I am a member of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and an appointed card checker for the ARRL DX Century Club (DXCC) Award. I am one of only 3 ARRL DXCC card checkers in Australia. The other card checkers being Laurie VK7ZE and Luke VK3HJ.
I can also check cards for Worked All States (WAS); VHF/UHF Century Club (VUCC), & Worked All Continents (WAC).
Please thoroughly read the ARRL DXCC instructional pages and then send me an e-mail should you desire to have QSL cards checked.
vk5pas@wia.org.au
Also, please read the information below. You will need to ensure that the appropriate paperwork is completed (and signed). I will also need sufficient return postage to return your cards and send the application to the USA.
Please thoroughly read the ARRL DXCC instructional pages and then send me an e-mail should you desire to have QSL cards checked.
vk5pas@wia.org.au
Also, please read the information below. You will need to ensure that the appropriate paperwork is completed (and signed). I will also need sufficient return postage to return your cards and send the application to the USA.
Also ensure that your cards are wrapped appropriately. I have received a few envelopes which have been torn and the cards damaged.
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All about DXCC
DXCC is Amateur Radio's premier award that hams can earn by confirming on the air contacts with 100 countries. You can begin with the basic DXCC award and work your way up to the DXCC Honor Roll.
The DXCC list is based on Clinton B. DeSoto's, W1CBD article 'How to Count Countries Worked, A New DX Scoring System', which appeared in the 1935 QST magazine. DeSoto stated 'The basic rule is simple and direct: Each discrete geographical or political entity is considered to be a country'. DeSotos rule has remained in place to this day since the publication of the original list in 1937.
This is a really quick snapshot of the ARRL DXCC program. For full details, please refer to the ARRL's website at.....
http://www.arrl.org/dxcc-award-information
The DXCC list is based on Clinton B. DeSoto's, W1CBD article 'How to Count Countries Worked, A New DX Scoring System', which appeared in the 1935 QST magazine. DeSoto stated 'The basic rule is simple and direct: Each discrete geographical or political entity is considered to be a country'. DeSotos rule has remained in place to this day since the publication of the original list in 1937.
This is a really quick snapshot of the ARRL DXCC program. For full details, please refer to the ARRL's website at.....
http://www.arrl.org/dxcc-award-information
Do I need to be an ARRL member ?
ARRL membership is not required for foreign applicants of the DXCC program.
How to apply ?
Applications for DXCC can either be made
- via LOTW, or
- by post - application form, incl. production of QSL cards, or
- Online DXCC Application.
What is Logbook of the World (LOTW) ?
LoTW is a secure, central repository of logs from ham operators around the world. One of the main features is it will allow DXCC program participants (and not VUCC and WAS) to claim credit without the need for having a QSL card in hand.
Where to start ?
Mixed is a general award which allows an amateur to get into the DXCC program even though they do not have 100 entities on any single mode. Upon qualification, after achieving Mixed DXCC, amateurs can apply for other modes they achieve upon reaching 100, or more.
Bands & modes ?
Certificates are available for the folowing bands:
160 Meters 20 Meters 10 Meters
80 Meters 17 Meters 6 Meters
40 Meters 15 Meters 2 Meters
30 Meters 12 Meters 70 Centimeters
Certificates are available for the following modes:
160 Meters 20 Meters 10 Meters
80 Meters 17 Meters 6 Meters
40 Meters 15 Meters 2 Meters
30 Meters 12 Meters 70 Centimeters
Certificates are available for the following modes:
- Mixed
- Phone (Includes USB, LSB AM, FM and other voice communication modes. SSTV mode also counts towards Phone DXCC.)
- CW (QSOs must be dated January 1, 1975, or after. CW prior to this date counts towards Mixed only.)
- Digital (Currently, all other digital modes count towards Digital in DXCC)
- Satellite (QSOs for Satellite do not count towards any other Band or Mode award. Satellite is a unique award in itself. Also, there is no Honor Roll for Satellite mode).
Can I send copies of my cards?
NO. Only original cards are accepted. Emails, scanned copies, photocopies, etc are NOT accepted.
Do electronic QSL's count ?
In general, electronic QSL's or eQSL's are NOT accepted. Currently, the only electronic confirmations that are acceptable for DXCC credit are Logbook of the World (LOTW) QSLs.
LOTW credits & paper QSL cards ?
Paper QSL cards may not be combined with LoTW applications.
All QSLs, whether confirmed in LoTW or with paper QSL card are eligible for your DXCC award however the application processes are separate.
All QSLs, whether confirmed in LoTW or with paper QSL card are eligible for your DXCC award however the application processes are separate.
What paperwork do I need to send?
If you do not use LOTW or the new Online DXCC application system, you can apply for DXCC via me.
Two forms are required.....
1. Application form
2. Record Sheet
Please ensure that you use the most up to date forms which can be downloaded from the ARRL website at.....
http://www.arrl.org/dxcc-forms
When completing the application form, please ensure that you read it thoroughly and fill in all the relevant areas. All of the information on the form, e.g. names, addresses, is confidential and normally within a few months of completion of the application, the forms are shredded. Application forms containing credit cards details, are destroyed more promptly.
Please make sure that the QSL cards you are submitting are NEW, and not duplicates.
Your QSL cards MUST first be sorted in the following order:
1. Band
2. Mode within each band
3. Cards with more than one QSO (multiples), keep together at the end. There is no specific sort order for multiples.
Once sorted, list the cards on the record sheet in exactly the same order in which they were sorted. Do NOT sort QSL cards by callsign or by entity (country) name.
Sorting and listing your cards according to these instructions, will greatly assist me, and will streamline the data entry process.
