Veľký prehľad contestov na marec 2026

March in the amateur radio calendar is not just about the first spring rays and melting snow. For the operator community, it is one of the most dynamic months of the year. Why? The answer is spring equinox. Práve okolo tohto dátumu dochádza k unikátnym podmienkam šírenia vďaka vyrovnanému dňu a noci na oboch pologuliach, čo otvára cesty, ktoré sú inokedy v roku zavreté.

In 2026, we are also in an interesting phase of the solar cycle, when the upper bands (10m and 15m) can still surprise with strong signals from exotic destinations, while the lower bands still benefit from relatively low levels of atmospheric noise before summer storms.

In this article, we will look at the most important global events, diving deep into the specifics of local OK/OM contestov and we will not forget the lovers of very short waves (vhf), for whom March means a sharp start to the season.

World Giants: When the Ionospheres Shake

If we were to define March with two names, they would be ARRL DX a CQWW WPX. These two contests form the backbone of March events on HF.

ARRL DX Phone contest (7. – 8. marec)

The very first weekend of March belongs to the American ARRL DX in SSB mode. It is a 'classic' where the rest of the world (DX stations) works only with stations from the USA and Canada.

• Why Go For It: It is the best chance to fill in states for the WAS (Worked All States) diploma or to confirm missing bands with the USA.

• Strategy: Watch the greyline. At sunrise, stations from the east coast of the USA are strong on 40m and 80m, while the west coast (California, Oregon) starts to open up on 15m and 20m late in the afternoon.

CQWW WPX SSB contest (28. – 29. marec)

Tento contest je pre mnohých vrcholom jari. Na rozdiel od iných pretekov, tu nie sú násobičmi krajiny DXCC, but prefixes.

• The magic of WPX: Every station with an unusual callsign (e.g., special calls for anniversaries) is a sought-after target. If you have the opportunity to use a club callsign or obtain a special prefix (e.g., OM26... in 2026), do it.

• Scoring: Points are awarded for each connection, with connections on the lower bands (40m, 80m, 160m) having a higher point value. It’s an exhausting 48 hours, but the joy of increasing multipliers is addictive.

Russian DX contest (21. – 22. marec)

A competition that has enormous popularity worldwide due to the great activity of stations from the vast territory of Russia (from Kaliningrad to Sakhalin). It’s a combined contest (CW and SSB), allowing for flexible switching between modes depending on where the density of calling stations is higher.

Špeciálna časť: OK/OM contesty – Naše rodinné striebro

For radio amateurs in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, March has a special flavor. The local scene is extremely active and offers a number of short, dynamic contests that are ideal for testing techniques before the big 'marathons'.

Memorial OK1WC: The heart of March Mondays

Tento contest je unikátny svojou periodicitou. Koná sa every Monday from 16:30 to 17:29 UTC. It is a memorial to OK1WC, a significant constructor and operator.

• Characteristics: A short, hour-long activity where a stable core of operators meets. It’s great training to increase speed in CW (telegraphy)

• Dates in March: 2nd March, 9th March, 16th March, 23rd March, and 30th March.

CUC

Immediately after the conclusion of the OK1WC Memorial (on Mondays from 17:30 – 18:00 UTC), a 30-minute CUC sprint follows. It’s a 'quickie' where every second counts. Due to the short duration, the intensity of connections is very high.

OM Activity contest (14. marec)

For Slovak operators, this is a key point of the month. It takes place on the second Saturday of the month early in the morning (05:00 – 07:00 UTC).

• Fashions: CW and SSB.

• Meaning: This is an ideal opportunity to connect with friends from all over Slovakia and the Czech Republic, whom you may not hear on the bands throughout the year.

Overview of selected OK/OM and nearby events (March 2026)

Date	Time (UTC)	Duration	Name of the competition	Mode
1.3.	06:00 – 07:00	1 hour	KV operational activity	CW
1.3.	15:00 – 15:30	1/2 hour	Sunday race	CW
2.3.	16:30 – 17:30	1 hour	Memorial OK1WC	CW
2.3.	17:30 – 18:00	1/2 hour	CUC	CW
2.3.	20:30 – 21:30	1 hour	Activity 160	SSB
7.3.	06:00 – 08:00	2 hours	SSB League	SSB
8.3.	06:00 – 08:00	2 hours	VRK Race	CW/SSB
9.3.	20:30 – 21:30	1 hour	Activity 160	CW
14.3.	05:00 – 07:00	2 hours	OM Activity contest	CW/SSB

Note: Activity 160 is extremely popular among 'Top Band' enthusiasts. March is one of the last months when nice connections can be made on 160 m before the level of static noise from summer storms makes it difficult to receive weak signals.

