CW DXing and contesting take center stage the weekend of February 16-17, as the 2013 ARRL International DX CW Contest takes to the airwaves. If you’ve never operated the CW contest, now is the time to start. “You can work a lot of DX with 100 W and a simple dipole or vertical antenna,” explained ARRL Contest Branch Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X. “Many such stations -- with some perseverance -- have worked more than 100 DXCC entities during the contest period. With some work, you can, too!”

If your CW is a little rusty, Kutzko said that this event is a great way to get your CW skills back in condition. If you live in one of the rarer states -- such as Delaware, North Dakota, West Virginia or Wyoming -- DX stations from all around the world will be on the lookout for you.

“As we continue to hover near the peak of Solar Cycle 24 -- however minor the peak may be -- the high bands will produce some surprises,” Kutzko said. “Be sure to listen on 10 meters for stations; rest assured you will work DX on the high bands during the contest.”

Stations in the US and Canada work only DX stations (Alaska and Hawaii are considered DX for this contest), while DX stations work only the US and Canada. DX stations will be trying to make contacts with as many US states and Canadian provinces as they can. The contest exchange is simple: US and Canadian stations send a signal report and their state or province, while DX stations send a signal report and the amount of power they are transmitting with.

The ARRL International DX CW Contest runs from 0000 UTC Saturday, February 16 through 2359 UTC Sunday, February 17, 2013. Complete rules and forms can be found online. Electronic logs should be sent via e-mail; paper logs can be sent to ARRL DX CW Contest, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. Logs must be postmarked no later than 2359 UTC Tuesday, March 19, 2013.