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 | VK3HJ | ![]() | 1 | 20230207 | 094922 | DOWNLOAD |
2nd | VK3EW | ![]() | 1 | 20230207 | 095605 | DOWNLOAD |
3rd | VK3GK | ![]() | 1 | 20230208 | 084439 | DOWNLOAD |
4th | VK3MH | ![]() | 1 | 20230208 | 085024 | |
5th | VK3KJ | ![]() | 1 | 20230208 | 090419 | |
6th | VK3BDX | ![]() | 1 | 20230208 | 090750 | |
7th | VK3KTT | ![]() | 1 | 20230208 | 092747 | |
8th | VK3TZ | ![]() | 1 | 20230208 | 092832 | |
9th | VK3IK | ![]() | 1 | 20230209 | 102906 | |
10th | VK3MB | ![]() | 1 | 20230209 | 103349 | |
11th | VK3OHM | ![]() | 1 | 20230210 | 110300 | |
12th | VK5GR | ![]() | 1 | 20230210 | 113530 | |
13th | VK3SIM | ![]() | 1 | 20230211 | 225100 | |
14th | VK2KDP | ![]() | 1 | 20230212 | 083100 | |
15th | VK2PR | ![]() | 1 | 20230212 | 083445 | |
16th | VK4LK | ![]() | 1 | 20230212 | 084345 | |
17th | VK2ND | ![]() | 1 | 20230212 | 085140 | |
18th | VK2QV | ![]() | 1 | 20230213 | 081100 | |
19th | VK6WX | ![]() | 1 | 20230213 | 091415 | |
20th | VK5COL | ![]() | 27 | 20230314 | 103659 | |
21st | VK2MI | ![]() | 27 | 20230320 | 045800 | |
22nd | VK3OM | ![]() | 113 | 20230308 | 112915 | |
23rd | VK2PKT | ![]() | 117 | 20230321 | 011845 | |
24th | VK2JAY | ![]() | 311 | 20230320 | 081500 |
Place | Callsign | Score | Entities Worked | Ranking | Certificate |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st | VK3EW | 3.63 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 1 4 21 23 27 | DOWNLOAD |
2nd | VK3MH | 3.63 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 1 4 21 23 27 | DOWNLOAD |
3rd | VK3KJ | 3.63 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 1 4 21 23 27 | DOWNLOAD |
4th | VK2QV | 3.63 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 1 4 21 23 27 | |
5th | VK3HJ | 3.65 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 1 4 21 27 28 | |
6th | VK3GK | 3.66 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 1 4 23 27 28 | |
7th | VK3BDX | 3.66 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 1 4 23 27 28 | |
8th | VK3KTT | 3.66 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 1 4 23 27 28 | |
9th | VK3IK | 3.66 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 1 4 23 27 28 | |
10th | VK3MB | 3.66 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 1 4 23 27 28 | |
11th | VK3OHM | 3.66 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 1 4 23 27 28 | |
12th | VK5GR | 3.66 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 1 4 23 27 28 | |
13th | VK6WX | 3.66 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 1 4 23 27 28 | |
14th | VK3TZ | 3.68 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 1 4 23 28 36 | |
15th | VK3SIM | 3.71 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 1 4 23 27 63 | |
16th | VK4LK | 3.71 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 1 4 23 27 63 | |
17th | VK2PR | 3.82 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 1 4 28 63 130 | |
