***SPAM*** 2026 FQP Operator's Almanac: Out-of-State OPs Operating Info, County Activity Status, Propagation Report and FL Wx, Traffic, Love Bug Report
Chris Blake, NX4N
Hello FQP Friendly Fun-seekers,
This is your 2026 Florida QSO Party Almanac for our Out-of-State partners
and all FL Fixed, Expedition and Mobile stations.
FL Ops - Final Reminder:
Please register your Fixed, Mobile and Expedition county activations for each day; the forms can be found at https://floridaqsoparty.org/counties/
The deadline is 0000z EDT Friday to ensure NO5W and K0RC super-duper county tracking tools will include your operations. Please note- folks across all continents use these tools, so be sure your county activation gets included.
Out-of-State Ops:
You have many ways of having fun in the FQP that will keep you glued to the radio:
A) Enjoy all the bands *Chock-Full* of FL stations; with 40m, 20m and 15 open (and 10m at times) there will always be open bands for you to hunt for us here in the Sunshine State. Stations big and small at each end will enjoy the fun. We have scores of registered stations and *many* more not registered making Florida truly radio-active this weekend.
FQP Rules: https://floridaqsoparty.org/rules/
B) Go for a County Sweep! All 67 counties will be active on both CW and SSB. Every county will be activated no less than two times with the vast majority five or more times. But you have to be in the right place at the right time - BIC time does make a difference. See 'Cool Tools' below...
Where: 10, 15, 20 and 40 Meters
SUGGESTED OPERATING FREQUENCIES:
CW: 7.020-7.045, 14.025-14.055, 21.030-21.050, 28.030-28.050 MHz
Phone: 7.185-7.245, 14.240-14.295, 21.320-21.350, and 28.450-28.480 MHz
Contacts outside these frequency ranges are still valid; see rules for details.
MOBILE WINDOW:
We expect 12+ Mobile stations will be on and most can be found here:
CW: 7.025-7.035, 14.040-14.050, 21.040-21.050, 28.040-28.050 MHz
NOTE: Fixed (in FL and out of state) and Expedition stations shouldn’t call CQ or run stations in the mobile window.
C) 2026 FQP SPELLING BEE:
To celebrate the USA’s 250th
anniversary, we will have a total
of 20 special 1x1 stations whose suffixes spell
US BIRTHDAY. There will be two stations per suffix. Contact at
least one station of each suffix letter spelling US BIRTHDAY to earn this
award. These stations will be on both modes and should be very accessible. QSL
these 1x1 calls active in FQP via KU9C direct or via Logbook of The World
(LoTW).
The call signs, counties and hosts are:
CALL
CTY HOST
N4U CIT WF4DX
W4U VOL N4EEB
N4S SUW N4SVC
W4S HER K2SG
N4B BRO AI4WW
W4B CAH N4II
N4I ALC N4UU
W4I VOL KQ4R
N4R IDR N1TO
W4R ORA N6AR
N4T LAK NN7CW
W4T ESC N4OX
N4H GUL WA1S
W4H HER N2NL
N4D SUM W3US
W4D PAS K4EJ
N4A BAY NF4A
W4A ORA N4WW
N4Y LEO AC4TO
W4Y LAK WO4O
D) Compete for a plaque or earn a certificate:
We perennially offer nearly 50 plaques, with more than two dozen for stations outside FL. We also have printable certificates and the Worked all Florida Award (tnx manager Charlie NF4A). See the Awards tab pull-down menu on the FQP website for details.
E) Way-Cool Tools to maximize your fun and awards!
We suggest you use the following Super-Duper FQP tools to track FL stations, maximize your score, complete the Spelling Bee and earn a County Sweep on one or both modes:
- Bob K0RC provides a very detailed tracking analysis spreadsheet tool Here to help you really fine tune when and who to look for to get those counties in your logs...Fixed, Expedition and Mobiles all listed with tons of cool analyses. Spend some time here; it's worth it. Simply Terrific tool - Tnx Bob!
