Over the past weekend, Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia, setting off new speculations on what this means to Amateur Radio and specifically, to the DXCC program. ARRL DXCC Manager Bill Moore, NC1L, said he understands that there are many questions about the DXCC status of Kosovo, especially concerning whether or not the new state will be added to the DXCC list.Moore said the DXCC rules, modified in 2000 to better handle inclusion to DXCC, are clear on how additions can be made: “For inclusion in the DXCC List, certain conditions must be met. Gaining entry on the DXCC List is not contingent upon whether operation has occurred or will occur, but only upon the qualifications of the Entity.”

According to Moore, adding Kosovo to the DXCC List would be considered under the “Political Entity” DXCC guidelines. The DXCC rules state that “Political Entities are those areas which are separated by reason of government or political division. They generally contain an indigenous population which is not predominantly composed of military or scientific personnel.”

Kosovo, according to the DXCC rules, would then be added to the DXCC List as a Political Entity if it meets one or more of the following criteria:

• The entity is a UN Member State.

• The entity has been assigned a call sign prefix bloc by the ITU. (The exceptions to this rule are international organizations, such as the UN and ICAO. These Entities are classified under Special Areas, 3.a; and Ineligible Areas, 4.b.) A provisional prefix bloc assignment may be made by the Secretary General of ITU. Should such provisional assignments not be ratified later by the full ITU, the Entity will be removed from the DXCC List.

• The Entity contains a permanent population, is administered by a local government and is located at least 800 km from its parent. To satisfy the “permanent population” and “administered by a local government” criteria of this sub-section, an Entity must be listed on either (a) the US Department of State’s list of “Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty” as having a local “Administrative Center,” or (b) the United Nations list of “Non-Self-Governing Territories.”

“New Entities satisfying one or more of the conditions above will be added to the DXCC List by administrative action as of their ‘Event Date.’ Kosovo will be added to the DXCC list if it becomes a member of the UN, or if it receives a prefix bloc from the ITU. The third condition does not apply,” Moore said. “The ‘Event Date’ will be either the date Kosovo became a UN member or it receives its prefix from the ITU.”

(Feb 16, 2008) — According to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), Amateur Radio operators traveling to Australia who wish to operate in that country do not need to apply for an Australian Amateur Radio license. This new policy, effective February 15, 2008, allows amateurs who hold a non-Australian Amateur Radio license to operate up to 90 days under a Class Licence; licensees who will be in Australia for more than 90 days will need to apply for an Australian Amateur Radio license.

From the ARRL:

It’s that time of year again — time to start gearing up for Field Day, ARRL’s flagship operating event. Field Day, held the fourth full weekend in June, brings together new and experienced hams for 24 hours of operating fun. ARRL Field Day Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, says there are several rules changes this year, mainly concerning “Get on the Air” (GOTA) stations and the elimination of the Demonstration Mode Bonus Category. The complete Field Day Packet can be downloaded from the ARRL Web site. A full 2008 Field Day page on the ARRL Web site will be coming in the next few weeks.

2008 Rules Changes

GOTA (Get on the Air) stations are those stations set aside by Field Day teams designed to get non-hams or newly licensed hams on the air. Unlike in past years where GOTA stations were limited to only the HF bands, the 2008 rules state that these stations may operate on any authorized HF or VHF Field Day band. Keep in mind that only one signal may be transmitted from the GOTA station at any time.

Henderson said the eligibility for operating the GOTA station has changed slightly: Anyone who has been licensed since Field Day 2007 is eligible to operate the GOTA station, regardless of license class.

For 2008, the Demonstration Mode Bonus category has been eliminated and replaced by an Educational Activity Bonus worth 100 points. “This bonus is intended to encourage clubs and groups to do some more formal educational activity during their Field Day operation,” Henderson said. If you have any questions concerning what activities might be appropriate for this bonus, Henderson said you should submit them via e-mail.

Be sure to read the Field Day rules and FAQs in the 2008 Field Day Packet for details of these changes. There are also numerous small changes in the FAQs and support materials in the packet that should help groups and individuals as they plan their Field Day activities, Henderson said.

Get the Word Out!

The 2008 Field Day Packet also includes an expanded Press Kit, thanks to the work of ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP. Included in this expanded portion of the packet is a sample “Field Day Proclamation” for those groups who work with local city or town officials toward getting a Field Day Week declared in their location.

“We are excited that historic station K6KPH will once again participate transmitting the W1AW special Field Day Bulletin on the West Coast,” Henderson said. More details are available in the Field Day Packet.

Information concerning the popular Field Day pins and T shirts will be announced in the next few weeks.

Henderson said that those wishing to obtain a complete Field Day Packet via US mail need to send a 9 x 12 inch self-addressed, stamped manila envelope with 5 units of postage to Field Day Packet Request, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.

If people wish to order display kits for their tables at Field Day, please contact Debra Johnson, K1DMJ, ARRL Education Manager, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111, tel 860-594-0296. The cost for the display kit ranges from $8-$12 depending on shipping. To ensure having the kits in time for Field Day, you are encouraged to order them no later than June 13.

2008 Field Day Logo: Ride the Waves

ARRL member Mary Von Lintig, KV2M, suggested the slogan for Field Day 2008: “Ride the Waves.” A member of the South Jersey Radio Association, Von Lintig, inspired by the 2007 Field Day “bug” in last year’s logo, enjoys VHF contesting and ARRL Sweepstakes and recently joined the Frankford Radio Club. “And, I like ARRL Field Day of course,” she says. “I usually operate 21 hours of the event!” An avid portable radio operator, she has even been on-the-air while operating her lawnmower. “They also call me the YL on rollerblades.” Mary and her husband Richard Van Lintig, KV2R, live in Voorhees, New Jersey. This year’s logo was designed by ARRL Graphic Arts Supervisor Sue Fagan, KB1OKW, and Senior Technical Illustrator David Pingree, N1NAS.