Carmín De La Pola 2026

1. Introduction

Welcome to the activity! As a participant, you can consult the public log, search for your QSOs, and, if you meet the objectives, directly download your diploma or QSL without needing to wait for the activity to end or send requests.

What is this? It is a real-time logging platform for radio activities. Activators upload their contacts and you can see them instantly and download your prizes as soon as you achieve them.

2. How to Participate

Listen to special stations on the indicated bands
Contact them indicating your callsign and signal
Wait for the activator to upload the QSO to the system (usually a few minutes)
Verify in the public log that your QSO is registered
Download your diploma or QSL as soon as you reach the objectives

Tip: Sometimes, if the activity rules allow it, you can ask the activator for the specific reference you need to complete your objectives. Politely ask them during the contact. Most will be happy to help you!

3. View Public Log

The log is available from the main menu. You will see a table with all registered QSOs:

Column	Meaning
Callsign	Contacted station (yours)
Date/Time	Moment of contact (UTC)
Mode/Band	Type of emission and frequency
Signal	RST reported by the activator
Activator	Who uploaded the QSO (special station)
Reference	Special station contacted

4. Search Your Callsign

Use the search engine on the main page to find all QSOs with your callsign:

Type your full callsign (e.g., EA4ABC)
The system will show all QSOs for that specific callsign.
The search is exact: only your callsign, not similar ones
You can sort results by reference by clicking on the column header

Automatic Download: On your results page you will see the current progress towards diploma and/or QSL objectives. If you have already met them, a button will appear to download directly your prize in PDF. No need to wait for the activity to end or send any request!

Important: Search only works by callsign, not by reference. If you want to see all QSOs for a specific reference, first search your callsign and then sort the table by the "Ref." column.

5. Diplomas and QSL

Depending on the activity, you can obtain two types of recognitions. Both are described in detail below:

Diploma

Personalized digital document with your callsign and name certifying that you have met the activity's objectives. Downloaded in PDF.

QSL

Contact confirmation card (physical or electronic). Downloaded in PDF when requirements are met.

How to get them?

No need to request them or wait for the activity to end. As soon as your log meets the objectives configured by the organization, the download button will activate automatically on your results page.

Common Objectives

The organization can configure diplomas with different rules, for example:

Contacting a minimum number of distinct stations
Contacting a station on each band available
Contacting a station on each mode (SSB, CW, FT8...)
Contacting a station on each day of the activity
Contacting a specific set of references

Consult the specific rules of each activity to know the exact requirements.

Exclusive Advantage: You can download your diploma or QSL at any time, even during the activity itself, as soon as you meet the objectives. No need to wait for closing.

6. Common Bands and Modes

Band	Frequency	Typical Use
80M	3.5-3.8 MHz	Night, short/medium distances
40M	7.0-7.2 MHz	All day, European DX
20M	14.0-14.35 MHz	Worldwide DX, most popular
15M	21.0-21.45 MHz	Daytime DX, solar propagation
10M	28.0-29.7 MHz	DX during solar maxima
11M (CB)	27 MHz	Citizens Band, 27.555 MHz typical

Common Modes

SSB: Voice (most used)
CW: Morse Code
FT8/FT4: Modern digital modes
AM/FM: Amplitude/Frequency Modulation

7. Special References

References identify special stations or locations that, when contacted, allow you to opt for diplomas or QSL. In the log you will see a "Ref." column with the code for each one.

The specific references valid for each activity are published by the organization in the official rules. Some examples of reference types you might find are:

Castles
Lighthouses
Natural parks
Summits and mountains
Municipalities
Special event callsigns

Missing a reference? If the activity rules allow it, you can ask the activator what reference they are activating at that moment, or politely ask them to activate the one you are missing. Most activators are happy to help participants complete their objectives.

Important: Only references appearing in the activity's official list count as valid. A QSO with a reference not on the list will appear in the log but will not count for the diploma or QSL.

8. Rankings

Some activities include rankings:

By number of QSOs: Who contacts the most stations
By references: Who contacts the most special stations
By DXCC: Who contacts the most different countries
By bands: Who works on the most distinct bands

9. Homepage Statistics and Charts

The activity's main page displays a series of real-time statistics, counters, and charts that update automatically as activators upload QSOs. Interpreting them will help you plan your strategy to achieve the diploma or QSL more easily.

🔢 Main Counters (right sidebar)

In the right column of the homepage you will see several highlighted numbers summarizing the global activity:

Total QSOs: Total number of valid contacts registered (indicates activity level)
DXCC Worked / Pending: Distinct DXCC entities contacted out of a target of 340 entities, with a visual progress bar. Useful to know how many different countries have participated
11M Divisions Worked / Pending: CB Divisions contacted out of a target of 351 divisions, also with a progress bar

📊 Charts that help you participate better

The following charts are strategic tools to know when and where it is easier to contact:

Modes (bar chart): Distribution between SSB, CW, FT8, FT4, AM, FM and other modes. Tip: if you master FT8 or FT4, you will see that in those slots there is usually less competition than in SSB, so they may be easier to confirm contacts quickly.

Bands (bar chart): Shows which bands are most active. Tip: if a band has little traffic, it may be easier to contact there because there is less "pile-up" (fewer stations competing to call the activator). Less popular bands are often an opportunity to add references with less effort.

