DX_&_SECTION keyword not working as documented

[dl1jbe]

Man page states that with DX_&_SECTION keyword Multiplier is DXCC country or section from multiplier file

In last weeks there were at least two reports from DL3EAZ and F8CFE which states that the keyword does not work in that manner. A closer look to the code showed that it is tightly coupled to ARRL contests which often use a multiplier scheme where W or VE station can get multipliers for W/VE sections or other DXCC countries. So the keyword in its current form is useless for other contests like EUDX or Coupe du REF.

The current implementation of DX_&_SECTIONS works as follows:

If Country is W or VE do not count as country multiplier, all other countries are mults If Country is W or VE do count sections as multiplier, for all other countries ignore it.

So country and section multiplier are mutual exclusive . That is also the case for Coupe du REF. Some other contests (e.g. EUDX) count country AND multiplier for the EU countries.

I think a way to solve the problem can be the following:

• Rename DX_&SECTION to ARRL_DX&SECTIONS keeping the behaviour and adding a new DX&_SECTION which simply counts DXCC countries and sections both as multipliers. If you have to exclude your own country from getting country points (see Coupe du REF) use COUNTRYLIST= and EXCLUDE_COUNTRYLIST.

• The new DX_&_SECTIONS together with EXCLUDE_COUNTRYLIST can also handle ARRLDX contests if it is guaranteed that no stations outside of W and VE uses sections in their reports.

Before starting to implement solution some feedback would be good.