The 2026 Virginia QSO Party was held during the weekend of 21-22 March 2026.
          Saturday, 21 March, 1400 UTC - Sunday, 22 March, 0400 UTC and
          Sunday, 22 March, 1200 UTC - 2400 UTC.


Awards Ceremony.  The awards ceremony for the 2026 Virginia QSO Party will be held at the Manassas Hamfest on 20 June 2026.  The Hamfest will be held at the Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School at 13833 Dumfries Rd., Manassas VA 20112.  See  https://w4ovh.net/welcome-to-manassas-hamfest/

It is 16 April.  The logs have been submitted.  We are now re-scoring the logs and creating a Metadata file for posting to this website.  This will take a couple of weeks.

Log submittal:  Here are you options to submit your log.  The list of logs submitted is updated once a day. It may take day or two for your log to show up on this list.
 
VQP Contest Rules.  The rules are posted.  They are available in three formats (PDF,  HTML, and DOC). No rules changed for 2026. 

Pre-Party Briefing.  A briefing containing the 2026 rules and results of the 2025 VaQP among other things. Updated 16 March 2026 9 March 26 5 March 2026 26 February 2026.

Bonus Stations: Two types of bonus stations will be used in 2026.

   The first is the "Virginia is for Lovers" bonus.  Contact with each of these stations is worth 50 points one time only. A certificate is available for contestants who complete the "Lover's Quest" by contacting all six 1x1 call signs. To request a certificate, download the form with instructions (PDF).  The coordinator for this effort is Evan, KM4SK. 

K4L: Gordon Miller, NQ4K       K4O: Jeff Crawford, K0ZR       K4V: Evan Mann, KM4SK       K4E: Victor Kernus, W2GSP       K4R: Mike Provenzano WA4FJB       K4S: Bud Aiello, W4KSN

 

   The second is the ARRL Year of the Club bonus.  Contact with each of these stations is worth 20 points one time only.  The coordinator is Mike, WA8AHZ ([email protected]). 

          Central Virginia Contest Club  W4MYA
          Fauquier Amateur Radio Association  W4VA
          Loudoun Amateur Radio Group  K4LRG
          New Fairfax ARS  N4FRS
          Ole Virginia Hams  W4OVH
          Radio Amateur Society of Norfolk, W4NPS
          Shenandoah Valley ARC  W4RKC
          Vienna Wireless Society  K4XY
         
Plaques:  13 Nov 25. We sponsors for the plaques for the high achievers in 28 plaque categories.  Updated 17 February 2026

Operating Aids:
    * John, KX4O, provides a dxcluster devoted to VQP contacts.  http://www.qsoparty.com
  
    * Andy, K1RA, provides a mobile tracker.
            Information:  https://k1ra.us/2026/03/13/vaqp-aprs-tracker-for-2026/ 
            Map with Tracking:  https://k1ra.us/vaqp-aprs/
             Real-Time APRS Station call tracker list, for screen constrained devices:
                    https://k1ra.us/vaqp-aprs/vaqp-aprs-mini/

    * Mike, N4CF, provides a Call History File for N1MM Logger+  http://n4cf.mdodd.com/vaqp-ch.html  based on the
2024 Virginia QSO Party logs.

    * Chip, N3IW, also offers a Spotting Webpage for the VaQP at http://www.qsopartyhub.com/vaqp-spots.php

   * John, KX4O, maintains a slightly out-of-date web page with some interesting operating tips.
 
Contest Logging Programs.  Logging programs designed for the Virginia QSO Party always help. We accept any logs, but logs submitted electronically and compliant with any cabrillo format are preferred. The following logging programs have been used in the past and they have been modified to support the Virginia QSO Party.  We re-score all logs submitted, so it is important to ensure your log contains all the required information.
    * N1MM+ Logger http://www.n1mm.com.
    * Scott & Kimberly, N3FJP & KA3SEQ Amateur Contact Log  http://www.n3fjp.com/.
    * WriteLog http://www.writelog.com/. 
    * WA7BNM Web2Cabrillo http://www.b4h.net/cabforms/   A manual entry cabrillo file generator.  Easy to use for those with QSOs not already in a cabrillo file.  Go to the web site.  Select Virginia QSO Party.  Fill in the forms.  In the last step, the program e-mails a Cabrillo file to [email protected], with a copy to the submitter's e-mail address. 
    * GenLog Logger  https://qsl.net/w3km/genfeats.htm 

Virginia Counties and Independent Cities: 95 counties and 38 independent cities (html format or MS Document or PDF format).

Paper Log Summary Sheets: (.pdf or .doc)  Used to record header information when submitting paper logs. This form is not required for cabrillo formatted electronic logs.  

Worked All Virginia Award:  The "Worked All Virginia" award is offered by the Rappahannock Valley Amateur Radio Club. 

Presentation Offer and Schedule: SPARC will give a presentation on the Virginia QSO Party to any group in Virginia.
 
Planning Calendar: The calendar is available for review.

Comments, questions, and recommendations should be emailed to [email protected].

DONATIONS:  This event is funded by donations.  SPARC does not raise funds through other activities to support the Virginia QSO Party.  If you would like to donate to SPARC for this event you may may money or a check to SPARC, 12315 Streamvale Cir, Herndon, VA 20107, or donate through PayPay or other service in the below box.