Welcome to the Central Division DXAC webpage
John, K9EL
The DX Advisory Committee (DXAC) consists of one representative from each ARRL Division that meet on a regular basis and provide input and responses for the ARRL DXCC Program.
In 2022, I was appointed by Carl, K9LA, Central Division Director, to replace the ailing W9WU who served on the DXAC representing the W9 Division for many years. Unfortunately Jim joined the ranks of silent keys and we miss his wit and enthusiasm.
If you are located in the Central Division, I am always open to hearing your ideas and comments regarding the DXCC program. Everyone has opinions and comments on Inactive countries, deleted countries, new countries, award processes, etc. Let me know you thoughts.
Click here to see an organization chart to see how the DXAC fits into the ARRL organization
Feel free to email me at any time regarding the DXAC: DXAC.K9EL (at) gmail (dot) com.
I recently conducted a survey of Central Division DXers to understand how everyone feels about the current level to obtain DXCC Honor Roll status. Below is my report to the DXAC from your replies.
After our last DXAC meeting, I contacted the DX Clubs in
the Central Division and sent them a short request for information:
“I am the Central Division
representative to the ARRL DX Advisory Committee. The ARRL has asked
the DXAC to gather member input on the levels for attaining DXCC Honor Roll
status. Currently, you need 331 DXCC entities confirmed to achieve
Honor Roll status. Please reply direct to me and let me know if you favor
retaining the current 331 level or changing it to a different number.
If you prefer changing, please indicate the DXCC level that you would suggest
for Honor Roll.”
Over 1/3 of the respondents made multiple arguments to
either delete certain entities or create a separate list of entities that would
be out on the side and not included in the Honor Roll calculation. We have
discussed this before, but I know it would be very complex to manage.
331: 36
325: 3
321: 2
320: 1
306/323: 1
300: 6
Variable: 3
Based on all the comments, I would make these conclusions
from my survey:
Regarding Point 3 above, I believe it is very doable in
the DXCC program. For example, attaining the 3,000 level in the DXCC
Challenge is considered a significant accomplishment, yet there is no Challenge
Honor Roll or Top of the Challenge Honor Roll. Attaining 300 DXCC
entities could be a major recognition point for all DXers. One participant
even suggested making 300 Honor Roll and 331 High Honor Roll. Not sure I
agree with that, but the concept of doing major recognition at the 300 level
seems to make sense.
I was privileged to receive a copy of John's suggestions
and feel that he has presented some excellent ideas. Ideas that should
be given thoughtful consideration by the DXAC.
I am an ARRL DXCC Card Checker and as such have had
frequent contact with numerous DXCC applicants. In conversations with these
applicants, many have expressed dismay, at what they regard under the present
structure and rules, the impossibility of ever achieving the Honor Roll
status. Many of these applicants point out the fact that there are several
entities that because of political, environmental or other reasons it is
unlikely that they will ever have an amateur radio presence. Some entities
that come to mind are, Scarborough Reef, Johnston Island, Kure Island, North
Korea, Pratas Island and San Felix Island.
John's proposal that these entities be put on a "White
List" status and no longer count for Honor Roll status but become "bonus
entities" is an excellent basis for resolving the Honor Roll dilemma. Doing so
would encourage more Hams (especially newer Hams) to participate in
amateur radio in general and Dx'ing in particular as they would have an
attainable goal to strive for. The grass roots
DX'er seems to want some sort of solution to the
predicament;.
Because of this, I encourage you and the rest of the DXAC
to take John Poindexter's ideas seriously. This modification of the DXCC
rules would have a positive effect on DX'ing.
2. Greater Milwaukee DX Association (GMDXA).
I forwarded your request for input to our membership last
week and we had a meeting last nite. I asked members to contact you
directly if they had strong feelings.
As general consensus, the feeling seemed to be for no
change to the existing DXCC Entity requirements. This was from both long
time Honor Roll members as well as members who have not attained the goal yet.
I don't believe anyone vocalized a want to change the current requirements.
General reasoning was this has a high bar, and changing
the level would degrade the notoriety of obtaining it, degrading the
significance of the award. Old timers can remember the entities in the
past which were considered unobtainable, but politics has changed the
situations.
