QRPers get on the air, have some fun, and rack up a really big score in spite of your (lack of) CW or operating skills during the 28th Annual Zombie Shuffle … A unique on-the-air activity exclusively for QRP Zombies; the contest that’s goofy — but fun.

Why do Zombies Shuffle?

Because they don’t sprint.

When do Zombies Shuffle?

Friday Afternoon–Night (a Friday Night Special event) October 24, 2025, 1500–Midnight Your Local Time

Where do Zombies Shuffle?

Visit the Zombie Shuffle Rules page to find out …

🧟 Request your lifetime QRP Zombie Number from the by e-mail before starting to shuffle.

Visit the Zombie Shuffle Rules page for the Official Rules, links to event summary sheets, and more Zombie goodness.

About the Zombie Shuffle

THE ZOMBIE SHUFFLE is an annual afternoon/evening event for QRPers to get on the air, have some fun, and rack up a really big score in spite of what your CW or operating skills may be. It is held the Friday nearest Halloween each year and to avoid the ARRL CW Sweepstakes contest.

Afternoon start time to take advantage of the higher bands before nightfall.

The Zombie Shuffle is administered strictly through the QRP-L mailing list and the Zombie Shuffle Rules page.

The First Zombie Shuffle was held on Oct. 30, 1998 with the launch of the NorCal-20 QRP transceiver kit. ¹

🧟 Download your own QRP Zombie Badge

Zombie Event Philosophy

There is no point to the Zombie Shuffle whatsoever except to get on the air and have some goofy fun with fellow Zombies and QRPers. Even with only 2-3 QSOs, you can earn a fairly large score to brag to your co-workers and QRO buddies. If you haven’t been on the air for awhile, or you are a new CW ham, your fist is “rusty,” or your code speed is slow, this is the “contest” to put a few contacts in the log. Note that the scoring is based largely on SERENDIPITY rather than operating skill. Band conditions and propagation are not the best at night, so operators are not cracking out 35wpm. Around 13-18 wpm is typical. Don’t be afraid to ask a station to QRS (slow down) or to repeat their exchange if you miss it. Most will match your speed. They want to work you as much as you want to work them. And remember, they’re a Zombie too! We want you to stay on the air and have fun in spite of crummy bands – so you can work the same station on a band after a two hour wait (every 2 hours if you wish). So get out your straight key, keyer, bug, or spark gap and do your CW thing.

Every year, we get summary sheets from a few that says “These were my first CW QSOs ever,” or “my first CW contacts in 20 years.” It’s an honor to give a ham their first CW QSOs. That’s what it’s all about. ²