The European DX Foundation supports well-organised DXpeditions that provide a clear benefit to the European amateur radio community.
Determining whether a DXpedition qualifies for support, and the amount that may be granted, is based on several factors.
Each application is assessed individually by the EUDXF Board.
Applying for Support
Applications must be submitted using the official EUDXF Funding Application Form.
Applicants are required to complete the form fully and provide accurate and realistic information about the proposed DXpedition.
The application form requests information including:
- DXpedition destination and call sign;
- intended dates and duration;
- planned bands and operating modes;
- expected number of QSOs;
- expected distribution of QSOs between CW, SSB and digital modes;
- number and experience of operators;
- on-site and remote operation;
- equipment and antennas;
- total budget and requested support;
- QSL policy;
- educational or humanitarian activities;
- current position on the Club Log Most Wanted List for Europe;
- recent activity from the DXCC entity;
- eligibility for DXCC credit.
A detailed budget may be attached as a separate document.
Completed applications must be sent to office@eudxf.eu.
Evaluation Criteria
The EUDXF Board considers the overall quality, relevance and expected benefit of the proposed DXpedition. The following criteria are particularly important:
Most Wanted List
The destination should normally be ranked within the Top 100 of the Club Log Most Wanted List for Western Europe.
IOTA activities will only be considered when the DXCC entity to which the island belongs also has an appropriate position on the Most Wanted List.
Benefit to European DXers
The DXpedition should provide a meaningful opportunity for European stations to work the entity.
The planned operating schedule, propagation conditions, team composition and station locations should demonstrate a realistic attention on Europe.
A DXpedition that is primarily intended to serve another region may not qualify for EUDXF support.
Special attention to bands that are difficult from Europe, including the low bands, may strengthen an application.
Expected QSO Results
Applicants must provide a realistic forecast of the total number of QSOs.
The forecast must include an expected breakdown between:
- CW;
- SSB;
- digital modes, including RTTY, FT4 and FT8.
The expected number of QSOs and the proposed distribution between operating modes are important factors in determining the amount of support.
Balanced Operation
EUDXF encourages DXpeditions to offer a balanced operation across the major amateur radio modes.
Digital modes can be an important and effective part of a modern DXpedition.
However, applications should demonstrate that sufficient opportunities will also be provided for CW and SSB operators.
Team, Equipment and Antennas
The Board will assess whether the team has the experience, staffing, equipment and antenna systems required to achieve the stated objectives.
Applicants should clearly describe:
- the expedition members and their experience;
- the number of on-site and remote operators;
- transceivers, amplifiers and other station equipment;
- antennas for the intended bands;
- any remote operating arrangements.
Budget and Other Considerations
The overall expedition budget, the requested contribution and the relationship between costs and expected results will be considered.
Other relevant factors include:
- recent operations from the DXCC entity;
- EUDXF membership within the team;
- QSL arrangements;
- DXCC eligibility;
- educational activities;
- humanitarian activities.
Meeting the general criteria does not create an automatic entitlement to support.
The EUDXF Board retains full discretion when assessing an application and determining the amount of support.
Approval and Payment
When support is approved, the EUDXF will notify the applicant of the maximum amount granted and any specific conditions attached to the support.
EUDXF normally pays the approved amount after the DXpedition has taken place and the agreed obligations have been fulfilled.
Payment will generally be considered after the expedition report and the requested supporting information have been received and reviewed.
Post-Expedition Review
Before payment, the EUDXF Board may compare the actual results of the DXpedition with the plans and forecasts submitted in the application.
This review may include:
- the total number of QSOs achieved;
- the actual number of QSOs per mode;
- the balance between CW, SSB and digital modes;
- the bands activated;
- the service provided to European DXers;
- compliance with the agreed QSL policy;
- fulfilment of the publicity and reporting requirements.
Significant deviations from the application may result in a request for further explanation. For example, if an application forecasts that 25% of all QSOs will be made using FT4 or FT8, but the final result is 75%, the EUDXF Board may ask the team to explain the difference.
The EUDXF Board recognises that propagation, technical failures, local restrictions, safety considerations and other unforeseen circumstances may require an expedition team to change its plans.Such circumstances will be considered when reviewing the final results.
If a significant deviation cannot be reasonably explained, or if the agreed obligations have not been fulfilled, the EUDXF Board reserves the right to:
- reduce the amount of support;
- postpone payment pending further information;
- withdraw the support completely.
The purpose of this review is not to discourage operational flexibility.
It is intended to ensure that EUDXF funds are used in accordance with the objectives and commitments presented in the original application.
Obligations Following Approval
Once support has been granted, the DXpedition team is expected to fulfil the following obligations.
EUDXF Logo on the QSL Card
The EUDXF logo must be printed on the DXpedition QSL card.
In exceptional cases, and subject to prior approval by the EUDXF, the support may be acknowledged in another appropriate format.
EUDXF Logo on the Website
When the DXpedition has a website, EUDXF support must be acknowledged on the website and the EUDXF logo must be displayed.
QSL Policy
The DXpedition must:
- answer all incoming QSL cards;
- answer direct cards by mail when sufficient return postage has been provided;
- answer other cards through the bureau;
- upload the complete log to Logbook of The World within six months after the DXpedition;
- provide one expedition QSL card for the EUDXF QSL card collection.
The application form must indicate whether confirmation will be available through the bureau, direct mail, OQRS, Club Log and LoTW, including the expected availability dates.
DXCC Credit
The operation must be eligible for and accepted for DXCC credit.
If the operation is not accepted for DXCC credit, the EUDXF Board may withdraw the support.
Expedition Report
An expedition report must be submitted no later than three (3) months after the DXpedition.
The report must be suitable for publication in the EUDXF Newsletter and on the EUDXF website.
It should include the final operating results and an explanation of any significant differences from the original application.
EUDXF Flag or Logo
The team will receive a lightweight EUDXF flag.
A team photograph clearly showing the EUDXF flag or logo is mandatory.
If a flag is not available, a clearly visible printed EUDXF logo may be used.
It is encouraged that the flag may also be displayed in the DXpedition shack.
Completion of the Requirements
All agreed requirements must be completed within the applicable deadline.
If the requirements have not been fulfilled, the EUDXF will send a reminder requesting a response within two weeks.
If no response is received, the EUDXF Board may reduce or withdraw the support.
Additional QSL Card Support
The use of the EUDXF suffix in the DXpedition call sign may qualify for additional support.
Subject to prior approval, the full cost of printing the expedition QSL cards may be paid in addition to the regular sponsorship amount.
Application Form
Please download and complete the official EUDXF Funding Application Form.
The form must be completed as fully as possible and sent, together with any supporting documents, to office@eudxf.eu.
Incomplete applications may not provide the Board with sufficient information to properly evaluate the request.