DXCC Pushes to Get Ahead
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 Logbook of the World 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."
Page last modified: 09:13 AM, 07 Feb 2008 ET
Page author: awextra@arrl.org
Copyright © 2008, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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