QRP DXCC Challenge - 100 DXCC in 100 Days

Participants So Far

W4NL  Lynn
N1DAY  David
VY2AJ/W4 Ariel
N3CZ Vlad
N4LAG Andy
KF4BY Stan
W1TEF Tom
W2DGJ Dave
KW4JM Scott
K4SV Dave
W4KA Dave


Starting January 1st 2016, We will be embarking on a Challenge to work (not confirm) 100 DXCC entities in 100 days or less.

Rules:

(1) Power is to be no more than 5 watts in whatever mode you choose.  Most modern rigs will allow the power to be turned down to QRP levels

(2) Modes:  Any mode, JT65, CW, PSK31, RTTY or Phone (VHF, UHF, SSB).  Cross mode CW in SSB portion of the band is allowed.  However, be careful as some consider this to be QRM and let your ethics rule here.  Example:  If one party is calling CQ on SSB and you answer on CW by giving your call - and he answers your call - this is OK.  Vice versa SSB on CW band will not work and may be considered deliberate QRM.  Only certain rigs can do CW on SSB - e.g. KX3, KX1, HB1B, FT817   etc.

(3) Bands - Any of the amateur bands - including 160m, 2m are at play.  Propagation is direct skywave with no use of repeaters on VHF/UHF.

(4) All amateur antennas, homebrewed or commercial are allowed.  No restrictions.

(5) Time limit:  There is no time limit.  However, the elapsed time based on your log will be posted on your certificate.  The goal is still to do it in 100 days or less

(6) Logs:  Use of the ARRL QRP/DXCC record sheet is encouraged.  However, a spreadsheet that contains the same information will also do.  The first log entry will have a date as early as 1/1/2016 but not earlier.  Please submit your logs to me either electronically or by snail mail upon completion of 100 DXCC entities.

(7) Spotting assistance, use of the cluster is also allowed.   Being QRP, this is not to your advantage, since by the time they are spotted, and even if it is semi-rare, you will have difficulty breaking the pileup.  DO NOT TURN UP THE POWER KNOB.  Use of dedicated QRP rigs with power limited to QRP levels is encouraged.

(8) If you are using a special QRP rig, key or antenna for this purpose and wish to incorporate that graphic into your certificate - please submit a JPEG of such items:  Examples Argonaut 515, Heath HW08, K1, K2, KX3, FT817, Magnetic Loops. etc.

(9) Awards:  A framed and matted certificate - 11x14 see example below will be given to each participant who reaches the 100 DXCC entity goal.  If you wish to get the ARRL QRP DXCC Award, in addition send me a check for $10 payable to the ARRL to cover the ARRL processing fee, along with the ARRL DXCC QRP Application form - signed and dated.  You will get your ARRL Certificate in the mail.  Subsequently you will be added to the list of QRP/DXCC holders which is updated yearly in December

- http://www.arrl.org/files/file/DXCC/QRP_DXCC_AwardHolders.pdf

(10) Eligibility:  You don't have to be a member of SCDXA, NCDXCC or Greer Amateur Radio Club to join.  Any reader of this blog who has a radio amateur license is free to join.  However there is an entry deadline of December 31, 2015.  Certificates for any DX entries, or any radio amateur outside of SCDXA, NCDXCC or GARC will be mailed electronically as a PDF file.

Communication:

The NCDXCC, SCDXA, and Greer Amateur Radio Club reflectors can be used to post any interim progress.  Tho progress reports will be posted on this blog.

Good Luck and MAY THE MORSE BE WITH YOU.

David Day's - directional and gain magnetic loop