DX Century Club Rules

INTRODUCTION

  "...the number of countries worked is increasingly becoming the
criterion of excellence among outstanding DX stations." --
Clinton B. DeSoto, W1CBD, October 1935 QST

From its simple beginnings, culminating in the announcement of
the new DX award, The DX Century Club, in September 1937 QST
(which was itself based on the "ARRL List of Countries" published
in January 1937 QST), membership in the ARRL DX Century Club
(DXCC) has been the mark of distinction among radio amateurs the
world over. That it is regarded with such prestige by DXers is a
testament to its integrity and level of achievement. The high
standards of DXCC are intensely defended and supported by its
membership. The rules established by the founders of DXCC were
consistent with the art of Amateur Radio as it existed at the
time. As technology improved the ability to communicate, the
rules were progressively changed to maintain a competitive
environment and complement the gaining popularity of DXCC.

Because of the vast changes in the international scene brought
about by World War II, it logically followed that DXCC needed to
be recast, as indicated in December 1945 QST. Ultimately, after a
great deal of study, the first postwar DXCC Countries List
emerged as published in February 1947 QST. The new DXCC Rules
appeared in March 1947 QST. Contacts were valid from November 15,
1945, the date US amateurs were authorized by the FCC to return
to the air.

The DXCC rules today represent the aggregate of experience gained
from administering postwar DXCC. Some countries on the DXCC
Countries List do not, of course, meet the present criteria. This
includes countries "grandfathered" from the WWII era or those
that met the criteria as it existed at the time and are not
subject to deletion (see Section III for the appropriate grounds
for deletion). Changes are announced under DXCC Notes in QST.

  SECTION I. BASIC RULES

  The DX Century Club Award, with certificate and lapel pin
(there is a nominal fee of $3 for the DXCC lapel pin) is
available to Amateur Radio operators throughout the world (see
#15 below for the DXCC Award Fee Schedule). ARRL membership is
required for DXCC applicants in the US and possessions, and
Puerto Rico. ARRL membership is not required for foreign
applicants.
All DXCCs are endorsable (see Rule 5). There are 12 separate 
DXCC awards available, plus the DXCC Honor Roll:

  (a) Mixed (general type): Contacts may be made using any mode
since November 15, 1945.

  (b) Phone: Contacts must be made using radiotelephone since
November 15, 1945. Confirmations for cross-mode contacts for this
award must be dated September 30, 1981, or earlier.

  (c) CW: Contacts must be made using CW since January 1, 1975. 
Confirmations for cross-mode contacts for this award must be
dated September 30, 1981, or earlier.

  (d) RTTY: Contacts must be made using radioteletype since
November 15, 1945. (Baudot, ASCII, AMTOR and packet count as
RTTY.) Confirmations for cross-mode contacts for this award must
be dated September 30, 1981, or earlier.

  (e) 160 Meter: Contacts must be made on 160 meters since
November 15, 1945.

  (f) 80 Meter: Contacts must be made on 80 meters since November
15, 1945.

  (g) 40 Meter: Contacts must be made on 40 meters since November
15, 1945.

  (h) 10 Meter: Contacts must be made on 10 meters since November
15, 1945.

  (i) 6 Meter: Contacts must be made on 6 meters since November
15, 1945

  (j) 2 Meter: Contacts must be made on 2 meters since November
15, 1945.

  (k) Satellite: Contacts must be made using satellites since
March 1, 1965. Confirmations must indicate satellite QSO.

  (l) Five-Band DXCC (5BDXCC): The 5BDXCC certificate is
available for working and confirming 100 current DXCC countries
(deleted countries don't count for this award) on each of the
following five bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 Meters. Contacts are
valid from November 15, 1945.

The 5BDXCC is endorsable for these additional bands: 160, 17, 12,
6, and 2 meters. 5BDXCC qualifiers are eligible for an
individually engraved plaque (at a charge of $25.00 US).

  (m) Honor Roll: Attaining the DXCC Honor Roll represents the
pinnacle of DX achievement:
  *Mixed-To qualify, you must have a total confirmed country
count that places you among the numerical top ten DXCC countries
total on the current DXCC Countries List (example: if there are
327 current DXCC countries, you must have at least 318 countries
confirmed).

