Two months ago, we introduced the new CQ DX Field Award. Last month, we announced the return of the CQ DX Marathon. This month, we conclude our three-pronged effort at Waking Up DXing with another new award, this one aimed at introducing newer hams to the wonderful world of DXing. Announcing: The CQ iDX Award

BY RICH MOSESON,* W2VU, AND BILLY WILLIAMS,† N4UF

long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, newcomers to were known as “Novices” and there Awere special contests and awards designed just for them to provide a lower-pressure introduction to amateur radio and DXing. Today, in our galaxy, the vast majority of new hams are known as “Technicians” and their world consists of the frequencies above 50 MHz, where tra- ditional DXing opportunities are rare. Yet, within the next year, it is widely expected that the FCC will change our licens- ing rules and open up at least part of the amateur HF bands to tens of thousands of Technicians. We at CQ do not fear this influx. We will welcome it, as it is sure to re-energize traditional DXing. And if you’ve been fol- lowing our articles over the past few months introducing the CQ DX Field Award and the revival of the CQ DX Marathon, you’ll know that we feel that traditional DXing needs to be re- energized. We hope that the CQ iDX Award, along with these other programs, will help provide that necessary spark.

Different Mindsets management led to a reduction in operator flexibility and con- One thing we’ve noticed over the years is that there seem to trol. The next decade saw development of “smart” radio sys- be two major operating mindsets among hamsÐthe DXer tems which are now being embraced by the FCC and other (which also includes contesters, award chasers, etc.) and the regulatory bodies. This “blurring of the line” between wired communicator, for lack of a better term, which includes and wireless has already reached amateur radio in several ragchewers, public service and emergency communicators, ways—using the internet collect and distribute DX “spots,” repeater users, etc. (There is a third mindset—the experi- propagation data and location information, using the internet menter—but experimenters tend to be more focused on to link existing VHF and UHF repeaters over great distances, designing and building than on operating.) and using the internet to access an HF “remote base” sta- VHF FM and repeaters, which provide most new hams’ tion. It is these last two on which the CQ iDX Award will focus. introduction to our hobby, tend by their nature to reinforce the communicator mindset. Weak-signal VHFing and VHF contesting provide an alternative for the DXing-minded new Expanding a Long-Standing Concept ham, but these activities generally require an investment in There are already large networks of repeaters around the specialized and expensive equipment and antennas that United States, mostly connected via UHF and/or microwave many newcomers are not yet ready to make. links. In many cases, these networks provide users the abil- In addition, advances in technology, along with policy ity to cover several states with a handheld or mobile FM trans- changes by regulators, continue to shape the future of ama- ceiver. The development of Voice over Internet Protocol, or teur radio. The demarcation be-tween wired and wireless VoIP, led to the expansion of this concept with the develop- communication is blurred by modern integrated systems ment of internet-linked networks that increase the user’s employed by public safety agencies and commercial users. “range” from many states to many countries. These systems, In the 1980s, trunked radio systems and microprocessor which include IRLP (Internet Radio Linking Project), Echolink, WIRES and D-Star, use the internet to link repeaters and individual amateurs all over the world. In many *Editor, CQ ways, using IRLP or Echolink while driving is like having a e-mail: 20-meter rig in your car, only without the 20-meter rig and †Manager, CQ DX Awards HF mobile antenna. For the first time, hams whose stations e-mail: are limited to VHF FM mobile and handheld rigs are getting the opportunity to at least get a taste of DXing activities and awards once they sender’s valid e-mail address and must working DX. Once you’ve established are active on HF.) be dated within 60 days of the for contact, you quickly forget that your Unlike other CQ awards, the CQ iDX which credit is claimed. CQ reserves the path is using wires and satellites rather Award mandates a “fresh start.” All con- right to spot-check confirmations. than the ionosphere, and you concen- tacts must be made after 0000Z on 4. Applications should be submitted trate on the fun of talking to another ham January 1, 2006. For gathering verifi- on the official CQ iDX Award applica- in a faraway place. And that, after all, is cations, we encourage use of technol- tion (form 2006A). Reasonable facsim- what DXing is all about. ogy to avoid the inconvenience, ex- iles or computer printouts are also In addition, growing restrictions on pense, and delay of postal mail acceptable. Contacts should be listed antennas are giving greater appeal to whenever possible. Make plans now, so in alphabetical order by callsign prefix. internet-linked HF remote bases that in a few months you will be set to Listings must include the frequency (W7DXX’s is the best-known), which begin earning this exciting new award. band (or internet) used by each station, allow you to remotely control and oper- So with that, we are pleased to intro- as well as the VoIP linking system used. ate an HF station from your computer