Albania is a good example, as well as Spratley recently.
Politics and world order is continually changing, we expect future changes to
alter the environment.
In addition, technology has already made it easier to
obtain this status, both through spotting / cluster networks and through the
digital modes.
This should not be considered an official opinion of the
club, but feedback from the members at the meeting, who have been encouraged to
contact you if they have strong opinions.
3.My vote - Leave the number as is at 331.
But while on the general subject, I don’t understand why
ARRL finds it necessary to charge such exorbitant fees for a simple LOTW DXCC
award!
All my confirmations use LOTW (no paper cards) – so award
applications should be a simple mouse click, with a low associated cost.
But I have no intention to ever apply for any ARRL award
– they are a financial rip-off.
Note - I’m an ARRL Member, active DX chaser, and track my
numbers on all Bands – but ARRL’s award cost structure simply cannot be
justified.
4.Keep it at 331.
5.Keep it at 331.
6. DX’ers have long had the goal of attaining DXCC Honor
Roll status.
Nevertheless, circumstances have shifted, and the
majority will not and cannot attain that status.
My suggestion is to omit or set aside entities that
cannot be accessed for political, environmental, or comparable grounds from the
list, instead conferring upon them a “bonus” classification, which would afford
amateur radio operators a more realistic possibility of achieving the Honor
Roll.
Scarborough Reef, Johnson Island, Kure Island, Pratas
Island, North Korea, and similar restricted areas would be classified as "bonus
entities," not eligible or required for the Honor Roll. The status of current
Honor Roll members would remain unchanged.
An example of precedent for this approach for handling
of the “bonus entities” is the "Five Band DXCC Award" which is presented to
individuals who successfully contact 100 distinct entities across the 10, 15,
20, 40, and 80-meter amateur radio bands.
DX'ers who possess that certificate and achieve 100
contacts on specified additional bands (6, 12, 17, 30, and 160 meters) are
eligible for a bonus award in the form of a sticker for each band, to be
appended to their certificate.
Under this proposal, a similar system would be applied
to “bonus entities.” A “Bonus Entities” endorsement sticker would be added to
the Honor Roll Certificate. If a DXer works and confirms one or more of these
bonus entities, a corresponding sticker would be awarded.
It is recommended that the required number be reduced to
325, which appears to be a realistic and achievable target.
7.Our section
manager, Bob Burns, as part of his monthly comments to us mentioned that you
guys are thinking about the DXC program and that you're the one in leading the
thinking. He suggested that send you Our Comments.
Specifically
apparently you're looking at the Otter roll and what it takes to get on there.
And that actually is a really good question. Well I'm well below
terrain and have a few challenges so probably I'm not going to be on this list .
But as a member of our community I'd like to add some comments . Certainly
making much easier it's probably not fair to those already on the list variant
but examining what it is that is the list and what is. As he pointed out
the current list is 340 entries and to get on the honor roll you have to be
within 10 or 331. That's probably a standard as a standard to keep. But maybe
it's time to kind of look a little bit at what that really means.
As I understand
it some people are thinking about removing a bunch of the in enties not been
activated for a long time. People working on this award have been doing so for
decades so some of them may have contacted these entities. After all this is a
lifetime achievement thing and lifetime means several decades. One of the
things we do have going for us now are these wonderful computers that can really
calculate lots and lots of things . And probably what somebody needs to do is go
back and examine overtime what the standard really meant . How Many unattainable
entities were ten years ago 20 years ago 30 years ago. It might be interesting
to look at that and decide what the current standard means in relation to that
level of difficulty overtime.
The
organization's CE has brought up the issue of what does it take to make
activation This is something that maybe we do need to take a lot of look
at as compared to historical data . He mentioned whether or not you should have
to be on land or just right offshore. I go with you still have to be on land ,
but it's a good question . And what about maritime mobiles why aren't they DXCC
entities. Maybe we should be looking at adding a that are based on large
geographical areas of being a maritime mobile Maybe add each of the official
oceans as a DXCC entity. But that seems maybe a little wide . But
look at that question about adding maritime operations.
