Naturally there are many questions about the DXCC status of Kosovo, and whether or not it will be added to the DXCC list.

The DXCC rules, which were modified in 2000 to better handle inclusion to DXCC, are clear on how additions can be made:

For inclusion in the DXCC List, conditions as set out below must be met. Listing is not contingent upon whether operation has occurred or will occur, but only upon the qualifications of the Entity.

Political Entities, Geographical Entities, Special Areas

#1, Political Entities is the category with which we are concerned with respect to Kosovo.

1. Political Entities:

Political Entities are those areas which are separated by reason of government or political division. They generally contain an indigenous population which is not predominantly composed of military or scientific personnel.

An Entity will be added to the DXCC List as a Political Entity if it meets one or more of the following criteria:

a) The entity is a UN Member State.

b) The entity has been assigned a callsign prefix bloc by the ITU. (The exceptions to this rule are international organizations, such as the UN and ICAO. These Entities are classified under Special Areas, 3.a); and Ineligible Areas, 4.b).) A provisional prefix bloc assignment may be made by the Secretary General of ITU. Should such provisional assignments not be ratified later by the full ITU, the Entity will be removed from the DXCC List.

c) The Entity contains a permanent population, is administered by a local government, and is located at least 800 km from its parent. To satisfy the "permanent population" and "administered by a local government" criteria of this sub-section, an Entity must be listed on either (a) the U.S. Department of State's list of "Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty" as having a local "Administrative Center," or (b) the United Nations list of "Non-Self-Governing Territories."

New Entities satisfying one or more of the conditions above will be added to the DXCC List by administrative action as of their "Event Date."

So, Kosovo will be added to the DXCC list if it becomes a member of the UN, or (2), if it receives a prefix bloc from the ITU. The third condition does not apply. The date upon which either (a) or (b) occurs will be the event date.

The following operations are approved for DXCC credit:

VK9WWI -- Willis Island

2007 Operation

YI9PT -- Iraq

Current Operation

73 es DX!

Bill Moore NC1L

DXCC Manager

ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio

225 Main Street

Newington, CT 06111

Telephone: (860) 594 0234

Fax: (860) 594-0346

email: dxcc@arrl.org

DXCC Web Site: www.arrl.org/awards/dxcc

Blog: http://www.arrl.org/blog/DXCC%20Dialog

Due to several factors, including greater activity from new and reactivated DXCC entities, the ARRL DXCC Desk has been experiencing QSL card processing delays. According to ARRL DXCC Manager Bill Moore, NC1L, there are approximately 2300 applications currently on the list of received applications, resulting in a processing backlog of more than 12 weeks. "People usually have to wait 4-6 weeks from the time they send in their application to the time they receive their cards back," Moore said.

Even with the low sunspot numbers of the now defunct Solar Cycle 23, there has been an increase in DXCC activity, Dave Patton, NN1N, Manager of the ARRL Membership and Volunteer Services Department, said; DXCC is a division of this department. "We've added or reactivated new entities like Scarborough Reef, Swains Island and Montenegro," he said. "ARRL membership is up, and more people out there have HF privileges." DXCC rules state that US hams must be ARRL members to participate in DXCC; there is no membership requirement for foreign participants. Moore estimates that one-third of the DXCC applications come from outside the US. Sharon Taratula, Membership and Volunteer Programs Supervisor, said that approximately 500 DXCC applications are processed each month.

ARRL Chief Operating Officer Harold Kramer, WJ1B, said that a new full-time person has just been added to the DXCC staff. "We are actively looking for an additional full-time employee for DXCC. By adding more staff, we can definitely cut down on the time it takes to process applications."

"While we are not happy with the delayed turnaround time for DXCC applications, I can assure everyone that we are maintaining our high level of concern for accuracy in processing and care for our customers QSLs and awards," Patton said. "I'm pleased that interest in operating awards is so high, and indeed there is evidence that new and returning ops are participating in ever increasing numbers. In the near future, as we continue to refine and improve LoTW and our processes, turnaround time will improve, the quality of our awards will improve and we can hopefully offer new and expanded awards programs like the brand new Fred Fish Memorial Award for confirming QSOs with the 488 grid squares in the continental US on 6 meters."

Patton thanked the many DXCC Field Checkers and Awards Card Checkers around the world. "They give so freely of their time and resources to make participation in operating awards so much more convenient for everyone. And I also want to thank all of the volunteers working in QSL Bureaus throughout the world, as well. The QSL Bureau system is still very important to collectors and awards chasers, and activity in the bureau is maintaining and even increasing despite the lack of sunspots."

Kramer said, "We take great care with people's DXCC applications. The DXCC crew is very diligent in handling and checking each applicant's cards. We don't rush the process because we don't want to make mistakes -- we know how important this program is to DXCC participants."

The following operation is approved for DXCC credit:

E4/OM2DX -- Palestine

2007 Operation

73 es DX!

There has been some confusion circulating regarding the current processing time and how it is affecting the addition of St Barthelemy to the DXCC list and LogBook Of The World.

Before processing 2008 applications (containing St Barthelemy cards) DXCC must complete and close out all 2007 applications. Once this is done, 2007 has ended for DXCC staff. The pace of the current application processing allows an estimated completion period of late March.

Upon completion of 2007 applications we shut DXCC down for about a day while we run all of the yearly lists. Only after these lists are completed can we add FJ to the DXCC List and in turn, Logbook of The World.

DXCC staff is working hard to reduce the turnaround time, and we appreciate your patience and understanding while we work to get caught up. You can help by planning your submissions wisely and taking steps to make sure your applications are prepared according to the instructions posted on the DXCC application form and as noted in the FAQ. There will be plenty of time for everyone to have their Honor Roll submissions in place by December 31, 2008.

73 es DX!