ZCZC AE14
QST de W1AW
DX Bulletin 14 ARLD014
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT April 2, 2002
To all radio amateurs
SB DX ARL ARLD014
ARLD014 DXCC to accept P5/4L4FN contacts for credit

The ARRL has announced it will accept SSB contacts with P5/4L4FN in North Korea (Democratic Peoples' Republic of Korea) for DXCC credit. Operator Ed Giorgadze of the Republic of Georgia, has been active from the capital city of Pyongyang since early last November. Valid SSB contacts from the onset of the P5/4L4FN operation last fall may be submitted for DXCC credit, effective immediately.

ARRL Membership Services Manager Wayne Mills, N7NG, said the ARRL now has received adequate evidence that the P5/4L4FN operation was being conducted with the knowledge and approval of North Korean telecommunications officials. Giorgadze has been operating with oral permission from North Korean authorities, but Mills said the ARRL is satisfied on the basis of written information submitted that the P5/4L4FN operation conforms with DXCC rules and should be accepted for credit.

Mills cited DXCC Rule 7, which states ''Any Amateur Radio operation should take place only with the complete approval and understanding of appropriate administration officials.'' The rule continues, ''In any case, credit will be given for contacts where adequate evidence of authorization by appropriate authorities exists.''

Mills said the ARRL Awards Committee met and concurred that the operation should be accredited.

The P5/4L4FN operation is not a DXpedition. Giorgadze is employed by the United Nations World Food Program and often spends as much as 12 hours a day on the job, operating in his off hours. It's expected that he will be in North Korea at least until July and possibly longer. A favorite hangout has been 21.225 MHz (he works split and listens up). He's also been a frequent visitor to 10 meters.

While P5/4L4FN has been doing some RTTY operation in addition to SSB, those contacts are not yet acceptable for DXCC credit.

Bruce Paige, KK5DO, has been acting as QSL manager and liaison for P5/4L4FN. Additional news and information about the operation is on his AMSAT Net Web site, http://www.amsatnet.com. Click on the 'P5 North Korea' link.