This contest was developed by the Fisher's Ghost Amateur Radio Club in memory of Ted Powell, who became a silent key on 16 March 2014. Ted's passion was working rare DX and collecting QSL cards. At the time of his passing, Ted had worked 301 entities and confirmed 300 by QSL cards.
There are 2 categories in this contest.
The objective of the "Most Wanted" category is to work the most wanted DXCC entity during an award period. The winner will be the station who works the most wanted DXCC entity based on its ranking in Clublog's Most Wanted list current at the beginning of the award period. There will also be awards for 2nd and 3rd place.
The objective of the "Top 5" category is to work the top 5 most wanted DXCC entities during an award period. A score is calculated for each entry in the Top 5 category and the winner will be the station with the lowest score. There will also be awards for 2nd and 3rd place. You must work at least 5 unique entities during an award period to be eligible to enter this category. The score is calculated using a mathematical formula known as "Harmonic Mean" which favours entries with more higher ranking entities than entries with fewer higher ranking entities. The formula looks like this, where e1, e2, e3, e4, & e5 are the rankings of the top 5 most wanted entities worked.
The Most Wanted lists for the current and previous periods can be found below. These lists are based on Most Wanted from VK/ZL.
The contest is only open to Australian residents who hold a current VK1 - VK8 licence and who are transmitting from within Australia.
There are 4 award periods per year. Times are UTC.
Any authorised amateur frequency may be used. You may only make QSOs on frequencies permitted to you under your licence class.
Any authorised amateur mode may be used. You may only make QSOs using modes permitted to you under your licence class.
You may use any power on any mode up to the maximum power permitted for that mode, or the maximum power permitted to you under your licence class.
Only contacts with amateur stations count. Contacts through repeaters or satellites do not count, nor do contacts with maritime mobile or aeronautical mobile stations. Echolink and IRLP contacts and WSPR spots do not count. Contacts with stations deemed by Clublog to be invalid for DXCC do not count.
Remote operation is permitted provided the transmitter, receiver, and antenna are all located within Australia.
Entries open at the end of the award period and close 14 days later. Entries may be submitted using one of the following 2 methods.
This is the preferred entry method. You MUST use this entry method to enter the "Top 5" category. (You may also use this entry method if you're not entering the "Top 5" category, but if you use this entry method and you have worked 5 or more unique entities during the award period you will automatically be entered in the "Top 5" category). The "Log Uploader" script will process all your QSOs, generate your "Most Wanted" and "Top 5" entry, calculate your top 5 score, and send your entry to the contest manager. You will receive a reply email, (usually within 24 hours) confirming your entry has been received.
Click the button below to go to the "Log Uploader" page where you will find out more about this entry method.
Alternatively, single QSO entries may be sent by email to the contest manager using your callsign as the email subject. Entries must consist of one (1) QSO only, that being the entity worked with the highest ranking in the Most Wanted list for the award period. Entries in the "Top 5" category will not be accepted using this entry method.
If you use the email method to submit your entry, for ease of administration it is suggested you copy and paste the details below into an email and type in the QSO details. You will receive a reply email, (usually within 24 hours) confirming your entry has been received.
Entries MUST include all of the following information.
Email address for single QSO entry submission:
Results will be finalised within 14 days after the closing date for entries of the award period. The winner will be the station who works the most wanted and top 5 most wanted DXCC entities based on their ranking in Clublog's "Most Wanted" list published below at the beginning of the award period. There will also be awards for 2nd and 3rd place. Results will be published below soon after and winners will be notified by email.
In the event of a tie in the "Most Wanted" category, the winner will be the first station to work the DXCC entity chronologically. In the rare event of 2 entries working the same entity and specifying the same QSO time and date, the result will be determined a dead heat.
In the event of a tie in the "Top 5" category, the winner will be the first station to work the highest ranking DXCC entity chronologically. In the event of 2 entries working the same highest ranking DXCC entity and specifying the same QSO time and date, the winner will be the first station to work the second highest ranking DXCC entity chronologically, and so on up to the fifth highest ranking entity. In the rare event of 2 entries working the same top 5 entities and specifying the same QSO time and date for all 5 entities, the result will be determined a dead heat.
Awards will be issued as follows.