  *Phone-same as Mixed.

  *CW-same as Mixed.

To establish the number of DXCC country credits needed to 
qualify for the Honor Roll, the maximum possible number of
current countries available for credit is published monthly in
QST. First-time Honor Roll members are recognized monthly in QST.
Complete Honor Roll standings are published annually in QST,
usually in the July issue. See DXCC notes in QST for specific
information on qualifying for this Honor Roll standings list.
Once recognized on this list or in a subsequent monthly update of
new members, you retain your Honor Roll standing until the next
standings list is published. In addition, Honor Roll members
are recognized in the DXCC Annual List for those who have been 
listed in the previous Honor Roll listings or have gained Honor Roll 
status in a subsequent monthly listing. Honor Roll qualifiers receive 
an Honor Roll endorsement sticker for their DXCC certificate and are
eligible for an Honor Roll lapel pin ($2) and an Honor Roll
plaque ($25 plus shipping). Write the DXCC Desk for details.

#1 Honor Roll: To qualify for a Mixed, Phone or CW Number One
plaque, you must have worked every country on the current DXCC
Countries List. Write the DXCC Desk for details.

  2) Written proof (confirmations, ie, QSL cards) of having made
two-way communication must be submitted directly to ARRL
Headquarters for all DXCC countries claimed. Photocopies and 
electronically transmitted confirmations (including, but not limited 
to, FAX, telex and telegram) are not acceptable for DXCC purposes. 
Applicants for their first DXCC award may have the cards checked
by ARRL DXCC Field Representatives-see Section V for details. The
use of the official DXCC application forms or an approved
facsimile (eg, produced by a computer program) is required.
Complete application materials are available from ARRL
Headquarters. Confirmations for a total of 100 or more countries
must be included with your first application. By ARRL Board of
Directors action, 10-MHz confirmations are creditable to the
Mixed, CW and RTTY awards only.

  3) The ARRL DXCC Countries List criteria will be used in
determining what constitutes a DXCC country.

  4) Confirmation data for two-way communications (ie, contacts)
must include the call signs of both stations, the country, mode,
and date, time and frequency band.

  5) Endorsement stickers for affixing to certificates or pins
will be awarded as additional DXCC credits are granted. For the
Mixed, Phone, CW, RTTY and 10-Meter DXCC, these stickers are in
exact multiples of 25, ie 125, 150, etc, between 100 and 250 DXCC
countries; in multiples of 10 between 250 and 300, and in
multiples of 5 above 300 DXCC countries. For 160-Meter, 80-Meter,
40-Meter, 6-Meter, 2-Meter and Satellite DXCC, the stickers are
in exact multiples of 10 starting at 100 and multiples of 5 above
200. Confirmations for DXCC countries may be submitted for
credits in any increment. (See #15 for applicable fees, if any.)

  6) All contacts must be made with amateur stations working in
the authorized amateur bands or with other stations licensed or
authorized to work amateurs. Contacts made through "repeater"
devices or any other power relay method (aside from Satellite
DXCC) are invalid for DXCC credit.

  7) Any Amateur Radio operation should take place only with the
complete approval and understanding of appropraite administration
officials.  In countries where amateurs are licensed in the
normal manner, credit may be claimed only for stations using
regular government-assigned call signs or portable call signs
where reciprocal agreements exist or the host government has so
authorized portable operation. No credit may be claimed for
contacts with stations in any country that has temporarily or
permanently closed down Amateur Radio operations by special
government edict where amateur licenses were formerly issued in
the normal manner. Some countries, in spite of such prohibitions,
issue authorizations which are acceptable.

  8) All stations contacted must be "land stations." Contacts
with ships and boats, anchored or under way, and airborne
aircraft, cannot be counted.

  9) All stations must be contacted from the same DXCC country.

  10) All contacts must be made by the same station licensee.
However, contacts may have been made under different call signs
in the same country if the licensee for all was the same. That
is, you may simultaneously feed one DXCC from several call signs
held, as long as the provisions of Rule 9 are met.