VKV Contest: Štart sezóny a I. Subregional

For 'VKVists', the real year begins in March. Why? Because the first weekend of March takes place 1. Subregionálny contest.

1. Subregional (7th - 8th March)

These competitions are a trial by fire for many. In March, there is still harsh winter, frost, and snow in the mountains (from where transmissions often occur).

• Bands: All amateur bands from 144 MHz to 76 GHz.

• Technical difficulty: After the winter break, it is necessary to check antennas, rotators, and preamplifiers. Ice and strong winds on peaks like Chopok, Krížna, or Praděd often test the mechanical resilience of structures.

Tips for VHF in March:

1. Winter preparation: If you are going portable (operating from a hill), do not underestimate clothing and backup power sources. Batteries lose capacity faster in the cold.

2. Direction: In March, there is high activity in OK, OM, DL, and SP. Follow the ON4KST chat to know where interesting stations and DX are located.

Weekly rituals and digital trends

Moderný contesting už dávno nie je len o víkendoch. V marci 2026 vidíme obrovský nárast popularity krátkych pracovných testov počas týždňa.

K1USN Slow Speed Test

This test takes place every Monday and Friday. It is primarily intended for radio amateurs who are starting with telegraphy (CW) or want to return to a slower pace. The speed is limited to a maximum of 20 WPM (words per minute). It is an extremely friendly environment where no one will 'flash' you for a mistake in a character.

CWT – CWops Tests

On the opposite pole are CWT (every Wednesday and Thursday in different time windows). Here you will meet the world elite. Speeds below 30 WPM are rare. It's fantastic training for the ears and testing your receiver's ability to withstand strong adjacent signals.

Digital races (FT8 / FT4)

Although amateur radio traditionalists sometimes shake their heads at digital modes, March 2026 brings a host of activities in FT4 and FT8 modes (e.g. NCCC FT4 Sprint). This race is ideal for operators in urban areas with high interference where CW or SSB signals would be unreadable.

Strategic preparation for the March marathon

Aby ste si marcový contesting užili a dosiahli konkurencieschopné výsledky, je dobré zamerať sa na niekoľko technických detailov:

Antenna system

In March, strong spring winds are common. Check the anchoring of the masts and the tightness of the connectors. Moisture from melting snow can cause issues in coaxial cables (oxidation, impedance change).

Software preparation

Nezabudnite aktualizovať svoj denník (logging Software). Pre väčšinu KV contestov je štandardom N1MM Logger+ or DXLog. For OK/OM local contests, popular logs are from OK1DUO or Slovak solution from OM3CPW. Check that you have correctly set configuration files for the individual contests so that points and multipliers are counted correctly.

Sleep and nutrition strategy

In 48-hour contests like CQWW WPX, efficiency is the key to success.

• Off-time: Most categories require mandatory rest time. Plan it during hours when the bands are 'dead' for your location (usually between 02:00 and 05:00 AM for the upper bands).

• Hydration: Caffeine is a good servant but a bad master. Don't forget about pure water.

Looking at the calendar: The second half of March

After an intense start to the month, the pace does not let up.

• BARTG HF RTTY contest (21. – 23. marec): For lovers of 'ditting' (RTTY), this is one of the oldest and most prestigious contests. Even in the age of FT8, classic RTTY has its unique charm and requires specific skills in tuning.

• Stew Perry Topband Distance Challenge (March 14-15): A unique telegraph competition on 160m, where points are not counted for connections, but for the distance coveredThe further you call, the more points you earn. It is a real challenge for owners of quality receiving antennas (Beverage, Flag, K9AY).

Conclusion: Why get into this?

Contesting nie je len o súťažení a naháňaní bodov. Je to o sebazdokonaľovaní. Každý marcový pondelok v memoriáli OK1WC vám zlepší postreh. Každé prebdené ráno pri ARRL DX vás naučí lepšie rozumieť fyzike ionosféry. A každý kontakt v OM Activity Conteste upevní väzby v našej komunite.

March 2026 offers us a range of options from the shortest 30-minute sprints to weekend-long marathons. It is a time when amateur radio shows its beauty – as a connection of technology, sport, and international friendship.

See you on the bands! 73!