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Contests
The Club runs QRP Contests on a formal and informal basis throughout the year. These contests give you a chance to test your QRP operating skills, your QRP equipment and to meet other QRP operators in a fun and challenging way.
QRP HOURS Contest
The QRP Hours Contest runs from time to time during the year. It is named because of the way it is structured: with one hour dedicated to CW and digital modes, followed by one hour of SSB. The QRP Hours Contest varies throughout the year, operating with slightly different conditions, predominantly what bands are permitted, conditions permitting.
Schedule
The next QRP Hours Contest has been scheduled for: Sunday, October 20, 2024 on 40M
Please have a look at the contest rules: QRP Hours Contest 2024 Oct Rules
The aim of the contest is to make as many contact in a one-hour period using your choice of mode. The contest is open to all Amateur Radio Operators.
The results of past QRP Hours contests can be retrieved here in PDF format.
Past Rounds
| Year/Month | Rules | Results |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 April | Results | |
| 2012 April | Results | |
| 2013 April | Results | |
| 2014 April | Results | |
| 2015 April | Results | |
| 2016 April | Results | |
| 2016 October | Rules | Results |
| 2017 April | Rules | Results |
| 2017 October | Rules | Results |
| 2018 April | Rules | Results |
| 2018 October | Rules | Results |
| 2019 April | Rules | Results |
| 2019 October | Rules | Results |
| 2020 April | Rules | Results |
| 2020 October | Rules | Results |
| 2021 April | Rules | Results |
| 2021 October | Rules | Results |
| 2022 April | Rules | Results |
| 2022 October | Rules | Results |
| 2023 April | Rules | Results |
| 2023 October | Rules | Not Held |
| 2024 April | Rules | Results |
| 2024 October | Rules | Results |
Certificates are awarded and issued to winning stations in the above contest. Results are published in the next issue of Lo-Key and on this website.
Other Contests
We encourage members to participate in and enjoy the wide range of on-air contests available worldwide.Information about other contests for QRPers may be found at:
Contest Logging Program
There are several options for computer logging for contests such as QRP Hours and many more. Here are some details of three that are in common use.
VKCL by VK3AVV (SK)
This has been a popular program. It has provisions for multiple Australian events and also some other popular contests. It also has some rig control features, logging band changes and actual frequencies from the rig.However when contest rules change the program needs to be updated, and there is some uncertainty about whether that will be feasible in the time available. I think it is likely to fall out of use over the next few years.
If you do use VKCL you will see there is an Upload Log option available, however be aware that this is only relevant to WIA contests (like RD and JMMFD) because it uploads logs only to the WIA contest log system.
For other contests (like QRP Hours) you need to go to the vklogchecker.com website (by Alan VK4SN) and upload the Cabrillo file produced by your log program.
This requires you to go through a few steps in the contest logging program to create and save the Cabrillo file, then go to the logchecker website and upload your saved Cabrillo file.
Other log programs
As Cabrillo is a format common to many contests, all current contest loggers can produce a log file in that format.
N1MM logger
This program is a free download and has the facilities to take data from any radio with CAT functions, to log the band and mode automatically. It can also generate CW from your keyboard.If you enter a lot of contests, this is what the big boys use. There must be a reason it is so popular!
It can be configured for each contest using the latest rules, avoiding dupes and scoring your log for you. For contests like QRP Hours there is a User Defined Contest option, and there is a UDC file available for QRP hours from Alan VK4SN's website: vk4sn.com. Follow Alan's instructions especially on not modifying the file, even its name!
Fast Log Entry - FLE
FLE is designed as either a real time logger or a post-QSO or post-contest logger, this is a compact option for windows software, to capture what you recorded on paper.It has various keyboard shortcuts to make capturing a log very simple, with default RST values and keyboard codes to signify number sent and received. It is also capable of logging SOTA and WWFF park codes in the correct format and including them in an ADIF output for input to your station logger (most station logs cater for ADIF formatted files).
ADIF is a format designed for Amateur Radio logging, using a cut down XML type of format. FLE can be downloaded from its developer's website: df3cb.com.
Contests Manager
Garry Cottle VK2GAZ
Contact Garry via email at:contests 'at' vkqrpclub 'dot' org
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