  11) Any altered, forged, or otherwise invalid confirmations
submitted by an applicant for DXCC credit may result in
disqualification of the applicant. Any holder of a DXCC award
submitting altered, forged or otherwise invalid confirmations may
forfeit the right to continued DXCC membership. The ARRL Awards
Committee shall rule in these matters and may also determine the
eligibility of any DXCC applicant who was ever barred from DXCC
to reapply and the conditions of such application.

  12) Operations Ethics:

  (a) Fair play and good sportsmanship in operating are required
of all DXCC members. In the event of specific objections relative
to continued poor operating ethics, an individual may be
disqualified from DXCC by action on the ARRL Awards Committee.

  (b) Credit for contacts with individuals who have displayed
continued poor operating ethics may be disallowed by action of
the ARRL Awards Committee.

  (c) For (a) and (b) above, "operating" includes confirmation
procedures and/or documentation submitted for DXCC accreditation.

  13) Each DXCC applicant must stipulate that he/she has observed
all DXCC rules as well as all pertinent governmental regulations
established for Amateur Radio in the country or countries
concerned, and agrees to be bound by the decisions of the ARRL
Awards Committee. Decisions of the ARRL Awards Committee
regarding interpretations of the rules here printed or later
amended shall be final.

  14) All DXCC applications (both new and endorsements) must
include sufficient funds to cover the cost of returning all
confirmations (QSL cards) via the method chosen. Funds must be in
US dollars, utilizing US currency, check or money order made
payable to the ARRL, or International Reply Coupons (IRCs). A
chart showing the various return postage rates is available from
the DXCC Desk. Address all correspondence and inquiries relating
to the various DXCC awards and all applications to: ARRL
Headquarters, DXCC Desk, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111, USA.


(15) Effective January 1, 1994, all amateurs applying for their
very first DXCC Award will be charged a one-time Registration Fee
of $10.00. This same fee applies to both ARRL members and foreign
non-members, and both will receive one DXCC certificate and a
DXCC pin. Applicants must provide funds for Postage charges for
QSL return.

(b) A $5.00 Shipping and handling fee will be charged for each
additional DXCC certificate issued, whether new or replacement. A
DXCC pin will be included with each certificate.

(c) Endorsements and new applications may be presented at ARRL
HQ, and at certain ARRL conventions. When presented in this
manner, such applications shall be limited to 110 cards maximum,
and a $2.00 handling charge will apply.

(d) Each ARRL member will be allowed one submission in each
calender year at no cost (except as in (c) above, or return
postage). This annual submission may include any number of QSL
cards for any number of DXCC Awards, and may be a combination of
new and endorsement applications. Fees as in (b) above will apply
for additional new DXCC Awards.

(e) Foreign non-members will be allowed the same annual
submission as ARRL members, however, they will be charged a
$10.00 DXCC Award fee, in addition to return postage charges.
Fees in (b) and (c) may also apply.

(f) DXCC participants who wish to submit more than once per year
will be charged a DXCC fee for each additional submission made
during the remainder of the calendar year. These fees are
dependent upon membership status: ARRL Members: $10.00  Foreign
non-members: $20.00. Additionally, return postage must be
provided by applicant, and charges from (b) and (c) above may be
applied.

16) The ARRL DX Advisory Committee (DXAC) requests your
comments and suggestions for improving DXCC. Address
correspondence, including petitions for new country
consideration, to ARRL Headquarters, DXAC, 225 Main St,
Newington, CT 06111, USA.

  SECTION II. COUNTRIES LIST CRITERIA

The ARRL DXCC Countries List is the result of progressive changes
in DXing since 1945. The full list will not necessarily conform
completely with current criteria since some of the listings were
recognized from pre-WWII or were accredited from earlier versions
of the criteria. While the general policy has remained the same,
specific mileages in Point 2(a) and Point 3, mentioned in the
following criteria, have been used in considerations made April
1960 and after. The specific mileage in Point 2(b) has been used
in considerations made April 1963 and after.

