NAQP SSB (Aug)

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 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

Operator's first name and state/province: "Mike, British Columbia". At the club station we use the name agreed for the event.

A typical contact

K7XYZ: "CQ NAQP, Kilo Seven X-ray Yankee Zulu." You: "Victor Echo Seven Sierra Alpha Romeo." K7XYZ: "VE7SAR, Bob, Washington." You: "Thanks Bob, Mike, British Columbia."

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

NAQP is short and friendly — a perfect first contest. Most contacts are within North America, so 40 and 20 m are busy all evening.

The club in this contest

Last updated 2026-10-29 by draft (Claude).