DX station
Although the classic definition of DX is "distance", today it generally means contacting Amateur Radio stations in far-away places. On the HF (also known as shortwave) bands, DX stations are those in foreign countries. On the VHF/UHF bands, DX stations can be within the same country or continent, since making a VHF (eg. 2 meter band) contact, without the help of a satellite, between, say, Ontario and Arizona, would be quite an accomplishment! For award purposes, other areas than just political countries can be classified as DX "countries". For example, the French protectorate of Reunion island in the Indian Ocean is counted as a DX country, even though it belongs to France. The rules for determining what is a DX "country" can be quite complex. There are frequent contests, called DX-peditions, where Amateur Radio operators get together on certain dates and try to reach as many DX Stations as possible. In addition, many clubs have started awards for contecting a certain number of DX Stations. The ARRL has started the DXCC, DX Century Club Program, which is the premier operating award in all of Amateur Radio. The basic certificate is awarded for working and confirming at least 100 entities on the ARRL DXCC List.
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