As far as
difficulty in activating various of these entities . Some of them such as North
Korea are probably not activatable and their inclusionin the count certainly is
in question. A lot of these areas are remote and are now wildlife refuges.
But that also an opportunity. We may need to look a little more at the model we
use for activations . Right now and it's basically send a bunch of hams all at
once with great expense. They spend a few days or maybe a couple weeks at the
location. In a lot of these areas are becoming more and more restricted in
what you can do. And this model is becoming less and less productive. But
one of the other things you can do here is include hams in some of the research
and support activities on these locations. We may need to work harder at
providing resources to people doing things at these locations. Our model of
activating rare location s may have to in part become one people who spends
several months with a research group providing support services.
I am against
doing the drop and box and run in remotely thing for activations. That
just does not seem to me to be a read activation.
The bottom line
that I think we do need more DXCC entities . And then use some kind of a
percentage system And maybe drop the percentage just a little bit . So
that maybe it was 325 or 326 with the current count. Stay a standard of
96% of the list of locations activated in the last 15 years. Then put some
real effort into getting hams to locations. Base the precent on the
average precent of the list that had been activated in the last 15 years for 5
year increments all the way back to the founding of the program.
Now going to
rate locations and activating is all and of itself an activities which would be
worthy of note. Now the people coming close are likely not so
mobile. But maybe give a count credit for having activated one rare
location. Not too many credits for this or it would make the whole
thing again not meaningful. But maybe all say a max of 3 credits for
activating from a rare location. (rare to be defined). Say you are
able to activate Clipperton Island. You should get credit for a contact
with it from you home at the time. And then if by chance you are
able to also contact another ham activating it you get a credit for that.
Probably others
have a similar comment. I hope this helps with the thoughts on this.
8. Please don’t let them dumb down Ham radio anymore than
they have already ie’ Morse code
9.DX entities that are no longer relevant should be
removed from the list.
10.In general I'm not a big fan of huge changes to this
program. And I'm sure any workable solution will be chastised more than the
removal of the code requirement from licensing.
There are two things I would like to see that I think
would make a difference for people like myself or the new ops that we need to
attract that didn't get started before 2000 or even later.
Of course the fun part is figuring out the details and
how to administer something like this.
11. I think 331 for Honor Roll in today's world is not
realistic. Lowering it by 10 to 321 would be better.
12. The "long" time DXer's want to keep the honor roll
where it is, but for hams who started chasing DX in the last 10 years it is an
impossible goal. I am a 75 year old ham who has been licensed since 1961,
so should qualify an a "long" timer but I didn't get serious about DX until
after I retired.
I have a good station and can usually work anything I can
hear. In this most recent 3Y0K DX Expedition I was able to work them on 7
band slots. My total DXCC count is 309 and I don't believe there is any
way that I can reach 331 in my lifetime.
Too many DXCC entities will never be back on the air.
I would like to see ones like Scarborough Reef and N. Korea be dropped from the
list. If the government restrictions prevent activation remove them from
the list.
I don't know what the final number should be, maybe
320.
A new ham just starting out has no chance whatsoever of
reaching 331. The Honor Roll is a meaningless award for them.
13. I heard you're taking a poll on whether to keep the
current number or change it. I just wanted to let you know that I believe it
should be retained at 331.
14.My feeling is that the required 331 to qualify for the
honor roll should remain as is.
15. Just an idea, eliminate some of the entities like P5
and others we may never work and backdown the Honor Roll number down by the
number of entities eliminated. Simple, if an entity gets added adjust the
Honor Roll number to reflect the change.
16.Keep the 331 level.
17.Since it doesn't appear to be any issue solved by the
change, I would retain the current rule -- to be within 10 (or total entities -
9) for Honor Roll.
18.I think the number for Honor Roll should be 289.
This is not an arbitrary number.
Actually it's a very excellent number.
I am currently at 288 mixed confirmed. I could get
Honor Roll with my next ATNO! That would be an achievement. This
would be my first recommendation.
I realize that some would not think to highly of me
wanting a number that personally benefits me and my personal bragging rights.
But notice that I didn't say 280 which would immediately grant me Honor Roll!
I do have _some_ sense of accomplishment!!!
Perhaps a more realistic number would be 300.