18th | VK2ND | 3.83 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 1 4 28 68 206 | |
19th | VK2KDP | 4.53 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 1 27 28 63 68 | |
20th | VK2MI | 60.50 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 27 63 92 105 107 | |
21st | VK5COL | 74.95 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 27 113 117 160 166 | |
22nd | VK3OM | 134.10 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 113 117 130 162 166 | |
23rd | VK2PKT | 152.70 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 117 154 156 169 186 | |
24th | VK2JAY | 330.07 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | 311 329 335 338 339 |
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
May 1-Jun 15, 2023 | 34 | ![]() | 5UA99WS | IU5HWS fm Niammey; 40-10m; mainly FT8, some SSB; multiband dipole; QSL via EA5GL |
May 6-Jun 30, 2023 | 225 | ![]() | V7 | N7XR as V7/N7XR fm Kwajalein Atoll; 160-10m; CW RTTY FT8; 100w; dipoles, verticals |
May 23-Jun 14, 2023 | 117 | ![]() | 9X2AW | DF2WO fm Kigali; 160-10m; CW SSB + digital |
May 30-Jun 13, 2023 | 147 | ![]() | D4CW | DJ5QS fm Sal I; 80-10m; SSB CW |
Jun 1-15, 2023 | 204 | ![]() | 5Z4SK | AK0SK fm Taveta; 80-10m; ST8 SSB, some CW; 100w; G5RV; QSL via Club Log OQRS |
Jun 6-18, 2023 | 56 | ![]() | VU7W | YL2GM fm Minicoy I (AS-106); HF w/ emphasis on 6m; CW SSB FT8; 1kw; vertical, Spiderbeam, BoG; see QSL details on Web |
Jun 10-17, 2023 | 164 | ![]() | FS | W3EDP as FS/W3EDP; 40 20 15m; SSB + digital; QSL via W3EDP; also from PJ7 |
Jun 11-24, 2023 | 109 | ![]() | VP6A | AA7JV KN4EEI W6IZT + large team of remote ops fm CG75oi; 160-6m; CW SSB FT8 (f/h); QSL via HA7RY |
Jun 12-18, 2023 | 139 | ![]() | CE0Y | XQ3PCN as CE0Y/XQ3PCN, CA3YMR and CE3KEYCE3KEY likewise fm Hanga Roa; 20-10m; delta loops, 4 ele yagi; QSL via home_call |
Jun 13-21, 2023 | 179 | ![]() | 8Q7KB | DL2SBY fm Maafushi I; 12 10 6m; CW SSB |
Jun 21-27, 2023 | 239 | ![]() | WH0RU | JG7PSJ fm Saipan I (OC-086); 40-10m; CW SSB; QSL via JG7PSJ w/SASE |
Jun 21-Jul 3, 2023 | 130 | ![]() | 7Q7WW | W1IE K4CD, perhaps others; 160-6m; FT8 (f/h); SSB CW RTTY; spare time operation |
Jun 23-29, 2023 | 77 | ![]() | VP2V | W9DR as VP2V/W9DR fm Anegada I (FK78tr); 6m; FT8 Q65 SSB CW; 1kw; 5 ele yagi |
Jun 25-Jul 5, 2023 | 108 | ![]() | OY | DC8TM as OY/DC8TM and DF3TS as PY/DF3TS; HF; SSB FT8 |
Jun 27-Jul 8, 2023 | 133 | ![]() | VP9 | G4OSY as G4OSY/VP9 fm Hamilton Parish; 40-6m; SSB, perhaps CW |
Jun 27-Jul 11, 2023 | 48 | ![]() | FP | KV1J as FP/KV1J fm Miquelon I (IOTA NA-032); 80-6m, focus on 60 6m; CW SSB + digital; QSL via Club Log OQRS or KV1J Buro or direct (w/ SAE + 1USD or new style IRC) |
Jul 6-18, 2023 | 74 | ![]() | PJ5 | PE6Q as PJ5/PE6Q and PA4O as PJ5/PA4O fm Sint Eustatius I (IOTA NA-145); 80-6m; CW SSB FT; PJ5C during IARU Contest |
Jul 11-18, 2023 | 179 | ![]() | 8Q7HU | CX3AN fm Dhaalu Atoll' 40-6m; holiday style operation |
Jul 23-Aug 4, 2023 | 208 | ![]() | TG4 | KT8X as TG4/KT8X; 40-6m; CW FT8, perhaps SSB |
