CQ World Wide 160m contest 2026 SSB

Upcoming CQ World Wide 160-Meter contest v kategórii SSB, ktorý odštartuje v piatok 27. februára 2026 o 22:00 UTC a potrvá do 1. marca 22:00 UTC, ponúka operátorom príležitosť otestovať svoje anténne systémy a operátorské zručnosti v náročných podmienkach nízkych frekvencií. Hlavným cieľom tejto 48-hodinovej súťaže je nadviazať čo najviac spojení s rádioamatérmi v štátoch USA, kanadských provinciách a krajinách celého sveta.

Operation in ITU Region 1 is defined in the range of 1810–2000 kHz. The rules place great emphasis on sportsmanship, appealing for consideration towards other band users, especially in digital segments like FT8. Contestants can choose from individual (Single Operator) categories with various power levels including QRP (up to 5 W) and Low Power (up to 100 W), or the multi-operator category. An important limitation is the maximum operating time: individuals can broadcast a maximum of 30 hours, while teams are limited to 40 hours. Each break must last at least 30 minutes.

The exchanged code consists of an RS report and the designation of the US state, Canadian province, or CQ zone. Scoring significantly favors intercontinental connections, which are worth up to 10 points. Special attention must be paid to sending contest logs in the format Cabrillo. The deadline for submission is strictly set at 5 days after the end of the contest, which for the SSB part falls on March 6, 2026.

I. OBJECTIVE:

To enable radio amateurs worldwide to establish connections 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 THE 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 lead to 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 transmitting station is allowed, except for the receiver at the transmitting site. WebSDR are allowed but must be located within the 100 km limit. This rule is designed to accommodate new technologies and assist those who have a high level of interference at the transmitting station. Anyone caught using a remote receiver outside the allowed 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 to communicate between stations or operators during the contest is strictly prohibited. We may not negotiate or confirm QSO in any way other than through the 160m band and the same mode of operation used in the contest. Such use may lead to disqualification at the discretion of the committee. The use of self-spotting is not permitted in any category.

Remote operation for UNASSISTED categories is allowed 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 that is not physically located at the main transmitting 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 duration 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 QSO IS NOT allowed* (see definition below). Only one transmitted signal is allowed at any one time. Maximum power is 1500 W output total.

(B) Single Operator / Low Power:

Same as (A), except that the output power must not exceed 100 W. Stations in this category compete only among themselves.

(C) QRP:

Same as (A), except that the output power must not exceed 5 W. Stations in this category compete only among themselves.
Note: All QRP stations may use assistance in searching for QSO.

(D) Single Operator Assisted / High Power:

Same as (A) with these exceptions: The use of assistance in searching for QSO IS allowed. The use of one remote receiver within 100 km of the transmitter is allowed.

(E) Single Operator Assisted / Low Power:

Same as (D), except that the output power must not exceed 100 W.

(F) Multi-Operator:

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 permitted power according to the regulations of the country, whichever value is lower.

*HELP IN SEARCHING FOR QSO:

The use of any technology or other source that provides the operator with the identification of the callsign 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 identification of location and do not count as multipliers..

V. MULTIPLIER:

USA 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 separate for historical reasons.

DXCC countries including WAE countries:
(the following is a list – the translation of names does not change, these are official prefixes)
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 one's 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, contact us at:
questions@CQ160.com

IX. CLUB COMPETITION:

Every club that submits at least three logs may participate in the club competition. The club name must be clearly stated in the club competition section of the summary sheet or in the summary section of the 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 the logs of its members.

A. USA Clubs:

Participation is limited to members residing within 250 miles of the club's 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 eligible to participate in the club competition.

• Single-operator entries may contribute to only one club.

• Multi-operator scores may be divided among multiple clubs based on the percentage of club members operating. The full name of the club (and distribution for multi-op) must be indicated in the log.

• Na zaradenie klubu do výsledkov musia byť prijaté minimálne tri denníky. Checklogy sa do klubového skóre nezapočítavajú.

• The word 'reside' is defined as permanent or continuous living, or using 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

Sending logs in the 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 contact: 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. Contacts must be logged immediately after they occur. Stations competing for world, zone, continental, and USA awards must specify the exact frequencies of all contacts.

B.

Instructions for electronic logs outside the Cabrillo format: If you cannot submit a log in CABRILLO format, contact the contest director.

C.

Acknowledgment of receipt: All received logs will be confirmed by email. A list of received logs is available at www.cq160.com.

D.

Download log: The participant may download the submitted log for any reason within 30 days of the deadline. Contact the competition 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 points corresponding to two additional QSOs will be deducted. No penalty will be applied for unique QSOs unless they are considered excessive. A log may be disqualified for violation of amateur radio regulations, unsportsmanlike behavior, 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:

1. has read and understood the competition rules and agrees to abide by them,

2. worked in accordance with all the rules and regulations of the amateur radio service applicable to the station location,

3. agrees to the publication of their log,

4. accepts that disqualifications and other decisions of the committee 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.