Is This Your QRP Record Weekend?

World Wide Digi DX Contest – August 29, 2026

The worldwide contest season gets underway this weekend with the World Wide Digi DX Contest, and as I was looking through the records, something caught my attention.

There are quite a few QRP records out there—and some might make you stop and think, “I could take a run at that.”

The contest begins Saturday, August 29, at 1200 UTC (8:00 AM Eastern) and runs for 24 hours, ending Sunday morning at 1159 UTC (7:59 AM Eastern). It uses FT4 and FT8 and includes dedicated Single Operator QRP categories for stations running five watts or less.

Learn more about the World Wide Digi DX Contest

The WW Digi record book includes QRP records for all-band and single-band operation at both the World and regional levels. Some of those records represent some serious operating. Others may be within reach with the right band conditions, station and effort.

Take a look at the current WW Digi records

With some work and effort, a record—or even a contest win—could be in your future.

If you’re new to QRP contesting, here’s something I think is worth remembering. You don’t need a special QRP station to participate. If your HF transceiver can be turned down to five watts, you may already have what you need to give it a try.

And you don’t have to operate the entire 24 hours.

Pick a band, turn the power down and make some contacts. If you’re having fun, stay with it. If things are going well, take another look at those records. You might find a target worth chasing.

There are plaques to chase, too. The contest offers plaques for top Single Operator All Band QRP scores, including World and North American competition.

See the 2026 WW Digi plaques and awards

Maybe you’re chasing a record. Maybe you’re trying to improve your own score. Or maybe you’re simply curious about FT4 and FT8 contesting. Either way, the first step is getting on the air.

That’s Build, Operate, Compete, Connect.

A Couple of Things to Remember

There are two important rule changes for 2026. Logs must be submitted within 48 hours of the end of the contest to be eligible for certificates and awards, and fully autonomous operation is prohibited. A human operator must initiate calling each QSO partner.

Read the complete 2026 WW Digi rules

Even if you only make a handful of contacts, submit your log. There is no minimum score you have to reach before your effort counts.

Tell Me How You Did

If you get on the air this weekend, I’d really like to hear how you did. And I’m interested in more than just your score.

Tell me what you tried, what worked, what surprised you—or whether you found yourself chasing one of those records. If you have a photo of your station or operating setup, send that along, too. I’d like to share more of what QRP ARCI members are doing on the air.