A number of routine program questions are received daily at DXCC. Most of this information can be found within these FAQs and in the rules section on the DXCC web site.

It is recommended that applicants check the web site, download the rules and DXCC list to their computer and read everything thoroughly. Most questions we received can be easily answered by going to this site and reading what is posted. If some points need further clarification they can then be resolved with a message to DXCC. This process will most likely answer your questions in the quickest manner.

After having checked all of the information on the web site, you still do not have an answer to your question, you can contact us in one of these ways:

e-mail: dxccrules@arrl.org
Voice: (860) 594-0234
Fax: (860) 594-0346
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ARRL offers a valuable resource for anyone who plans participation in the DXCC program. It is called The ARRL DXCC List 

This publication contains:

All program Rule

A current entities list along with applicable reference notes

A Deleted entities list along with applicable reference notes

A prefix cross reference (A valuable resource for non-standard prefixes)

A list of DX Advisory Committee Members

Information about the ARRL Incoming and Outgoing QSL Bureau Services

An international call sign allocation table

The latest application form and country-worked record sheet. 

Your Internet search engine is a valuable tool for looking for DXCC information is. You should be able to find almost anything if it has published online. In the search criteria box just type in a word or two on the subject you are researching. Most search engines offer simple and advanced search methods, so you should learn to use both.

When looking for information on the main ARRL page, use the "Site Index". This will give you an alphabetical list of everything on the ARRL site and this section should help you find anything you need that is provided by ARRL

You can contact DXCC for program information by sending a note to DXCC at: 

ARRL/DXCC
225 Main Street
Newington, CT USA 06111

Please be sure to include a SASE with sufficient postage to cover the response and any additional information you are requesting.

No, as long as your new callsign if for the same DXCC entity as your existing DXCC award. (eg: If you move from Connecticut to Alaska, you are moving to a different DXCC entity. Here, your Connecticut contacts will NOT count towards your Alaska callsign. In this case you would start a new DXCC record from Alaska. But, if you ever travel back to the mainland USA you can still feed the USA award). With your next submission simply place your new callsign on the line on the application form where it asks for your callsign. Below this line there is a line for ex-calls. Place your old callsign(s) there. When we receive your application with the new callsign, your records will be updated. You can order a certificate with your new callsign on it for a fee of USD $10 per certificate. The number on the certificate will remain the same.

The DXCC yearbook was first published in 1993. It is published each year in the Spring. It contains articles of interest to DX'ers is quite a popular publication among DXers. The DXCC Yearbook is usually mailed by the end of May each year. Back copies from 1993 are available for USD 5 each plus postage. See below to see if you qualify for this publication.

In order to receive a free copy of the DXCC yearbook you must be a current ARRL member and

Submit a DXCC application between January 1 and December 31 of the prior year or

Be CURRENT on the DXCC Honor Roll. (In this case, if you did not submit during the period ONLY the Honor Roll mode(s) will be shown. (Remember, there are no Honor Rolls for the bands and Satellite).

DXCC listings can be found on the DXCC web site. The listings are updated nightly and reflect everyone with an "active" award that is in the DXCC computer system. (If you have not submitted since late 1991, when DXCC computerized, your record may still only be on paper and you will need to make a submission in order for your award(s) to show. If you have not submitted since DXCC computerized please see: Q: I have not submitted for DXCC since the computerization. What do I need to do to get back in the game?

To access the new lists go to the listings section on the DXCC web site. Once there, click on the award category you wish to view. The file is presented in Adobe PDF format and can be saved in your computer. The lists are available in US Letter or ISO A4 paper formats.

There is no list for 5BDXCC since we do not record individual standings for these awards.

You will note that some callsigns are grayed out. These listings represent those who are non-ARRL members and who have not submitted in the 10-year period. Old DXCC records, which have not been computerized cannot be posted until they are entered into the system.

Examples #1:In the previous yearbook you were shown at 156 on 20 meters. Your total remained at 156 the next year. Even though you have a certificate your 20-Meter award will not show because you did not increment it by at least one credit.

Example #2: In the previous year you did not make a submission. You have certificates for Mixed, Phone, RTTY, 80, 40 and 10 meters. On Mixed, you have 326 current but on Phone you have 255, RTTY 245, 80 meters 126, 40 meters 255 and 10 meters 201. Since you did not make a submission in the period BUT you are current on the Honor Roll, but only for Mixed, you do receive the free copy BUT only your Mixed total will be shown.

