NCQP 2026 Special Operation

The special activity using FT-8/4 mode will be continued this year.  All may participate, including NC stations and Non-NC-Stations.  Both are permitted to submit their special ADIF log file for an award for this event.

Stations make regular FT-8/4 QSOs as is customary in usual operation during the time frame and date of the regular NCQP contest.

Submit FT-8/4 log in ADIF format separately using the special form provided on this page.

DO NOT INCLUDE FT-8/4 QSOS in the regular NCQP Cabrillo log. Making QSOs in this activity does not change the category status of a station participating in the regular contest. (i.e., A single-op/CW/Low Power station DOES NOT go into the Mixed mode if they participate in this special activity)

The intent is to showcase NCQP to FT8/FT4 operators while allowing for normal operations of these modes. Below are the details of the 2025 Weak Signal Showcase:

• The Weak Signal Showcase is a separate event from the main NC QSO Party.
• This competition is open to both in-state (NC) and out-of-state (non-NC) participants.
• QSO credit will be given for QSOs made between NC stations and any other station. No NCQP credit is given for non-NC stations contacting one another.
• After all logs are submitted, the logs will be scored and valid NC-to-non-NC QSOs awarded credit.
• For a non-NC station to receive QSO credit, NCQP must receive a log from the NC station involved in the contact.
• NC stations will receive QSO credit regardless of whether the other station submits a matching log.
• It may not be possible during the contest to determine whether a station is in NC or not; we encourage non-NC stations to work as many “CQ NCQP” stations as possible and submit logs. Sometimes it’s fun to receive an award you didn’t know you’d be getting.
• Stations may be worked again on a different band. There is no provision for stations moving between grid squares during the contest. Should a station move to a new grid square, the “work once per band” restriction does not reset.
• Low power (100W or less) must be used for this competition.
• Only weak-signal (FT8/FT4) digital QSOs are included in this competition.
• Stations may submit a log for the Weak Signal Showcase as well as the main NCQP contest, but weak-signal QSOs may only appear in the Weak Signal Showcase log.
• Only one weak-signal transmission is allowed at a time.
• Stations will exchange the standard weak-signal reports of grid squares and optional SNR. Call signs and grid squares for both stations in a QSO must be logged.
• Scores will be computed based on five points per QSO, multiplied by the number of grid squares (ie., FM05) worked.
• The log deadline is concurrent with the main NC QSO Party.
• A plaque will be awarded for first-place, and certificate for second place,  finisher in each category (NC, non-NC).

WSJT-X Setup

You may operate WSJT-X (or another FT8/4 software such as MSHV) using standard settings, but we recommend changing your CQ message to “CQ NCQP” as shown below to promote the contest:

Log Submission

Submit an ADIF (.ADI) file containing only the QSOs relevant to the contest period. TSQL, mamADIF, and ADIF Master are all common utilities for editing ADIF files.

Submit your log here:

Callsign: Email: Please select your location: NC In-State Out-of-state Point to the log file:

Why no Cabrillo?

ADIF has a few advantages over Cabrillo. Mainly, ADIF is very structured in terms of labeling the data fields, so our processor doesn’t have to work as hard to determine what’s in each column. Cabrillo is a loose standard in that outside of the major contests, the formats that various loggers produce can vary widely.

The other consideration is that WSJT-X will only produce a Cabrillo if you are running in a Contest “special operating mode.” When you flip that switch, the exchanges also change to the shortened formats used for each contest which are not the same as casual operators are using. Because we are trying to co-exist with casual operators, we must use the standard exchanges.