[SADXA] Fwd: Requesting change in DXCC Program

[Carl Foster]

Hi Wes,I agree that the WSJT modes should be completely separate categories. With one exception (New Hampshire on 160 for 160 WAS), none of my awards include any FT8 contacts. I use FT8 to see where the propagation is, and then switch to CW, SSB, or RTTY. Sometimes I will answer a CQ if I sense that the station is desperate for an Arizona contact. The only band I call CQ on FT8 is 6 meters, just to see if it is open. People who use communication skills that are honed over several years should not be lumped in with people who get a DXCC or other award by simply clicking the left mouse button over a weekend. I hope the contest committees take some action. Carl  KB7AZ Sent from my HAL 9000 
-------- Original message --------From: Wes <wes_n7ws at triconet.org> Date: 4/15/22  8:22 AM  (GMT-07:00) To: SADXA <sadxa at mailman.qth.net> Subject: [SADXA] Fwd: Requesting change in DXCC Program FYI.  So far only one reply from W9JJ.-------- Forwarded Message --------Subject: 	Requesting change in DXCC ProgramDate: 	Thu, 14 Apr 2022 11:34:34 -0700From: 	Wes <wes_n7ws at triconet.org>To: 	K6FG at arrl.netCC: 	k5uz at arrl.org, w9jj at arrl.org, staratula at arrl.orgDear Mark, et.al.I have been DXing since I became a ham in 1958, although I didn't formally join the DXCC program until 1981.  I have the 5-Band DXCC award, as well as endorsements for 160, 30, 17 and 12 meters.  I also hold CW and (traditional) RTTY awards and I am on the DXCC Honor Roll, both Mixed and Phone.During these 64 years of DXing I have seen many changes. Countries became entities, band awards and DXCC Challenge were introduced.  Logbook of the World and electronic QSLing became the new norm.  Contests, spotting networks, skimmers, DXpeditions, big and small, proliferated, and so on and so forth.  But none of these changes was as rapid and overwhelming as the emergence of WSJT in it's various forms.When the League decided to include these modes into the DXCC program I think it was thought that they're digital so let's turn the RTTY award into a Digital award and lump them all together. I don't think anyone could have predicted the sea change that WSJT would make upon the way some of us work DX. Personally, while I operate using FT-4 and FT-8 and I QSL for my QSO partner's benefit, I have chosen to NOT apply for DXCC credit for these contacts.I believe that the skills needed to make contacts using these modes are enough different that they should be recognized as such by having separate awards.  So I'm proposing that the RTTY DXCC be resurrected, any non-RTTY credits be removed and applied to a newly created Digital award.The League itself has made the case for this revision by way of the announcement of the *ARRL International Digital Contest <http://arrl.org/arrl-digital-contest>. *That announcement includes the verbiage, "All non-RTTY modes are permitted. Going forward, RTTY will be the sole mode for the ARRL RTTY Roundup, which will continue to take place in January."Clearly, the contest people see the difference, I think the DXCC program should see it too.Respectfully submitted,Wes Stewart, N7WS______________________________________________________________SADXA Website http://www.sadxa.orgSADXA mailing listHome: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/sadxaHelp: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htmPost: mailto:SADXA at mailman.qth.netThis list hosted by: http://www.qsl.netYou can support qsl.net: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html