[CQ-Contest] CQWW SSB 2017 Effective DQ

[scottmcleman36 at gmail.com]

So i received an email from the CQWW Contest Committee. I will be reclassified to an "Administrative Checklog" for the 2017 CQWW SSB Contest.
This is because i am placing in the top 5 of the QRP Category and i did not make an audio recording of the contest.

This is ridiculous! i will not be listed in the results. Effectively being disqualified without the actual DQ label!

I did not record my audio because
A) I did not expect to place highly
B) I did not win or qualify for a plaque
C) I compete for fun

Yes i could have recorded my audio, but i was not expecting to place highly. I went to a lot of effort to be on the air!
To end up with nothing to show for it in the results is ridiculous.

I would have accepted this if i had placed 1st in the category or had placed high enough to win a plaque. but not for being in the top 5.
Or even being reclassified into another category. Not to be effectively disqualified.

I think this rule really needs to be looked at!

Is this what a contester can expect in the future? to be removed from results, if they unexpectedly place in the top 5!?

This really makes me not want to participate in what is classed as the biggest contest of the calendar.

Below is the email i received from the committee.

Dear MM3AWD,

We previously requested that you submit an audio recording of yoru CQWW SSB 2017 contest operation, as required in the CQWW Rules.
CQWW Rules (XII.C. Audio Recordings):

“Audio Recordings: Any single operator entrant (see V.A.1) competing for a top five finish at the (a) World, (b) Continent, or (c) USA levels, including Classic Overlay, must record the transmitted and received audio as heard by the operator for the duration of the contest operation. The recording must be in a common format (e.g., mp3) and should include the audio to each ear as a separate channel. The recording must be a continuous recording (not a recording of individual QSOs). Time “off the air” (when not transmitting or receiving) does not have to recorded. The recording may be requested by the Committee within 120 days after the log deadline to help adjudicate the log. The recording files must be provided by the entrant within 5 days of the request. If no recording is made available, the Committee may reclassify to an appropriate category, reclassify to Administrative Check Log, or disqualify the entry…”

Because you did not submit the required audio recording, your entry has been reclassified to the Administrative Check Log category.

Your score will not be listed in the results. Your call sign will be listed as an Administrative Check Log.

We welcome you to participate in the CQWW contests in 2018 and sincerely hope to see you then.

73’s
Bob, W5OV; Doug, KR2Q; Scott, W4PA
Co-Directors
CQWW Contest Committee
73, Scott
MM3AWD