More than just DX News

Observer Program, its Birth and Death

Proceeding with the Observer program discussion;
The idea of the Observer program arose long time ago in 2007 and it was not the CQ WW CC who proposed it.
The idea author is a well known contester from the USA. Back in 2008 the idea was discussed with the CQ WW CC. Just after the idea was emerged I was asked if I want to take part in the program but I was only ready to help with the money. Then it was discussed in 2009 and I was asked again if I could help.
The last stage was september-october 2009 when K3EST asked me again if I was ready to help the CQ WW CC and I agreed to help.
There were some talks that the CQ WW CC had numerous sponsors but it wasn't so in the end.

The final conclusion was that I would help with the money and the CQ WW CC would select on its own the observers team and the list of stations to be inspected. Accordingly the CQ WW CC takes all the responsibilities the observations to be conducted in a proper way.

You can make your own opinion on the subject, the observers final charges are:

G3SXW - 920 USD
S50XX - 1235 USD
W3ZZ - 1641 USD.

You can see how G3SXW conducted his inspection, without my comments

The observation started with the party
Below you can see how the observer spent the time during the contest, according to his own records


EF8M Visit
COST
1 - Airline ticket, EasyJet: £116.88
2 - London Gatwick Airport car park, four days: £24.00
3 - Car hire booking: €20.00
4 - Car hire four days, including insurance: €98.17
5 - Hotel four nights: €250.61
6 - Petrol: €20
7 - Dinner 26Nov alone: €20
8 - Dinner 27Nov alone, charged to hotel room (€9.43)
9 - Lunch 28Nov, Manolo paid.
10 - Lunch with Pekka 29Nov, I paid: €40.00
11 - Airport snack: €6.45
TOTALS: GBP £140.88 plus Euros €455.23
€1.10 = £1. Makes £413.85. Total in pounds = £554.73
RECEIPTS:
1 – attached GBP £116.88
2 – credit card statement
3 – credit card statement
4 – attached Euros 98.17
5 – attached Euros 250.61
6 – cash
7 – attached Euros 20.00
8 – see Nr 5
9 – no cost
10 – attached Euros 40.00
11 – attached Euros 6.45
Total vouched = £116.88 (83%) and Euros 415.23 (91).


73 Al 4L5A