NAQP CW (Jan)
A quick guide for operators — what to expect, what to say, and how it's scored.
This guide is a draft and hasn't been checked yet. Contest rules change from year to year — the sponsor's official rules are the final word.
What it is
A friendly 12-hour Morse-code sprint between North American stations, run with low power (100 W). Great for newcomers: the exchange is just your name and where you are.
The exchange
Name and state/province: "MIKE BC".
A typical contact
Scoring
Each contact is worth 1 point. Multipliers are US states, Canadian provinces and North American countries, counted once per band. Single operators may operate at most 10 of the 12 hours; multi-operator entries can use all 12.
Bands
160, 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 m.
Tips for first-timers
A gentle CW contest: many operators slow down for a weaker or slower signal if asked.
Official rules
Last updated 2026-10-29 by draft (Claude).