The problem of logging software handling more than one contest at a time is
not limited to state QSO Parties.
The best example of this is probably the second weekend in September, when
there is the WAE SSB, the ARRL VHF QSO Party, the NA SSB Sprint, and the
Tennessee QSO Party. And probably some RTTY contest as well.
There is no way these contests could share the same exchange.
What the world needs now is a software package that will run multiple
contests.
I'm not a programmer, nor do I play one on TV, but what I envision is
something like this:
An extra field in the logging line, when running multiple contests, that
would switch between contests. Something like:
LINE TIME CONTEST BAND MODE CALL SENT
RECEIVED
1 0001 WAE 7 SSB G4BUO 59
001 59 231
2 0002 WAE 7 SSB IR4T
59 002 59 313
3 0004 SPR 7 SSB K7RAT 1
JIM 7 TREE OR
4 0007 VHF 144 CW K8GP
EN91 FM08
5 0009 SPR 14 SSB K5TR
2 JIM 12 GEO TX
The contest field would either be a direct entry ("VHF") or a toggle
("CTL-Something"). It would stay the same until switched, so you don't have to
make
an extra entry unless the guy you work is in a different contest than the
previous qso.
A lot of the fun in contesting, whether full or part time, is seeing how you
are doing in real time. So when you change the contest field, the
appropriate windows for scoring, multipliers, exchange memories, etc., would
pop up
for that particular contest.
When the contests are over, it ought not be a difficult problem to sort out
each contest into its appropriate log, saving a lot of clutter at the log
checking and reporting end.
I for one am a lot more inclined to pass out qsos in a contest if I can keep
track of all the normal information. Last weekend I heard some Italians in
the ARI contest, but never called. With functioning logging software in front
of me I probably would have.
I for one am eagerly waiting.
73 - Jim K8MR
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