LP> My good friend and IOTA manager Roger, G3KMA has announced new
LP> rules for the IOTA program starting in 2011. I can agree without
LP> much reservation with all the rules except #5 which calls for a
LP> minimum number of QSOs for all time new island operations. The old
LP> rule was 200 QSOs and 3 continents. Now it has been increased to
LP> 1,000 QSOs and 5 continents. I don't get it at all.
LP> 5. states "The pile-ups are now such that 1,000 Qs is well within
LP> the capabilities Of DXpeditioners to new groups." I can tell you
LP> that some of the "new" ones I activated did not reach the 1,000
LP> QSO level. I can recall at some of the islands in Alaska that I
LP> called CQ for hours with no takers. It might be reasonable now but
LP> when conditions get bad it will not work for single operator
LP> activations.
LP> Without searching my records I know that the operation from Rose
LP> Atoll in 1993 would not qualify if these rules were in place. My
LP> operation from Swains Island in 1994 also would not qualify.
LP> I'm not sure of the reasoning for raising the QSO count unless it
LP> is trying to make it easy for everyone to work the new island. I
LP> thought this was a competition and the people that spent the time
LP> and effort would be the ones climbing the Honor Roll.
LP> 5. Also states "A much higher figure will encourage a greater
LP> degree of planning for the remaining new ones in the list and
LP> hopefully a move towards DXpeditions with more operators, better
LP> equipment and longer stays."
LP> I doubt this reasoning because I can't see operators putting out
LP> the money required to make this kind of operation happen. It's
LP> easy to talk about this type of operation unless you are the one
LP> paying for it. Some of my operations from Alaska cost me $11,000.
LP> just for the charter boat. I can't see 4-5 operators activating
LP> groups like OC288P - OC293 because for DXCC it's just Hawaii.
LP> Just my opinion.....
LP> 73,
LP> Lanny W5BOS
