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

By regular mail at:

ARRL/DXCC Branch
c/o Bill Moore NC1L
225 Main Street
Newington, CT USA 06111
 
Learn More

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 Rules

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 been published online. To do this open your favorite search engine web page then 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 certificate(s) with your new callsign on it for a fee of USD $12 per certificate, plus postage ($2 USA/$4.50 Non-USA). The data from the original certificate will appear on the new certificate.

The DXCC Yearbook was first published in 1993. It is published each year it usually comes out the following spring. It contains articles of interest to DX'ers as well as the place to find the DXCC Annual Listing. It is quite a popular publication among DXers.

Beginning with the 2011 edition The DXCC Yearbook will now be published, electronically, in the August edition of QST. The free copy will no longer be sent to program participants. Paper copies will still be available for a cost of $8.00 each (Includes postage). Paper copies can be ordered from the ARRL Store at:

http://www.arrl.org/shop/search.php?mode=search&page=1

 

With publication of the yearbook online now it is available to all current ARRL members. (Even if you do not participate in the DXCC Program).

In order to appear in the DXCC Annual Listing, you must:

Submit a DXCC application between January 1 and December 31 of the calendar year of the yearbook 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.The current DXCC standings page can be found at:

http://www.arrl.org/dxcc-standings

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

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.

Copies of past issues are available for $8.00 each (plus shipping) while supplies last.

The DXCC Monthly Lists formerly found in QST have been discontinued. With so many DXCC participants using the web now, future plans may include the publication of the Monthly List on the DXCC web site.
Learn More

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.

See Section I rules 11 and 12.

Applicants who apply for DXCC (or any ARRL award) should be aware that DXCC conducts audits, randomly, of QSOs submitted for credit. In addition, during the data entry process DXCC staff checks QSL cards closely. Any alteration of QSL card data may trigger an audit. If a QSO noted on the card is not what the applicant actually worked, the applicant must not "fix" the card to the correct QSO. In these cases it is best to conatct the sender for a replacement card. Remember, by noting an altered confirmation DXCC is not accusing anyone in particular of the alteration, it is just that while the card is in hand DXCC staff notices an alteration and must investigate it further.

DXCC also provides random audits in general. DXCC rule 12 covers the terms of these audits. Audits can be done on any application or individual for present and even past applications.

By signing the affirmation statement applicants affirm that they have followed all of the rules and conditions of the awards program. Any violations found as the result of an audit is subject to review and resolution by the ARRL Awards Committee and all decisions of the Awards Committee are final.

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 the reinstatement date.
• Reinstated members may not have cards checked by card checkers. All applications must be sent to HQ.

All correspondance regarding reinstatement should be presented to the ARRL DXCC Manager at bmoore@arrl.org

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. An applicant may challenge a decision within 30 days of disqualification. After the 30 day period all decisions are 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. The best course of action if QSO information on a card is not correct is to write the DX station they worked and request a replacement card.

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 "bmoore@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."

In these cases the club can apply for a DXCC award.

 

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."

In these cases the club can apply for a DXCC award.

All clubs, worldwide, are eligible for DXCC participation. For award fees clubs within the USA and possessions pay the same fee as an ARRL member. Non-USA clubs pay the same fee as a non-ARRL member.
 
Learn More

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 re-activate your DXCC, 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: dxccrules@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 year)
• Award issue date and sequential number as noted in the lower left portion of your certificate

If your record is not in the computer, we can send you photocopies of your old paper record files by regular mail. We cannot scan and send you copies by e-mail. There is a $3 (per record) fee for photocopies of the old paper record(s). (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.
Learn More

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. Read the ARRL E-QSL Policy.

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

Actually, yes. If you receive an electronic QSL that you can print on your printer you can then (snail) mail it to the station you worked for his signature. If the station makes a handwritten notation on the card, acknowledging the QSO (by return snail mail), 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 multiple 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.

Everything an applicant does to prepare their application according to the published requirements helps reduce processing time and also processing costs.

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.
Learn More

Currently, there is no site from DXCC available on the web for verifying the status of a good or bad operation. The file where this information is kept contains tens of thousands of lines of data and it is accessed several times a day so this information can change often. Maintaining a list on the web right now will be a complicated and time-consuming project and since this file changes almost daily keeping it up-to-date would strain current manpower resources.

What we recommend is to just submit cards in question and let the computer make the decision at the proper time. If it is rejected you can include it in some future submissions but after a while it may be obvious that some things will not change.
 
There is a site online maintained by the 'Lynx DX Group'. Data has been gathered over the years and placed here but, currently, DXCC has no direct involvement in it. However, DXCC will be working to help them update this page but due to the intense nature of the project it may not happen quickly, or at one time. See this site for the Lynx DX Group:

http://www.ea5xc.com/OPER.%20NO%20VALD.html

 

There is no QRP category in the regular DXCC program. Like Mobile, there is no way to satisfy the strict verification requirements in the DXCC rules. QRP contacts can be used towards a DXCC award, but "QRP" cannot appear on a regular DXCC program certificate callsign field.

There is a QRP program but it is separate from the regular DXCC program. See this link for details:

http://www.arrl.org/qrp-dxcc

Send questions to dxccrules@arrl.org