[DX] altered e-cards

[Thomas Beltran]

>If I had doctored the card electronically, covered up the e-signature, and
>signed it myself, no one but me would be the wiser. Changing a band or mode
>would work equally well.

But YOU would know that you did not deserve the award - doesn't that count
for anything?

I'm not dissing people who chase awards, I might be interested also.  As I
said, I think the award is more about finese in obtaining the cards then
working the DX, e.g., I was able to obtain a QSL cards from  every state, or
100 countries; but of secondary importance is the actual dx contact.  That
this is the case, is demonstrated by many people who have "earned" their
award (at least in my eyes), but don't have the card to "prove" it, hence
they don't have the actual award on their wall.  For me, working the station
is at the core dxing - and I love dxing!  People who come into my shack
(non-hams) will ask how many countries I've contacted, and it is good enough
for them and for me to say what I've worked ______ amount of countries.

But to follow this line of discussion, I could say to people coming to my
shack, "oh, I've worked 220 countries," when in reality I may have worked
only 30; but where is the gain to me?  I would still know that I only worked
30 countries.

My point in all this (because I have no financial interest in eqsl and I
hope others enter the field to avoid a monopoly) is that by trying to catch
all potential cheaters, we have changed the focus of dx awards from actually
working the DX, to obtaining the card.  I am in favor of putting the "ham
radio" aspect of DXing back in the forefront where it belongs.  Let the
cheaters cheat - but unless they are sociopaths they will never have the
true sense of accomplishment that the honest person has.  Call me
Pollyannish, or that I just don't get it - thats fine, but please allow this
forum to operate as a "market-place" of ideas.  If you feel the "real-thing"
is what turns your crank - go for it. Tom W6EIJ