Version 2026.1, valid January 2026
Go QRP Nights is a monthly amateur radio contest focused on low-power operation. This guide explains how to participate and clarifies the contest rules in plain language.
The monthly contests are held on the last Saturday of every month except February, when it takes place on the first Saturday in March, to avoid doubling with the Jock White Field Day.
The 2026 contest dates are:
There is one recommended CW slot per band:
| Band (metres) | Summer (NZDT) | Winter (NZST) |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | 2115 | 2015 |
| 80 | 2200 | 2100 |
Note that you can make a CW contact at any time on a given band. The recommended slots are simply times when more stations are likely to be listening for CW.
Notes: Please avoid using 3.700 MHz (due to a VK slow Morse station on 3.699 MHz). Please be mindful of any SOTA/POTA activity on 7.090 MHz, and use other frequencies as necessary. Please avoid frequencies between 7.070 MHz and 7.080 MHz (FT8 etc). Frequencies are recommendations only; you can log any valid contact within the permitted band segment.
Note: Frequencies are recommendations only; you can log any valid contact within the permitted band segment.
The contest recognises three power levels:
| Power Level | Maximum Output |
|---|---|
| QRP | 10 W PEP or less |
| QRPp | 1 W PEP or less |
| QRPpp | 100 mW PEP or less |
Both stations in a contact must be operating at QRP power (10W or less) for the contact to count. To claim a QRPp or QRPpp contact, you must reduce your power to 1W or 100mW respectively before exchanging signal reports and serial numbers. Once both stations have switched to the lower power, the rest of the contact must continue at that power level.
You can work any station that is operating at QRP power levels (10W or less), even if they are not officially competing in the contest. Non-competing stations do not need to provide a serial number.
Each station can be worked up to four times total: once on each combination of band (40m and 80m) and mode (SSB and CW). You may work the same station consecutively on a different band or mode without needing to work other stations in between. For example, after working a station on SSB on 40 metres, you can immediately work them again on CW on 40 metres.
You can arrainge with a station to change modes. For example, when making a contact using SSB, you may agree to flick over to CW and make a valid contact.
A DX contact is any contact where either you or the other station is located outside New Zealand territorial waters. When working DX stations:
After calling CQ and making a contact, you must move to a different frequency:
This leaves the frequency free for the station you just worked. You can call CQ as many times as needed on one frequency, but once you make a contact, you should QSY. After a minimum two minute break, if the frequency is not being used, you may return to it.
A group consists of two or more operators at a single site using a single radio. Each operator uses their own callsign. When operating in a group, all group members earn 2 bonus points per group member for each contact made.
To qualify as a portable station, you must use:
When logging portable contacts, you can provide your location as map coordinates, NZ map grid reference, SOTA/POTA reference, or the common name of the park, hut, or area.
Please use the provided logging spreadsheet.
Hand-written logs are also accepted, but must use a printed version of the provided logging spreadsheet. If you submit a handwritten log, you will receive a copy of your log as interpreted by the scoring system. It is your responsibility to check that this interpreted version is correct.
All logs must be sent by email to zl3pie01@gmail.com within 21 days of the contest date.
An award will be given at the end of the year to the operator with the most points in the following categories: