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Three observers sent by the CQ WW Contest Committee to check for cheating by top Single Operators in the 2009 CQ WW CW Contest found no rules violations in their checks three top stations in that test, the first use of contest monitors under new rules developed last year to address cheating concerns.
"When the observers reported back, no offense was found by any of the observers that would warrant a red card or yellow card," said Gene Zimmerman W3ZZ, who was one of the new observers, and who is also now the new CQ WW Information Officer.
The on-site CQ WW checks hit three of the top four claimed scores in the CW test:
The observers were not local hams, but rather members and advisors of the CQ WW Contest Committee.
No observer was sent to the QTH of Andy Blank N2NT/V47NT in St. Kitts, who is currently second in claimed scores and was second in the 2008 CQ WW CW test.
As for the future of such in-person checks, that is on the schedule for discussion by the CQ WW CW Contest Committee in coming months.
"The CQ WW CC has not discussed the expansion of observer tool," Zimmerman acknowledged. "However, it is on our agenda for later this spring."
"We think that we can all agree that it was a very useful tool," Zimmerman told radio-sport.net.
"It is hoped that we can expand it in the future."
How much of an expansion isn't clear, as this year, the checks were only used in the CW leg of CQ WW.
"As you might guess, the logistics and expenses are not trivial, Zimmerman added, as he for the first time answered a question as to how those plane flights and other expenses were paid for.
"The funding of the observer program was provided by donor(s) who wish to remain anonymous," Zimmerman wrote.
Various reports have been received by radio-sport.net about the identity of those who donated the money, and the reasons behind their decision, but none that could be confirmed for publication.
Several CQ WW Committee members have refused to go into any of those details for radio-sport.net, though one said it would be "a very good story."
There were a total of fourteen entries, split evenly between the two contests. Was it a bust?
Not at all according to contest sponsors.
"K3EST and I had informally set a goal of getting at least a dozen entries over the two modes," said Doug Grant K1DG, who has led the charge on this category.
"For a category that was only announced 5 months before the contest, this is pretty good," Grant wrote on the CQ-Contest reflector after there had been criticism leveled for a lack of participation, especially from the USA.
"It is both disappointing and surprising that there were no U.S. entries," wrote Grant.
"Several operators who had expressed interest and were planning to enter got caught up in work, family and other committments and were unable to prepare their stations."
Grant predicts even more competitors in future years.
"We anticipate more Xtremists in 2010, based on comments we have received from people who weren't prepared for a 2009 entry," he said.
Grant concluded his reflector note by urging contesters to "Give it a chance."
World Scores
World Scores