Once you have sorted the cards, print the record sheet and commence logging them. Please check your entries very carefully to make sure that the information you transferred from the QSL card to the record sheet is 100% accurate. Take your time, and pay attention to detail. If you do not check entries carefully, and problems develop, this could cause errors in processing or even cause a QSL card to be rejected.
Two forms are required.....
1. Application form
2. Record Sheet
Please ensure that you use the most up to date forms which can be downloaded from the ARRL website at.....
http://www.arrl.org/dxcc-forms
When completing the application form, please ensure that you read it thoroughly and fill in all the relevant areas. All of the information on the form, e.g. names, addresses, is confidential and normally within a few months of completion of the application, the forms are shredded. Application forms containing credit cards details, are destroyed more promptly.
Please make sure that the QSL cards you are submitting are NEW, and not duplicates.
Your QSL cards MUST first be sorted in the following order:
1. Band
2. Mode within each band
3. Cards with more than one QSO (multiples), keep together at the end. There is no specific sort order for multiples.
Once sorted, list the cards on the record sheet in exactly the same order in which they were sorted. Do NOT sort QSL cards by callsign or by entity (country) name.
Sorting and listing your cards according to these instructions, will greatly assist me, and will streamline the data entry process.
Once you have sorted the cards, print the record sheet and commence logging them. Please check your entries very carefully to make sure that the information you transferred from the QSL card to the record sheet is 100% accurate. Take your time, and pay attention to detail. If you do not check entries carefully, and problems develop, this could cause errors in processing or even cause a QSL card to be rejected.
Please provide sufficient postage for me
Please provide sufficient postage for me when you mail your QSL cards and documents. I need to mail documents off to the USA, and I also need to mail your cards back. Insufficient postage costs will only delay your DXCC application.
How do I track my progress?
You will be able to view DXCC applications received on the ARRL website at.....
http://www.arrl.org/dxcc-applications-received
http://www.arrl.org/dxcc-applications-received
Become a DXCC card checker
Should you wish to become a recognised DXCC card checker for the ARRL, please see the document below. In summary you need:
- need to be an ARRL member
- must have a DXCC award endorsed for at least 150 entities
- must be nominated by ARRL Section Manager of ARRL affiliated DX Club (personally known) or ARRL Division Director
| arrl_dxcc_card_checker_nomination_and_eligibility_rules.pdf |
LOTW
In March 2016, the ARRL made some changes for OVERSEAS amateurs with regards to the verification processs for Logbook of the World (LOTW). See below.....
ARRL Approves Field Checking of Identity and License Documents by Authorized ARRL DXCC Card Checkers outside of the USA
Newington, CT – ARRL is making the verification process for overseas participants in Logbook of The World easier. Effective March 24, 2016, ARRL authorized DXCC Card Checkers outside of the US will be able to verify identity and license documents in person on behalf of ARRL and the Logbook of The World program.
“People outside the US who want to sign-up for LoTW, and who do not want to send documents to ARRL, may visit an ARRL DXCC Card Checker and present the documents to the Card Checker,” ARRL Field Services and Radiosport Manager Dave Patton, NN1N, said. “The Card Checker will check the documents and, if accepted, inform ARRL’s LoTW staff that he/she has met with the individual and will confirm that the applicant’s identity and license have been verified.”
Once documents have been approved by a DXCC Card Checker, the applicant will then apply for a LoTW digital certificate following the instructions for getting started.
Not every DXCC entity has a DXCC Card Checker, and overseas DXCC Card Checkers are not required to participate in this verification process. Amateurs living outside the US should contact a DXCC Card Checker in advance, to see if they are willing to check identity and license documents. A list of DXCC Card Checkers may be found here.
This option for field checking of documents only applies to those outside the US who are obtaining their first LoTW digital certificate, or a replacement for a single, expired certificate.
Questions on this process may be directed to ARRL staff at LoTW-help@arrl.org.
ARRL Approves Field Checking of Identity and License Documents by Authorized ARRL DXCC Card Checkers outside of the USA
Newington, CT – ARRL is making the verification process for overseas participants in Logbook of The World easier. Effective March 24, 2016, ARRL authorized DXCC Card Checkers outside of the US will be able to verify identity and license documents in person on behalf of ARRL and the Logbook of The World program.
“People outside the US who want to sign-up for LoTW, and who do not want to send documents to ARRL, may visit an ARRL DXCC Card Checker and present the documents to the Card Checker,” ARRL Field Services and Radiosport Manager Dave Patton, NN1N, said. “The Card Checker will check the documents and, if accepted, inform ARRL’s LoTW staff that he/she has met with the individual and will confirm that the applicant’s identity and license have been verified.”
Once documents have been approved by a DXCC Card Checker, the applicant will then apply for a LoTW digital certificate following the instructions for getting started.
Not every DXCC entity has a DXCC Card Checker, and overseas DXCC Card Checkers are not required to participate in this verification process. Amateurs living outside the US should contact a DXCC Card Checker in advance, to see if they are willing to check identity and license documents. A list of DXCC Card Checkers may be found here.
This option for field checking of documents only applies to those outside the US who are obtaining their first LoTW digital certificate, or a replacement for a single, expired certificate.
Questions on this process may be directed to ARRL staff at LoTW-help@arrl.org.
***PLEASE NOTE, I CAN ONLY CHECK LOTW RELATED DOCUMENTS IN PERSON.
Amateurs for whom I've checked cards for DXCC
- Craig KB2KDP
- Graham VK3GA
- Wayne VK4WDM
- John VK4ZJB
- Wayne VK5APN
- Steve VK7CW
- Mark VK8MS
- Stuart VK8NSB