March 2026 Amateur Radio Contest Calendar

For WHCAARC NEWS & INTELLIGENCE

Month: March 2026
Region: Worldwide (HF, VHF, CW, SSB, Digital)

Overview

March is a busy contest month, anchored by the ARRL International DX Contest – Phone and supported by a dense schedule of CW, SSB, digital, and QRP events. This post lists the key dated contests and then points to the authoritative master calendars (ARRL Contest Corral and WA7BNM) for the complete, always‑current list of every event running this month. WA7BNM Contest Calendar ARRL Red River Radio Amateurs

For operators planning serious contest activity, always confirm final dates and rules on the sponsor’s site before operating.

Major March 2026 contests by date

March 7–8, 2026

ARRL International DX Contest – Phone ARRL

Mode: SSB
Bands: HF (160–10 m, excluding WARC)
Objective:
- W/VE stations work DX stations;
- DX stations work W/VE.
Notes: One of the largest global phone contests of the year; excellent opportunity to work new DXCC entities and test HF station performance.

Weekly and recurring March 2026 activity

The following contests and activity periods appear in the WA7BNM 8‑Day Calendar windows that cover late February through mid‑March 2026. Exact times and full rules are available via the WA7BNM site. WA7BNM Contest Calendar

These typically occur on specific weekdays or time slots throughout the month:

ARS Spartan Sprint – QRP CW sprint
Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest – SSB activity
ICWC Medium Speed Test (MST) – CW practice/contest sessions
AGCW YL‑CW Party – CW event highlighting YL activity
QRP Fox Hunt – QRP CW “fox hunt” style contest
Phone Weekly Test – short SSB activity period
A1Club AWT – CW activity
CWops Test (CWT) – high‑activity CW sprint sessions
VHF‑UHF FT8 Activity Contest / NA variant – FT8 on VHF/UHF
Mini‑Test 40 / Mini‑Test 80 – short CW tests on 40 m and 80 m
UKEICC 80m Contest – 80 m contest, mixed modes depending on date
Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest – QRP activity
NCCC FT4 Sprint / NCCC Sprint – fast‑paced short sprints
Weekly RTTY Test – RTTY activity
K1USN Slow Speed Test – CW at comfortable speeds

In the March 3–10, 2026 window, WA7BNM also lists several larger, once‑per‑period events: WA7BNM Contest Calendar

Novice Rig Roundup – nostalgic event emphasizing novice‑era style operating
Wake‑Up! QRP Sprint – QRP sprint
Russian YL/OM Contest – mixed‑mode international contest
UBA Spring Contest, CW – Belgian HF CW contest
FIRAC HF Contest – railway amateur radio HF contest
Classic Exchange, CW – vintage‑gear‑friendly CW event
4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint – QRP sprint

Because many of these events repeat weekly or follow sponsor‑specific patterns, operators should verify the exact March 2026 dates and times on the linked calendars below.

Where to get the complete “all contests” list for March 2026

For a full, exhaustive listing of every amateur radio contest in March 2026, including smaller regional events and all weekly/recurring activities, use these two primary sources:

WA7BNM 12‑Month Contest Calendar – Select March 2026 for a detailed list of all contests, with links to official rules, times, and exchange formats. WA7BNM Contest Calendar WA7BNM Contest Calendar
ARRL Contest Calendar & Contest Corral – The 2025–2026 ARRL Contest Dates PDF plus the March 2026 Contest Corral (generated from WA7BNM data) provide a consolidated view of ARRL and non‑ARRL contests. ARRL Red River Radio Amateurs

These two together are the authoritative master list for “all contests this month.”

Planning Your March 2026 Operating
March offers everything from major DX opportunities to relaxed QRP sprints and weekly practice sessions. Use the highlights above to anchor your operating schedule, then consult the WA7BNM and ARRL Contest Corral calendars for the full list of events and official rules. Whether you’re chasing DX, testing a new antenna, or introducing a new operator to contesting, March 2026 is a rich month to get on the air.

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