Six Metre Contest Calendar
Six Metre Contest Calendar — 2026
This calendar focuses on contests where 50 MHz (6 m) is a primary band or a significant scoring band. Dates are based on published 2026 schedules where available and on established annual contest weekends for events whose organizers have not yet published a final 2026 notice.
| Month | Contest | Dates (UTC) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | ARRL January VHF Contest | 17–19 Jan | Includes 50 MHz; major North American VHF event. |
| February | Nordic Activity Contest (50 MHz) | Monthly round | Regional but attracts DX participation. |
| Czech Activity Contest (50 MHz) | Monthly round | 50 MHz activity event. | |
| Polish Activity Contest (50 MHz) | Monthly round | 50 MHz activity event. | |
| March | Nordic / Czech / Polish activity contests | Monthly rounds | Good early-season activity. |
| April | RSGB Spring 50 MHz Contest | Spring weekend (TBA) | UK-focused, open internationally. |
| Monthly activity contests | Various | Nordic, Czech, Polish, Dutch, UK. | |
| May | DARC May VHF Contest | May weekend | Includes 50 MHz participation. |
| RSGB Backpackers Series (50 MHz) | Begins | Portable-focused UK events. | |
| Monthly activity contests | Various | Start of Sporadic-E season. | |
| June | UKSMG Summer Es Contest | 6–7 Jun | One of the largest dedicated 6 m contests worldwide. |
| ARRL June VHF Contest | 13–15 Jun | Major North American 6 m event. | |
| IARU Region 1 50 MHz Contest | 20–21 Jun (expected) | Major European 50 MHz contest. | |
| ARRL Field Day | 27–28 Jun | Not a dedicated 6 m contest but huge 50 MHz activity. | |
| July | CQ World Wide VHF Contest | Mid-July weekend | Worldwide VHF event with strong 6 m participation. |
| RSGB 50 MHz Trophy | Summer (TBA) | Significant UK 6 m contest. | |
| August | RSGB Backpackers / Trophy events | Various weekends | Portable and fixed categories. |
| Monthly activity contests | Various | Peak late-summer Es opportunities. | |
| September | ARRL September VHF Contest | 12–14 Sep | Includes 50 MHz. |
| DARC September VHF Contest | September weekend | Large Central European participation. | |
| RSGB Autumn 50 MHz Contest | Autumn weekend (TBA) | UK-focused. | |
| October | Monthly activity contests | Various | Reduced propagation but still active. |
| November | ARRL EME Contest (50–1296 MHz) | Nov weekends | Includes 50 MHz EME. |
| Monthly activity contests | Various | Primarily tropo and EME. | |
| December | Monthly activity contests | Various | Winter season activity. |
Monthly recurring 50 MHz contests
These occur throughout the year and are worth putting in your diary:
- RSGB 50 MHz UK Activity Contest (UKAC) — second Thursday of every month.
- NRAU Nordic Activity Contest — monthly.
- Czech Activity Contest (UKV) — monthly.
- Polish VHF Activity Contests — monthly.
- VERON VHF/UHF Activity Contests — monthly.
The "Big Six" 6 Metre Events for a UK Operator
If you want the contests most likely to produce serious DX and large numbers of QSOs on 50 MHz, take a look at the following:
- UKSMG Summer Es Contest (6–7 June)
- ARRL June VHF Contest (13–15 June)
- IARU Region 1 50 MHz Contest (June)
- CQ World Wide VHF Contest (July)
- RSGB 50 MHz UKAC (monthly)
- ARRL September VHF Contest (12–14 September)
These six events generate the bulk of the competitive worldwide 6-metre activity each year.
© ℗ UKSMG Unless otherwise stated, all content copyright UKSMG. This Web site is published on a strictly non-profit basis but please note that UKSMG is not a registered non-profit organisation. The opinions expressed are the opinions of the authors alone and not that of any associated organisations or employers or hosting Internet service providers. No material may be used in other media unless full credit is given to the UK Six Metre Group or the credited original source of the material.