Purpose:
VHF -UHF FT8 Activity is an “OPEN” contest, for promoting FT8 & FT4 activity on the 2m, 70 cm and 23 cm bands.
An increased activity will provide the possibility of working new DXCC or squares, also can make use of short-lived propagation or even detect great openings which otherwise can go unnoticed.
Who can participate?
Each and every ham radio with a valid license, who accepts the present set of rules.
Contest days:
from February to December 2026
- Every first Wednesday (NA time) of each month for the 2m band (FT8:144.174 MHz ; FT4:144.170 MHz )
- Every second Wednesday (NA time) of each month for the 70cm band (FT8: 432.174 MHz; FT4 432.170MHz)
- Every third Wednesday (NA time) of each month for the 23 cm band (according to each mode)
| Round | 144 MHz | 432 Mhz | 1296 Mhz |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | Feb 4 | Feb 11 | Feb 18 |
| Round 2 | Mar 4 | Mar 11 | Mar 18 |
| Round 3 | Apr 1 | Apr 8 | Apr 15 |
| Round 4 | May 6 | May 13 | May 20 |
| Round 5 | June 3 | June 10 | June 17 |
| Round 6 | July 1 | July 8 | July 15 |
| Round 7 | Aug 5 | Aug 12 | Aug 19 |
| Round 8 | Sep 2 | Sep 9 | Sep 16 |
| Round 9 | Oct 7 | Oct 14 | Oct 21 |
| Round 10 | Nov 4 | Nov 11 | Nov 18 |
| Round 10 | Dec 2 | Dec 9 | Dec 16 |
Round period:
We accept QSOs between 0 and 5 AM UTC (from Thursday). Dates above are in local (NA) time. Activity happens on Wednesday afternoon local time.
Given that this is a big time period, with not much activity (at least at the beginning) we recommend using 8-10 PM on Wednesdays in your local time to center your regional activity hours.
Modes:
2m: FT8 144.174 Mhz FT4 :144.170 MHz
70 cm FT8 432.174 Mhz FT4: 432.170 MHz
23 cm : FT8 or any other Digital Mode (from the WSJT suite)
Categories:
Low Power : LP 2m <= 100 watts at any time
70cm <= 75 watts at any time
23 cm <= 10 watts at any time
HP=High Power
Exchange:
Callsign and main grid locator (4 characters, e.g., KN15).
Multipliers:
The multiplier is the number of different main grid locators worked per round.
Scoring:
One (1) point per unique callsign worked. Multiply total points with the total number of grid locators (GL) worked. All QSOs validated through the crosscheck of received logs (callsign, grid locator) will be scored. Likewise, the QSO with a station that did not send the log will be scored, if that station appears at least in another received log, and in the simple majority of the logs received, the station in question appears with the same grid locator. If a callsing appears only in one log, this is an “unique” and will be validated. In this case additional proof may be requested. (ALL.TXT, decode history)
Please help us validate as many QSO`s as possible by spreading the news about this activity!
Awards
Certificates will be awarded to the top scoring station in each category/band and in each country.
Logs:
Only electronic logs in ADIF format files are accepted, separately for each band.
Logs file name should be like: callsign.adi
Logs must be upload in maximum 5 (five) days from the end of each round. Logs received later than 5 (five) days will not be included in the results, but can be used as check-logs. Received logs list will be posted on the Received Logs page.
Round results and aggregate:
Results table for each round and also the aggregated best results from eight rounds, will be posted on the contest webpage.
Final Results:
Final results will be posted at the end of the contest, after 20 of December, for the following categories:
– 144 MHz LP Single – General and by DXCC,
– 144 MHz HP Single – General and by DXCC
– 144 MHz Multi General and by DXCC
– 432 MHz LP Single – General and by DXCC
– 432 MHz HP Single – General and by DXCC
– 432 MHz Multi General and by DXCC
-1296 Mhz LP Single – General and by DXCC
-1296 Mhz HP Single – General and by DXCC
Remarks:
Use the standard FT8 mode. Don’t use the VHF Contest mode!
Using multiple simultaneous signals (fox mode or similar) is forbbiden.
There are no penalties for dupe QSOs, they just won’t be counted.
Use of DX clusters are allowed in every category; however, self-spotting is forbidden.
It is also allowed to use ON4KST chat, for skeds only.
Unacceptable examples for communications on chat-channels:
– “I only need the final rogers..”;
– “you are -19db”;
– “I copy you. Please continue “;
We are confident you are respecting DX Code of Conduct.
Any sugestions are welcome: ft8@ft8activity-NA.net.
QSO BANAT Association, YO2KQT