A First For CQ WW, As Contest Monitors Will Make Some Select Checks In 2009 CQ WW CW Test

By Jamie Dupree NS3T  radio-sport.net 
Posted November 25, 2009

For most ham radio contesters, a new rule instituted this year by the CQ WW Contest Committee is not an issue - but for a small, elite group of contesters who are competing for the top prizes in the 2009 CQ WW CW Contest - some of them will get a visit during this weekend from a contest monitor, part of the new effort to crack down on perceptions of cheating.

"The CQ WW Contest Committee would like to ask you to participate in our observer program during the CQ WW CW 2009 contest," read the email from Contest Director Bob Cox K3EST.

"We will be sending observers to the locations operated by CT1BOH, RD3AF, W2SC and YT1AD, and potentially other locations," said Cox.

"Our observer will need full access to your operation," Cox wrote on October 18.

The CQ WW Contest Committee has not publicly revealed how many contesters were sent observer notices this year, or if anyone has refused to cooperate.

An email sent by radio-sport.net to the CQ-Contest reflector asking for input from any contesters who had received such a note was blocked by the list administrators, one of whom is a member of the CQ WW Contest Committee.

"I welcome CQWW Contest Committee decision to implement the Observer program and to inspect one of its members at the very start of the program," said Nunes, who hailed the move, saying "With the observers program, the doubt of the potential cheater is finally erased."

"Observers are welcome any time," said Tom Georgens W2SC, who will be back at 8P5A in Barbados.

"Logistics are dificult since there is no place to sleep at my station and, due to family Thanksgiving obligations, I do not arrive at the station until just a few hours before the contest," he added.

"I had some discussions with the committee and volunteered the station of course," said Andy Blank N2NT, who finished third in CW last year.

"I have not been told either way yet," Blank said last week before heading to St. Kitts. "Since it is a remote location with no phone or internet, it will have to be arranged in advance."

Some contesters were also volunteering to have a monitor, having decided to make an all-band entry at the last minute.

"I will make SOAB this time, without any technical problem," said Ranko Boca 4O3A, who is at D4C in the Cape Verde Islands. He had originally planned to be 20 meters Single Band.

In an email sent on November 24 to Cox K3EST, Boca said he is willing to have someone stop by to check on him as well.

"Bob, if anything needed, and you want to send someone here, let me know," as Boca said he could provide Cox with the phone numbers of local hams.

The checks were instituted because of concerns focused on two operators, last year's winner, Hrane Milosevic YT1AD and Valery Komarov RD3AF.

Komarov will be back at EF8M in the Canary Islands again this year - it was unclear whether he had agreed to the observer program.

Milosevic, meanwhile, will be in the United States, as part of the the multi-op team at K1LZ.

"Considering onsite inspections, I accept all the contest commitee decisions," Milosevic told radio-sport.net.

"Next time I operate SOAB from any location worldwide, easy access for one inspector will be provided. I informed CQ WW Director K3EST about it hoping the same procedure would be followed in the case of others."