Updated 5 March
2026
Summary
The Virginia
QSO Party is held during the 3rd full weekend in March.
The 2026 Virginia QSO Party
will be 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.
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 5 March 202626 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 point 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.
The second is the award of points for contacting ARRL-affiliated clubs in Virginia. This is in support of the ARRL "Year of the Club" celebration. The list of these stations will be posted here on or about 27 March 2026. The coordinator is Mike, WA8AHZ ([email protected]).
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/2024/02/04/vaqp-aprs-tracker-for-2024/
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* John, KX4O, maintains a slightly out-of-date web page with some interesting operating tips.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.
Donate TBD
Saturday, 21 March, 1400 UTC - Sunday, 22 March, 0400 UTC and
Sunday, 22 March, 1200 UTC - 2400 UTC.
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 5 March 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 point 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 award of points for contacting ARRL-affiliated clubs in Virginia. This is in support of the ARRL "Year of the Club" celebration. The list of these stations will be posted here on or about 27 March 2026. The coordinator is Mike, WA8AHZ ([email protected]).
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/2024/02/04/vaqp-aprs-tracker-for-2024/
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.
Donate TBD
Previous Virginia QSO Parties