Place | Callsign | Entity Worked | Ranking | QSO Date | QSO Time | Certificate |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st | VK3BDX | ![]() | 35 | 20230906 | 055700 | DOWNLOAD |
2nd | VK3SIM | ![]() | 35 | 20230906 | 062300 | DOWNLOAD |
3rd | VK2QV | ![]() | 37 | 20230708 | 023800 | DOWNLOAD |
4th | VK3GK | ![]() | 37 | 20230708 | 025100 | |
5th | VK3MB | ![]() | 37 | 20230708 | 030844 | |
6th | VK3EW | ![]() | 37 | 20230708 | 061800 | |
7th | VK3HJ | ![]() | 37 | 20230708 | 071945 | |
8th | VK3OHM | ![]() | 37 | 20230709 | 032300 | |
9th | VK3KTT | ![]() | 37 | 20230709 | 034515 | |
10th | VK2KDP | ![]() | 37 | 20230709 | 040100 | |
11th | VK2PR | ![]() | 37 | 20230709 | 040915 | |
12th | VK3IK | ![]() | 37 | 20230710 | 061346 | |
13th | VK6WX | ![]() | 37 | 20230713 | 053230 | |
14th | VK2SKI | ![]() | 41 | 20230815 | 063322 | |
15th | VK5COL | ![]() | 88 | 20230903 | 104159 | |
16th | VK4LK | ![]() | 117 | 20230716 | 073446 | |
17th | VK2JAY | ![]() | 331 | 20230923 | 020859 |
Place | Callsign | Score | Entities Worked | Ranking | Certificate |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st | VK3BDX | 40.12 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 35 37 41 42 48 | DOWNLOAD |
2nd | VK3EW | 44.96 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 37 41 42 48 66 | DOWNLOAD |
3rd | VK3SIM | 49.63 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 35 37 48 75 91 | DOWNLOAD |
4th | VK2QV | 51.60 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 37 44 48 75 77 | |
5th | VK3GK | 55.04 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 37 48 66 69 75 | |
6th | VK3IK | 55.18 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 37 48 67 69 75 | |
7th | VK3MB | 59.85 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 37 48 75 88 91 | |
8th | VK3HJ | 60.51 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 37 48 77 88 96 | |
9th | VK2KDP | 61.39 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 37 48 88 89 91 | |
10th | VK6WX | 61.48 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 37 66 69 76 87 | |
11th | VK3KTT | 62.63 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 37 48 88 91 104 | |
12th | VK3OHM | 65.76 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 37 48 88 117 121 | |
13th | VK2PR | 66.81 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 37 48 89 117 139 | |
14th | VK2SKI | 74.60 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 41 88 89 96 104 | |
15th | VK5COL | 103.34 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 88 96 106 116 117 | |
16th | VK4LK | 155.09 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 117 155 173 174 175 | |
17th | VK2JAY | 336.77 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 331 336 338 339 340 |
The "Upcoming DX" list is provided by Announced DX Operations. Rank is the ranking of the entity in the current Ted Powell Memorial DX Challenge award period.
Dates | Rank | Entity | Call | Information |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nov 27-Dec 14, 2023 | 200 | ![]() | P40L | W6LD; HF; QRV for ARRL 10m Contest along with W0YK (P49X) |
