DX Advisory Committee Semi-Annual Report
December 15, 2000

For the American Radio Relay League
Board of Directors Meeting

Submitted by
Cliff Ahrens K0CA
Chairman, DXAC

Introduction

The year 2000 has been an exciting one for the DXCC program. A new 15 meter single band DXCC Award was added effective July 1, 2000. The first DeSoto Cup award will be awarded to the DXer who is at the top of the DXCC Challenge list at the end of September, 2000. The DXCC 2000 Millennium Award for working 100 or more entities on the DXCC List during the year 2000 continues to be very popular. New single band DXCC Awards for 17 and 12 meters are on the horizon.

Agenda Items

1) New Entity/Removal Issues

There were no new entity related issues pending during this period.

2) Other Issues

There were no other issues pending during this period.

DXAC Status

Although the DXAC had no formal agenda items referred to it by the MSC during this period, the DXAC continued to discuss several important issues facing the DXCC program. These include:

1. The demand for an electronic QSL program, which has received much attention recently among DXers. This issue is currently being studied by ARRL staff.
2. Implementation of the new computer system, and resulting benefits for the DXCC program, including electronic DXCC submissions through the DXCC Card Checker program.
3. Publicizing the DXCC Challenge program, the new 15 meter DXCC award, and the upcoming 17 and 12 meter single band DXCC awards.
4. Publicizing the "new" DXCC Card Checker program implemented in April, 2000, and encouraging DXers to volunteer their services for this program.

The DXAC will continue to listen to feedback from the DX community on important current DX issues and pass those opinions on to the MSC and ARRL staff. It will also be ready to discuss and make recommendations on any matters or issues referred to DXAC by the MSC.

Respectfully submitted,

Cliff Ahrens K0CA
Chairman, DXAC