Aug 20-Sep 9, 2023 | 44 | ![]() | 9Q2WX | OK2WX; HF; CW SSB + digital |
Aug 31-Sep 14, 2023 | 239 | ![]() | KH0 | DL2AH as KH0/DL2AH fm Rota I; 80-6m; SSB FT8; Windom, TripleLeg; QSL via Club Log OQRS or DL2AH direct |
Sep 6-18, 2023 | 44 | ![]() | 9Q1AA | IV3ZXQ I2PJA I2YSB IK2CKR IK2HKT I1FQH I1HJT; 160-6m; CW SSB RTTY FT8 (f/h); dates tentative |
Sep 12-18, 2023 | 217 | ![]() | T8 | JM1LIG as T88FM, JO3LVG as T88MK, JR3QFB as T88FH; 160-6m; SSB FM FT8 FT4; QSL T88FM via JM1LIG direct (w/ SASE), T88MK via JO3LVG (B/d), T88JH via JR3QFB |
Sep 15-21, 2023 | 114 | ![]() | OX0J | OZ0J fm Maniitsoq I (IOTA NA-220); 80-10m; verticals; QSL via Club Log OQRS or OZ0J |
Sep 16-30, 2023 | 292 | ![]() | KH2 | DL2AH as KH2/DL2AH; 80-6m; SSB FT8; Windom, TripleLeg; QSL via Club Log OQRS or DL2AH direct |
Oct 1-14, 2023 | 271 | ![]() | 5W0LM | 9A7Y 9A2NA S50B 9A3MR fm Apia; 160-6m; focus on CW, also SSB FT8; Hexbeam, verticals |
Oct 1-31, 2023 | 275 | ![]() | YJ0TT | NC7M N7JI K6VHF W6UC NG7E fm Port Vila; 160-6m + 23cm EME; CW SSB + digital; exact dates TBA; all ops will have personal call signs |
Oct 2-10, 2023 | 68 | ![]() | J88PI | GW4DVB fm Palm I; 40 20 17 15 10m; SSTV C4FM FT8 |
Oct 3-15, 2023 | 225 | ![]() | V7 | DL2AH as TBD (perhaps V73AH); 80-6m; SSB FT8; Windom, TripleLeg; QSL via Club Log OQRS or DL2AH direct |
Oct 4-17, 2023 | 62 | ![]() | W8S | DJ9RR DL2AMD DL6JGN KO8SCA NG7M PA2KW PA3EWP PA4WM PA5X PG5M ; HF; CW SSB FT8 RTTY; 6 stations |
Oct 10-23, 2023 | 195 | ![]() | E6AM | LZ1GC; 160-6m; CW SSB FT8; QSL via Club Log OQRS or LZ1GC (B/d) |
Oct 18-30, 2023 | 198 | ![]() | V63AH | DL2AH fm Kosrae (IOTA OC-059); 80-6m; SSB FT8; Windom, TripleLeg; QSL via Club Log OQRS or DL2AH direct |
Oct 25-31, 2023 | 74 | ![]() | PJ5 | W5JON fm St Eustatius; 60-6m; SSB FT8; yagi, verticals; QSL also OK via W5JON direct |
Oct 31-Nov 14, 2023 | 168 | ![]() | H40WA | N7QT N6PSE VE7NY OE1JUN DJ9RR HA0NAR W7XU N6XG fm IOTA OC-065 (RH29vg); 160-10; CW SSB FT8 (f/h); QSL via M0URX |
Nov 3-10, 2023 | 195 | ![]() | E6AJ | DF8AN; HF; CW FT4 FT8 RTTY, perhaps PSK31; 100w; longwires, verticals; holiday style operation |
Nov 4-19, 2023 | 143 | ![]() | TX7L | F6BCW F6EEQ F6FMC F6HBI F5VHQ F5JRX F5LRL F4ISZ F1MNQ fm Hiva Oa I; 160-6m CW SSB FT8 FT4 RTTY; 4 stations; QSL via EA5GL (B/d) or Club Log OQRS |
Nov 15-29, 2023 | 221 | ![]() | H44WA | WA7CPA, N7QT N7JP N9ADG NU7J WC7Q fm Guadacanal I (IOTA OC-047); 160-10m; CW SSB FT8 |
Nov 21-Dec 5, 2023 | 141 | ![]() | VK9XGM | GM3WOJ GM4YXI fm IOTA OC-002; 80-10m; SSB CW FT8 FT4; QSL via Club Log OQRS or N3SL |
Nov 26-Dec 8, 2023 | 164 | ![]() | TO9W | K9NU N9EP FS4WBS W9AP K9EL; 160-6m; CW SSB FT8 FT4 RTTY; QSL via Club Log OQRS |
Jan 17-Feb 3, 2024 | 54 | ![]() | TX5S | team fm IOTA NA-011 (DK50jh); 160-6m; SSB CW RTTY FT8; dates subject to change; see Web for full QSL details |
Feb 13-20, 2024 | 47 | ![]() | 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 |