Nov 28-Dec 31, 2023 | 238 | ![]() | PJ2ND | K8ND; HF; QSL via KU9C or K8ND; will use PJ2T in contests; operation to continue until Jan 31, 2004 |
Nov 30-Dec 11, 2023 | 193 | ![]() | 6Y | W8YCM as W8YCM/6Y fm Negril Beach, Westmoreland Parish; HF |
Dec 4-12, 2023 | 73 | ![]() | VP2VMM | Team Vertical; mainly 20-10m; CW SSB + digital; QRV for ARRL 10m Contest |
Dec 4-16, 2023 | 195 | ![]() | V6EU | DL2AWG DK2AMM DL2AMD DF4GV fm Chuuk I (IOTA OC-011); 160-10m, perhaps 6m; SSB CW RTTY FT8; QSL via Club Log OQRS or DL2AWG |
Dec 5-10, 2023 | ![]() | VU7A | W4VKU fm IOTA AS-106; 160-6m; SSB FT8 | |
Dec 5-19, 2023 | 119 | ![]() | Z68BG | HB9TSW; HF; CW; spare time opteration |
Dec 6-28, 2023 | 161 | ![]() | T32TT | Rebel DX Group; 160-6m; focus on FT8 FT4 some CW SSB |
Dec 7-14, 2023 | 164 | ![]() | PZ5NH | JA0JHQ; HF; CW SSB FT8; QSL via JA0JHQ direct |
Dec 8-18, 2023 | 208 | ![]() | 8P9BH | GM0PWS; 40 20 10m; SSB |
Dec 8-19, 2023 | 81 | ![]() | XT2AW | DF2WO fm Ouagadougou; HF; CW SSB FT4 FT8; 100w |
Dec 9-18, 2023 | 135 | ![]() | V47JA | W5JON fm Calypso Bay; 160-6m; SSB FT8; yagi, verticals; QSL also OK via W5JON direct |
Dec 9-19, 2023 | 228 | ![]() | JD1YCE | Kansai Okinawa Ham Club ops; HF + 6m; QSL via Club Log OQRS or JA3AVO direct |
Dec 11-22, 2023 | 144 | ![]() | D44MCS | OE3MCS fm Sal I (IOTA AF-068); 40-10m, perhaps 6m; SSB CW, perhaps FT8 and RTTY; QSL via OE3MCS |
Dec 12-15, 2023 | 124 | ![]() | VP9 | DK7PE as VP9/DK7PE; HF; CW |
Dec 16-26, 2023 | ![]() | VU4N | W4VKU; 160-6m; SSB FT8 | |
Dec 16, 2023-Jan 13, 2024 | 99 | ![]() | ZD7CA | HB9FIY fm IOTA AF-022; 40-10m; SSB + digital |
Dec 26, 2023-Jan 5, 2024 | 137 | ![]() | J8TT | PA2LO fm Ratho Mill (IOTA NA-109 (IOTA NA-109)); 40-10m; SSB CW FT8; QSL via PA2LO Buro or Club Log OQRS |
Dec 27, 2023-Jan 6, 2024 | 167 | ![]() | 3B9AT | IK3ZAQ IV3JVJ fm IOTA AF-017; 40-10m; CW SSB FT8; QSL via IV3JVJ |
Dec 28, 2023-Jan 11, 2024 | 163 | ![]() | V5 | F5LCX as V5/F5LCX fm Windhoek; HF; 100w; vertical |
Dec 29, 2023-Jan 16, 2024 | 113 | ![]() | TO2FY | F4GPK fm Korou; @FY5KE; HF; SSB; holiday style operation |
Jan 1-5, 2024 | 162 | ![]() | JW | M0PLX fm Spitsbergen; 160-10m; SSB |
Jan 3-10, 2024 | 176 | ![]() | HR9 | K6VHF as K6VHF/HR9 fm Sandy Bay, Roatan I (IOTA NA-057); 80-6m; CW SSB FT8 RTTY; 100w; QSL via K6VHF direct |
Jan 11-24, 2024 | 208 | ![]() | 8P9CB | WA7RAR; 20-10m; CW SSB; 100w; 1/4 wave vetical; QSL to WA7RAR direct |
Jan 11-25, 2024 | 135 | ![]() | V4 | N4RF as V4/N4RF; @V7JA; HF; CW FT8, some SSB; 100w; holiday style operation; QSL via N4RF direct w/ SASE |
Jan 11-30, 2024 | 133 | ![]() | VP2MDX | W2APF; HF; operation to continue until Apr 11 2024 |
Jan 12-18, 2024 | 217 | ![]() | T8 | JH6WDG as T88AQ, JA6KYU as T88HS, JR6DRH as T88RH, JA6EGL as T88SM fm Koror; 160-10m; CW SSB FT8; QSL per operator's instructions |
Jan 12-20, 2024 | 78 | ![]() | ET3AA | W9XY K4ZW; HF |
