Contest Objective: To encourage W/VE stations to expand knowledge of DX propagation on the HF and MF bands, improve operating skills, and improve station capability by creating a competition in which DX stations may only contact W/VE stations. One contest period is CW-only and one is Phone-only. Use only the 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meter bands.
W/VE amateurs: Work as many DX stations in as many DXCC entities as possible.
DX stations: Work as many W/VE stations in as many of the 48 contiguous states and provinces as possible.
Dates:
CW: Third full weekend in February (February 17-18, 2024).
Contest Period: Begins 0000 UTC Saturday and runs through 2359 UTC Sunday.
Exchange:
W/VE stations send a signal report and their state or province. (See the ARRL Contest Multipliers List for a list of abbreviations.) DX stations send a signal report and power as a number or abbreviation.
Click here for the complete ARRL International DX Contest Rules (PDF)
This is a typical contest contact:
CQing Station: CQ TEST DE K5RWK
Answering Station: RU1A
CQer: RU1A 599 TX
Answer: 59 KW
CQer: TU CQ TEST DE K5RWK
Or
CQing Station: CQ TEST DE JA3YBK
Answering Station: K5RWK
CQer: K5RWK 599 500
Answer: 599 TX
CQer: TU JA3YBK