Part of the role of any respectable radio club headquarters is to ensure the validity of expeditions conducted by its members. Obviously, providing physical evidence or documentation to support the validity of a DX operation is to stop so called ‘fakes’ (hoax operations) and reduce the negative impacts it has on the radio fraternity (eg. time wasting and loss of finance, etc.).
It is generally accepted that the DXpedition team member/s performing the activity must prove to his club and the 11m community as a whole that he did in fact operate from the place identified. The customary time frame for this to occur is within 3 months of the activity’s conclusion. It is also agreed that it is the responsibility of the club in question to ensure this is done and that the correct protocols are undertaken to guarantee the integrity of the process for everyone.
With this in mind, a proofs package is usually sent to a representative of the radio club (eg. QSL Manager, Activations Manager, etc.) immediately after an activation has concluded and if all of the information checks out then it is usually accepted that the DX operation was a valid one. Similarly, if questions are raised about the legitimacy of an activation, it is easy then to dispel the rumours and prove in fact that is a real one, providing a radio club has the appropriate proofs in hand.
On this note, club’s such as DA-RC whom are affiliated with the World Wide Radio Organisation (WWRO) will normally send their proofs to the International Validation Team who will validate the activity on the group’s behalf. Though still in its teething stage, this is arguably the best system for 11m and 11m operators as it eliminates the risks associated with uploading incriminating information to the internet which can be accessed by authorities.
Types of Proofs
Providing proof of an activity is usually done via the following means:
- Copies of airline tickets
- Photographs of station and antenna set up, including power source, with date stamps
- Providing souvenirs such as postcards, key rings, maps, etc.
- Transport receipts such as a ferry docket or a bus ticket
- Copy of the access permit in the case of protected areas
- Copy of the visa for the said country (if required)
- Photocopy of the passport pages showing entry/ exit stamps
- Copies of hotel receipts as evidence of stay in the country concerned.
So Why Do Fakes Occur?
Though it is extremely rare on 11m, operators will lie about their QTH and deliberately misrepresent their station for different reasons. Some of these include:
1. Cost of travel/ accommodation is too much $$$.
Travelling to and staying in some parts of the world can cost an enormous amount of money. To activate a small island will sometimes require the chartering of a plane or boat which can cost the DX-pedition team up to $10,000 AUS to do so.
It is sometimes easier, then, for an operator to set up a DX station on a major island or country nearby with a reliable power source and to transmit from there. They can often get away with it too if the area is remote and there are no local operators to question the activity and location.
The operator in question, therefore, will still be able to cash in on all the kudos and black slapping that goes with providing rare DX opportunities to the world.
2. Restricted access due to government legislation (ie. Protected areas, world heritage listings etc.)
3. Fun or boredom
Let’s face it – some operators and groups make up a fake activation as a joke. In times of poor propagation, I’ve heard operators calling fake stations and asking for progressive numbers when it is well known that the activation is a hoax. The operator conducting the activation will even say, if asked, that the activity is ‘fake’ and no QSL confirmation will be offered.
4. WX
When operators have advertised an upcoming activation and already gone ahead with printing thousands of QSL cards, the DX world expects it to be carried out. Unfortunately, however, bad WX conditions might make this impossible.
Knowing the backlash that could occur and fearing damage to their reputation, the DX team might transmit from a nearby area and not the one identified – especially if they have already paid for transport, passports and visas and are close to the advertised destination.
5. To cause trouble and inconvenience for other radio operators
In Australia, sending a quality QSL confirmation package can cost upwards of $8.00 AUS (IRC, Stamp, 3 QSL cards, a postcard, photograph of shack, envelope). Obviously, it’s a waste of time and money if operators are sending cards to confirm activities that are found to be fake.
It’s a sad fact, though, that dollar and card collectors do exist in our radio community. These guys don’t care about other radio operators and have little personal integrity as they feel protected from recrimination either by geographical isolation or the absence of intimacy which come with hiding behind a microphone.
I wonder how many stations mentioned on ‘Blacklists’ are actually fair dinkum activities anyway…
If you are concerned with the legitimacy of a station that you have worked, my advice is to seek some clarification from radio friends on one of the many DX forums or the DX Group in question. They should be able to tell you if a member is active from the particular location you have identified and will give you access to the necessary evidence to prove it.
73 de Darren 43DA010 World HQ Team
