INTRODUCTION

The DA-RC maintains a clear set of rules to guide the conduct of its members, uphold the integrity of the club and preserve the traditions upon which it was founded…

Membership with us carries certain responsibilities. All members are expected to demonstrate respect, integrity, loyalty and professionalism, both on the air and in their interactions with fellow radio enthusiasts. Adherence to these standards is an essential condition of membership.

Minor breaches will generally be addressed through a reminder or warning from the Headquarters (HQ) Team. However, serious or repeated violations may result in the termination of membership.

Fortunately, such action is rarely necessary. The overwhelming majority of our members consistently demonstrate the character, enthusiasm and commitment that have helped uphold the DA-RC’s reputation within the international DX community.

The following rules outline the standards and responsibilities expected of all members…

USE OF YOUR DA CALLSIGN

1.1. Callsign Loyalty

The DA-RC is not a club for callsign collectors. Members are expected to actively use and proudly represent their allocated Delta-Alfa (DA) callsign when operating on 11m. Your DA callsign must also be the only 11m callsign you use on DX clusters and radio-related social media platforms, including Facebook.

1.2. Annual Activity Guidelines

Members are encouraged to complete a minimum of 50 radio contacts (QSOs) per calendar year as a general guide to maintaining an active presence within the club. This is not a mandatory requirement. However, members are expected to demonstrate such a reasonable level of activity and commitment to their DA callsign.

1.3. Inactive Members

Members who consistently fail to demonstrate reasonable activity or commitment to the club will have their membership reviewed by HQ. The HQ Team reserves the right to remove persistently inactive or so-called “ghost members” from the Membership Directory, following appropriate consideration of their circumstances.

1.4. Activities Representing Other Clubs

Undertaking a DXpedition, Special Event Station (SES) or similar activation on behalf of another radio club is not permitted without prior approval from the DA-RC HQ Team.

2. DXPEDITIONS & SPECIAL ACTIVATIONS

2.1. Prior HQ Approval

All proposed DXpeditions and other activities requiring a callsign outside a member’s normally allocated QRZ must receive HQ approval before any promotion or operation takes place.

Members must submit an Application Form or provide the following information to HQ:

Type of activity and proposed callsign (QRZ)
Proposed dates and operating times
DXstination and operating location
Station equipment, antennas and accessories
Sponsors and supporting organisations
Logging system
QSL Manager and QSL arrangements
Accommodation, travel arrangements and emergency contact information
Any other relevant details

An exception applies to the World Beauties Award (WBA), where designated Project Managers may independently issue callsigns for WBA activations without prior HQ approval, provided they comply with WBA rules and objectives.

2.2. Log Submission & Updates

Members undertaking DXpeditions are expected to maintain accurate and complete logs. Where practical, regular log updates should be provided to the designated QSL Manager during the activity.

For rare or Most Wanted DXCC or IOTA activations, log updates should also be forwarded to HQ for publication on the club website, unless an approved live logging system is being used.

A completed log or list of stations worked must be submitted to the QSL Manager within one month of the activity’s completion.

2.3. DXpedition Reports & Supporting Evidence

Within one month of completing an activity, members must submit a DXpedition Report to HQ.

The report should include:

Highlights and challenges encountered
Propagation conditions
Log statistics and a summary of contacts
Noteworthy experiences and anecdotes
Photographs and other relevant material
Supporting evidence of the activity, such as travel documentation, photographs or videos, should also be provided where applicable.

2.4. QSL Card Approval

All QSL cards produced for DA-RC DXpeditions, Special Event Stations and other official activations must receive HQ approval before printing or distribution.

3. RADIO OPERATIONS & ON-AIR ETIQUETTE

3.1. Professional Conduct

Members must conduct themselves with gentlemanlike courtesy on the air and observe the highest standards of radio operating etiquette at all times. Respect for fellow operators, established operating practices and the wider DX community is fundamental to DA-RC membership.

3.2. Calling Frequency – 27.555 MHz USB

No QSOs are permitted on 27.555 MHz USB. This frequency is recognised internationally as an 11m calling frequency and must remain available for its intended purpose.

3.3. DXpedition Calling Etiquette

Members must not blindly call a DXpedition station.