That's a nice milestone. Unfortunately is not based on anything other than
a whole number and a clean power of 10.
Let's face it. The current number of 331 is
carefully considered so that the handful of "no way in hell" entities are
accounted for, and anyone who can get that close deserves something. Alas,
here we are.
In the end it's just about bragging rights.
Strangely, those who have already reached that plateau will fight to the bitter
end (of their lives) to accept nothing less. "I did it, so that's what you
need to do!"
Maybe a number like "90% of the total number of entities
available to the DX Marathon." This will be a moving target, so only
refresh it, say once a decade and let it go at that.
As the number stands right now, I have ZERO motivation to
pursue it. Given the current geopolitical climate, I will likely never
have an opportunity to come close to 331. As a result, I don't care.
This, by the way, is the number one fear for any award program - apathy.
Once nobody cares, the award becomes irrelevant, meaningless.
Set the number wherever it makes the most sense. If
I get there, then fine. But I will never pay the ARRL to get a piece of
paper telling me what I already know. In the end that's probably where
most of this comes from, the ARRL bumping the revenue by a infinitesimal amount
so they can justify their actions. (This is another rant)
Perhaps folks should have to validate their Honor Roll
status and work the requisite number every 10 years or so to prove the number
was not a fluke. If they don't "recertify", they lose their Honor Roll
status. That might open their eyes the "plight" of those working on their
personal achievements.
I was very happy, years ago, when I managed to work all
continents on QRP! That's an achievement. That was the same year I
worked a station that was 1,400 miles per watt average power. That was
cool. The next year I completed my Worked All States (WAS) QRP. A
few years later, I worked my 100 DXCC for DXCC QRP.
A year or two later I did what I thought would be very
difficult, if not impossible. That was WAS on 160M. That was
decidedly _NOT_ QRP, but that was really cool, to me at least.
I know what I've accomplished in my short HAM adventure.
Thanks for listening. You are now free to move on
with your day.
19.First, let me tell you that I was licensed in 1973,
and this year I turn 74.
I live on a small city lot a mile from downtown fort
Wayne on the banks of the St Marys river.
I run 100 watts into a vertical or inverted L, and my
DXCC total is 258.
Before FT8, any serious DXer would have a tower, beams,
and a kilowatt. He would have the ability to work more DX and reach 331.
Since FT8, the majority of new DXers have stations like
mine. This means we don't have quite the capability of reaching 331, so while
DXCC stations will increase in number, the amount making the Honor Roll will
decrease.
Therefore, I think the number should be reduced, maybe to
300 or less.Consider this: If I live to be 100, I would have to work a new one
every four months for the rest of my life to get them all.
Now, let me make some comments about North Korea.
I occasionally hear things said about them being a DXCC
entity, and I have an idea.
We should create a "conditional contact", one that would
be a substitute.
This would need to be administered by the ITU.
First, the ITU would need to define what an "unobtainable
entity" is.
Second, they would create a special callsign only for
that purpose.
Third, they would work with DXpeditioners who would want
to activate that entity.
Last, the DXpedition would have to operate on land,
anywhere within, say, five miles of the entity border.
Care must be taken to not cheapen, or give away said
entity, but to allow serious DXers to cross it off their list
20.We all know lack of award participation is not the
cause of declining membership, that's absurd. In 1914 the ARRL was
founded. In 1937 the premier award, DX Century Club (DXCC) was
instituted. The requirements was to work 100 country's. This was a big deal back
then. Then came 5 Band DXCC that was induced in 1969. Lets put this
achievable requirement 89 years ago in perspective. In 1937 most all radios were
home brew tube and wire antennas and maybe a home brew yagi on CW. The
spec of these radios were, can you hear me Bob, yes. Can hear you me Jim
yes, great it works. No one complained DXCC was to hard. It was a badge of honor
to have these award on your wall. Then came #1 Top Honor Roll, I been a
ham for 50 years I missed P5 & YV0 and I'm 65 I'm not whining, at
some point I'll get them.
Now 89 years later no one builds a radio from scratch, a
kit maybe, but most cant even do that. We have computer modeled trap less
antennas. Superior SDR radios with front end and filtering the early pioneers
couldn't dream of. We have DX Spot, live streams, Skype, email to set up skids.
