How about allowing entrants to declare up to 12 hours after the start of 
the contest?  This would allow operators to recognize equipment 
failures, changing conditions, etc.
 For example, if a SOAB-LP(A) entrant decided that he'd had enough of 
operating LP and being killed in packet pileups, he'd be eligible to 
switch to -HP(A).
 If a person was planning on doing SOSB(15) and found that conditions on 
15 were craptastic, he could switch to all band or switch to SOSB(40) or 
SOSB(20).
 Obviously I think its a harder argument to go from a more "expansive" 
category to a more narrow category (going from HP to LP or LP to QRP or 
going from Assisted to unassisted).
 But, things do change during a contest and folks need to have a little 
leeway.
73 Rich NN3W
On 1/31/2018 10:10 AM, Jeff Clarke wrote:
 
Tom,
 I was thinking more along the line that you wouldn't register for a 
specific category (.i.e .15 meter single band) but just that you are 
planning on operating in some SB category seriously where you could 
possibly have a top 5 finish. That would give you the flexibility to 
change your category right before the contest starts. For example say 
you planned on doing 15 single band and and right before the contest 
the conditions went sour and you decide to switched to 20 single. This 
would allow you to do this.
Jeff
On 1/30/2018 9:51 PM, Tom Haavisto wrote:
 I would be fine with this, but it will take time (a few years) for 
folks to get used to the idea of pre-registering for a category.
 That said, I want to point out something that happened to me a few 
years ago:  I was all set to do a SOABHP.  Five minutes before the 
contest, I turned on the amp to let it warm up and there was a big 
bang as the power supply let go. Needless to say, no QSO's made in 
the contest (had not yet started), and I ran as LP.  IF we go down 
this road, I would hope there is some room to change categories to 
account for last minute equipment issues.  Perhaps a post contest 
explanation of "Here is what happened..."
Tom - VE3CX
 On Tue, Jan 30, 2018 at 7:36 PM, Jeff Clarke <ku8e@ku8e.com 
<mailto:ku8e@ku8e.com>> wrote:
    Here's an idea. Why not have a pre-registration process before the
    contest that you are going to be a serious entry? Much like we
    register teams for the NA Sprint and NAQP.  Only entries that
    follow this process will be eligible for plaques and certificates.
    If someone doesn't do this ( just playing around??) their score
    can still be listed and not classified as an administrative entry.
    For those that choose to follow this process state the rules or
    conditions (i.e recording the contest) on the web page this form
    is located on. This will eliminate any confusion anyone might have.
    I would even be willing to help CQ with the coding to implement
    this. I've done similar stuff on my web pages for ku8e.com
    <http://ku8e.com> and the Georgia QSO Party. You fill out a form,
    it stores that information in a mySQL database and sends a
    confirmation email to the person who submitted the form.
    BTW I didn't know the story about MM0LID until I read this email
    thread. Not only did it appear he cheated using a made up call
    sign but also violated FCC rules. When something like this gets
    out it sure doesn't help your reputation and it's going to raise
    red flags for a contest sponsor every time you submit an entry.
    Jeff KU8E
    --     *Jeff Clarke
    * Information Technology Professional
    Ellerslie, Georgia
    My LinkedIn Profile <https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-clarke-ga
    <https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-clarke-ga>>
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