[CQ-Contest] Getting the Rules Changed

[Ken Widelitz]

A few years ago, I came up with a clever scheme to go on a 10 minute
DXpedition to my own country for the ARRL 10 Meter Contest. I'd just drive
to Marina del Rey CA and operate from a boat, putting me in R2 instead of
CA. A 10 meter four square over salt water in my own multiplier - wow.

The FCC laws say if you are on a ship and have permission to operate from
the captain, you are maritime mobile. The DXCC rules say operation from a
docked ship does not count for the DXCC country at which you are docked.
Logic told me I would have to be in R2.

Just to check, I contacted the ARRL Contest desk. I believe I corresponded
with Dan, N1ND, who told me I had to be in international waters to be R2 and
if docked, would be a check log. The rules didn't say that, but I didn't do
the operation. Low and behold, the next year the rules were changed. Now the
ARRL General Rules read:

For the purposes of ARRL contests, maritime mobile is defined as shipboard
operation on the high seas, outside of the territorial waters of the country
(defined for these purposes only as 12 miles).

So, you can get the rules changed. I did it without even asking.

73, Ken, K6LA / VY2TT