Re: Topband: DXCC Program Integrity
Maybe so Anthony but I distinctly recall attending a a IARU Region 2 conference some years ago in Ocho Rios, Jamaica and I was amazed at how many people from HQ along with their wives or partners that were booked in the 5 Star hotel where the conference was being held. It was almost like HQ was left with just the clerical staff. Some members of the ARRL travel often and to "far away places with strange sounding names." Considering that there is an ARRL booth at every major and many minor ham-fests and that there is one every couple of weeks, there can be little doubt that league personnel do very well in frequent flyer miles and don't lodge at a Motel "6" during the event. Since the ARRL has a "DXCC Desk" as they call it, I wonder if they have a "travel desk" as well. Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ On 3/1/2015 2:07 PM, Anthony Scandurra wrote: I don't see ARRL staff pulling down six figure salaries, driving expensive cars, or living in mansions. Why do we always assume there is an ulterior and possibly malicious motive? The inescapable fact is that the ARRL needs funds to fight for us in Washington. The ARRL is not perfect, but no organization is. If you don't want to participate in DXCC because you think it is corrupt, then don't! No one is holding a gun to your head. 73, Tony K4QE _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: DXCC Program Integrity
Yes you are right don't participate when it is corrupt. But I have been in the DXCC program for a long time ... it would be hard to leave. I guess a main reason for participating is it serves as a back-up to my QSL cards. If I should ever loose my cards, my records are in what I hope is a safe place. I also don't think we should accept mediocrity. I believe we should try and make the world a BETTER place rather than accepting how things are. High standards are like a sand castle ... one has to constantly build otherwise they disappear. Doug I wasn't born in Saskatchewan, but I got here as soon as I could. -Original Message- The ARRL is not perfect, but no organization is. If you don't want to participate in DXCC because you think it is corrupt, then don't! No one is holding a gun to your head. 73, Tony K4QE --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. http://www.avast.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: DXCC Program Integrity
I don't see ARRL staff pulling down six figure salaries, driving expensive cars, or living in mansions. Why do we always assume there is an ulterior and possibly malicious motive? The inescapable fact is that the ARRL needs funds to fight for us in Washington. The ARRL is not perfect, but no organization is. If you don't want to participate in DXCC because you think it is corrupt, then don't! No one is holding a gun to your head. 73, Tony K4QE _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: DXCC Program Integrity
I think the ARRL does many good things for Amateur Radio. They are also involved in things that are good for them and not so much for us. Their latest call for comments is directly related to the RM11708 issue. The DXCC program history is certainly not a beacon of purity and transparency is it? Some guy operating a remote station to work people is nothing compared to some of the things that have gone on in the program. The Centennial Award last year got people on the air and working other people which is a good thing. They also "sold" a boat load of LOTW credits and awards. The challenge Award Sells lots of LOTW credits and more plaques. I have no problem with it. The plaque is nice and it is fun to chase all the band mode combos and it has promoted more activity. Was the primary goal to get more people on the air or sell more stuff? Mike W0MU On 3/1/2015 10:27 AM, Doug Renwick wrote: Larry I admire your ability to see past the 'smoke and mirrors' and expose the hypocrisy of the ARRL DXCC program. What you have said is true. The ARRL speaks out of both corners of their mouth. There will be others who will object to you exposing the DXCC program and there will be others who wish to change the subject. Some will find the truth unacceptable. Doug -Original Message- The integrity of the program is irrelevant This one interesting sentence, made in another thread, may be at the root of much of the disagreement expressed in the last few days with regards to DXCC. It does cause one to wonder why the award exists at all. If DXCC only matters to the recipient, why wouldn't their logbook serve the same purpose? For some, it does. What added gratification does that extra piece of paper provide? It's not exactly free. What makes the DXCC countries list so special -- why not use some other list? Why did ARRL go to great pains to make LoTW more challenging than online banking? Why are individuals disqualified from the program if the award only affects *them*? Why do we have card checkers that look for that dot between the "1" and the "8" like the guy looking for a "hanging chad" with a magnifying glass? Finally, what does it mean for the League to call DXCC the "premier operating award" then turn up their hands and basically say "we can't enforce any of this it's up to you guys"? Larry K5RK --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. http://www.avast.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: DXCC Program Integrity
Larry I admire your ability to see past the 'smoke and mirrors' and expose the hypocrisy of the ARRL DXCC program. What you have said is true. The ARRL speaks out of both corners of their mouth. There will be others who will object to you exposing the DXCC program and there will be others who wish to change the subject. Some will find the truth unacceptable. Doug -Original Message- > The integrity of the program is irrelevant This one interesting sentence, made in another thread, may be at the root of much of the disagreement expressed in the last few days with regards to DXCC. It does cause one to wonder why the award exists at all. If DXCC only matters to the recipient, why wouldn't their logbook serve the same purpose? For some, it does. What added gratification does that extra piece of paper provide? It's not exactly free. What makes the DXCC countries list so special -- why not use some other list? Why did ARRL go to great pains to make LoTW more challenging than online banking? Why are individuals disqualified from the program if the award only affects *them*? Why do we have card checkers that look for that dot between the "1" and the "8" like the guy looking for a "hanging chad" with a magnifying glass? Finally, what does it mean for the League to call DXCC the "premier operating award" then turn up their hands and basically say "we can't enforce any of this it's up to you guys"? Larry K5RK --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. http://www.avast.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: DXCC Program Integrity
This one interesting sentence, made in another thread, may be at the root of much of the disagreement expressed in the last few days with regards to DXCC. It does cause one to wonder why the award exists at all. If DXCC only matters to the recipient, why wouldn't their logbook serve the same purpose? For some, it does. What added gratification does that extra piece of paper provide? It's not exactly free. What makes the DXCC countries list so special -- why not use some other list? Why did ARRL go to great pains to make LoTW more challenging than online banking? Why are individuals disqualified from the program if the award only affects *them*? Why do we have card checkers that look for that dot between the "1" and the "8" like the guy looking for a "hanging chad" with a magnifying glass? Finally, what does it mean for the League to call DXCC the "premier operating award" then turn up their hands and basically say "we can't enforce any of this it's up to you guys"? Larry K5RK Larry, This all just life no matter what we do. If we base our self-worth, or determine the worth of others by what **we** like or what we think they should do, we are destined to be grouchy unhappy people who spend a lot of time making ourselves and others unhappy. It is this way in car shows, it is this way in automotive racing. It is this way in gaming and in sculpture and art. The DXCC is the DXCC as the rule written for DXCC apply. If someone does not like the rules as written, they can try to change the rules or go find something else they like better. In my opinion, and what makes me uncomfortable and ruins the spirit, is trying to disparage others because we don't happen to like the way the rules are written. As for cheating, which really means breaking a rule (not what we might personally WANT a rule to be), that will always go on. The best we can do is try to minimize it by careful thought. We seem to be becoming an increasingly angry society who like to not see anyone else having fun. We make extreme statements, invent conspiracies, and intentionally take things out of context just to be whining "drama queens" or professional curmudgeons. The weirdest part of it all is we worry about and get all dramatic about small meaningless stuff, while we do nothing to rationally work on real problems. I think maybe we are all getting old, and getting some of that infamous Brooklyn syndrome. 73 Tom _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