Continents (bar chart): Geographical distribution by continent (EU, NA, SA, AS, AF, OC) of participants. Curiosity: if you see your continent is poorly represented, you are an opportunity to add a valuable contact for activators! Many activators specifically seek to contact rare continents.

QSOs by Activator (bar chart): Ranking of the top 10 activators with the most uploaded contacts. Tip: if you need a specific reference, look at which activator is operating it most and tune in. Activators with more QSOs are usually the most consistent and easiest to find.

References (bar chart): Top 10 most contacted references. This chart only appears if the activity has the reference system activated (QSL or Diploma per reference). Tip: if you see a reference has few contacts, it might be poorly activated; take advantage to contact it when you see it OnAir, as it could be one of the hardest to get.

Average QSOs (numeric panel): Shows the average contacts per day since the start of the activity, along with the number of QSOs for the current day. Tip: if today's figure is much lower than the average, it is probably a good day to contact because there is less competition.

Time Evolution (line chart): Very useful! Shows the daily evolution of the number of QSOs with selectors to choose the period: 7d, 15d, 30d, 60d, 90d. Areas with peaks indicate days with more activity (weekends, special events). Key tip: days with lower bars usually have fewer competing participants, so it is a good time to "hunt" difficult references.

📡 OnAir Panel (live stations)

The most useful panel for participants! In the right sidebar you will see a list with stations that are transmitting at this very moment, showing their callsign, band, and mode live. Key tip: check this panel before turning on the radio to know exactly which activators are operating right now, on which band and in which mode. This way you can tune in directly without wasting time searching.

📅 Activity Dates

Activity Status: The sidebar shows the start date, end date, and a countdown indicating how many days remain until it ends. Plan in advance the days you will dedicate to the activity and don't leave it for the last moment.

🔍 Diploma/QSL Search Engine

Your progress in real-time: In the sidebar there is a search engine where you enter your callsign. The system immediately shows you how many valid QSOs you have, which references you are missing, and if you have already reached the objectives. If you have met them, a button will appear to download your diploma or QSL directly in PDF.

💻 Available Downloads

Recommended Software: In the sidebar you will find links to download applications that facilitate participation, such as GRGDesktop (logging client with direct integration) and LogBook 11m (oriented to Citizens Band). Although not mandatory, they can help you keep a more comfortable control of your contacts.

🎯 Objectives Card

Read the rules before starting: The homepage dynamically displays the exact rules configured to obtain the Diploma or QSL (1 QSO per day, 1 QSO per band, 1 QSO per mode, specific references, etc.). It is fundamental to read them so you don't waste time contacting under conditions that don't score. For example, if the rule says "1 QSO per day", it makes no sense to contact 10 times on the same day: only one will count.

🎯 Recommended Strategy

Plan your session: Before turning on the radio, spend 2 minutes reviewing the charts and the OnAir panel. Identify the band with less traffic, the mode you feel most comfortable with, which activators are operating now, and the hour with highest activity. With this data, you will have a much more effective strategy than simply "listening to see what comes up".

Real-time Data: Charts update automatically every 15 seconds. If you just made a QSO, within a few seconds you will see how the total QSO counter and charts reflect your contribution. It's very satisfying to see your contribution to the activity!

10. Curiosities

UTC Time

All times are in UTC (Coordinated Universal Time). In mainland Spain: subtract 1h in winter, 2h in summer.

DXCC

It is the code that identifies each "entity" (country or territory) for radio purposes.

Propagation

Propagation conditions change according to the solar cycle (11 years). We are near the maximum of cycle 25 (2024-2026).

Instant Download

This system is one of the few that allows downloading diplomas and QSLs in real-time, without waits or manual requests.

11. Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my QSO is registered?

Search for your callsign in the public log or on the homepage search engine. If the activator has uploaded it, it will appear within minutes.

I contacted but my QSO doesn't appear, what do I do?

Wait at least 24h. Activators sometimes upload QSOs in batches. If it doesn't appear after that time, contact the organization.

Do I need a radio license to participate?

In principle yes, except for Citizens Band (11M / CB) in Spain, which is free to use. However, legislation varies by country, so we recommend checking your country's regulations before transmitting.

To only consult the log and download diplomas you do not need any license.

What is Citizens Band (11M)?

It is a free-to-use band that, in Spain and most countries, does not require a ham radio license. Callsigns are type 30AT123.

How do I request the diploma?

You don't have to request it. As soon as you meet the objectives, the system will automatically show you a button to download the diploma or QSL in PDF. You can do it even during the activity, without waiting for it to close.

Can I use digital modes like FT8?

Absolutely! In fact, modern activities usually have a lot of traffic on FT8/FT4. Verify that the activator accepts that mode.

My QSO appears in the log but doesn't count for the diploma, why?

Probably the reference associated with the QSO does not match the valid official references. Contact the organization indicating your callsign, date, and time of contact for them to review it.

Can I ask the activator for a specific reference?

Yes, if the activity rules allow it. You can ask the activator what reference they are activating or politely ask for the one you need to complete your objectives. The ham radio community is usually very collaborative.

I downloaded the diploma but made more QSOs afterwards, can I download it again?

Yes. You can search for your callsign again and download the diploma at any time. If you have achieved new QSOs that improve your achievement, the diploma will regenerate with updated data.

CARMíN DE LA POLA 2026

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CARMíN DE LA POLA 2026

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