A reader sent me the following the other day:
The ARRL posted the following on February 9th, on their Web page:
ARRL this week announced a Mobile DXCC Operating Award available to radio amateurs who have contacted at least 100 DXCC entities from a working vehicle with antennas and power source capable of operating while in motion. ARRL Radiosport Manager Norm Fusaro, W3IZ, advised those pursuing the award to put safety first. “Distracted driving is a serious concern, so we hope all mobile operators exercise care when operating from a moving vehicle,” he said. Full, official details are on the Mobile DXCC Operating Award page. Read the complete announcement at
http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-announces-mobile-dxcc-operating-award.
He went on to say:
I have to question the judgement of the League. With all the problems today with distracted driving, why in the world would they be advocating a mobile DXCC award? Do they really believe voicing a cautionary statement mitigates all risks?
I count 22 different types of DXCC awards (5 modes (Mixed, Phone, CW, Digital, and Satellite), 5BDXCC, DXCC Challenge, 12 bands (160m thru 70cm), Honor Roll, and Top of Honor Roll). Does the DX community need another DXCC award?
I am certainly going to voice my disagreement with the League, but thought this may be a good topic for either your blog or an upcoming ICQ session.
One of the hams at the office had a comment – Once the first serious accident involving a distracted DXer chasing the Mobile DXCC occurs, the term “pileup” will take on a new meaning. I will add that it is a good thing the League has $20M in the bank, as stated by N6AA. They may need it for a court awarded judgement!
My initial reaction is that this award shows where the League’s priorities are. My guess is that the DXCC program is a revenue source for the League, and more awards means more revenue. On the other hand, the ARRL may just be giving DXers what they want. Does anyone know if there’s a demand for this award among DXers? Is this award something that you’ll be working towards?
Chuck K4RGN says
As long as hams keep spending money on DXCC, I suppose there’s no end to the variants that ARRL will offer. There’s a breaking point somewhere. As to how much incremental profit (as opposed to revenue) that ARRL derives from DXCC — and whether that profit is actually significant — that’s difficult to say without a deep look at the books.
I’m sure the ARRL has umbrella liability coverage that would come into play if necessary.
Frank Howell says
Fir these and other reasons, the ARRL should release an annual budget AS EXPENDED. Their IRS Form 990 as a non-profit dies not tell us much about programs and so forth.
Steve C - KE8HXM says
DXCC seems a little complicated of an activity to do along with driving – which many people can’t do with or without a radio or other distractions on a clear day, with no traffic, much less while trying to pin down that elusive distant station’s signal while on the road where people seem to thrive on pulling into the safe following distance you try to have between you and the next vehicle on the road ahead, or the folks who ride a lane that is ending to the very end so they can be in front of one more car and then abruptly without signal moving into a space that is too small for their car unless the person they are crowding out hits the brakes – causing everyone in turn to slow down because this person has to be ahead of the most vehicles on the road. (I see this very often when a lane has a sign that says Lane Ends in 1 Mile…).
It seems to me it would require the same or a similar level of attention as texting while driving or intently listening for the next announcement of, “Recalculating”, that is bound to come from your GPS system…
Does anyone think that this is an entirely bad idea besides me?
Rob W4ZNG says
> Does anyone think that this is an entirely bad idea besides me?
Yes, it really does seem like a bad idea. If the rules stipulate that the vehicle has to be safely parked during each QSO, or perhaps that the radio operator has to be a passenger if the vehicle is moving, that would be alright. I can’t see how a series of ham-related distracted driver crashes can be a good thing for our public image – or for the the unfortunate people who were in the way.