duce our third new Waking Up DXing Confirmations must be verified by one via VoIP. operating program, the new CQ iDX of the authorized check points for the Whether one is a traditionalist or a Award: CQ DX Awards, or must be included progressive, this communications evo- with the application. Return postage lution and its effects on Amateur Radio Rules: The CQ iDX Award must be included. cannot be ignored. The CQ iDX Award 1. The CQ iDX Award is an intro- 5. An SASE must be enclosed with recognizes the changing landscape ductory award for contacts made all endorsement applications. Stations and its inevitable effect on where Ama- between licensed amateurs in different outside the United States must include teur Radio will be in 2020. countries by means of Voice over an SAE with two IRCs for airmail return Using these systems to make con- Internet Protocol (VoIP) linking sys- 6. Any altered or forged confirmations tacts in faraway places helps develop tems. These systems include, but are will result in permanent disqualification and promote the DXer mindset among not limited to, IRLP (Internet Radio of the applicant. hams who previously were exposed Linking Project), EchoLink, WIRES, 7. Fair play and good sportsmanship only to the “communicators” among us. and internet-linked remote base sys- in operating are required for all ama- We want to encourage this and, hope- tems, which use the internet and VoIP teurs working toward CQ DX Awards. fully, encourage an eventual transition to connect amateur radio repeaters and Repeated use of poor ethics will result to traditional HF DXing through our third operators. At least one station in each in disqualification of the applicant. “Waking Up DXing” program, the CQ contact must be transmitting via radio 8. A fee of $6.00 is required for CQ iDX Award. in the amateur bands (e.g., computer- subscribers applying for a CQ iDX to-computer Echolink QSOs do not Award certificate. The latest CQ mail- count toward this award). SWLs may ing label must be attached for the sub- The CQ iDX Award qualify by monitoring the required con- scriber discount. For non-subscribers The CQ iDX Award is an introductory tacts and receiving confirmation from at the certificate fee is $12.00. Endorse- award, along the lines of old-time least one of the stations involved. ment stickers are $1.00 each for all Novice awards, which encourages the 2. The basic award is issued for con- applicants. IRCs (International Reply development of a DXing “mindset” by firmed VoIP contacts with amateurs in Coupons) are acceptable in lieu of recognizing the accomplishments of at least 25 countries. Endorsement check or cash. those amateurs who make confirmed stickers are issued for 50, 75, and 100 9. All contacts must be with land- contacts with between 25 and 100 dif- confirmed countries. All contacts must based or shipboard amateur stations. ferent DX countries (“entities”) through have been made after 0000 UTC, Jan- Contacts with aircraft are not accept- the use of internet-linked repeater sys- uary 1, 2006. able. Contacts from international tems or remote bases. 3. All contacts must be two-way (SWLs waters are not acceptable. Shipboard Because this is an introductory award, must monitor two-way contacts). stations must be in the territorial waters because many repeater-only hams do Confirmations are required. For the pur- of a country, no more than 12 miles (19 not yet have traditional QSL cards, and poses of this award only, acceptable con- kilometers) from shore, operating in because these contacts do/will not count firmations include traditional QSL cards, accordance with that country’s laws and toward traditional DXing awards, our electronic/online confirmations from regulations, and the confirmation must confirmation requirements are some- sources approved by CQ (see CQ web- indicate the country from whose waters what more relaxed for this award than site for details), and verifiable e-mails. All the shipboard station is operating. The for traditional DX awards (see rules for confirmations must contain the callsigns CQ DX Award countries list or ARRL specifics). However, since it is still an of both stations; the name, mailing DXCC Countries List determine what amateur radio award, we will require that address, and location of the sending sta- entities are considered separate coun- at least one end of each contact must be tion (if different from the mailing address tries. In the event of differences be- made by amateur radio. Computer-to- at the time of contact); and details of the tween the lists, the CQ DX Award coun- computer contacts, while possible on contact, including date, time, mode, and tries list will govern. systems such as Echolink, will not count frequency band used by the sending sta- 10. In the event of any disputes or dis- for this award. At least one person in tion for the contact (if the station agreements, decisions of the CQ DX each contact must be on the radio. (We accessed the amateur bands via the Awards Manager shall be final. realize this will not satisfy many of the internet, the confirmation should indicate 11. All checks must be made payable purists among you, but remember that “Internet” in place of frequency), and to B. F. Williams. Applications should the goal of this program is to introduce must state that the contact is via VoIP be sent to Billy Williams, N4UF, P.O. new people to the concept of DXing and (including specific system name). E-mail Box 9673, Jacksonville, Florida 32208- encourage them to pursue traditional confirmations must also include the 0673. Do not send applications to CQ.