DXCC Field Checking

The DX Century Club (DXCC) Award, issued by ARRL, is one of the longest running and most sought after of DX operating awards. The basic certificate is obtained by confirming contacts with 100 different countries. The award can then be endorsed as further countries are confirmed up to the current total of 338 countries. In addition to the basic Mixed Mode DXCC, additional awards are available for CW, SSB and RTTY modes as well as single band awards for the 160, 80, 40, 30, 20, 17, 15, 12, 10, 6 and 2 metre bands, and a 5 Band DXCC.

The 5 Band DXCC is for 100 countries on 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 metres. The 100 countries do not have to be the same on each band. The 5 Band DXCC can also be endorsed for an additional 100 countries, per band, on the 6, 12, 17, 30, or 160 metre bands. There is no specific application form or process for 5 Band DXCC, credits from each band are accumulated on the DXCC computer system and the applicant is informed when 5 Band DXCC, and any endorsements, have been achieved.

The DXCC Challenge Award is also an award that “accumulates” on the DXCC computer. Each country confirmed on each band from 160 to 6m counts one point. The basic award is for 1000 points, with endorsements at 1500, 2000 and 2500 points. The entry “CHAL” on your DXCC report refers to your Challenge score.

For many years all QSL cards submitted for the award had to be sent to ARRL HQ in the USA for checking. Following a successful field checking experiment the number of cards that may be field checked has been increased, leaving very few restrictions.

The UK field checkers are able to check QSL cards for all DXCC awards (except 160 metre contacts) and from any current DXCC entity (country) (i.e. no deleted entities), with no date restrictions.

QSL cards that are not eligible for field checking under the above rules may be sent direct to ARRL HQ for checking.

There are some key dates in the DXCC year that may be of interest. The DXCC Honor Roll is compiled from applications up to the end of March each year. It may therefore be beneficial to time an annual update to your scores to achieve the highest possible personal placing in the Honor Roll. The DXCC Yearbook is sent, annually in the Spring, to all ARRL members who have been active in DXCC in the previous 2 years, or who are Honor Roll members.

The approved DXCC Field Checkers for the UK are Rob Ferguson GM3YTS, Ian Capon, G0KRL, Jim Kellaway, G3RTE and Fred Handscombe, G4BWP. Details of whom to send your cards to are shown below.

All participants in the DXCC programme are charged a fee by ARRL, but there are reduced fees for members of ARRL. Fees for cards checked in the UK should be sent in Pounds Sterling (cheques in the name of the person checking your cards are preferred) with your application. Please DO NOT send US dollars to the field checkers. (See note below regarding credit card payments). In addition sufficient postage for the return of your QSL cards should be included. The DXCC fees are as follows:

First DXCC Award Application £ 7.50 (ARRL member)

£ 15.00 (non member

First submission in a calendar year (January to December) £ 7.50 (ARRL Member)

£ 15.00 (non-member)

Additional submissions in a calendar year £ 15.00 (ARRL Member)

£ 22.50 (non-member)

New or replacement DXCC Certificates £ 7.50 (All applicants)

(includes a new DXCC badge)

The first submission in a calendar year may contain claims for up to 120 QSOs. Additional QSOs (over 120) will be charged at 12 pence per QSO for all applicants.

Additional submissions in a calendar year may contain claims for up to 100 QSOs. Additional QSOs (over 100) will be charged at 12 pence per QSO for all applicants.

In addition to the above fees, ARRL charge a variable return postage fee for the certificate and documentation. This makes prepaying the ARRL charges very difficult. If at all possible please use a credit card number on the application form.

You must also cover the cost of sending your application to ARRL. To do this please enclose either FOUR first class stamps or a £1 coin (or note in GM) with your application.

Your first ever DXCC application will cost £7.50 (for ARRL members) or £15.00 (for non-members)

The QSL cards sent for checking must be accompanied by a completed recent application form. The rear of the form listing the QSL cards submitted MUST be completed. In addition a suitable stamped envelope for the return of your cards should be sent.

Cards for “deleted” entities (countries) and those for contacts on the 160m band will not be checked. Field checkers will not become involved in decisions as to whether a particular card will “count” for DXCC or not. This decision will remain with DXCC staff at ARRL.

Finally the DXCC programme does not accept applications from short wave listeners. However RSGB has its own DX Listeners Century Club Award and details of this can be obtained from G3LZQ, RSGB HF Awards Manager, PO Box 36, Gilberdyke, Brough, E. Yorks., HU15 2WX.

If you live in England and have a G, M, GX, MX or 2E prefix, send your cards, return postage, application form, proof of ARRL membership (if applicable) and fee to:

Ian Capon, G0KRL (email to g0krl@arrl.net)
Windon
The Green
Beyton
Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk IP30 9AJ

If you live in the rest of the United Kingdom (GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, and corresponding M, 2 and club prefixes), send your cards, return postage, application form, proof of ARRL membership (if applicable) and fee to:

(If you want to claim or endorse a DXCC Award for an “overseas” callsign send the cards to your normal “home” checker.)

Requests for information, application forms etc. should be sent to: Fred Handscombe, G4BWP by email to fredch@homeshack.freeserve.co.uk or to your checker by post

DXCC Field Checking in the UK (printable version)