- Chuck NO5W provides a fabulous Website with higher level station listings and visual maps of our FQP county activity. Take some time to explore - if you want to get the overview of County activation each day just click on a county on the map - this is a mighty FB site. Be sure to click on the Counties Available links at the top for each day. Outstanding - Tnx Chuck!
- Chip, N3IW has kindly provided a FQP Spotting Website.
FL Stations - please remember that FQP Rules *do not allow self-spotting or asking to be spotted*; the only exceptions to this rule are the 1x1 FQP Spelling Bee stations, who can self-spot. Tnx much Chip for this FB tool for pack-hunting. - A list of printable CW County Abbreviations is located here.
F) Catch Us If You Can! In addition to our mighty armada of Fixed stations, 12+ Mobile and 10+ Expedition teams have worked together for an exciting game of cat and mouse. You can work each one over and over as they change to a new county - and on each band and mode too! Many will also sit on County Lines so be sure to learn how to log County Line QSOs on your logging software.
- Track the Mobiles and Expeditions in real-time on the new FQP Mobile & Expedition APRS real-time tracking tool that you can find at https://mobiletracker.stateqso.com/FL/. Sincere thanks to the NYQP leadership team for providing this valuable tool for FQP.
HOLD ON TIGHT - it's fast and furious on both ends!
G) Be an Elmer and encourage our many new Florida Ops - pay it forward with patience, guidance and QRS. "Please copy" can be an instructional moment.
PROPAGATION FORECAST:
Courtesy https://solar.w5mmw.net/
Fingers crossed - 40/20/15 bands "good" to "fair" sometime throughout the weekend. 10m remains poor. BE KIND OL' SOL!
Total CW&SSB County Activity Map (Tnx NO5W):
FL WX FORECAST: (from Google Gemini)Everywhere is nice! Winds mostly from the East both days generally should keep us at least somewhat dry (fingers crossed). More chances of light rain in Central and South FL. No expected rough wx! :-)
☀️ Florida Weekend Weather ForecastCity Apr 25 - Precip % Apr 25 - Weather Apr 26 - Precip % Apr 26 - Weather 25% Sunny 40% Light rain 25% Sunny 35% Light Rain 30% Clear 25% Partly Cloudy 20% Clear 25% Clear 35% Light Rain 20% Clear 35% Light Rain 20% Clear 25% Light rain 25% Light rain 35% Light rain 20% Light rain 10% Sunny 15% Clear 10% Sunny 10% Sunny 20% Clear 30% Partly Cloudy 20% Sunny 20% Sunny 40% Light rain 45% Light rain
This is your 2026 Florida QSO Party Almanac for our Out-of-State partners
and all FL Fixed, Expedition and Mobile stations.
FL Ops - Final Reminder:
Please register your Fixed, Mobile and Expedition county activations for each day; the forms can be found at https://floridaqsoparty.org/counties/
The deadline is 0000z EDT Friday to ensure NO5W and K0RC super-duper county tracking tools will include your operations. Please note- folks across all continents use these tools, so be sure your county activation gets included.
You have many ways of having fun in the FQP that will keep you glued to the radio:
A) Enjoy all the bands *Chock-Full* of FL stations; with 40m, 20m and 15 open (and 10m at times) there will always be open bands for you to hunt for us here in the Sunshine State. Stations big and small at each end will enjoy the fun. We have scores of registered stations and *many* more not registered making Florida truly radio-active this weekend.
FQP Rules: https://floridaqsoparty.org/rules/
B) Go for a County Sweep! All 67 counties will be active on both CW and SSB. Every county will be activated no less than two times with the vast majority five or more times. But you have to be in the right place at the right time - BIC time does make a difference. See 'Cool Tools' below...
Where: 10, 15, 20 and 40 Meters
SUGGESTED OPERATING FREQUENCIES:
CW: 7.020-7.045, 14.025-14.055, 21.030-21.050, 28.030-28.050 MHz
Phone: 7.185-7.245, 14.240-14.295, 21.320-21.350, and 28.450-28.480 MHz
Contacts outside these frequency ranges are still valid; see rules for details.
