The amateur radio calendar is full of events, but few have such a global reach and specific atmosphere as CQ World-Wide WPX RTTYcontest. This contest, held annually during the second weekend of February, represents the peak of the season for fans of RTTY (Radio Teletype) digital operations. In 2026, the date falls on the weekend February 14 to 15.
In the article you will read
Introduction and Summary of CQ World-Wide WPX RTTY Rules
The main attraction and unique element of the WPX (World-Wide Prefix) contest series is the multiplier system. Unlike other contests, where the multipliers are countries DXCC or zones, in WPX it is every unique prefix of amateur radio callsigns. Whether it is OM3, OM2026, K1, HG7 or W8, each new prefix start means a valuable point to the overall score. This motivates stations to use special event callsigns, which are literally magnets for multiplier hunters.
The contest lasts a total of 48 hours, but for the single operator category (Single Operator) there is an important time limit: they can operate a maximum of 30 hours. The remaining 18 hours must be divided into breaks lasting at least 60 minutes. This element introduces a strategic aspect to the competition - the operator must decide when it is worth being at the radio and when it is better to save time for peak band openings. Stations with multiple operators (Multi-Operator) can transmit for a full 48 hours without a break.
Competition is held on classic HF bands: 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 meters. Scoring is set to favor connections on lower bands (80m and 40m), where establishing a connection is technically more challenging. The final score is calculated as the product of the total number of points for connections and the number of unique prefixes regardless of the band.
Modern amateur radio cannot do without technology, which is why various aids such as are allowed DX cluster or RTTY skimmer (except for the Classic Overlay category). An important condition remains exclusive use of RTTY mode (45 baud). Logs are now sent in a very short time – only 48 hours after the end of the contest, which requires discipline in data processing.
Exact translation of the contest conditions
2026 CQ World-Wide WPX RTTY Contest
February 14 - 15, 2026Start: 00:00 UTC on Saturday | End: 23:59 UTC on Sunday
I. GOAL: For amateur radio operators from around the world to establish as many connections as possible with the largest number of amateur radio operators and prefixes during the contest period.
II. OPERATION PERIOD: 48 hours. Single Operator stations can operate 30 out of 48 hours – breaks must last at least 60 minutes, during which no connection may be logged. Multi-operator stations can operate the full 48 hours.
III. BANDS: Only bands 3.5, 7, 14, 21, and 28 MHz are allowed. It is strongly recommended to adhere to the established band plans.
IV. CONTEST CODE: Report RST plus the serial number of the connection starting from 001 for the first contact. Note: Participants in the Multi-Two, Multi-Unlimited, and Multi-Distributed categories use separate numbering for each band.
V. SCORING:A. Score: The final result is the product of the total number of points for connections and the number of different worked prefixes. B. Points per connection: One scored connection can be made with each station on each band:
Connections between stations on different continents are worth three (3) points on 28, 21, and 14 MHz and six (6) points on 7 and 3.5 MHz.
Connections between stations on the same continent but in different countries are worth two (2) points on 28, 21, and 14 MHz and four (4) points on 7 and 3.5 MHz.
Connections between stations in the same country are worth 1 point on 28, 21, and 14 MHz and two (2) points on 7 and 3.5 MHz. C. Multipliers for prefixes: The multiplier is the number of valid worked prefixes. Each PREFIX counts only once regardless of band or the number of connections with that prefix.
PREFIX is a combination of letters and numbers that forms the first part of the radio amateur brand. Examples: N8, W8, WD8, HG1, HG19, KC2, OE2, OE25, LY1000, etc. Any difference in numbering, letters or their order counts as a separate prefix. A station operating from a different DXCC entity than the one listed in the license is required to use the portable designation. This designation becomes a prefix. Example: N8BJQ operating from Wake Island would use N8BJQ/KH9. Designations without numbers (eg PA/N8BJQ) get a zero after the second letter (PA0). All tags without numbers get a zero for the first two letters (XEFTJW = XE0). Labels like /M, /AM, /P etc. are not counted as prefixes.
It is recommended to participate with stations that have special and memorial prefixes. Prefixes must be assigned by the licensing authority of the country of operation.
VI. COMPETITION CATEGORIES: The use of assistance tools for finding connections is allowed in all categories except for Single Operator Classic Overlay.
A. Individual Categories (Single Operator):Jedna osoba vykonáva všetky operácie a logovanie. Počet zmien pásiem nie je obmedzený. V danom čase je povolený len jeden vysielaný signál.
High Power (All Band or Single Band): The total output power must not exceed 1500 watts.
Low Power (All Band or Single Band): The total output power must not exceed 100 watts.
QRP (All Band or Single Band): The total output power must not exceed 5 watts.
B. Supplementary Categories (Single Operator Overlay): An individual category participant may also enter one of the following categories by adding the CATEGORY-OVERLAY line to the header. CABRILLO file.
Tribander/Single Element (TB-WIRES): Use of only one triband antenna (10, 15, 20m) with one feedline and single-element antennas on 40 and 80m.
Rookie: An operator with a license not older than 3 years on the day of the contest. The date of the first license must be stated in the SOAPBOX field.
Classic Operator: Only one radio, operation max. 24 out of 48 hours. Assistance tools for finding connections are prohibited.
Youth: An operator aged 25 years or younger at the start of the contest. Please provide the date of birth in the SOAPBOX field.
C. Multiple Operator Categories (Multi-Operator):
Single-Transmitter (MULTI-ONE): Only one transmitted signal. Max. 10 band changes per hour.
Two-Transmitter (MULTI-TWO): Max. dva signály na dvoch rôznych pásmach súčasne. Max. 8 zmien pásma na každý vysielač za hodinu.
Multi-Transmitter (MULTI-UNLIMITED): Max. five signals simultaneously (one per band).
Multi-Transmitter Distributed: Max. five signals from different locations within the same DXCC entity and CQ zone.
VII. PRIZES: Plaques and downloadable electronic certificates.
VIII. CLUB COMPETITION: The club score is the sum of the results of the members. A minimum of 4 logs from club members is required.
IX. DEFINITION OF TERMS:A. Umiestnenie stanice: Všetky vysielače, prijímače a antény musia byť v okruhu s priemerom 500 metrov. B. Pomôcky na vyhľadávanie (Assistance): Použitie akejkoľvek technológie (DX cluster, Skimmer atď.), ktorá operátorovi identifikuje značku alebo násobič.
X. GENERAL RULES FOR ALL:
Self-spotting (self-announcing on the cluster) is prohibited.
Remote control is allowed if all physical devices are in one location.
Only RTTY mode is allowed (45.45 baud, rise 170 Hz).
The person (operator) must initiate the frequency change, calling, and logging. Automatic robots are prohibited.
XI. INSTRUCTIONS FOR LOG: Electronic submission of the log in the format is required. Cabrillo. It is exclusively uploaded via the web interface to www.cqwpxRTTY.com/logcheck/.
XII. DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING THE LOG: All logs must be submitted WITHIN 48 HOURS after the competition: no later than 23:59 UTC February 17, 2026.
XIII. DECISION MAKING: The CQ WPX RTTY contest committee is responsible for monitoring and evaluating. Violations of the rules may lead to disqualification. Unsportsmanlike behavior includes, for example, confirming connections via the internet or phone during the contest.
XIV. DECLARATION: By submitting the log, the participant confirms that they understood the rules, complied with the amateur radio regulations of their country, and agrees to the publication of their log.
Questions regarding the rules can be sent to director@cqwpxrtty.com.