CDXC LF Challenge

Welcome to the CDXC LF Challenge page. The LF Challenge runs for the month of March each year and challenges members to work as many DXCCs as they can across the bands 160m to 40m. Trophies, Salvers and certificates are awarded across a number of categories.

Awards Rules 2025 Results 2024 Results 2023 Results 2022 Results 

 
 

CDXC LF Challenge Awards

Trophies 3
Salvers 6
Certificates 6

Award
Awarded for:
Penallt Trophy & Salver Most CW DXCCs
Tindle Cup & Salver Most Phone DXCCs
Club Log Trophy & Salver Most MGM DXCCs
Salver (on request) Most DXCCs 160m (irrespective of mode)
Salver (on request) Most DXCCs 80m (irrespective of mode)
Salver (on request) Most DXCCs 40m (irrespective of mode)
Certificate Runner up and third most DXCCs 160m (irrespective of mode)
Certificate Runner up and third most DXCCs 80m (irrespective of mode)
Certificate Runner up and third most DXCCs 40m (irrespective of mode)

CDXC LF Challenge Rules

In the LF Challenge, the objective is to work as many DXCC’s as you can on 160m, 80m and/or 40m in the month of March.

All logs must be uploaded to Club Log; no paper or e-mailed logs will be accepted.  In keeping with recent rules changes in large contests, uploads need to be completed and the competition will be closed five days after the end of the Challenge period.

When: 00:01 GMT 1st March  to 23:59 GMT 31st March
Where:  160m, 80m and 40m only
Modes:   Any within your licence
Power: Any within your licence
Eligibility: The LF Challenge is open to CDXC members world-wide but Awards (Trophies, Salvers and Certificates) are only available to those who are fully paid up members of CDXC for the full duration of the Challenge.The LF Challenge is an individual operator competition.  Where an operator has multiple call signs, contacts with all call signs may be combined, but only if all of the call signs are used for single operator operation.  Call signs used or linked with multi-operator contest entries or multi-operator Special Event Call signs are not eligible for awards.Robot generated QSOs are not considered to be within the spirit of the CDXC Challenges and should not be used on any mode. Perpetrators will be investigated and face disqualification.Self-spotting on any cluster is not considered to be within the spirit of the CDXC Challenges and should not be used on any mode. Perpetrators will be investigated and face disqualification.
Scoring: Each DXCC entity worked is counted once only, regardless of how many bands or how many modes that entity is worked on.  The object is to work as many DXCC entities as possible.  In the event of a tie based on DXCC entities, the higher score by Band-Slots will win.
Log entry: Via upload to Club Log and electing to enter the LF Challenge on the Club Log website. Regular uploading of your log during the month is encouraged – registration and at least one upload must be made by 15 March and once per week is preferred – as this helps to drive the Challenge and provides a spectator sport for all to see.  (If you are not QRV until after 15 March but would still like to take part, please send an email to the Awards Manager.)E-mailed or paper logs will NOT be accepted.To assist with adjudication, all entrants are encouraged to upload their log to LoTW and to do so within a week of the end of the Challenge. Trophies and Salvers will only be awarded to those who have uploaded their log to LoTW within three weeks of the end of the Challenge.
Log Verification: No QSLs are required, but in the event of a question the CDXC committee may request verification via other means.  By entering, participants agree that their Club Log entries may be viewed and queried by adjudicators and that decisions made by the adjudicators will be final.
Closing date: All logs must be uploaded to Club Log by 23:59 on 5th April following the Challenge period. Any uploads after this date will not be taken into consideration.
Awards: Awards include Trophies, Salvers and certificates. Trophies will be awarded for each of three modes: (i) CW, (ii) Phone and (iii) Machine Generated Modes (MGMs). ‘MGM’ uses the IARU Region 1 MGM definition. RTTY and wsjt-x modes are MGMs. Digital voice counts as phone.
Trophies: NB: Trophies and Salvers will only be awarded to those members who have uploaded their log to CLUB Log as stated above and to LoTW within three weeks of the end of the Challenge.The Penallt Trophy (travelling cup), given in memory of Allan Phillips, GW0BIC, will be awarded to the CDXC member with the highest number of DXCCs worked using only CW mode.The Tindle Cup (travelling cup) will be awarded to the CDXC member with the highest number of DXCCs worked using only Phone modes.The Club Log Trophy (travelling cup) will be awarded to the CDXC member with the highest number of DXCCs worked using only MGM modes.
Salvers: The three Trophy winners will each receive an engraved salver to keep.The CDXC member(s) with the highest number of unique DXCCs on 160m, 80m and 40m (irrespective of mode) are eligible to receive a Salver on request. Any saving in cost for not providing a band salver will go to the DXpedition sponsorship fund and the effective donation will be acknowledged in the CDXC Digest.
Certificates: Certificates of merit will be awarded to CDXC members placed runner up and third on  160m, 80m and 40m (irrespective of mode).Certificates will be e-mailed to winners prior to the following AGM date.
Notes: Each Trophy may be won by an operator following three clear years after last winning it.Trophies and salvers will be presented at CDXC events throughout the year. Travelling Trophies and Cups will only be posted to members who agree to meet the full postage costs and who agree to return them at the time stipulated when awarded (usually nine months after award). Travelling Trophies and Cups will not be sent overseas (i.e. outside of UK).