MOBILE WINDOW:
We expect 12+ Mobile stations will be on and most can be found here:
CW: 7.025-7.035, 14.040-14.050, 21.040-21.050, 28.040-28.050 MHz
NOTE: Fixed (in FL and out of state) and Expedition stations shouldn’t call CQ or run stations in the mobile window.
C) 2026 FQP SPELLING BEE:
To celebrate the USA’s 250th anniversary, we will have a total of 20 special 1x1 stations whose suffixes spell
US BIRTHDAY. There will be two stations per suffix. Contact at least one station of each suffix letter spelling US BIRTHDAY to earn this award. These stations will be on both modes and should be very accessible. QSL these 1x1 calls active in FQP via KU9C direct or via Logbook of The World (LoTW).
The call signs, counties and hosts are:
CALL CTY HOST
N4U CIT WF4DX
W4U VOL N4EEB
N4S SUW N4SVC
W4S HER K2SG
N4B BRO AI4WW
W4B CAH N4II
N4I ALC N4UU
W4I VOL KQ4R
N4R IDR N1TO
W4R ORA N6AR
N4T LAK NN7CW
W4T ESC N4OX
N4H GUL WA1S
W4H HER N2NL
N4D SUM W3US
W4D PAS K4EJ
N4A BAY NF4A
W4A ORA N4WW
N4Y LEO AC4TO
W4Y LAK WO4O
D) Compete for a plaque or earn a certificate:
We perennially offer nearly 50 plaques, with more than two dozen for stations outside FL. We also have printable certificates and the Worked all Florida Award (tnx manager Charlie NF4A). See the Awards tab pull-down menu on the FQP website for details.
E) Way-Cool Tools to maximize your fun and awards!
We suggest you use the following Super-Duper FQP tools to track FL stations, maximize your score, complete the Spelling Bee and earn a County Sweep on one or both modes:
- Bob K0RC provides a very detailed tracking analysis spreadsheet tool Here to help you really fine tune when and who to look for to get those counties in your logs...Fixed, Expedition and Mobiles all listed with tons of cool analyses. Spend some time here; it's worth it. Simply Terrific tool - Tnx Bob!
- Chuck NO5W provides a fabulous Website with higher level station listings and visual maps of our FQP county activity. Take some time to explore - if you want to get the overview of County activation each day just click on a county on the map - this is a mighty FB site. Be sure to click on the Counties Available links at the top for each day. Outstanding - Tnx Chuck!
- Chip, N3IW has kindly provided a FQP Spotting Website.
FL Stations - please remember that FQP Rules *do not allow self-spotting or asking to be spotted*; the only exceptions to this rule are the 1x1 FQP Spelling Bee stations, who can self-spot. Tnx much Chip for this FB tool for pack-hunting. - A list of printable CW County Abbreviations is located here.
F) Catch Us If You Can! In addition to our mighty armada of Fixed stations, 12+ Mobile and 10+ Expedition teams have worked together for an exciting game of cat and mouse. You can work each one over and over as they change to a new county - and on each band and mode too! Many will also sit on County Lines so be sure to learn how to log County Line QSOs on your logging software.
- Track the Mobiles and Expeditions in real-time on the new FQP Mobile & Expedition APRS real-time tracking tool that you can find at https://mobiletracker.stateqso.com/FL/. Sincere thanks to the NYQP leadership team for providing this valuable tool for FQP.
HOLD ON TIGHT - it's fast and furious on both ends!
G) Be an Elmer and encourage our many new Florida Ops - pay it forward with patience, guidance and QRS. "Please copy" can be an instructional moment.
PROPAGATION FORECAST:
Courtesy https://solar.w5mmw.net/
Fingers crossed - 40/20/15 bands "good" to "fair" sometime throughout the weekend. 10m remains poor. BE KIND OL' SOL!