Lets not forget the pay to play rent a shacks all over the world. If they
really want that last few so bad, if using a remote makes them feel they
accomplished something go for it. FT-8 is a game changer for DXCC making
it way easier. So at this point if anything ARRL should make it harder not
easier.
For those of us who earned their DXCC awards with a
station they own and built, Lowering the number for the few is
unconscionable to even considering lessening to the suggestion to lower the bar.
What after this? Will ARRL lower the Challenge to 2800 next. Where does it end
if we let this happen. Think of what happened to the licensing and how
that disaster degraded what's on the air today, all in the name of member ship.
We all know how that worked out.
This is like a Kmart blue light special. ARRL lowers
Honor Roll to say 300, the few who want it lowered will join and buy their
plaques. ARRL make a few bucks on a one time spike and that's all this is about.
How can ARRL generate fast money. The next year these guys don't renew and
ARRL is back to where they started. So as Central Division representative
to the ARRL DX Advisory Committee I hope you'll keep everyone updated on this
nonsense.
I also find it a joke that ARRL disqualify DX Expeditions
teams for missing crossing a ( t ) or dot an ( i ) properly, yet their
willing to considering this BS, idiots .
22.It is almost funny watching the reaction to your
request. They've gone wild on every tangent. Provided that I in fact
actually understand your inquiry better than most, here's my opinion, with
rational.
I think the number should be 300.
OK, why?
DXCC is awarded at 100 countries, and we all feel good
getting that recognition. But Honor Roll is an arbitrary dynamic number
and as I can attest I fell off the Honor Roll for a short time because an
"entity" was deleted. Kind of weird.
I actually was the most satisfied when I achieved 300.
100 was a new endeavor, 200 was just sticking to it, but 300 took a lot of work
and time. In reality, after that getting to honor Roll and Number 1 were
kind of ho-hum.
Maybe all you need to do is eliminate the Honor Roll
thing and issue a special sticker for some static number, like 300.
GL, you have your hands full with this one.
23.I like things the way they are EXCEPT we should roll
back the date to 1946 for cw contacts
24.I was forwarded your email below via the Hoosier DX
and Contest Club (HDXCC). Here are my thoughts regarding a potential change to
the DXCC Honor Roll level.
While I was first licensed in 1979, I became inactive in
1995 (wife, children, job, etc.). I only became active again when I retired in
December 2023. As a result, many of the entities that were active during my
years of inactivity will not be active again for a very long time, some maybe
never ever again during my lifetime.
The DXCC Honor Roll is a prestigious achievement, and it
should be just that: an achievement. That is, something that is actually
achievable. For hams like me and new hams to the hobby, the 331 entity level is
simply not achievable…period. As a result, I suspect some have and may become
intimidated with this and may even stop DXing altogether, especially those with
modest stations.
In business and education, the top tier for employees or
students is typically designated as the top 10% (performance, grades, etc.). In
education, there sometimes is an additional level at the 5% level. I believe it
would behoove the DXAC to consider a similar model. My recommendation would be
for this:
- Honor Roll: 90% of all current entities (or currently
306)
- High Honor Roll: 95% of all current entities (or
currently 323)
I do recognize that the digital modes, spotting networks,
and remote operations (like KP5/NP3VI) make achieving higher entity counts more
possible. However, I strongly believe that the current DXCC Honor Roll level is
completely unachievable for hams like me and new hams even with current and
future changes in technology and modes.
25.331
26.I have some thoughts regarding possibly changing the
DXCC Honor Roll qualification rule.
1) Any change that makes it easier will be considered a
slap in the face of those who have already achieved HR status.
2) Making no changes at all is itself a problem, since
the most needed entities are now essentially off limits to ham radio operations.
I'm thinking about entities that simply do not allow ham radio (P5, EZ, for
example) or is otherwise impossible (1S, BS7) or those under ecologic
restrictions (KH7).
3) Because of there are so many "off-limits" locations,
reaching HR or Top HR status is, for all practical purposes, nearly impossible
for the average ham. While wealthy hams may be able to afford to build a
"super-station," that is just not within reach to the typical person.
