In yesterday’s missive from the Great Lakes Division director, Dale, WA8EFK, was this note:
CARD CHECKERS: Well, the facts are simply this: we need more and we need more to visit our hamfests.
The ARRL Programs and Services Committee has established a sub-committee to examine the current Field Checker guidelines, the appointment requirements and many of the details of the program. It has been a while since a thorough review has been conducted of the Field Checker rules so that is happening now.
Your Director has been asked to assist, and I have been actively discussing Field Card Checking with both active Checkers and aspiring ones plus the DX Community in general. Feel free to let me know your thoughts and I will see to it they are considered by the committee.
Today, Card Checkers can be nominated by one of the following methods:
- ARRL Section Manager,
- ARRL affiliated DX Club (A DX club is an ARRL affiliated club with at least 25 members who are DXCC members and which has, as its primary interest, DX. If there are any questions regarding the validity of a DX club, the issue shall be determined by the Division Director where the DX club is located.) A person does not have to be a member of the DX club to be nominated, or
- ARRL Division Director
These requirements impose some serious limits. For example, a Section with two DX clubs can have three Field Checkers, (possibly four, if the Director’s appointment was made in that geographic area). A change of Section Manager or Director has no bearing on appointing additional Field Checkers.
As you can see, geography and population density can affect where the Field Checkers are located and even how far they need to travel. Further, the rules are silent on how to replace non-active Checkers.
Suffice it to say, we have a list of things to consider, but hopefully, some improvements can be implemented within the next few months. In the meantime, our Division’s diligent Field Card Checkers are taking every opportunity to be at swaps to check our cards. They travel on their dime and truly deserve our sincere thanks for serving the DX community.
I don’t know how the ARRL came up with these bizarre rules, but it seems typical for the DXCC program. Also, it looks to me as though the official ARRL title is DXCC Card Checker, although as Dale pointed out to me, the card checkers do more than just check cards for DXCC credit. For more information on this program, download the PDF, “ARRL DXCC Card Checker Program Nomination and Eligibility Rules.”
John (W2IU) says
Hi Dan,
Once again, I applaud your critical thinking on this subject. One idea that I have is to virtualize this process. Each of the US divisions could still have the card checkers, but instead of in person hamfest reviews, we could move towards sending in scanned copies of the cards for review. This removes the burden on the card checkers to travel, and for people to attend a hamfest to have their cards checked live and in person.
You bring up a good point with the viewpoint of authentication. My view is that I dont think in person verification provides any additional level of additional security over a virtual method. With modern day photoshop and printing, it is easier than ever to fabricate a qsl from an entity. If you fake a qsl, that is on you since the DXCC number you have is compromised.
Here is how I think it would work:
1) Station sends division card checker images of color front and back of card from verified email indicated in QRZ via a variety of different formats including link to imgur.com photos, scanned pdf’s, ect.
2) Checkers can then review and ask questions accordingly based on cards via email.
3) Credit is issued accordingly.
With the amount of time saved, this could help both parties immensely. I can pretty much guarantee the issue above could be fixed by implementing some form of checking based on the above. Just a thought to help with the hobby! I am also going to bring this up at one of the Hudson Division meetings :)
Yohei, N8YQX says
Let’s take this one more step further. Instead of hams sending the scanned QSL cards to the checkers directly, why not put the ARRL Award Desk in charge of this process. The Award Desk can keep track of each checker’s queue, and distribute the work evenly. If a checker becomes unable to check (illness, vacation, etc), the Award Desk can reassign his task to someone else on the fly.
As an added benefit, it would allow the checkers to bounce questionable QSL cards off of other checkers, including foreign checkers where who may be more knowledgeable about local activity.
Ultimately, ARRL should integrate this process into the online DXCC application and LoTW WAS application where the paper QSL can be uploaded systematically.
Tony N2MFT says
I disagree with having additional Field Card Checkers. Many hams are using LoTW instead of the Field Card Checking or sending an application and cards the ARRL HQ.
Speaking for myself, I have been available for the past 10 years to anyone needing their cards checked. First and foremost, the integrity of Field Checkers and Field Card Checking process is paramount. Field Card Checkers need to be knowledgeable and willing to do the job assigned. Most hams do not understand the DXCC Rules.
Let me give you a few specific instances.
At one hamfest myself and another Field Card checker were begged to come to a Hamfest to check cards. We traveled 4 hours each way for FREE. The people who begged us to walked right by our table. They did not bring any cards. We checked exactly ZERO cards.
At another hamfest, a man stopped in 10 minutes before I was planning on leaving. Again ZERO cards were checked after 5 hours. He went home gathered up his cards and returned 40 minutes later. No application, cards not sorted, No SASE to send the checked application.”I thought you did that,” he said. This hamfest is held 4 times a year. We have not checked cards 95% of the time.
One weekend, I traveled to a club meeting at noon, to a second location at 3 PM, and a third at 6 PM. Over 200 miles in 12 hours and over 4,000 cards all for FREE.
I was at a DX Conference in another state and checked DXCC applications.
Field Card Checking is a service of the ARRL. We enjoy helping other hams. Many times the Card Checker is expected to send checked application out of his/her own pocket.
The Section Manager can make a recommendation if the Field Card checker is inactive.
Myself and the Section Field Card Checker are available club meetings, hamfests or by reservation. Sounds like a Section manager has a problem he does not know how to handle or refuses to handle.
Take note that the RSGB IOTA program has 3 Checkpoints for the entire USA. “IOTA Management currently relies on the support of 23 checkpoints who between them serve amateurs in all areas of the world. ”
Since your blog goes to many people you should at least get facts and not hearsay.
Dan KB6NU says
Thanks for your feedback, Tony. I can see where this would be a concern for you. I’m just passing the word from our Division Director, who seems to be on some kind of committee looking into this. I would urge you to contact your Division director and make your feelings known.