Doc # 37

Submitted by
Clifford H. Ahrens K0CA
Chairman, DX Advisory Committee
Midwest Division Representative

Introduction

During the second half of 2001, the major DXCC news items were:

1. The addition of Ducie Island, a part of the Pitcairn Island group, as a new DXCC Entity effective November 16, 2001.

2. Announcement of a new QRP DXCC Award effective January 2, 2002.

3. ARRL Board approval of a new 30 meter DXCC.

4. ARRL Board approval of the "Logbook of The World" concept.

Agenda Items

1) New Entity/Removal Issues

New DXCC Entity -- Ducie Island. On September 1, 2001, MSD Manager Wayne Mills N7NG assigned to the DXAC the task of determining whether Ducie Island meets the geographic separation requirements and minimum size requirements of the DXCC Rules. Deadline for completion of the assignment was November 15, 2001.

On October 31, 2001, the DXAC completed its study of Ducie Island. By a vote of 14-0 (with two abstentions - VE3HO and K5VT), the DXAC recommended to the Membership Services Committee that Ducie Island met the geographic separation
requirements and minimum size requirements of the DXCC Rules, and was eligible to become a Geographic Separation Entity associated with the Pitcairn Island group, if the Pitcairn Island Amateur Radio Association was approved as an IARU member society.

On November 16, 2001, the DXCC Desk announced that Pitcairn Amateur Radio Association (PIARA) was admitted by the IARU as its newest member-society. As a result, Ducie Island, a part of the Pitcairn Islands, became a new DXCC Entity. Effective 0000Z, November 16, 2001, Ducie Island was added to the DXCC Entity List. Only QSOs dated November 16, 2001 and later count for this Entity. QSL cards for DXCC credit will be accepted beginning June 1, 2002.

2) Other Issues

None

DXAC Status

The DXAC has completed its assignment on the Ducie Island study, and reported its vote on October 31, 2001.

The DXAC continued informal discussions of several important issues facing the DXCC program. These include:

1. The demand for an electronic QSL program. The ARRL Board has approved proceeding with development of the "Logbook of The World" (LOTW) system for electronic logbook and QSO information for DXCC awards. ARRL staff are continuing to work on the design of LOTW.

2. Publicizing the DXCC Challenge program, the new QRP DXCC award, and the upcoming 30 meters DXCC award.

3. Continuing to promote the use of DXCC Card Checker services.

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,

Clifford H. Ahrens K0CA
Chairman, DX Advisory Committee
Midwest Division Representative