[CQ-Contest] Counting DC as a Multiplier and Not as PartofMaryland.

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

NN3W writes: 

> The differences are pretty definitive, and D.C. holds a 
> unique position worthy of multiplier recognition.

I do not agree that DC holds a unique position worthy of 
recognition as a multiplier.  The multipliers in NAQP are 
DXCC entities plus US States and Canadian provinces.  DC 
does not qualify on any of those criteria. 

DC is considered part of Maryland for the WAS program and 
is also counted as Maryland (MDC section, specifically) for 
SS. 

> > This is no more a "wrong" than the arbitrary multipliers in many 
> > other contests.  It is a historical fact of life that should be 
> > maintained for tradition and not changed on a whim.
> > 
> I'm not sure how its being changed on a whim.  Its as much of 
> a political entity as any state (albeit without a governor).  
> Indeed most major contests recognize it as a multiplier - 
> ARRL DX, ARRL 10, CQWW 160, RTTY Roundup  and several QSO 
> parties including Florida (recently announced).

The proposal is to change it at the whim of, and to benefit a 
limited number of, stations in DC.  As a matter of principle, 
I always object to creating arbitrary multipliers in any contest 
particularly when that multiplier does not fit the established 
criteria for multipliers. 

73, 

   ... Joe, W4TV