Jan 16-Feb 4, 2024 | 99 | ![]() | ZD7Z | IV3FSG fm Jamestown (IOTA AF-022 IH74ga); 160-6m, incl 60m; SSB CW RTTY FT8 FT4; vertical, inverted L; QSL via IK2DUW |
Jan 17-24, 2024 | 230 | ![]() | J79 | FM5BH as J79BH and F8AAN as J79AN; HF; CW SSB FT8 |
Jan 18-Feb 1, 2024 | 44 | ![]() | TX5S | team fm IOTA NA-011 (DK50jh); 160-6m, incl 60m; SSB CW RTTY FT8; dates subject to change; see Web for full QSL details |
Jan 19-31, 2024 | 200 | ![]() | P4 | DL4MM as P4/DL4MM and P40AA; 160-10m; CW FT8 FT4 SSB; SOA in CQ 160m CW Contest |
Jan 25-Feb 12, 2024 | 29 | ![]() | 7O2WX | OK2WX fm Socotra I; HF w/ focus on low bands; monoband verticals for 160 80 40m; QRV for CQ 160m CW |
Feb 10-18, 2024 | 227 | ![]() | 4L | K6VHF as 4L/K6VHF fm Rustavi; 80-6m; CW SSB FT8 RTTY; 1kw; QSL via K6VHF direct |
Feb 10-24, 2024 | 37 | ![]() | CB0ZA | CE1EW XQ1KZ CE1KV XQ3SA XQ3SK AB5EB HI3R NP4G HA1AG N5KO fm IOTA SA-005; 160-2m; SSB CW RTTY FT8 + EME; dates subject to change; see Web for full QSL details |
Feb 10-28, 2024 | 216 | ![]() | H44MS | DL2GAC fm QI01hp; 160-6m; SSB FT8; 800w; QRV for CQ 160m SSB; QRV holiday style until Apr 29 |
Feb 14-24, 2024 | 45 | ![]() | 8R | M0SDV DK6SP DJ4MX HA8RT as TBA; 160-6m; CW SSB FT8 RTTY; QSL via M0OXO OQRS |
Feb 20-27, 2024 | 243 | ![]() | 3B8 | OK6DJ as 3B8/OK6DJ; 40-10m; CW; QSL via Club Log OQRS |
Feb 22-Mar 7, 2024 | 154 | ![]() | H40WA | N7QT N6PSE VE7NY OE1JUN DJ9RR HA0NAR W7XU N6XG fm IOTA OC-065 (RH29vg); 160-10; CW SSB FT8 (f/h); QSL via M0URX; QRV for CQWW SSB |
Feb 25-Mar 4, 2024 | 135 | ![]() | V4 | K1ZN as V44/K1ZN fm St Kitts; HF |
Mar 1-31, 2024 | 93 | ![]() | TY5C | F5NVF 7X2TT F5RAV; HF; CW SSB FT8; QSL via F5RAV direct |
Mar 2-30, 2024 | 112 | ![]() | PJ7AA | AA9A; 40-6m; CW; FT8 FT4; QSL via AA9A direct |
Mar 4-16, 2024 | 117 | ![]() | J3 | ON4HIL ON4MA ON5RA ON5TN ON6CC ON7RU; 160-10m |
Mar 8-20, 2024 | 143 | ![]() | 5H3VJG | G0VJG fm Zanzibar I (IOTA AF-032); HF; mainly SSB, some FT8; QRV for BERU contest |
Mar 16-21, 2024 | 159 | ![]() | C6A | WA1JAY as WA1JAY/C6A; mainly 10m; FT8 FT4 SSB |
Mar 19-30, 2024 | 92 | ![]() | 7P8EI | DJ9RR EI2II EI2JD EI3ISB EI3IXB EI4HH EI5GM EI5GSB EI6FR EI8KN EI9HQ EI9HX EI9FBB PA3EWP; 160-10m; CW SSB + digital |
Mar 25-Apr 3, 2024 | 132 | ![]() | TX5XG | JA1XGI fm IOTA OC-114; 160-6m; CW + digital + Greencube SAT |
Mar 29-31, 2024 | 123 | ![]() | TO4VV | FH4VVK fm Quatier Cabaribere; HF; SSB FT8; QSL via Club Log OQRS or FH4VVK direct |
Apr 5-7, 2024 | 123 | ![]() | TO4VV | FH4VVK fm Quatier Cabaribere; HF; SSB FT8; QSL via Club Log OQRS or FH4VVK direct |
Apr 12-14, 2024 | 123 | ![]() | TO4VV | FH4VVK fm Quatier Cabaribere; HF; SSB FT8; QSL via Club Log OQRS or FH4VVK direct |
Jul 2-15, 2024 | 40 | ![]() | FP | KV1J as FP/KV1J; HF, focus on 60m (FT8 on 5357khz) + 12 10 6m; SSB FT8; QRV for IARU Contest; QSL via Club Log OQRS or KV1J Buro or direct (w/ 1USD + SASE) |
Aug 23-Sep 30, 2024 | 17 | ![]() | ZD9GJ | W7GJ fm IOTA AF-029 (IF32uw); 6m; mainly EME, some SSB FT8; dates tentative |
Jan 5-26, 2025 | 39 | ![]() | 3Y0K | WD5COV DL8JJ LA7GIA; HF; permits in hand; dates tentative |