Indiana QSO Party (INQP)

A QSO party is a friendly on-air operating event in which amateur radio operators try to make as many contacts (QSOs) as possible within a set time window, usually centered on a particular state or region. The Indiana QSO Party (INQP) is Indiana's annual statewide QSO party, sponsored by the Hoosier DX and Contest Club (HDXCC). Its purpose is to encourage contacts with Indiana stations by other Indiana hams and by hams worldwide. Full details live on the official INQP page and in the INQP rules.

When

The INQP is traditionally held on the first full weekend of May — the contest runs on the Saturday into early Sunday (UTC). Because the exact date and the precise UTC operating window can change from year to year, always confirm them in the current official rules before you operate rather than relying on a fixed date here.

Who can participate

Everyone is welcome — both Indiana stations and stations outside Indiana. Stations outside Indiana work Indiana stations, and Indiana stations work everybody, including other Indiana stations. You do not need to be a contester or a club member to jump in and make a few contacts.

How it works / the exchange

At a high level, each contact involves exchanging a signal report plus your location. Indiana stations send their location including their county, while stations outside Indiana send their U.S. state, Canadian province, or “DX” for everywhere else. The exact format of the exchange is defined in the rules, so confirm the current wording in the official INQP rules before the event.

Categories & scoring

The INQP offers a range of entry categories spanning different modes, power levels (such as QRP, low, and high power), and single-operator vs. multi-operator efforts, as well as mobile / rover and county-line operations. Mobile stations that activate multiple counties (and operators set up on county lines) are popular, because they put rarer counties on the air for everyone to work. Specific category definitions, multipliers, and scoring formulas are detailed in the rules — check there for the current specifics.

Logging

Logs are submitted in Cabrillo format through the official INQP site. Most operators use a contest logging program to generate a clean Cabrillo file; a popular free option is N1MM Logger+. For the accepted Cabrillo format, the submission address/method, and the log deadline, follow the official rules and the INQP page.

Get involved in Indiana

Want to take part in the INQP or other on-air activities? Connect with a local club — many organize group efforts and can help you get on the air. Looking for something to build or operate? See our Projects page. Not licensed yet? Start with our Get Licensed guide, earn your callsign, and you can join the next Indiana QSO Party.