When an area in question meets at least one of the following
three points, it is eligible as a separate country listing for
the DXCC Countries List. These criteria address considerations by
virtue of Government [Point 1] or geographical separation [Points
2 and 3], while Point 4 addresses ineligible areas. All distances
are given in statute miles.

  Point 1, GOVERNMENT

  An independent country or nation-state having sovereignty (that
is, a body politic or society united together, occupying a
definite territory and having a definite population, politically
organized and controlled under one exclusive regime, and engaging
in foreign relations-including the capacity to carry out
obligations of international law and applicable international
agreements) constitutes a separate DXCC country by reason of
Government. This may be indicated by membership in the United
Nations (UN). However, some nations that possess the attributes
of sovereignty are not members of the UN, although these nations
may have been recognized by a number of UN-member nations.
Recognition is the formal act of one nation committing itself to
treat an entity as a sovereign state. There are some entities
that have been admitted to the UN that lack the requisite
attributes of sovereignty and, as a result, are not recognized by
a number of UN-member nations.

Other entities which are not totally independent may also be
considered for separate DXCC country status by reason of
Government. Included are Territories, Protectorates,
Dependencies, Associated States, and so on. Such an entity may
delegate to another country or international organization a
measure of its authority (such as the conduct of its foreign
relations in whole or in part, or other functions such as
customs, communications or diplomatic protection) without
surrendering its sovereign status. DXCC country status for such
an entity is individually considered, based on all the available
facts in the particular case. In making a reasonable
determination as to whether a sufficient degree of sovereignty
exists for DXCC purposes, the following characteristics (list not
necessarily all-inclusive) are taken into consideration:

  (a) Membership in specialized agencies of the UN, such as the
International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

  (b) Authorized use of ITU-assigned call sign prefixes.

  (c) Diplomatic relations (entering into international
agreements and/or supporting embassies and consulates), and
maintaining a standing army.

  (d) Regulation of foreign trade and commerce, customs,
immigration and licensing (including landing and operating
permits), and the issuance of currency and stamps.

  An entity that qualifies under Point 1, but consists of two or
more separate land areas, will be considered a single DXCC
country (since none of these areas alone retains an independent
capacity to carry out the obligations of sovereignty), unless the
areas can qualify under Points 2 or 3.

  Point 2, SEPARATION BY WATER

  An island or a group of islands which is part of a DXCC country
established by reason of Government, Point 1, is considered as a
separate DXCC country under the following conditions:

  (a) The island or islands are situated off shore,
geographically separated by a minimum of 225 miles of open water
from a continent, another island or group of islands that make up
any part of the "parent" DXCC country.

  For any additional island or islands to qualify as an
additional separate DXCC country or countries, such must qualify
under Point 2(b).

  (b) This point applies to the "second" island or island
grouping geographically separated from the "first" DXCC country
created under Point 2(a). For the second island or island
grouping to qualify, at least a 500-mile separation of open water
from the first is required, as well as meeting the 225-mile
requirement of (a) from the "parent". For any subsequent
island(s) to qualify, the 500-mile separation would again have to
be met. This precludes, for example, using the 225-mile
measurement for each of several islands from the parent country
to make several DXCC countries.

  Point 3, SEPARATION BY ANOTHER DXCC COUNTRY

  (a) Where a Point 1 DXCC country, composed of one or more
continental land areas or of continental land areas and islands,
is totally separated by an intervening DXCC country into two land
areas which are at least 75 miles apart, two DXCC countries
result. This distance is measured along the great circle between
the two closest points of the two areas divided. The measured
distance may include inland lakes and seas which are part of the
intervening DXCC country. The test for total separation into two
areas requires that a great circle cannot be drawn from any point
on the continental land and/or islands of one area to any point
on the continental land and/or islands of the other area without
intersecting any land of the intervening DXCC country.

  (b) Where a Point 1 DXCC country, composed entirely of islands,
is totally separated by an intervening DXCC country into two
areas, then two DXCC countries result. No minimal distance is
required for the separation. The test for total separation into
two areas requires that a great circle cannot be drawn from any
point on any island of one area to any point on any island of the
other area without intersecting any land of the intervening DXCC
country.

