DX Central’s New Sprint DX Challenge: MW: The Blowtorch Challenge
Now that everyone’s ears are thoroughly worn out from three weeks of “The Graveyard Challenge”, it is time to offer a much easier – albeit potentially rewarding – challenge.
For Weeks 9-10, we present “The Blowtorch Challenge”. The name of the game is to hear as many U.S. stations that broadcast with a nighttime power of 20kw or more (with a 500w rounding “grace” to 19.5kw). These are the big guns, the stations with the coverage maps that carry an enormous footprint. They are also often cast aside as “pests” but the space these behemoths occupy can sometimes be ripe with absolute gold.
Not only do you have the challenge of hearing all of the stations that qualify for this specific challenge criteria, but often we can hear stations underneath the big guns. These can appear in moments of dead air or when using the new phasing/cancelling technology that is available in many SDR programs today.
You never know when the station you “always” hear isn’t going to be there, until they aren’t.
The challenge at a glance
When: 0200 UTC Saturday, November 7 to 0200 UTC Saturday, November 21
What counts: U.S. MW stations on any frequency that are licensed for a nighttime power of 19.5kw or greater. (whether they are using this power or not is not considered, it is based solely on what they are licensed for).
Who can join: New and experienced DXers alike
Participating is much easier this season. Sign in to the free DX Challenge app, choose a station from the searchable list, review your reception details, and submit. You can also import supported logs you’ve already entered elsewhere—no need to maintain a second challenge form alongside your own logbook. The app shows the active challenge, qualifying results, leaderboards, and maps as reports come in.
Only receptions made during the challenge window and meeting its rules count toward this sprint. You can still log other catches for the season-long challenges.
Whether you hear one station or twenty, your report helps build the picture of what’s reaching DXers this week. Come tune with us—and show us what you hear!
73 and best of DX!
Loyd Van Horn to IRCA iog (2026-11-07)