"Dxcc" is a term commonly used in the world of amateur radio. The spelling of this four-letter word follows the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription as /diː eks siː siː/. The "d" stands for delta, "x" for x-ray, and "c" for Charlie. In terms of its meaning, "dx" typically refers to long-distance communication between two amateur radio stations, while "cc" stands for "country count" and refers to the number of different countries an amateur radio operator has made contact with.
DXCC stands for "Deluxe Century Club." It is a prestigious award program and a comprehensive ham radio operating achievement. The DXCC is managed by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and is considered the most notable and sought-after award in the field of amateur radio communication.
The DXCC program centers around confirming contacts, or "QSOs," made between licensed radio amateurs in different countries or territories. To qualify for the DXCC, a ham radio operator must successfully establish and document contacts with a specific number of distinct entities, which are typically defined by geographical, political, or other relevant criteria. Entities can include countries, islands, territories, or exclusive amateur radio stations.
The award requires the completion of a "DXCC application," which validates that all necessary contacts have been made and confirmed according to established guidelines. These guidelines, devised by the ARRL, often include proper logging and QSL card receipt. The DXCC program contains several levels of achievements, such as the DXCC Honor Roll and the DXCC Challenge, which recognize exceptional efforts and accomplishments in the field of amateur radio operation.
DXCC serves as a significant milestone and recognition for amateur radio operators worldwide. It promotes the pursuit of communication across borders and fosters international camaraderie among ham radio enthusiasts. Through the pursuit of the DXCC, operators continuously advance their skills, expand their knowledge of radio propagation, and contribute to the vibrant amateur radio community.
The word "DXCC" has its etymology rooted in amateur radio. "DX" in amateur radio terminology refers to long-distance communication across great distances. It is used to describe contacts between amateur radio operators in different countries or continents. The term "DX" itself comes from the telegraph code used by early wireless operators, where "DX" represented "distance".
The second part of the word, "CC", stands for "Country Codes" or "Country List". DXCC is a program designed by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) to encourage and recognize amateur radio operators who have contacted and confirmed communication with a certain number of unique entities (countries) around the world. The DXCC program maintains a list of the recognized countries for this purpose.