CDXC especially acknowledges the contributions of Michael, G7VJR in conceiving Club Log and providing it for use as a tool for this Challenge. 

LF Challenge 2025 Results

The 2025 LF Challenge was well supported again this year with 75 members taking part. During the month there was plenty of DX to chase with DXpeditions from VU4AX, VK9XU, VK9CU plus various other DX including Antarctica, Galapagos Islands, East Kiribati and Rodriguez Island.

This year a total of 18,768 QSOs were made with 191 DXCCs recorded. MGM modes made up 46% of the QSOs with 31% CW and 23% SSB.

Lionel, G5LP once again topped the CW table in this year with 76 DXCC worked, but having won the trophy last year is not eligible under the 3 year rule. So the PENALLT TROPHY for 2025 goes to Paul, MM0ZBH who came second with 64 DXCC. Audrey, 5B4AMX was third with 53 DXCC.

The TINDLE CUP for most DXCC worked using SSB this year also saw the 3 year rule apply. John, GM0OPS was the overall winner with 76 DXCC but having won the trophy in 2024 means this year it goes to William, N6RV who finished in second place with 64 DXCC. Stephen G7BXU came in a close third with 63 DXCC.

The CLUBLOG TROPHY for the MGM section was won by Norman, 5B4AIF with 141 DXCC worked and second place goes to Chris, G4FZN with 122 and third place was Audrey, 5B4AMX with 100 DXCC.

A very close 160m section this year saw Andrew, M0NKR as the overall winner with 51 DXCC and just two behind in second place was Andrew, G8GNI who worked 49 DXCC. Third was Audrey, 5B4AMX with 47.

The 80m section this year was won by Audrey, 5B4AMX with 78 DXCC; John, GM0OPS was second with 76 DXCC and in third place was Norman, 5B4AIF with 73 DXCC.

This year’s 40m section winner was Norman, 5B4AIF with 142 DXCC. Second place goes to Chris, G4FZN with 121 DXCC and in third place was Lionel, G5LP who worked 113 DXCC.

Congratulations to all our winners and everyone who took part, the LF Challenge can involve difficult conditions and many sleepless nights. Trophies and certificates will be sent out in due course.

TROPHY
Winner
DXCCs
160m
80m
40m
Penallt Trophy & Salver  (CW) MM0ZBH 76          
Tindle Cup & Salver (Phone) N6RV 64      
Club Log Trophy & Salver (MGM) 5B4AIF 141      
           
CERTIFICATE
 
DXCCs 
 160m
 80m
 40m
CW Highest score G5LP* 76      
CW 3rd Place 5B4AMX 53      
Phone  Highest score GM0OPS* 76      
Phone 3rd Place G7BXU 63      
MGM 2nd Place 5B4AIF 132      
MGM 3rd Place G8GNI 131      
           
BAND AWARDS
   
160m
80m
40m
160m Salver M0NKR   51    
160m 2nd Place Certificate G8GNI   49    
160m 3rd Place Certificate 5B4AMX   47    
           
80m Salver 5B4AMX     78  
80m 2nd Place Certificate GM0OPS     76  
80m 3rd Place Certificate 5B4AIF     73  
           
40m Salver 5B4AIF       142
40m 2nd Place Certificate G4FZN       121
40m 3rd Place Certificate G5LP       113

* Three year rule applies

Many thanks to Michael, G7VJR as always for allowing us to run our awards programme on Club Log.

