Hi, Here is my response to Director Norton's questions. These are issues that we are, regrettably, going to have to grapple with more and more. Harold ------------------------------------------------ From: Dick Norton: 1) I just had an inquiry from a member asking about the ARRL's policy regarding listing of callsigns on the DXCC Honor Roll that are Silent Keys. The DCXX lists include only call signs. A reasonable number of the 6th call-area DXCC Honor Roll members have passed away, and others now hold the call signs. 2) I notice the same thing on the list of A-1 Operators. However, since these are identified not only by callsign, but also include name, there should not be any confusion. 3) The same situation probably exists on the VE list. I did not have an answer regarding the DXCC list question. Do we have a policy? If so, what is it ---------------------------------------------------------------------- I asked Bill Moore about this. While we do not have a formal policy, according to Bill, he has never had any reason to immediately delete SKs for the DXCC list. He believes that keeping them on the list is a nice way for friends and family to remember amateurs who have passed away. Also, with DXCC lists now published on the website, limited print space is no longer a consideration. While Bill does have access to the SK files, there is no automatic method to delete those Amateurs who are SK unless he has personal knowledge of the situation or someone brings it to his attention. He notes that there is one specific instance when he removes an SK's callsign and that is when the callsign is reissued. Bill said that it is important to update the DXCC database in this instance, because if we do not, we run the risk of adding the past record to the new callsign holder. This has happened, but it is rare. He believes that there are a number of people on the current DXCC list who are SK's. If he is alerted that someone on the list is SK, he verifies the information and updates the file. He also notes that the DXCC list is a recognition of someone's life long achievement and wiping it out with the push of a button just "does not feel right" to him. The SK's QSL data is retained for historical purposes even if it is removed from the published list. While you did not ask specifically about LoTW, you should be aware that we do not delete LoTW data because QSO records are retained for matching purposes. Bill and Dave Patton are currently working on creating of a list of SKs and their final DXCC numbers and we hope to publish this information on the website apart from the daily DXCC listings. The same unofficial policy applies to the A-1 Operator Award. On the A-1 Operator Club Roster, as Dick correctly points out, we do list names and we also put an "SK" next to their callsign if we know that an Amateur is SK. For Volunteer Examiners, we disable their record if we are alerted to the fact that they are SK. If we are alerted by the FCC that an Amateur has been deleted from their database, then they are automatically removed as a Volunteer Examiner. 73, Harold Harold Kramer, WJ1B Chief Operating Officer ARRL -the national association for Amateur Radio 225 Main Street Newington, CT 06111 (860) 594 -0220