[CQ-Contest] ARRL DX CW Results - Did Anyone Else Notice?

Sun Aug 20 10:54:10 EDT 2023

Bob you wrote :

"The reality is that French St. Martin is the only authority that 
matters here despite claims of outsiders. "

and

"Unless French St. Martin finds the operation illegal, on what basis 
should the ARRL take action? "

The only authority that matters is the authority of the contest sponsor, 
in this case the ARRL.  This was an ARRL sponsored contest, in which the 
participants attest to the fact they have followed the rules, not only 
the ARRL contest rules, but the rules that govern their respective 
licensing authority.   The expectation is the participants follow the 
rules with regard to licensing in whatever country they are licensed in. 
Its ridiculous to believe that the ARRL can "police" every single entry 
to insure they hold a license, to follow power limits, etc.  This is a 
question of integrity, however, a topic that your boss Mr Minster has 
preached to me in the many conversations I have had with him. This is a 
top scoring entry, an award winner, and now that the issue has been 
raised, it certainly should be followed up by the ARRL and its contest 
committee. Even if it was an unintentional mistake, it appears on the 
surface that the CEPT rules were not followed. The door to "adjudicate 
without consideration of specious personal opinions" swings both ways, 
if the ARRL is truly concerned about integrity, this matter should be 
properly investigated.

73, Jamie WW3S

------ Original Message ------
>From "Naumann, Robert, W5OV via CQ-Contest" <cq-contest at contesting.com>
To "Randy Thompson" <k5zd at outlook.com>
Cc "cq-contest at contesting.com" <cq-contest at contesting.com>
Date 8/19/2023 9:49:16 PM
Subject Re: [CQ-Contest] ARRL DX CW Results - Did Anyone Else Notice?

>Randy,
>
>As you and W2GD are original sponsors of that forum, your question is specious.
>
>You said: “my arrl voice” “whatever that is” ?? Really?  As a sponsor of My ARRL Voice, that’s what you say?
>
>You have even more nerve than I have ever imagined.  And, I have a considerable imagination.
>
>The reality is that French St. Martin is the only authority that matters here despite claims of outsiders.
>
>The FCC has no jurisdiction over any operations in French St. Martin despite the false claims made earlier.
>
>We consulted with the FCC on this specific matter.
>
>Unless French St. Martin finds the operation illegal, on what basis should the ARRL take action?
>
>I hope all ARRL contest entrants find comfort that ARRL contests are adjudicated without consideration of specious personal opinions.
>
>73,
>
>Bob W5OV
>ARRL
>
>
>
>
>________________________________
>From: Randy Thompson <k5zd at outlook.com>
>Sent: Saturday, August 19, 2023 8:49:51 PM
>To: Naumann, Robert, W5OV <W5OV at arrl.org>
>Cc: cq-contest at contesting.com <cq-contest at contesting.com>
>Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] ARRL DX CW Results - Did Anyone Else Notice?
>
>I think it is a legitimate question. ARRL did accept the operation, but your response below doesn’t indicate that you had the proof either.
>
>We either accept the regulations for amateur radio in whatever country we are operating from or we accept that there are no rules.
>
>What does my arrl voice (whatever that is) have to do with this topic?
>
>Randy K5ZD
>
>>  On Aug 19, 2023, at 7:40 PM, Naumann, Robert, W5OV via CQ-Contest <cq-contest at contesting.com> wrote:
>>
>>  John,
>>
>>  Please provide any proof that French St. Martin has disallowed this operation.
>>
>>  If you have no proof, please stop making false accusations.
>>
>>  This is not "My ARRL Voice" where lies are accepted without any proof.
>>
>>  73,
>>  Bob W5OV
>>
>>  ________________________________
>>  From: CQ-Contest <cq-contest-bounces+w5ov=arrl.org at contesting.com<mailto:cq-contest-bounces+w5ov=arrl.org at contesting.com>> on behalf of John Crovelli <w2gd at hotmail.com<mailto:w2gd at hotmail.com>>
>>  Sent: Saturday, August 19, 2023 12:56:19 PM
>>  To: cq-contest at contesting.com<mailto:cq-contest at contesting.com> <cq-contest at contesting.com<mailto:cq-contest at contesting.com>>
>>  Subject: [CQ-Contest] ARRL DX CW Results - Did Anyone Else Notice?
>>
>>
>>  The 2023 ARRL DX CW results show FS/KO1A (IZ3EYZ) winning the SOAB Low Power category over VP2V/AA7V.  What caught my eye was a non-US citizen using a US/FCC issued callsign operating from a French possession.  Was that allowed under CEPT?
>>
>>  I looked into this further.  Under CEPT Recommendation TR/61 as amended (https://www.arrl.org/files/file/Reciprocal%20operating%20forms/TR6101.pdf ) the CEPT rules specify an operator from a CEPT country must use the callsign assigned in his or her home country when invoking a CEPT authorization in a CEPT country. Both Italy and France are CEPT participants.  In this case TR/61 says using FS/IZ3EYZ would be compliant.
>>
>>  USA CEPT rules (see https://www.arrl.org/cept) say a non-US citizen may use a US issued callsign only while operating in the US or from a US Territory.  IZ3EYZ is not a US Citizen yet he used his US/FCC issued call while operating outside the US (on French St. Martin).
>>
>>  It seems highly unlikely the French Government granted him special authorization to use a US issued callsign on French Saint Martin in lieu of his Italian call.  He could have applied for a "TO" call and been totally legal.
>>
>>  So the questions:  Was the use of FS/KO1A for this ARRL DX CW operation legal under US CEPT rules governing the use of a US issued call?   If not a legitimate use of his US call, should the operator have been awarded first place over VP2V/AA7V in the results?  If we agree use of an unauthorized callsign took place,  should the operation be assigned check log status or be disqualified under ARRL DX rules?   And one more question, should the contacts made with FS/KO1A be given credit under the DXCC program if the callsign was in fact unauthorized?
>>
>>  Regards,
>>
>>  John, W2GD/P44W
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