  Point 4, INELIGIBLE AREAS

  (a) Any area which is unclaimed or unowned by any recognized
government does not count as a separate DXCC country.

  (b) Any area which is classified as a Demilitarized Zone,
Neutral Zone or Buffer Zone does not count as a separate DXCC
country.

  (c) The following do not count as a separate DXCC country from
the host country: Embassies, consulates and extra-territorial
legal entities of any nature, including, but not limited to,
monuments, offices of the United Nations agencies or related
organizations, other inter-governmental organizations or
diplomatic missions.

  SECTION III. DELETION CRITERIA

  A DXCC country is subject to deletion from the ARRL DXCC
Countries List if political change causes it to cease to meet
Point 1 of the Countries List Criteria (a derivative of such
change may cause it to cease to meet Points 2 or 3) or if it
falls into Point 4 of the criteria. Additions to and deletions
from the DXCC Countries List come about as a result of a myriad
of such political changes. Reviewing the nature of the changes
which have occurred since 1945 as they affect DXCC, these changes
can be grouped into categories as follows:

  (a) Annexation. When an area that has been recognized as a
separate country under Point 1 is annexed or absorbed by an
adjacent Point 1 country, the annexed area becomes a deleted
country. Examples:  India annexed Sikkim (AC3); China annexed
Tibet (AC4); Indonesia annexed Portuguese Timor (CR8).

  (b) Unification. When two or more entities that have been
separate DXCC countries under Point 1 unite or combine into a
single entity under a common administration, one new DXCC country
is created and two or more DXCC countries have been deleted.
Example: Italian Somaliland (I5) plus British Somaliland (VQ6)
became Somalia (60/T5).

  (c) Partition. When one country is divided or partitioned into
two or more countries, one DXCC country is deleted and two or
more DXCC countries are created. Example: French Equatorial
Africa (FQ) was deleted and replaced by Central Africa (TL),
Congo (TN), Gabon (TR) and Chad (TT). The partition category is
not employed when the original political entity continues in some
form. That is, if part of country A splits off to form country B,
the original DXCC country (A) is retained and one new DXCC
country (B) is added. Examples: the British Sovereign Bases on
Cyprus (ZC4); Aruba (P4).

  (d) Independence. Mere independence does not result in a
Countries List deletion. Examples: the Tonga Islands, then a
British protectorate (VR5), is the same country as the present
listing of the Kingdom of Tonga (A3). Further, an entity already
recognized as a separate DXCC country is not deleted because of a
change in its independent status. Bangladesh (S2) is the same
listing as East Pakistan (AP), which was already separate from
West Pakistan by virtue of Point 3. Also, a country that merely
changes its name (such as when Upper Volta became Burkina Faso)
does not change its basic status as a DXCC country on the DXCC
Countries List.

  SECTION IV. ACCREDITATION CRITERIA

  1) The many vagaries of how each nation manages its
telecommunications matters does not lend itself to a hard set of
rules that can be applied across the board in accrediting all
Amateur Radio DX operations. However, during the course of more
than 40 years of DXCC administration, basic standards have
evolved in determining whether a DX operation meets the test of
legitimate operation. The intent is to assure that DXCC credit is
given only for contacts with operations that are conducted
appropriately in two respects: (1) proper licensing; and (2)
physical presence in the country to be credited.

  2) The following points should be of particular interest to
those seeking accreditation for a DX operation:

  (a) The vast majority of operations are accredited routinely
without any requirement for submitting authenticating
documentation.

  (b) In countries where Amateur Radio operation has not been
permitted or has been suspended or where some reluctance to
license amateur stations has been evidenced, authenticating
documents may be required prior to accrediting an operation.

  (c) Some DXCC countries, even though part of a country with no
Amateur Radio restrictions, nevertheless require the permission
of a governmental agency or private party prior to conducting
Amateur Radio operations on territory within their jurisdiction.
Examples: Desecheo I. (KP5); Palmyra I. (KH5); Kingman Reef
(KH5K).

  3) In those cases where supporting documentation is required,
the following should be used as a guide as to what information
may be necessary to make a reasonable determination of the
validity of the operation:

  (a) Photocopy of license or operating authorization.

