The last January weekend belongs in the amateur radio calendar to one of the most challenging and prestigious events - the telegraph part of the contest CQWorld Wide 160-Meter Contest. Pre milovníkov pásma 160 metrov, známeho ako „Top Band“ alebo „pásmo džentlmenov“, je to vrchol sezóny, kedy sa preveruje kvalita antén, Receiverov a predovšetkým trpezlivosť operátorov.
The contest starts on Friday at 22:00 UTC and ends on Sunday at 22:00 UTC. The entire event focuses exclusively on the CW (telegraph) segment. Since this band 'comes alive' only after sunset, competitors spend nights searching for weak signals in the sea of atmospheric noise that is typical for this band.
The competition code consists of a report RST and location identification. Stations from the USA and Canada transmit the abbreviation of the state or province, while other participants send their CQ zone. Scoring significantly favors intercontinental DX connections. Multipliers are the states of the USA, provinces of Canada, and individual countries of the world.
Participants can choose from categories Single Operator (with power High, Low up to 100 W or QRP up to 5 W) or Multi-Operator. The key to success is the use of so-called 'gray-line' propagation at dawn and dusk. Due to the high level of interference, special receiving antennas, such as Beverage, are essential for winners, allowing them to capture stations from the other side of the world.
CQ WW 160m CW is a contest with a unique atmosphere. It requires not only technical skill but also endurance during freezing winter nights. It is a challenge that brings together the world elite of telegraphers.
CW: January 23 2200Z – January 25 2200Z
SSB: February 27 2200Z – March 1 2200Z
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING LOGS IS 5 DAYS!
I. GOAL:
To enable radio amateurs worldwide to make contacts with other radio amateurs in as many states of the USA, Canadian provinces, and countries as possible, using the 160-meter band.
II. USE OF BAND:
1810–2000 kHz in ITU region 1.
1800–2000 kHz in ITU regions 2 and 3.
All participants are encouraged to spread out as much as possible within the band, while adhering to frequency restrictions and power limits applicable in their country. Any violation of ITU rules for band usage may result in disqualification.
Be aware and considerate of other users of data modes, such as FT8, in the competitive segments of the band.
III. CATEGORIES:
For the Single Operator Assisted category:
The use of one and only one remote receiver located within 100 km of the main broadcasting station is permitted, except for the receiver at the transmitter site. WebSDR are allowed but must be located within the 100 km limit. This rule is designed to take into account new technologies and assist those who have a high level of interference at the broadcasting station. Anyone caught using a remote receiver outside the permitted limit will be disqualified.
For all categories:
The main station is defined such that all transmitters, receivers, and antennas must be located on the same contiguous property. If the property is not contiguous, all equipment must be within 1500 meters. All antennas must be connected by cables to the main station. This rule applies to all participants.
Each station may use only one CQ running frequency.. "Switching" between two frequencies at the same time (thereby occupying two frequencies) is unsportsmanlike conduct and will result in disqualification.
The use of any so-called 'chat rooms' via the internet or similar means of communication between stations or operators during the competition is strictly prohibited. We must not negotiate or confirm QSO in any way other than through the 160 m band and the same mode of operation used in the competition. Such use may lead to disqualification at the discretion of the committee. The use of self-spotting is not allowed in any category.
Remote operation for UNASSISTED categories is permitted under the following conditions:
The use of any receiver located outside the main station is strictly prohibited.
The use of a separate receiver at the remote operator's location is strictly prohibited.
Any receiver not physically located at the main broadcasting station is prohibited. This includes receivers connected via the internet or RF that are not at the main TX site.
If the remote-controlled station is located in another DXCC entity, it must comply with all local regulations of that country.
Operating time:
Each contest lasts 48 hours and starts at 2200Z.
Single Operator stations may operate a maximum of 30 out of 48 hours.
Multi-Operator stations may operate 40 hours.
Breaks must have a minimum length of 30 minutes in all categories.
(A) Single Operator:
Jedna osoba vykonáva všetku prevádzku, logovanie a spotovanie. Maximálny prevádzkový čas je 30 hodín. Pomoc pri vyhľadávaní QSOIS NOT allowed* (see definition below). Only one transmitted signal is allowed at any one time. Maximum power is 1500 W total output.
(B) Single Operator / Low Power:
Same as (A), except that output power must not exceed 100 W. Stations in this category compete only among themselves.
(C) QRP:
Same as (A), except that output power must not exceed 5 W. Stations in this category compete only among themselves.
Note: All QRP stations may use assistance in finding QSO.
(D) Single Operator Assisted / High Power:
Same as (A) with these exceptions: Using assistance in finding QSO IS allowed. Using one remote receiver within 100 km of the transmitter is permitted.
(E) Single Operator Assisted / Low Power:
Same as (D), except that output power must not exceed 100 W.
(F) Multi-Operator:
IBA HIGH POWER. All rules apply the same as for Single Op Assisted (except that remote receivers are NOT allowed); however, more than one operator is involved in the operation. Maximum operating time is 40 hours. Only one transmitted signal is allowed at any one time. Maximum power is 1500 W or the maximum allowed power according to country regulations, whichever is lower.
*ASSISTANCE IN FINDING QSO:
Using any technology or other resource that provides the operator with the identification of the calling sign or multiplier. This includes, among other things, the use of CW decoders, DX clusters, DX spotting websites (e.g., DX Summit), local or remote technology for decoding callsigns and frequencies (e.g., CW skimmer or Reverse Beacon Network) or operational agreements with other individuals.
