Yuri Gagarin Cup 2026: combining the history of cosmonautics and amateur radio sports

Apríl je v rádioamatérskom kalendári neodmysliteľne spätý s oslavou prvého letu človeka do vesmíru. Medzinárodné preteky Yuri Gagarin Cup (GC contest) predstavujú unikátnu príležitosť, ako si uctiť pamiatku Jurija Gagarina a zároveň si zmerať sily v náročnej súťaži, ktorá kombinuje klasickú krátkovlnnú prevádzku s modernými satelitnými technológiami. Ročník 2026 je zároveň venovaný pamiatke Konstantina Khachaturova (RT3A), významnej osobnosti rádioamatérskeho hnutia.

Organizátorom podujatia je organizácia «Planet of radio» z Lipeckej oblasti. Tento contest je výnimočný svojou štruktúrou, ktorá motivuje operátorov k aktivite nielen na tradičných sq pásmach, ale aj prostredníctvom amatérskych satelitov, vrátane Medzinárodnej vesmírnej stanice (ISS).

Yuri Gagarin Cup 2026 competition rules

Termín konania Races take place during the second weekend of April:

• Začiatok: April 11, 2026 at 12:00 UTC

• Koniec: April 12, 2026 at 11:59 UTC

Modes and bands

• Módy: CW and SSB.

• KV pásma: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 meters.

• Satelity: All legal amateur radio satellites (except geostationary for normal categories). Connections via non-amateur satellites are invalid.

• Čas prevádzky: Operators can choose between a 24-hour marathon or a 12-hour category. In the 12-hour category, breaks must be at least 60 minutes long.

Competitive categories

Participants are divided into two main groups:

GROUP 1: Use of satellites allowed

• SOAB HP/LP MIX: One operator, high/low power, combination of KV and satellites (excl QO-100).

• MOST HP MIX: Multiple operators, high performance, KV and satellites.

• SO-SAT MIX: Operation exclusively via satellites (except QO-100).

• SO-SAT-GS-MIX: Operation exclusively via geostationary satellite (QO-100).

• SWL: Poslucháči.

GROUP 2: Without the use of satellites

• SOAB HP/LP (MIX, CW or SSB): One operator, full-band categories divided by power and mode.

• SOSB HP/LP MIX: One operator, one band.

• SOAB 12-hours (HP/LP, MIX/CW/SSB): Shortened category for operators with limited time.

• Y-MOST / Y-SOAB: Categories for youth up to 19 years old (inclusive).

General conditions

• High Power (HP): Maximálne 1500 W.

• Low Power (LP): Maximálne 100 W.

• Participants in Group 1 can simultaneously broadcast on KV bands and monitor/broadcast on satellite bands.

• Only one signal is allowed at a given time (with the exception of satellite operation in Group 1).

• Self-spotting is enabled when changing frequency or at most once every 10 minutes on the same frequency.

Competition code

• Regular stations: RS(T) + ITU zone number (Slovakia belongs to zone 28).

• Special stations: RS(T) + two-letter code (eg RT3F sends CP).

Scoring and multipliers

The scoring system in the Yuri Gagarin Cup is designed to favor work on the lower bands and efficient use of the SSB mode.

Points for QSO:

• Connection within own country: 2 points.

• Connection with another country on your own continent: 3 points.

• Connection with another continent: 4 points.

• Connection via satellite (non-geostationary): 50 points.

• Connection via geostationary satellite (QO-100): 25 points.

• Connection with the International Space Station (RS0ISS): 200 points.

Coefficients (multiplication of points for QSO):

• Bands 160 m and 80 m: points are multiplied x3.

• 40 m zone: points are multiplied by x2.

• SSB mode: points are additionally multiplied by x2.

• Example: SSB connection on 80 m with another continent is worth 4 (base) x 3 (band) x 2 (mode) = 24 points.

Multipliers:

• Each ITU zone on each band represents 1 multiplier.

• Each special station (from the list below) on each band and in each mode represents 1 multiplier.

• Connection with Russian cosmonauts (Alexander Volkov U4MIR and Alexander Grebionkin R3HP) brings 2 multipliers on each band and mode.

List of selected special stations (multipliers):

1. RT2C - Flight Control Center (CU)

2. RT3F – Cosmonaut Training Center (CP)

3. UA5L / RK3LW – Birthplace of Yuri Gagarin (YG / RG)

4. RT4D - J. Gagarin Landing Site (MP)

5. RS0ISS - International Space Station (SS)

6. U4MIR – Cosmonaut Alexander Volkov (CV)

7. R3HP – Cosmonaut Alexander Grebionkin (CG)

Results and awards

The total score is calculated as the product of the sum of points for connections and the total number of multipliers from all bands.

Prices:

• Grand Cups are awarded to the winners of the main categories in Group 1.

• Small cups and certificates are awarded to category winners in Group 2.

• Participants outside Russia who win in their categories will receive commemorative flags (pennants).

• Special prize: Participants from countries in the first two hundred "Most Wanted DXCC“ získajú pamätnú vlajku podpísanú kozmonautom, ak nadviažu aspoň 50 potvrdených QSO.

• Each participant who establishes a connection with the Russian cosmonauts (U4MIR, R3HP) will receive a special QSL lístok s originálnym autogramom.

Hlásenia (Logy): Denníky vo formáte Cabrillo are uploaded via the web interface on the site https://ua9qcq.com. Termín na odoslanie logu je 26. apríl 2026. V prípade problémov je možné log zaslať e-mailom na adresu info@gccontest.ru, pričom v predmete správy musí byť uvedená volacia značka a kategória.

The Yuri Gagarin Cup is a race that will test the technical readiness of each station. Whether you opt for classic KV battles on 160 meters or wait for the flyby of the ISS, this event offers a unique atmosphere of connecting amateur radio with space research.

Full terms and conditions at https://gccontest.ru/en/rules-gc-2026/