4) The "Radio in a Box (RIB)" concept is great, but
a seven foot vertical on a beach just isn't adequate for the most-needed
entities. Consider the recent Desecheo operation. While it was a smashing
success, the station was extremely difficult to work due to the inadequate
antennas a low power operation. RIB is a fantastic concept and I have high hopes
that it will continue to be used for rare entities, but it can not adequately
replace a full blown DXpedition.
While I agree that "doing nothing" is not a reasonable
option, I would like at least one other option than just lowering the number
required for HR status. For example, delete certain entities (BS7 for
sure) and nations that have simply prohibited amateur radio for a certain period
(say, 20 years?). Any deletion could be reversed if/when the political situation
changes.
So, I say "Yes" make a change, but do it only after very
care consideration.
27.I am in favor of keeping the 331 level for DXCC Honor
Roll. I would be interested to see what the comments are from HR members as
opposed to non HR hams.
28.331 or 332 for honor roll.
Delete countries that will never be activated again or
put a time limit like on activation in 25 plus years
29.This should be left as is. DXCC is a lifetime pursuit
and lowering levels because some entities are not currently active is just a
feel good move.
After 52 years a ham I still need P5 for the top and you
don't hear me complaining. Activity comes and goes.
30. I like the way it is right now and don't recommend
any changes
31.If memory serves me correctly, Honor Roll status since
the introduction of the DXCC award has always been reserved for those who had
confirmed entities within 10 of the total current DXCC list.
A lot has changed over the years as to what requirement
an entity must meet to be on the DXCC list. I think it only proper the DXCC
Advisory Committee has asked this question.
In the last three decades or more, we have seen the
difficulty in achieving Honor Roll status of coming to an almost impossibility
in one’s lifetime even if they started at a very early age.
When looking at the top 10 most wanted on Clublog from a
global perspective all are or almost all are non-accessible due to the entity’s
internal governmental political climate (P5, EZ, YK, etc.) or the entity’s
access is restricted due to environmental constraints (KH7K, KH3, KP1 etc.).
This extends even beyond the top 10 most wanted. It
actually applies to many in the top 50 and beyond.
So, what should the number be that defines an Honor Roll
member? 15, 20, 30? I’m not sure I have an answer. If you look at the top 30,
there are many that have not been activated in years.
But if I were to just pick a number I would think we
should start with doubling the number to 20. There are at least 15 in the top 20
that have not been activated for years.
I know you will get comments from the old guard and those
that are on the Honor Roll that will say “That’s what it took for me to get to
Honor Roll. Why should we make it easier for the newcomers?”. These people need
to accept that times have changed. The world landscape has changed.
Then there are those who will say instead of changing the
Honor Roll requirement, delete entities that have not been activated in 10 or
more years. I’ve heard some say it should be 5 years. These are the ones who
want instant gratification. They need to understand that it is about the journey
and not about getting to #1 Honor Roll quickly. I’ve read some blogs advocating
that getting to #1 should take no longer than 10 years. Some even advocating no
more than 5 years.
I know you know you are going to hear a lot from these
types of people. And I trust you will filter out these types and consider only
those of us who are taking an objective look at trying to make the necessary
changes to keep the DXCC program relevant to the newcomers as well as the old
guard.
32.I’d be in favor of leaving it the way it is
33.I’m of the opinion that it should be stayed at 331
34.I have no problem either the current number for honor
roll. I wish the committee would revisit Scarborough reef and should it be a
country. In my opinion it should not. See my QRZ page to see my very strong
opinion.
35.Personally I would like some deleted entities that one
may have be used to qualify for honor roll as fill in's for missing ones but
with a limit, say around 2 or 3.
This would still require you to QSL almost all of the
current list of 340.
Other wise I would say let it stand as it is now. 331 out
of 340.
Also possibly remove or suspend some of the country's
that many never be operated from again like Johnson Is, Kure Is, Scarborough
Reef and Pratas Is. Maybe also North Korea and Aves Is.
If they were ever activated again they could always be
reinstated to the official list.
From what I have heard most of the Pacific islands under
the US Fish and Wildlife are fast becoming off limits or will be to all "feet on
the ground" of human contact.
Only my ideas and I still have a way to go before I can
qualify for Honor Roll.
