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DX Advisory Committee Semi-Annual Report
June 21, 2001
for the American Radio Relay League
Board of Directors Meeting
Submitted by
Cliff Ahrens K0CA
Chairman, DXAC
Introduction
The year 2001 saw continued strong interest in the DXCC program, with the introduction of a new 17 meter Single Band DXCC award beginning January 2, 2001. Current plans are to complete the addition of the single band DXCC awards with the addition of a 12 meter award in July, 2001.
The first DeSoto Cup award recipient was Bob Eshleman W4DR, who was at the top of the DXCC Challenge list at the end of September, 2000. As of March 13, 2001, a total of 598 DXers have qualified for the DXCC Challenge list with at least 1000 band entities confirmed.
Agenda Items
1) New Entity/Removal Issues
There were no new entity related issues pending during this period.
2) Other Issues
1. Assignment from MSC - Assist Section Managers with DXCC Card Checker appointments.
In January, 2001, the MSC requested that DXAC members contact the Section Managers in their division who had not appointed a DXCC Card Checker. DXAC members were requested to encourage the SM to make a nomination and help the SM find an applicant. At the time of this assignment, as of January 26, 2001, Bill Moore at the DXCC Desk reported that 26 Section Managers had not nominated a DXCC Card Checker.
In response to this assignment, DXAC members contacted Section Managers concerning DXCC Card Checker appointments. As of May 16, 2001, Bill Moore reported that the number of Section managers who had not made nominations had been reduced to 15. There were 3 nominations being processed.
Staff advises that they will contact Division Directors for assistance in following up with Section Managers concerning the remaining open DXCC Card Checker positions. The DXAC stands ready to further assist on this assignment if requested.
DXAC Status
The DXAC has completed its work on the assignment to assist Section Managers with DXCC Card Checker appointments, unless a request is received for follow-up assistance.
The DXAC continued informal discussions of several important issues facing the DXCC program. These include:
1. The demand for an electronic QSL program. Staff are continuing to work on the design of a "Logbook of the World" system which would incorporate digital signatures and secure technology for electronic QSL confirmations and award applications. Any system must protect the integrity of the DXCC program.
2. Implementation of the new computer system, and resulting benefits for
the DXCC program, including electronic DXCC submissions through the DXCC Card Checker program.
3. Publicizing the DXCC Challenge program, the new 17 meter DXCC award, and the upcoming 12 meter single band DXCC awards.
4. Publicizing the "new" DXCC Card Checker program implemented in April, 2000, and encouraging DXers to volunteer their services for this program.
The DXAC will continue to listen to feedback from the DX community on important current DX issues and pass those opinions on to the MSC and ARRL staff. It will also be ready to discuss and make recommendations on any matters or issues referred to DXAC by the MSC.
Respectfully submitted,
Cliff Ahrens K0CA
Chairman, DXAC
