DXpeditions and special event stations
DXpeditions and special event stations for radio amateurs: check whether the DXpedition you want was spotted in the last hour, see the notable calls on the air now, find the official calendars and learn how to get through the pile-up.
DXpeditions: search a callsign in the spots
Type the callsign of the DXpedition or special station: see on which bands, modes and frequencies it was spotted in the last hour on the RadioMeteo DX cluster.
Type a callsign, even just its beginning (e.g. H4).
Notable stations on the air now
Calls with a single final letter (e.g. G7D) or with a slash (/P, /MM): they are often special event stations, DXpeditions or portable stations. It is a hint, not a certainty.
Spots considered: 49 · 54 min · Updated (UTC) 03:47
- United States
- United States
- United States
- Honduras
- Serbia
- Barbados
- United States
- Cayman Islands
- Paraguay
Most spotted countries in the last hour
- United States30
- Cayman Islands3
- Lesotho2
- Ukraine2
- Brazil2
- Hawaii1
- Qatar1
- Honduras1
- Serbia1
- Barbados1
Data: RadioMeteo DX cluster (HamQTH source), refreshed every few minutes.
Calendars and official lists
DXpedition dates change often: always check the sources that announce them and the expedition’s own website.
NG3K — Announced DX Operations
The most complete calendar of announced DX operations, with dates, callsigns, QSL routes and sources.
Club Log — DXCC Most Wanted
The ranking of the most wanted DXCC entities, calculated from users’ logs: it tells you how rare a DXpedition is.
425 DX News
Italian DX bulletin with news on current and upcoming activities.
DX-World
DXpedition news and announcements, with updates during the operations.
IARU Region 1 — DX Code of Conduct
The code of conduct for those calling a DX station: listen, respect the split, do not cause interference.
How to work a DXpedition
Listen before you call
Listen to the DX and work out where it listens: it often says “up” or “up 5”, meaning it receives above its own frequency. Read the instructions on the DXpedition website.
Use split
With the radio in split you receive on the DX frequency and transmit where it listens. Never transmit on its frequency: you cover the DX for everyone.
Call briefly and at the right time
Give your full callsign once or twice when the DX has finished the previous contact. If it answers another station, stop calling.
FT8 in Fox/Hound mode
Many DXpeditions use the WSJT-X Fox/Hound mode, also in its SuperFox version: select “Hound”, call in the upper part of the audio passband as instructed and let the program do the rest.
Check the log and request the QSL
Many DXpeditions publish their log online during the operation: check your QSO and request confirmation via OQRS or LoTW instead of calling again just in case.
Special event stations and commemorative calls
What they are
Stations active for a limited time for anniversaries, events or celebrations, with a special callsign issued for the occasion.
Why work them
They often offer dedicated awards or commemorative QSLs, and they are good practice for bigger pile-ups.
How to confirm them
QSL and award information is on the callsign page (for example on QRZ.com) or on the event website.
Common problems
The DX does not hear me
Check the split and the frequency it listens on; with low power try when propagation is better or on another band.
The callsign is not in the spots
Spots depend on who reports them: a DXpedition can be on the air without spots. Check the calendar and the expedition website.
No answer on FT8
In Fox/Hound call only as Hound and not below 1000 Hz unless the instructions say otherwise; keep the computer clock synchronised.
My QSO is not in the log
Wait for the online log to be updated; if it is missing, follow the procedure given by the DXpedition, usually an e-mail or OQRS request.
Sources: NG3K — Announced DX Operations, Club Log — DXCC Most Wanted, 425 DX News, DX-World, IARU Region 1 — DX Code of Conduct, WSJT-X — FT8 DXpedition mode (Fox/Hound), HamQTH DX cluster. Sources consulted on 18 October 2026. Links open on the publisher’s website.
See also: DX Cluster · Band conditions · Logbooks, QSL and awards · Grid locator and distance
Articles on DXpeditions and DX
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