Before transmitting, operators should:

Listen carefully to confirm that the station is audible
Ensure the previous QSO has concluded
Follow the DXpedition operator’s instructions
Call only when an appropriate opportunity presents itself
Patience, discipline and consideration for other DX hunters are expected

3.4. Contact Verification

Members must never use an online DX cluster, chat room or message board to confirm that a radio contact has taken place. A valid QSO must be completed and confirmed through the radio contact itself, not through external communication platforms.

4. QSL PROCEDURES

4.1. QSL Contributions

When requesting a QSL card, members must provide the standard QSL contribution together with a Self-Addressed Envelope (SAE) or clearly printed return address label, as required by the QSL Manager.

4.2. Envelope Identification

Radio callsigns must not appear on the outside of envelopes used for QSL correspondence.

4.3. Supporting DA-RC Activations

Members are encouraged and expected to support fellow DA-RC operators by requesting QSL cards for activations they have successfully worked. This tradition recognises the considerable time, effort and expense involved in organising and conducting DXpeditions.

5. PROFESSIONAL ETIQUETTE & MEMBER CONDUCT

5.1. Respectful Communication

Members must demonstrate gentlemanlike courtesy and professionalism in all communications involving fellow club members and the wider radio community. This expectation applies equally to on-air activity, written correspondence and online interactions.

5.2. Social Media & Messaging Platforms

Members must maintain respectful and appropriate conduct on all social media and messaging platforms, including:

DA-RC private WhatsApp groups
DA-RC private Facebook groups
Public radio-related Facebook groups
DX cluster message boards
Other online forums and communication platforms

Personal attacks, abusive or offensive language, harassment, intimidation and deliberately provocative behaviour are inconsistent with the standards expected of DA-RC members.

5.3. Disagreements & Disputes

Differences of opinion are inevitable in any organization. Members are expected to manage disagreements respectfully and constructively. Personal disputes must not be allowed to disrupt club communication channels or undermine the positive environment the DA-RC seeks to maintain. Where appropriate, members should refer unresolved matters to the HQ Team rather than engage in public arguments.

5.4. Representing the Club

Members are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects positively on the DA-RC and its reputation. Membership carries the responsibility of upholding the club’s standards, traditions and standing within the international DX community.

6. COMPLIANCE & DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES

6.1. Responsibility of Members

All members are responsible for familiarizing themselves with these rules and ensuring their conduct remains consistent with the standards of the DA-RC.

6.2. Minor Breaches

Minor or unintentional breaches will generally be addressed through informal guidance, a reminder or a formal warning issued by HQ. The objective is to resolve concerns constructively and maintain the standards expected of all members.

6.3. Serious or Repeated Breaches

Serious misconduct, deliberate disregard for club rules or repeated breaches will result in disciplinary action, including termination of membership. The HQ Team will assess each matter according to its nature, seriousness and surrounding circumstances.

6.4. Right of Response

Before a final disciplinary decision is made, members will ordinarily be informed of the alleged breaches and provided with a reasonable opportunity to respond. The HQ Team will consider any explanation or relevant information provided before determining an appropriate outcome. In particularly serious circumstances, HQ reserves the right to temporarily suspend a member’s privileges or access to club communication platforms while the matter is investigated.

6.5. Termination of Membership

Where the HQ Team determines that termination is warranted, following consideration of the circumstances and the member’s response, the decision may take effect immediately. It will include:

Cancellation of the allocated callsign
Removal from the official Membership Directory
Removal from private DA-RC WhatsApp and Facebook groups

6.6. Authority of Headquarters

The DA-RC Headquarters Team has final responsibility for interpreting, administering and enforcing the club’s rules. All disciplinary decisions will be made with due consideration of fairness, consistency, the seriousness of the conduct and the best interests of the club. HQ reserves the right to amend these rules as necessary to preserve the integrity, traditions and reputation of the DA-RC.

OUR COMMITMENT

The DA-RC has built its reputation on a shared passion for DX, adventurous radio operations, mutual respect and the pursuit of excellence…

Our rules are not intended to burden members with unnecessary restrictions. Rather, they exist to preserve the standards, traditions and camaraderie that distinguish the DA-RC from other clubs.

Membership of the DA-RC is a privilege that carries both pride and responsibility. By maintaining these standards, we ensure that the DA-RC remains a respected and distinguished club within the international DX community.

Club Rules / Code of Conduct