosti z nadviazaného spojenia, o Ham Spirite a o tom úžasnom pocite, keď sa váš signál vráti z druhého konca planéty.

So, sharpen your pencils (or update your loggers), check your antennas, and in April 2026, you'll be heard on the bands! GL & 73!