This has caused disappointment amongst some of the real DX chasers on the bands, others (AH8I) are not so fussy as I am using a valid 3C callsign and that's all they are worried about.

There are arguments both ways of course but as far as the DXCC goes, it has it's own set of rules and is the generally accepted rule of thumb on the amateur bands.

I obviously think I should be counted as a valid contact and I've tried to persuade them to change their minds over this ruling to no avail.

"Mobile on a vessel at sea" is my interpretation of /MM.

The DXCC does accept some ships as part of a country such as permanently docked exhibition ships. I feel a similar rule could be passed to accept fixed oil platforms and other associated installations such as the ZP within the territorial waters to which the installation belongs.

The Jade & ZP both belong to Equatorial Guinea, are governed by it's laws and subject to country taxes etc. They are in every way part of Equatorial Guinea apart from in the eyes of the DXCC.

Points that have been made in favour of my argument by other people include examples such as operating from a house on stilts in the Florida Everglades, a town house in Venice, Italy, operating from Hong Kong national airport, a man-made structure raised out of the sea and also some expeditions from various 'countries' on the DXCC list, notably Scarborough Reef.

I've read that at high tide the rocks at Scarborough Reef were totally submerged hence scaffolding had to be erected to allow the expedition to continue around the clock.......

The bottom line though is that if you want a contact with 3C to count toward a DXCC award, then a QSO with 3C5J will not count. I have tried to change this ruling, other people have tried, unsuccessfully, on my behalf also.

I've tried to make my location and the DXCC situation as clear as possible to as many people as possible on the bands. Of course there are the DX 'police' who like to post it as often as possible on clusters also, not thinking that the people calling might just enjoy speaking to a station such as mine purely out of interest. There are all kinds of people involved in amateur radio around the globe and I count myself lucky to be in a position using a callsign that allows me to talk with many many more of them than I might otherwise do using my home callsign.

So if you hear me calling on the bands, please answer me, if it's quiet, we'll have a chat, if it's in the middle of a pile-up, I'll keep it short out of courtesy to the other stations waiting.

I love amateur radio and have quite thick skin so I'm able to ignore all of the negative comments about my location and hope to make many friends who are interested to speak with me regardless of any DXCC rule.

As a final point, although I disagree with the DXCC on this point, some might say from a selfish standpoint, I too believe they have and continue to do great work for amateur radio and am grateful for the organisation that they provide for contesters and award seekers alike.