Starting January 1 of each year, the DX Marathon is the perfect answer for the DX-er who needs that extra incentive to get on the air every day! Simply work as many countries and CQ Zones as you can in each calendar year, regardless of the band or mode. Each country and zone counts only once, so you can concentrate on working new ones rather than working the same ones on multiple bands and modes. Many awards are given for the top overall scores in four classes plus top scores in modes, bands, US call areas and more! Details of the extensive award list are available here.
Special statement from K9EL, DX Marathon Manager
CQ DX Marathon – help plan for the future!
In 2005, W9KNI and CQ Magazine asked me if I was interested in managing a new
contest for CQ Magazine – the CQ DX Marathon. This new contest/DX program
sounded very interesting, and I thought it would be a great program to keep old
timers interested in working DX. As it was a new contest, there was nothing
available in terms of tools, scoring software, web site, etc. Over the years the
DX Marathon has grown significantly and has become an annual event with a
tremendous following.
But the DX Marathon would never have reached its current level of activity
without the dedicated help from many people. Alex, VE3NEA, was one of the first
to jump in with his idea of software to score the contest. It is still in use
today. Jim, AD1C, has created many DX Marathon tools and a dedicated DX Marathon
web page. Dave, AA6YQ, was the first logging program author to build DX Marathon
support directly into his excellent software. Mike, W9MR, has built our online
submission tools. John, W9ILY, prepares the 100+ certificates every year. VK3AMA
has fully supported the DX Marathon in his JT Alert software. W9KNI and PY5EG
not only provide significant financial support but have also provided many great
ideas and emotional support. Bernie, W3UR, has been very supportive of the
Marathon in his Daily and Weekly DX Bulletins. Our many plaque sponsors have
provided incentives for participants to strive for the top positions.
However, the Marathon is now at a turning point. Participation has grown
significantly the last two years and many of the processes are still done
manually. I am not a software person by education or trade, so I am not able to
automate more of the work without asking for additional external support. In
addition, the introduction of FT8 has changed the face of the Marathon. On the
positive side, the weak signal capabilities of FT8 have allowed low power and
compromised antenna participants to submit some amazing scores. On the downside,
79% of all submitted QSOs are now FT8 and combined with the Internet, cheating
among a few participants has increased. In summary, the DX Marathon needs a
fresh look, some updated tools, and some serious work on evaluating submitted
logs.
After 17 years and watching my advancing age, I told CQ Magazine late last year
that 2022 would be my last year to manage the DX Marathon. To date, they have
not been able to find a replacement for me to manage the Marathon. Each of you
on this letter has had a significant impact on the Marathon, so I am turning to
all of you with the request to find a person, persons, or organization to assume
leadership of the DX Marathon. I have approached the WWROF, but there has been
little interest in the DX Marathon. Perhaps I did not handle the requests
properly.
If you or any of your contacts has an interest in managing the DX Marathon,
please contact me directly. Finding a replacement person or organization now
would provide a lot of overlap time as there is plenty to learn.
Thank you for your support of the DX Marathon and reading this note. I will
surely miss many aspects of managing the program, but it is time for me to step
down.
Sincerely,
John K9EL