Total CW&SSB County Activity Map (Tnx NO5W):
Everywhere is nice! Winds mostly from the East both days generally should keep us at least somewhat dry (fingers crossed). More chances of light rain in Central and South FL. No expected rough wx! :-)
| City | Apr 25 - Precip % | Apr 25 - Weather | Apr 26 - Precip % | Apr 26 - Weather |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25% | Sunny | 40% | Light rain | |
| 25% | Sunny | 35% | Light Rain | |
| 30% | Clear | 25% | Partly Cloudy | |
| 20% | Clear | 25% | Clear | |
| 35% | Light Rain | 20% | Clear | |
| 35% | Light Rain | 20% | Clear | |
| 25% | Light rain | 25% | Light rain | |
| 35% | Light rain | 20% | Light rain | |
| 10% | Sunny | 15% | Clear | |
| 10% | Sunny | 10% | Sunny | |
| 20% | Clear | 30% | Partly Cloudy | |
| 20% | Sunny | 20% | Sunny | |
| 40% | Light rain | 45% | Light rain |
ROAD CDX:
MOBILES and EXPEDITIONS: The FQP Almanac is predicting EXCELLENT to GOOD road conditions. Some construction areas and isolated small pockets of rain will be signs to slow down and keep your eyes/ears open. Please watch those low overhanging obstacles and be careful out there - safety first!
Refueling stops for cars/ops should be quick and easy due to pleasant temperatures and limited rain. Reported gas prices can be found here for most Florida areas.
Before you hit the road, be sure to check out the “QRQ Police“ listings beyond the usual places we all know...
CURRENT WILDFIRES STATUS(tnx NK4O):
https://ffs.firesponse.com/public/
LOVE BUGS STATUS: GOOD
Current Sighting Status:
Widespread Decline: Meteorologists and entomologists (including experts from the University of Florida) have noted a significant "disappearance" of lovebugs this spring. Swarms that used to blanket Central and North Florida are currently sparse or non-existent in many regions.
Where they might be: If you do see them, they are most likely to appear in pastures, farms, and damp, grassy areas where larvae thrive, rather than the massive highway swarms of years past.
Peak Activity Times:
For the few that are active, they typically emerge between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM when the sun is high and temperatures are warm.
If you encounter a "mini-swarm":
If you happen to find yourself in one of the few active spots, remember that their remains are highly acidic (pH of about 4.0 when dried). To protect your vehicle:Wash them off within 24 hours to prevent permanent paint etching. Use a coat of top grade wax (McGuire’s Marine and RV wax - Tnx K4QD) or baby oil on the front bumper to make removal easier.
Or try a wet dryer sheet—it’s a long-standing Florida "hack" for scrubbing love bug guts off grills without scratching the finish.
Going dark soon to finish the NX4N/m installation - see you all on the air.
Tnx and enjoy the Party!
FQP - So Bright, you gotta wear Shades!
😎
vy 73/OJ,
Chris, NX4N
FQP Fully Fallible Forecaster
ROAD CDX:
MOBILES and EXPEDITIONS:Refueling stops for cars/ops should be quick and easy due to pleasant temperatures and limited rain. Reported gas prices can be found here for most Florida areas.
Before you hit the road, be sure to check out the “QRQ Police“ listings beyond the usual places we all know...
LOVE BUGS STATUS: GOOD
Current Sighting Status:
Widespread Decline: Meteorologists and entomologists (including experts from the University of Florida) have noted a significant "disappearance" of lovebugs this spring. Swarms that used to blanket Central and North Florida are currently sparse or non-existent in many regions.
Where they might be: If you do see them, they are most likely to appear in pastures, farms, and damp, grassy areas where larvae thrive, rather than the massive highway swarms of years past.
Peak Activity Times:
For the few that are active, they typically emerge between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM when the sun is high and temperatures are warm.
If you encounter a "mini-swarm":
If you happen to find yourself in one of the few active spots, remember that their remains are highly acidic (pH of about 4.0 when dried). To protect your vehicle:Wash them off within 24 hours to prevent permanent paint etching. Use a coat of top grade wax (McGuire’s Marine and RV wax - Tnx K4QD) or baby oil on the front bumper to make removal easier.
Or try a wet dryer sheet—it’s a long-standing Florida "hack" for scrubbing love bug guts off grills without scratching the finish.
Going dark soon to finish the NX4N/m installation - see you all on the air.
Tnx and enjoy the Party!
FQP - So Bright, you gotta wear Shades!
😎vy 73/OJ,
Chris, NX4N
FQP Fully Fallible Forecaster