I will try to be brief with the talk about putting “non active” DXCC entities for 10 years or so on a ‘side list’, allowing active guys to get to Top of Honor Roll or at least on the Honor Roll. When you think something should be “side deleted until it shows back up”, then often it shows up.. BANG.
1978 was one of those situations. I lived in Little Rock on a tall hill and had put up new Telrex beams in March. An example what can happen, despite my being angry that I could never get to the Top of Honor Roll for years to come due to many “ long inactive countries”… See below! 👍
So, within a 9 month period I had 6 new ones I had thought would take years to work! That gave me proof that hanging in there and chasing DX was worth it and that “needed ones” can occur at unpredictable times. The ARRL is correct to keep things as usual and not delete and then re-add something later, unless like ST0 changing political administrations. Hang in there, your days will come. *****
The covered by water thing discussed concerning about deleting something is a difficult point. Long discussion about that with the ARRL Board , even back when I was DXAC Chairperson. If something is exposed above water part of a day, then it should could if scaffolding etc is used to keep your feet dry and an umbrella over you. HI Heck, if you are staying at a small wooden rental cabin at the end of a long wooden walkway on stilts into the water which are attached to rocks underneath 24 hours a day, then why do contacts count from that cabin operation? The cabin is not attached to land except thru stilt systems all day, so it is with some rocks on Scarborough Reef. But on BS7, if rocks are above ground all day or partially during a day, they should count. That’s a different discussion on deletion ideas for the ARRL to consider with some advice perhaps from the DXAC members thoughts. If totally under water ALL day, then a DXCC entity is void in my opinion.
** Remember a certain MD who went somewhere later proven to be under very deep water all day and claimed he was “on” the island.. ** It counted for a while until the MD was proven to be a liar. ☹
The ARRL fights for what is best for an awards program and in keeping with what’s proper to do. Rick and Joel have kept the ARRL a well respected amateur radio organization throughout the world, and that includes the element of DXing and DX Awards, etc. Hang in there guys, the Honor Roll awaits you if you continue chasing DX and there is an occasional BANG BANG at unexpected times! 😊
73 all,
San K5YY
Sent from Mail for Windows