What is the difference between cards checked by appointment with a card checker and going to a convention to have them checked?
There is little difference in procedure. If a DXCC staff person attends the convention, all QSL cards, including those not normally checkable by Card Checkers may be checked. There is a “convention fee” of $5 to help cover the cost of travel if an ARRL staff person comes to the convention. You can check the hamfest calendar section on the ARRL web site at: http://www.arrl.org/hamfests.html to see if Q: Is card checking any different if DXCC staff attends a convention? A: Yes, slightly. In instances where DXCC staff is attending a convention, the normal restrictions on card checking don’t apply since the staff person can check all cards. At conventions where DXCC staff is present there is an additional $5 fee charged in addition to the application fees. The $5 is not charged if DXCC staff is not in attendance. Q: Can I come to ARRL HQ direct and have cards checked? A: Yes. As noted in rule 15(b) applicants can have cards checked at ARRL HQ. Applicants are allowed a maximum of 120 QSO’s.
