Tree, I don't mean to toss another grenade in the room but......I have sent e mails to every CAC member about the problems many have with the structure of 160 meter DX Contest. Only one member of the CAC gave me the courtesy of a reply which basically said that the CAC no longer calls the shots but that a new group called the PSC is in charge to provide a layer of protection from any uncontrolled reaction by the CAC contrary to the wishes of HQ. So what used to be a contest structure from the ground up has been reversed by executive fiat to come from the top down.
Here is what I found out.... The PSC is supposed to "task" the CAC to look into certain things. It appears the CAC can not act by their own motion unless directed to do so. The PSC is not made up of contestors or DX-ers but rather ARRL Division Directors and Staff. So why should I expect them to have any sensitivity to 160 meter operations and trying to have a fair and equitable contest their. My specific problem with the structure of the ARRL 160 contest is that US Territories are relegated to a second class status where we are not considered DX at all. (For this contest KP2 is the same as location KP1 and KP4 is the same location as KP5) Neither KP1 nor KP5 have an ARRL SCM or in fact neither have any population. To argue they are not DX for this only this contest alone for some unexplained reason is twisted logic. What is really strange is that the ARRL 10 meter Contest a week later ( a very popular event) counts US Territories, KH6 and KL7 as DX, as they should be. What reasoning can support this inconsistency, i.e. the ARRL has deemed these DX entities as non-DX for the 160 meter DX contest and the opposite for the 10 meter contest. Why? The fact that nobody, I repeat nobody, in this organization (which I am a member of) can come up with an answer, or put it on the CAC agenda to fix is troubling. This augers to being an indefensible mistake or at least a arbitrary and capricious rule made by someone who was oblivious to the consequences. I have never been able to find out who exactly at HQ 20 years ago came up with this rule. All they need to do is allow the U.S. Territories, KH6 and KL7 DX status. You know when you work them on 160 you have worked DX .The fact that the ARRL staff and PSC appear totally detached to low band DXing and Contesting and would even discuss the issue with you after a decade of begging for correction really make me wonder. Please help you fellow offshore topbanders and contact your favorite ARRL nabob as ask him about this. Thanks! 73, Herb Schoenbohm _______________________________________________ UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
