[EIDXA] From the ARRL Letter

[Jim Spencer]

The current ARRL Letter had two interesting things for EIDXA members:


* Scarborough Reef tops The DX Magazine's 2005 "Most Wanted" list:
Scarborough Reef (BS7H) has replaced North Korea (P5) as the most-wanted
DXCC entity, according to The DX Magazine's
<http://www.dxpub.com/dx_mag.html> 2005 survey of DXers. The Daily DX
<http://www.dailydx.com> (and QST's "How's DX?") Editor Bernie McClenny,
W3UR, says several groups are working toward activating Scarborough Reef.
"The problem is not obtaining a license or transportation to the rocks," he
reported this week. "There must be serious diplomacy between China and the
Philippines in order for this one to be pulled off." The second most-wanted
is Lakshadweep (VU7). Swapping spots with Scarborough Reef at number three
is North Korea (P5), at four is Peter I (3Y/P), and at five is Yemen (7O).
The 3Y0X DXpedition to Peter I <http://www.peterone.com/>, expected to begin
as early as February 6, could move that entity down the list for this year's
survey. McClenny notes that the imminent 3Y0X operation, which received a
$7500 ARRL Colvin grant award, will be the most expensive DXpedition ever.
Rounding out the top 10 most-wanted DXCC entities on The DX Magazine's 2005
survey were: Navassa (KP1), Desecheo (KP5), South Sandwich (VP8/S), Glorioso
(FR/G) and Andaman and Nicobar Islands (VU4). The Andamans, last activated
in late 2004 during the VU4RBI/VU4NRO DXpedition cut short by the South Asia
tsunami, are scheduled to be on the air again this April.


* ARRL Contest Advisory Committee releases white paper: The ARRL Contest
Advisory Committee (CAC) has released a white paper, "HF Contesting--Good
Practices, Interpretations and Suggestions"
<http://www.arrl.org/contests/hf-faq.html>. The document, which discusses
common situations encountered during HF contesting, results from CAC work
that arose over the course of an informal committee meeting at Dayton
Hamvention. While not a comprehensive set of "Frequently Asked Questions"
(FAQ), the white paper does address many issues that periodically arise
related to HF contesting and even some that may apply to VHF/UHF contesting.
The white paper operates from an HF perspective, however, recognizing that
there are many differences between HF and VHF/UHF contest practices. ARRL
Contest Branch Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, stresses that the white paper's
interpretations do not supersede the rules for any contest but are intended
to assist contesters by providing some interpretations and operating
suggestions based on CAC members' accumulated experience.