LF Challenge 2024 Results

This year’s LF Challenge again saw a decline in the number of DXCCs worked pretty much across all sections apart from Phone which was up four on the 2023 LF Challenge. Solar conditions affecting the lower bands would be one of the reasons for this, that said this year was still well supported with 75 of our members taking part and working plenty of DX, including FW, H40, KH2, KH0 plus many more.

The PENALLT TROPHY for most DXCC using CW was won by Lionel, G5LP with 76 DXCC, followed by Paul, G4PVM with 69 DXCC and third place goes to Chris, G4FJW with 57 DXCC.

The TINDLE CUP for most DXCC using Phone was won this year by John, GM0OPS with 80 DXCC and in close second place was William, N6RV with 78 DXCC and Norman, 5B4AIF was third with 73 DXCC.

The CLUB LOG TROPHY for most DXCC using MGM goes to Brian, G3VGZ with 133 DXCC. Just one behind was Norman, 5B4AIF with 132 DXCC and again only one behind was Andrew, G8GNI with 131 DXCC. It was extremely close at the top! 

The 160M section this year saw joint winners, Norman, 5B4AIF and Brian, G3VGZ both on 49 DXCC, in second was Stewart, G3YSX with 35 and third Tim, M0BEW with 22.

The 80M section goes to Brian, G3VGZ who worked 76 DXCC and joint second was Norman, 5B4AIF and Lionel, G5LP with 73 DXCC and third John, GM0OPS with 66 DXCC.

The 40m section was won by Norman, 5B4AIF with 142 DXCC. Brian, G3VGZ was second with 130 and Andrew, G8GNI was third with 128 DXCC.

Award
Winner
DXCCs
160m
80m
40m
Penallt Trophy& Salver CW mode G5LP 76      0 24 72
Tindle Cup & Salver Phone mode GM0OPS 80 5 44 78
Club Log Trophy & Salver MGM modes G3VGZ 133 49 73 127
CW mode 2ndPlace Certificate G4PVM 69 6 42 64
CW mode 3rd Place Certificate G4FJW 57 4 36 43
Phone mode 2nd Place Certificate N6RV 78 0 24 77
Phone mode 3rd Place Certificate 5B4AIF 73 0 39 71
MGM modes 2ndPlace Certificate 5B4AIF 132 49 71 129
MGM modes 3rdPlace Certificate G8GNI 131 1 57 128
           
Award
Winner
DXCCs
     
160m Salver 5B4AIF & G3VGZ 49      
160m 2nd Place Certificate G3YSX 35      
160m 3rd Place Certificate M0BEW 22      
           
80m Salver G3VGZ 76      
80m 2nd Place Certificate 5B4AIF & G5LP 73      
80m 3rd Place Certificate GM0OPS 66      
           
40m Salver 5B4AIF 142      
40m 2nd Place Certificate G3VGZ 130      
40m 3rd Place Certificate G8GNI 128      

A total of 22,223 QSOs were made during the LF Challenge, 9991 of them was using MGM, 5776 on CW and 6456 on SSB.

Although MGM came out with the higher percentage of QSOs, the above chart interestingly shows it was not quite the dominant mode on the LF Challenge as it was in the HF Challenge from September last year.

Many Congratulations to all the winners, some really close scores in a couple of the sections which kept the competition very much alive to the final day. The LF Challenge really does require commitment with late nights, early mornings and even sleepless nights!

Many thanks to Michael, G7VJR as always for allowing us to run our awards programme on Club Log.