  (b) Photocopy of passport entry and exit stamps.

  (c) For islands, a landing permit and/or signed statement of
the transporting ship's, boat's, or aircraft's captain, showing
all pertinent data, such as date, place of landing, etc.

  (d) For some locations where special permission is known to be
required to gain access, evidence of this permission having been
given is required.

  4) These accreditation requirements are intended to preserve
the DXCC program's integrity and to ensure that the program does
not encourage amateurs to "bend the rules" in their enthusiasm,
thus jeopardizing the future development of Amateur Radio. Every
effort will be made to apply these criteria in a uniform manner
in conformity with these objectives.

  SECTION V. FIELD CHECKING OF QSL CARDS

QSL cards for new DXCC awards may be checked by two DXCC Field
Representatives. This program applies to any DXCC award for an
individual or station. Specifically excluded from this program
are additional new DXCC awards and endorsements of existing
awards. Also excluded are 5BDXCC, 6 meter, 2 meter and Satellite
DXCC and any 160-meter QSL.
  1) Countries Eligible for Field Checking:

  (a) Eligible countries will be indicated in the ARRL DXCC
Countries List, and are subject to change. Only cards from these
eligible countries may be checked by DXCC Field Representatives.
QSLs for other DXCC countries must be submitted directly to ARRL
Headquarters.

  (b) The ARRL Awards Committee determines which countries are
eligible for Field Checking.

  2) DXCC Field Representatives:

  (a) DXCC Field Representatives must be ARRL members who have a
DXCC award endorsed for at least 300 countries.

  (b) To become a DXCC Field Representative, a person must be
nominated by a DX club. (A DX club is an ARRL affiliated club
with at least 25 members who are DXCC members and which has, as
its primary interest, DX. If there are any questions regarding
the validity of a DX club, the issue shall be determined by the
Division Director where the DX club is located.) A person does
not have to be a member to be nominated by a DX club.

  (c) DXCC Field Representatives are approved by the Director of
the ARRL Division in which they reside and appointed by the
President of the ARRL.

  (d) DXCC Field Representative appointments must be renewed
annually.

  3) Card Checking Process:

  (a) Only cards from the list of eligible countries can be
checked by DXCC Field Representatives. An application shall
contain a minimum of 100 QSL confirmations from the list and
shall not contain any QSLs from countries that are not on the
list of eligible countries. The application may contain the
maximum number of countries that appear on the list of eligible
countries. That is, if there are 245 countries on the list, the
initial application for a field-checked DXCC award could contain
245 countries.

  (b) It is the applicant's responsibility to get cards to and
from the DXCC Field Representatives.

  (c) Field Representatives may, at their own discretion, handle
members' cards by mail.

  (d) The ARRL is not responsible for cards handled by DXCC Field
Representatives and will not honor any claims.

  (e) The QSL cards must be checked by two DXCC Field
Representatives.

  (f) The applicant and both DXCC Field Representatives must sign
the application form. (See SECTION I no. 11 regarding altered,
forged or otherwise invalid confirmations.)

  (g) The applicant shall provide a stamped no. 10 envelope
(business size) addressed to ARRL HQ to the DXCC Field
Representatives. The applicant shall also provide the application
fee (check or money order payable to ARRL_no cash) for the
initial DXCC award.

  (h) The DXCC Field Representatives will forward completed
applications and appropriate fee(s) to ARRL HQ.

  4) ARRL HQ involvement in the card checking process:
  a) ARRL HQ staff will receive field-checked applications, enter
application data into DXCC records and issue DXCC credits and
awards as appropriate.

  (b) ARRL HQ staff will perform random audits of applications.
Applicants or members may be requested to forward cards to HQ for
checking before or after credit is issued.

  c) The applicant and both DXCC Field Representatives will be
advised of any errors or discrepancies encountered by ARRL staff.

  (d) ARRL HQ staff provides instructions and guidelines to DXCC
Field Representatives.

  5) Applicants and DXCC members may send cards to ARRL
Headquarters at any time for review or recheck if the individual
feels that an incorrect determination has been made.