Note: DXCC mails approximately 5,000 copies of the Yearbooks each year and some are either lost or damaged in the postal system. If you do not receive your Yearbook by the first week in July, or if it arrives damaged, contact us for a replacement. 

Copies of past issues are available for $5 each (plus shipping) while supplies last.

The DXCC Monthly list is now part of the current format on the DXCC web site.
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Each year, we disqualify a few DXCC participants from the DXCC program. In addition, we sends letters to a number of DXCC participants regarding discrepancies related to cards they have submitted. Disqualifications and warnings are usually for violations under DXCC Rule 11. Rule 11 states

"All confirmations must be submitted exactly as received by the applicant. The submission of altered, forged, or otherwise invalid confirmations for DXCC credit may result in disqualification of the applicant and forfeiture of any right to DXCC membership. Determinations by the ARRL Awards Committee concerning submissions or disqualification shall be final. The ARRL Awards Committee shall also determine the future eligibility of any DXCC applicant who has ever been barred from DXCC."

Occasionally, we find that applicants have made alterations on cards or, add QSOs not originally written on the card by the DX station in order to receive credits not earned. During the DXCC data entry and editing process, close scrutiny is given to the cards in order to find discrepancies. We see thousands of cards each day and many are the same, so things out of the ordinary become quite obvious.

If you receive a card and some of the information is not correct, it is best to send the card back to the DX station and obtain a new one, rather than risk action under Rule 11. We note that the originating operator often makes change, but it is always best not to submit a card that has been altered in any way for DXCC credit.

By rejecting a card that appeared altered, we are in no way accusing anyone of cheating. It just means that an alteration was noted, and credit was not issued.

Disqualification is the suspension of participation in the DXCC program. The disqualification period is usually 5 years, at the discretion of the ARRL Awards Committee. During this time the disqualified applicant may not participate in the DXCC program. The applicant's record is usually nullified, and all awards are removed from his/her record.

Yes. Once the disqualification period has ended, the applicant may apply in writing to the ARRL Awards Committee for reinstatement. The applicant will receive a letter from the Awards Committee indicating that the request has been approved with certain conditions. These conditions are that 

• No QSOs prior to the date of reinstatement will count for DXCC. In effect, they must start over from that date.
• Reinstated members may not have cards checked by card checkers. All applications must be sent to HQ.

A DXCC member will be notified of a pending action by the Awards Committee. This will provide the member with an opportunity to comment on the case. The action of the Awards Committee is final.

It is best NOT to use this card and risk action under Rule 11. We do not accuse anyone of alterations, but we will almost certainly reject the card on the basis of the alteration.

Usually, if you send the operator the altered card with a brief note explaining that it was not accepted for DXCC credit, he/she will send you a replacement. Just be sure to include funds to cover the return postage.

"DXCC" is copyright by ARRL. You must contact DXCC to obtain permission to use this logo. Send your request to "permission@arrl.org"

As stated in DXCC Rule 10, "All contacts must be made using callsigns issued to the same station licensee....." In short, if you make a contact under the callsign of a club, the club will receive the DXCC credit. For DXCC purposes, you as the trustee of a club call are not "the licensee."

Clubs within the USA and its possessions may apply for DXCC awards as long as they have an active affiliation with ARRL. Affiliation is to a club like membership is to an individual. As with individuals, foreign clubs do not need to be affiliated, but they must pay higher fees like non-ARRL member, non-US hams.
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If you have not submitted since DXCC computerization (around 1991) chances are your records have not been entered into the DXCC computer system. These records do still exist on paper, however. In order to become an active DXCC member, you need only submit a current application. You need contact DXCC only if you need a copy of your old record in order to make a determination for your next submission. This can be done in one of 3 ways: 

e-mail: dxcc@arrl.org
Voice: (860)594-0234
Fax: (860)594-0346

Please be sure to include this information: 

• Current call sign
• Past Call sign(s)
• A list all of the awards you have
• Your last submission date (month and/or year)

If your record is not in the computer, we can send you a copy by regular mail. We cannot scan and send you copies by e-mail. There is a $2 (per record) fee for copies sent to the USA and $4 (per record) fee for all non-USA records. (Per record means one record for each mode.) Send your request to the DXCC Branch at 

ARRL/DXCC
225 Main Street
Newington, CT USA 06111

If you have previous payment credit from your last submission this will be noted on the paper copy. It is OK to use this fee to pay for your record, if it is sufficient.

No. There is no restart in DXCC. DXCC Members continue with their existing awards. If you submitted prior to computerization and do not have all band credits shown on the cards, all you need to do is resubmit credits to update your DXCC.