========================================================================================

LF Challenge 2023 Results

The Penallt Trophy and Salver for CW mode in 2023 is awarded to John GM0OPS with 94 DXCC’s

The Tindle Cup and Salver for Phone mode in for 2023 is awarded to Norman 5B4AIF with 76 DXCC’s

The TBA Trophy and Salver for MGM modes in for 2023 is awarded to Andrew M0NKR with 148 DXCC’s

The Rule changes for the CDXC Challenges are to encourage the use of the conventional modes CW/Phone

The number of DXCC’s during the 2023 LF Challenge was lower than the previous years but still well supported by members. 

Also the change in the solar cycles would have an adverse affect on the conditions for the lower frequencies.

Congratulations to all winners. Thanks to all who rose to the challenge even with the difficult conditions and sleepless nights.

Award
Winner
DXCCs
160m
80m
40m
Penallt Trophy& Salver CW mode GM0OPS 94     27 47 92
Tindle Cup & Salver Phone mode 5B4AIF 76 0 13 75
TBD Trophy & Salver MGM modes M0NKR 148 51 99 145
CW mode 2ndPlace Certificate G5LP 84 0 49 81
CW mode 3rd Place Certificate G4FJW 71 0 0 71
Phone mode 2nd Place Certificate N6RV 66 0 15 65
Phone mode 3rd Place Certificate G7BXU 54 0 0 54
MGM modes 2ndPlace Certificate PJ4DX 142 3 13 139
MGM modes 3rdPlace Certificate GM0OPS 121 23 71 109
           
Award
Winner
DXCCs
     
160m Salver M0NKR 51      
160m 2nd Place Certificate GM0OPS 37      
160m 3rd Place Certificate OE5TXF 18      
           
80m Salver M0NKR 102      
80m 2nd Place Certificate GM0OPS 82      
80m 3rd Place Certificate 5B4AIF 70      
           
40m Salver M0NKR 147      
40m 2nd Place Certificate  PJ4DX 142      
40m 3rd Place Certificate GM0OPS 134      

 Full results are available at ClubLog Results Table.

Thank you also to Club Log for their continued data support

======================================================================================

CDXC LF Challenge 2022 Results

The Penallt Trophy and Salver for Traditional SSB/CW modes in 2022 is awarded to John GM0OPS.

The Tindle Cup and Salver for MGM modes in for 2022 is awarded to Gordon G3PXT

The 2022 largest number of DXCC’s of 155 was achieved by Savvas SV2AEL in MGM modes but Is not eligible for a Trophy as he has won this in the past three years.

The number of DXCC’s during the 2022 LF Challenge was lower than the previous years but still well supported by members. As expected in these changing times the traditional modes were particularly reduced. The lifting of COVID restrictions in 2022 returned freedoms of movement which has affected the results as many members returned to work. Also the point in the solar cycle has an adverse effect on the conditions for LF.

As defined in the rules “All logs must be uploaded by 23:59 on 5th April”. Any upload after that date is not taken into account when deciding the results.

Congratulations to all winners. Thanks to all who rose to the challenge even with the difficult conditions and sleepless nights.

Award
Winner
DXCCs
160m
80m
40m
Penallt Trophy& Salver Traditional SSB/CW modes GM0OPS 106      
Tindle Cup & Salver MGM modes G3PXT 131      
Traditional SSB/CW modes 2ndPlace Certificate SV2AEL 83      
Traditional SSB/CW modes 3rd Place Certificate N6RV 74      
MGM modes – high score certificate SV2AEL 155      
MGM modes 2ndPlace Certificate GM0OPS 120      
MGM modes 3rdPlace Certificate M0NKR 98      
           
160m Salver M0NKR   67    
160m 2nd Place Certificate GM0OPS   42    
160m 3rd Place Certificate G3VGZ   21    
           
80m Salver M0NKR     94  
80m 2nd Place Certificate GM0OPS     65  
80m 3rd Place Certificate MM0GPZ     39  
           
40m Salver SV2AEL       167
40m 2nd Place Certificate GM0OPS       133
40m 3rd Place Certificate G3PXT       129


Congratulations to all the winners!

Thanks are due to the Club Log team for their continued data support.

 

© CDXC – The UK DX Foundation.