DXing is one of the oldest facets of Amateur Radio. So it's no wonder that it will be a vital part of the future of Amateur Radio into the next Millennium as well. The wonder of DXing is timeless, and the nature of the world's changes bring the excitement that no other part of the hobby can offer in quite the same way.
In celebration of the next millennium of DXing, ARRL is making several additions to the very popular DXCC program. These changes include new awards which will be phased in over time and a new program for the all band Dxer, giving him a chance to demonstrate his proficiency and versatility. Also, we're offering a special challenge for the DXer to work 100 of the entities on the DXCC List within the year 2000.
The DXCC Challenge is a new program for all band DXers. This program provides the test of the DXer's ability to work all bands, 160-6 meters (with the exception of 30 meters), and should become the ultimate goal of the accomplished DXer. The DXCC Challenge will utilize only the current listings on the DXCC List, and thus the later day DXer and the Old Timer should be able to compete on an equal footing.
Each year, we will be awarding the DeSoto Cup, named for Clinton B. DeSoto, W1CBD, who wrote the definitive 1935 QST article that inspired the original DXCC program. The DeSoto Cup will be awarded to the DXer who is at the top of the DXCC Challenge list at the end of September each year. Only one Cup may be awarded to any DXer. This year, the DXCC Challenge bands will include 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, and 6 meters, with additional bands added periodically until the entire award structure is complete. See the rules below.
Also new this year are the 15 and 20 Meter DXCC awards. These are the first of several new single band awards that will be phased in over the next year or two. Rules are below.
And, just to whet the appetite for DXing in the next Millennium, the DXCC 2000 Millennium Award is available for the newcomer, Old Timer, and anyone in between; just our way of celebrating the new Millennium and leaving the old. Again, rules are below.
Who knows what the next Millennium will bring. Perhaps, by the beginning of the Fourth Millennium, DXCC will be awarded for working 100 stars, planets, or even galaxies! I'm looking forward to DXing in the Third Millennium, how about you?
1) The DXCC 2000 Millennium Award period begins 0000 UTC 1 January, 2000, and ends at 2359 UTC on 31 December, 2000. All contacts must be made during this time period.
2) The DXCC 2000 Millennium Award certificate is awarded for working 100 or more of the entities on the ARRL DXCC List. Contacts may consist of any combination of bands or modes.
3) No endorsements of any kind are offered. Certificates are dated, but not numbered.
4) The applicant must certify on the original application the authenticity of log extract information for contact with the 100 entities on the DXCC List. No QSL cards are required for this award.
5) The DXCC 2000 Millennium Award is separate and distinct from the traditional DXCC awards programs. Qualifying for the DXCC 2000 Millennium Award does not provide credits for the traditional DXCC awards programs.
6) The DXCC 2000 certificate is available to members and non-members.
7) Applicable rules of the DXCC program, such as location of stations and conduct, apply to the DXCC 2000 Millennium Award.
8) The official application must be used to facilitate processing. Application forms are available for an SASE, or an SASE with 1 IRC for Amateurs outside the US. Applications may also be downloaded from the Web. The URL is: http://www.arrl.org/awards/dxcc
DXCC 2000 Millennium Applications
American Radio Relay League
225 Main Street
Newington CT 06111 USA
9) Send completed application (within one year of the close of the DXCC 2000 Millennium period) to ARRL HQ along with $10 US to cover costs of printing, postage, and handling.
Rules: Contacts with current entities on the DXCC List will be credited, beginning with QSO dates of 15 November, 1945. (Any contact counts for this award; mode is not specific.)
Implementation: Beginning with DXCC reports returned 1 June, 2000, and thereafter, reports will contain 15 Meter information. Participants may make request for certificate and submit additional 15 Meter cards after 1 July, 2000. For those with a 5 Band DXCC issued before 1 April, 1992, up to 100 15 Meter cards may be submitted with no per card charges applied if applicant does not already have 100 current credits on 15 Meters. (Example: you have a 5 Band DXCC dated September, 1983, but have since submitted 30 current cards for 15 Meters. You may submit 70 cards to bring your total up to 100 at no per card charge.)
Awards will be dated, but not numbered.
Rules: Contacts with current entities on the DXCC List will be credited, beginning with QSO dates of 15 November, 1945. (Any contact counts for this award; mode is not specific.)
Implementation: Beginning with DXCC reports returned 1 August, 1999, and thereafter, reports will contain 20 Meter information. Participants may make request for certificate and submit additional 20 Meter cards after 1 January, 2000. For those with a 5 Band DXCC issued before 1 April, 1992, up to 100 20 Meter cards may be submitted with no per card charges applied if applicant does not already have 100 current credits on 20 Meters. (Example: you have a 5 Band DXCC dated September, 1983, but have since submitted 30 current cards for 20 Meters. You may submit 70 cards to bring your total up to 100 at no per card charge.)
Awards will be dated, but not numbered.
The DXCC Challenge is the ultimate test of the DXer's abilities and flexibility. It is the accumulation of credits for all eligible bands within the DXCC program, based upon the current listings only. The standing is calculated from the total of the number of eligible current entities on each of the eligible bands and is listed as a number only. The standing is calculated annually, with a submission received deadline of 30 September of each year.
A plaque can be made available for 1,000 DXCC Challenge credits, with endorsement plates for increments of 500.
The DXCC Challenge will begin on 1 January 2000, to include submissions received through 30 September 2000. For 2000, the applicable bands are: 160-80-40-20-10 and 6 meter bands. Applicable bands will be increased each year until all bands are included.
The DXCC Challenge is based upon DXCC credits already received by DXCC for contacts with the current DXCC List entities after 15 November 1945.
The DeSoto Cup, named for Clinton B. DeSoto, who wrote the definitive article describing the DXCC program in 1935, will be awarded to the leader of the DXCC Challenge each year. Only one Cup will be awarded to an individual during their lifetime.