Electronic copies of DXCC records are now available via Logbook of the World (LoTW). In order to access them you need to visit the site and register (all free). Once you have registered you can link to your existing DXCC computerized record. 

To do this sign on and go to the users home page. Once registered, go to LoTW then: 

Click on Awards
Click Link Account

The completion of the link will take one working day. After this, you will be able to access your DXCC account.

It is important to review all of the information here regarding linking and your LoTW and DXCC accounts.
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Not usually. Records of rejected cards are held in the computer with the original data-entry session. A simple call or e-mail will usually enable us to award credit. It is usually not necessary to send the card again. Do not send a card unless we have asked you to do so.

Yes. Please see the 'DXCC and LoTW' section below for information on how to access your DXCC and print copies of DXCC records.

DXCC Staff members enter anywhere from 1,500 to 3,000 cards per staff person on a daily basis. This represents many thousands of keystrokes and errors occasionally occur. The best way to handle errors is to review your submission completely BEFORE contacting us. Do not send in cards for corrections without being asked to do so. 

Once you review your submission, send an e-mail message detailing what you have found. We will review your record and in most cases, we will be able to correct the errors without having to see the card again. Once fixed, we will contact you and report what was found and what action was taken. In some cases we may need to see the card again. In this case, just follow the instructions given we give you. Usually, an applicant will be instructed to just write a note explaining things and send that in along with the cards. It is not necessary to complete another application form to send with corrections. Remember, we handle hundreds of applications daily. If your correspondence involves a correction, mark it clearly, otherwise it could be mistaken for a new submission and handled differently. 

While problems can be resolved, it is best to avoid them in the first place. One of the best ways to avoid errors is to be sure to arrange your cards properly. If we caused an error, and we need to see a card again, we will pay for return postage to you. If a problem was determined not to be our fault, the applicant is responsible for all charges.

In order to appear in any award listing you must have an active award for that band or mode. (You must have the certificate). Having 100 does not automatically give the award to you, it just qualifies you for that award. Since DXCC charges for each award (see rule 15) you must request the award(s) you qualify for but do not, yet, have a certificate. Once this is completed you will show in the live listing the next work day.

There are many references on prefixes. Some old and some new, but all may be of value. The ITU (International Telecommunications Union) headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland is the international organization within the United Nations System that is responsible for allocating call sign blocs. You can access their list of prefixes at  ITU. This is a list of the basic allocations from which the ham radio prefixes are derived. Virtually every prefix can be resolved by referring to this list. 

On the DXCC web site there are three primary references: 

The DXCC List
The Prefix Cross Reference List
International Callsign Prefix Allocations (from ITU)

Almost everything that you need can be found in at least one of these three references. If you cannot find what you are looking for, check to be sure the callsign or prefix you are looking for is correct. Also, try your favorite search engine to attempt to locate a prefix allocation.

In general, electronic QSLs or eQSLs are not accepted for DXCC (See DXCC Rule 2). If you receive a QSL by electronic means and print it out, it will not be accepted for DXCC credit. The ARRL policy statement regarding e-QSLs can be found at: 

http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2002/03/07/100/

Currently the only electronic QSLs that are acceptable for DXCC credit are Logbook of the World QSLs.

Yes. If you receive an electronic QSL that you can print on your printer you can then mail it to the station you worked for his signature. If the station makes a handwritten notation on the card, acknowledging the QSO, this can be used for DXCC credit.

How and when you submit an application can play a big part. We often see applications that are not prepared according to our instructions. Because the data-entry screen is set up to remember the previous data arranging cards in band then mode order can help. Arranging cards in alphanumeric order will cause considerably more work. Applications set up properly (by band then by mode with cards with multiple QSO's at the end) take about half the time to process. 

Multiple submissions are not always needed. While deadlines no longer exist keep in mind you can save yourself money and DXCC processing time if you plan your submission according to your needs. People often make 2 or 3 or more submission a year, when only one well-planned submission would have sufficed.

Wall plaques are available for the following DXCC awards 

#1 Honor Roll
Honor Roll
5 Band DXCC
DXCC Challenge

Click on the link below to check on these awards.

There is a plaque, but no certificate for the DXCC Honor Roll. When you achieve this level in the DXCC program, a letter of congratulations is sent along with a sticker indicating Honor Roll. This sticker is for the award certificate(s) for which Honor Roll was achieved. When you achieve Top of the Honor Roll, a letter is sent along with a sticker indicating this for the certificate(s) for which this is achieved.
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