IV. EXCHANGE:
RS(T) and state for the USA, province for Canada and CQ zone for DX.
Note: Zones serve only as location identification and not counted as multipliers.
V. MULTIPLIER:
U.S. States: 48 contiguous states; District of Columbia (DC) (1)
Canadian provinces: (14) VO1, VO2, NB, NS, PEI (VY2), VE2, VE3, VE4, VE5, VE6, VE7, VE8 (NT), VY1 (YT), VY0 (NU).
Note: VO1 and VO2 are separated for historical reasons.
DXCC countries including WAE countries:
(the following is a list - name translations do not change, these are official designators)
1AØ, 3A, 4O, 4U1I, 4U1V, 9A, 9H, C3, CT, CU, DL, E7, EA, EA6, EI, ER, ES, EU, F, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GM/s, GU, GW, HA, HB, HBØ, HV, I, IS, IT (without IG9/IH9 zone 33 - these are in Africa), JW, JW/b, JX, LA, LX, LY, LZ, OE, OH, OHØ, OJØ, OK, OM, ON, OY, OZ, PA, R1F, RA, RA2, S5, SM, SP, SV, SV/A, SV5, SV9, T7, TA1, TF, TK, UR, YL, YO, YU, Z6, Z3, ZA, ZB.
VI. POINTS:
Connections with stations in your own country: 2 points
Connections with other countries on the same continent: 5 points
Connections with other continents: 10 points
Connections with maritime mobile stations are worth 5 points. Maritime mobile connections do not have a multiplier.
VII. FINAL SCORE:
For all stations - the final score is the product of the total number of points for QSO and the sum of all multipliers (states, VE provinces, DX countries).
VIII. AWARDS:
Certificates will be awarded to all participants. They are available for download here:
https://CQ160.com/scores.htm
Trophies will be awarded for the best results in many categories. A list of trophies and donors is available here:
https://CQ160.com/plaques.htm
If you are interested in sponsoring a plaque, please contact us at:
questions@CQ160.com
IX. CLUB COMPETITION:
Any club that submits at least three logs can participate in the club competition. The club name must be clearly stated in the club competition section on the summary sheet or in the summary section Cabrillo log. Ensure that all participants from your club use the same club name (with the same spelling). Most club names can be found here:
https://CQ160.com/clubnames.htm
The club score is the sum of the results from all logs of its members.
A. U.S. Clubs:
Participation is limited to members residing within 250 miles of the club's area center.
B. DX Clubs:
Participation is limited to members residing either in the DXCC country where the club is located, or within 400 km of the club's center.
C. General club rules:
National organizations (e.g., JARL, REF, or DARC) are not authorized to participate in club competitions.
Single-operator entries can contribute to only one club.
Multi-operator scores can be divided among multiple clubs based on the percentage representation of club members operating. The full name of the club must be included in the log (and the division for multi-op).
Na zaradenie klubu do výsledkov musia Byť prijaté minimálne tri denníky. Checklogy sa do klubového skóre nezapočítavajú.
The word 'to reside' is defined as permanent or continuous residence, or the use of a place as the primary, permanent, and legal residence.
X. LOG INSTRUCTIONS:
The deadline for submitting logs is 5 days after the competition ends.
For CW: January 30, 2026 at 2200Z
For SSB: March 6, 2026 at 2200Z
Submission of logs in format Cabrillo is mandatory. Denníky CQ WW 160 m contest posielajte prostredníctvom webového nástroja:
https://CQ160.com/logcheck/
A.
The log MUST contain for each connection: the correct date and time in UTC, the call sign of the other station, the sent exchange, and the received exchange. A log without all required data may be reclassified as checklog. Connections should be recorded immediately after they are made. Stations competing for world, zone, continental and US awards must list the exact frequencies of all connections.
B.
Instructions for electronic logs outside the Cabrillo format: If you cannot submit the log in CABRILLO format, contact the contest director.
C.
Receipt confirmation: All received logs will be confirmed by email. The list of received logs is available at www.CQ160.com.
D.
Log download: A participant may download the submitted log for any reason within 30 days of the deadline. Contact the contest director for instructions.
XI. PENALTIES AND DISQUALIFICATION:
Logs will be mutually checked and penalties will be applied at the discretion of the committee for erroneous or incorrect QSOs. Erroneous QSOs will be removed and additionally points corresponding to two other QSOs will be deducted. No penalty is applied for unique QSOs unless they are considered excessive. The log may be disqualified for violation of amateur radio regulations, unsportsmanlike conduct, or reporting an excessive number of unverified connections.
Výstupné súbory s výpočtom konečného skóre budú po zverejnení výsledkov dostupné všetkým účastníkom. Rozhodnutia komisie CQ WW 160 contest sú konečné.
XII. DECLARATION:
Odoslaním denníka do CQ 160 Meter contestu a s prihliadnutím na úsilie komisie CQ WW 160 contest o jeho kontrolu a vyhodnotenie účastník bezpodmienečne a neodvolateľne súhlasí, že:
has read and understood the contest rules and agrees to comply with them,
has operated in accordance with all rules and regulations of the amateur radio service applicable to the station location,
agrees to the publication of his log,
accepts that disqualifications and other committee decisions are official and final.
Ak účastník nie je ochotný alebo schopný súhlasiť so všetkými uvedenými bodmi, nemal By denník odoslať, prípadne ho má odoslať len ako Checklog.