Hi Dan,
K3ZO posted comments and queries on how the ARRL log-checks certain
types of "unstable" exchanges. I am not sure that they were ever
addressed or responded to and I would like a clear and definite
explanation of how certain situations are and will be handled by the
log-checkers.
I too have been very frustrated by exchanges that change in the middle
of a contest and I believe that all of us have lost many points because
we have CORRECTLY copied the "new" exchange.
1) How do the log-checkers know that PA0XYZ used 100 watts on 10 + 15
and 150 watts on 80?
Or that LYxx used 200 watts on 15 + 20 but KW on 40?
In the computer software that most of us use, there is no way to "note"
that a particular station changed his power for contacts #361-#514. So
if they don't note their power change in the log (or forget to) how will
the log-checkers know? And why should we be penalized for it?
Let's use another example....
2) I work F5XYZ in the contest who gives me #40. I have copied
correctly #40 and should be rewarded for it. Is it my responsibiliity
to assume that the number DOES NOT represent power and inquire further
as to how many watts the guy is running or assume that hw is giving me a
qso # instead of power? What if I don't speak French and he doesn't
understand English? Do the log-checkers penalize me for copying an
"incorrect" exchange? I have lost lots of points and qso's for this in
the past. I feel strongly that this is UNFAIR and penalizes me for
accuracy rather then rewarding it!
3) I work DL8XYZ. We have a good contact. Later in the contest he
calls me on the same band. I tell him it's a dupe and he says no it is
not. I work him again for an "insurance" contact and in the log mark it
a dupe for 0 points. If in fact he copied my call wrong the first time
(I would not know this since he never sent my call!) do I get penalized
for the first qso since I am not in his log? What if I logged the first
qso but did not log the second qso? A dupesheet crosscheck would show
us in each others logs but at different times. I would have logged the
first qso and he would have logged the second. Do we both get credit
for the qso's or both lose credit since we show the qso at different
times? Or is the only way to get credit by showing the first qso and the
"dupe" qso?
4) I work G3XYZ and he gives me #3. Later I work him on a different
band and he gives me 100. I copied correctly BOTH times but clearly the
second time he is giving his power (or he changed from QRP to 100
watts).
Are the log-checkers going to penalize me for getting a number instead
of power on the first qso? If so, then do I have to go back into my log
and "correct" the #3 to a 100 to get credit? What happens if I do that
but then the log-checkers see that he sent #3 in the first qso and
penalize me for receiving 100? How will the log-checkers know when the
guy stopped sending serial numbers and started sending power?
I for one would like to know EXACTLY how the log-checkers are handling
these situations. I want full credit for the qso's I make correctly and
I DON'T want to lose credit for qso's where I copy correctly but the
log-checking practices might be unrealistic and unfair.
Just for kicks, in the SSB contest EVERY TIME I received a different
exchang power on the next qso, I asked the station why the exchange had
changed.
In the 1500 qso's I made there were more than 20!! exchange changes.
This is a VERY COMMON problem!! In about 10 qso's there was a language
barrier and the station either couldn't understand the question or
didn't want to answer. Of the remaining 11, I had to use my "broken"
high-school Spanish FOUR times to get an answer (if I spoke French and
German too I would have had more answers Hi Hi).
Here is how the 11 CONFIRMED exchange changes broke down....
1 station went qro because he fixed his amp (changed from 100 to 500)
1 station went from 100 to 150 becuase on 10 his swr was too high and on
15 it was lower!
2 stations went from 300 or more watts to 100 because of TVI
4 stations sent serial numbers the first time and power the next time
2 stations were using different power on different bands the WHOLE
contest! (ie. 500 watts on 20 and 100 watts on 10 ALL CONTEST!)
I can't even tell you the number of times that I stopped my run and took
the time to explain to the station I was working that the correct
exchange was the "power" not the serial number or CQ Zone. I am not
even counting these in my 11 exchange changes! Since other stations had
changed from serial number to power the next time I worked them, clearly
I was not the only station "educating" others on the correct exchange in
the contest.
So I would appreciate clear asnwers to all my questions and an
explanation as to how the log-checkers handle these very common
situations. This will go a long way to "de-mystifying" the log-checking
process and improve the quality of the checking as well as our
understanding of the fairness and/or weaknesses of the process.
100% accuracy is the goal of any consummate professional or contester
but in the absence of clear answers and guidance it is unattainable and
creates otherwise unnecessary frustration and perceptions of unfairness.
73
Bob KQ2M
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