They say that nothing is impossible however, achieving DXCC on the VHF or Lower HF bands is very difficult indeed. 160M DXCC is very rare in New Zealand. Jim Robertson ZL2JR (now a SK) hung his certificate up on the wall with a 131 entity total. I had the pleasure of looking through Jim’s cards a few years ago and some of them are difficult to work on 20M let alone actually working them on 160M. Jim was well known around the world for his booming signal which was due in part to his superb location on top of the Plimmerton Hill with 360 degree views and no obstructions. He was a frequent participant in the Stew Perry “Top Band” contest giving rare ZL contacts to participants on both SSB and CW. I am still amazed at Jim’s achievement.

It takes years of dedication and sore ears to finally get that elusive 100th card. Greg, ZL3IX is the only other recipient of the award on the current DXCC list with over 150 countries confirmed. It is rumoured that Roy ZL4BO had over 200 confirmed on 160M and the late Peter ZL3GQ certainly achieved the milestone. Perhaps there are others that I am not aware of.

One the other end of the scale a VHF DXCC is perhaps even more difficult especially from ZL at the bottom of the world. Bob ZL3TY achieved a VHF 2M/6M DXCC with some moonbounce thrown into the mix. Bob Sutton ZL1RS has been working moonbounce for years on the VHF bands and is probably close to the 100 mark. Chris ZL2DX has been working 2M moonbounce for a few years and is up around the 65 country level using WJST software.

Nothing in ham radio is impossible. The ambition is sometimes thwarted by technology and technology catches up and the once impossible goal is realized. That’s the nice thing about our hobby. There are always goals and challenges!

73, Lee ZL2AL