36.Responding to your request John, related to DXCC Honor
Roll. Personally I have always thought that making the 300 entity level in
DXCC was where the Honor Roll should begin. I'm 76, been in the hobby for
a bit over 50 years, but only really got serious about chasing DX in the past 8
years or so, after I moved and was able to put up a tower. I've seen how
difficult it is to get to that 300 level, I am inching along but it is arduously
slow; I fear I won't live long enough to get to 300, let alone 331. So I
would favor changing the Honor Roll level to 300. But I realize many will
balk at this, especially those who are at or near 331. So I might suggest
making the 331 level some additional achievement, maybe something like Honor
Roll-Gold or Honor Roll-Advanced...give those of us who are trying to catch up
something more reasonable to shoot for, but also recognize those who are at or
near the 331 level. Just my thoughts on the subject.
37.I see no need to change the criteria for HR status.
38.I am in favor of retaining the current 331 level.
39.I am in favor of keeping the Honor Roll as it is
currently, When I first started DXing, I was told I would never work BY,
ZA, or TA.
Well, forever is a long time and those impossible ones
from the past are now common. Some previously common ones are now on hold.
DX is a life time journey, and it should not be cheapened
by today's desire for instant gratification.
If something needs to be done, maybe make a separate
classification that only requires currently available entities.
Let's not devalue the effort put in by DXers that spent
decades waiting to get those last few countries to make the Honor Roll.
40.I see no reason to change.
41.Just keep it at 331! It's achievable.
42.I had never really looked at Honor Roll, but this
topic made me take a look. 3Y0K was #330 for me so 331 works as it still
presents an achievable goal unlike "working them all" due to political barriers
to certain entities.
43.If a country does not allow Amateur Radio, it
shouldn't be included on the list of "current countries" until that restriction
changes. Also, if a "country" is not large enough to support a tent on dry
ground for communications, it is not a country. Scarborough Reef comes to
mind. A scaffold on a rock that is barely above water is not a country, it
is a rock.
44.My suggestion for keeping the number at 331 is that I
suggest there are four entities that are out of reach due to geopolitical
issues. The 3Y0K activation demonstrates that the remaining top ten (aside from
the geopolitical constraints) are plausible. So, 331 is currently reachable.
45.I say keep it at 331, I don't see a compelling reason
to change.
46.I would like to advocate for a percentage based
number to meet the honor roll, rather than the set number of 9.
The total number of DXCC entities changes over time, so
picking a random number to subtract feels a bit arbitrary. If we moved to
something like 97 percent of active entities, the difficulty would automatically
adjust whenever entities are added or removed.
To make the math work, the ARRL could just use standard
rounding. For example, if the target was 97 percent of the current 340 entities,
that comes out to 329.8, which rounds up to 330. If the list eventually grows to
341, 97 percent is 330.77, which rounds up to 331.
This would give operators a buffer based on a number that
has changed in the past and could change in the future while also maintaining
the prestige of the honor roll.
47.I'm in favor of retaining the current 331 level.
48.Leave it alone. 331 is a worthy goal.
49.I am not really close to making the honor roll.
However, I think a fair way to do it would be to add all the entities that have
not been activated in a specific period of time, say 10 years, and
deduct that number from 331. I know years ago this would have been a record
keeping nightmare, but in the age of computers, it shouldn't be too hard to
manage. BTW I have a bunch of entities that have not been activated confirmed,
but the 22 deleted countries I have is a killer. Most of my DXing was done in
the 70's and 80's.
50.I’m in favor of keeping the Honor Roll entry level
within 10 of the total DXCC entities as it is now and whatever that total may be
going forward.
51.I am a nearly 80 year old extra class with 223 DXCC
confirmed. I am not sure I will ever get to 331 confirmed, but I am trying. 6
new ones just at the start of March. So I vote for keeping it the same for
honor role at 331. I do note that some on the list may never get on the air.
Islands that are disappearing and countries fighting endless wars that will
never allow an Expedition within the borders. Many others are achieving Honor
Role during all this. I am hopeful I will too if the propagation continues, and
the countries hams get on the air.
52.Make a level one. level two and possibly level 3?