[SADXA] DXCC Rule Change

[JERRY]

     DXCC Card Checking Rule Change-

     This is to provide notice of an upcoming change in an 
administrative procedure contained in the DXCC Rules.


     Prior to its scheduled teleconference last week the Programs and 
Services Committee received a recommendation from MVP Manager Dave 
Patton, NN1N, for a change in the DXCC Rules to permit volunteer Card 
Checkers who have achieved DXCC on 160 meters to check 160 meter QSLs in 
the field, and all Card Checkers to check cards for Deleted Entities.


     Until now there has been a requirement that 160 meter cards be 
checked by Headquarters staff. The main issue has been that some cards 
for 18 MHz QSOs can be altered to show 1.8 MHz without the alteration 
being detected. Therefore, the time of the QSO becomes significant.


     Some cards for Deleted Entities date back to 1960 and before, and 
sometimes it is difficult in the field to determine what entity the card 
ought to count for. Deleted Entities do not count for the DXCC Challenge 
or for the Honor Roll but do count toward all-time totals.



     After discussion during the teleconference the PSC unanimously 
voted to authorize staff to amend the DXCC rules as proposed but with no 
change in how Card Checkers are appointed.



     Sec IV Rule 1) a) is the specific rule that will be changed:

     Old rule:

     1) Entities Eligible for Field Checking:

     a) All current entities dating back to November 15, 1945 can be 
checked. Cards for deleted entities and cards indicating 160 meters must 
be submitted to ARRL HQ.

     New rule:



     1)      Entities Eligible for Field Checking:



     a)      All  entities dating back to November 15, 1945 can be 
checked as follows:

     i)                    Cards for deleted entities may be checked by 
all DXCC Card Checkers.

     ii)                   If the DXCC Card Checker cannot determine the 
entity of a QSL for a QSO with a deleted entity, the Card Checker may 
photograph both sides of the card and email those images to the DXCC 
desk for final entity determination.  The Card Checker must certify on 
the application that those images are made by him/her and are a true 
representation of the card.  HQ will assign the final entity name as 
determined, to the applicant’s DXCC.

     iii)                 Cards for 160 meters may be checked by DXCC 
Card Checkers who have themselves earned DXCC on 160 meters.  Those Card 
Checkers who do not have 160 meter DXCC, may not check cards for QSOs on 
160 Meters.

     iv)                 All other bands (other than 160), modes, and 
all entities may be checked by  all DXCC Card Checkers.


     Benefits of these changes include:  Further improvement in 
member/customer service at headquarters; improvement in applicants’ 
experience with DXCC participation; improvement in QSO-validity review 
by allowing experienced DXers who are Card Checkers to review the 160 
meter data; enhancement of the use and value of the new Online DXCC web 
tool.