#31

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

Introduction

During the first half of 2002, the major DXCC news items were:

1. The first operation from Ducie Island, following its addition to the DXCC List in November, 2001, took place in March, 2002, using the callsign VP6DI.
2. The new QRP DXCC Award became effective January 2, 2002.
3. On April 2, 2002, after approval by the ARRL Awards Committee, the DXCC Branch began accepting SSB contacts with P5/4L4FN for DXCC credit. Contacts with P5/4L4FN dating back to early November, 2001 count for this Entity.
4. The Clinton B. DeSoto Challenge Cup Winners for 2001 were announced in the DXCC Yearbook 2001. The three top finishers (as of September 30, 2001) who received awards were W4DR, N4WW, and K5UR.

Agenda Items

1) New Entity/Removal Issues

Council of Europe Request for DXCC Status. An application was filed on May 7, 2002, by Francis Kremer, station director of TP2CE, requesting the addition of Council of Europe to the DXCC list. The request was not referred to the DXAC for study and report, but HQ staff requested that the DXAC "informally" review the request. After review, both HQ staff and the DXAC concluded that Council of Europe does not meet current DXCC criteria. ARRL HQ has denied the request of Council of Europe for DXCC status.

2) Other Issues

None

DXAC Status

The DXAC completed its "informal" review of the application for DXCC status on behalf of Council of Europe and communicated DXAC members' comments to ARRL HQ. No further action has been requested on this matter.

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

1. The status of 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 "Logbook of the World", the DXCC Challenge program, the new QRP DXCC award, and the upcoming 30 meter 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 the DXAC by the MSC.

Respectfully submitted,

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