Thanks for that tip Alan.
I have used the pre-fill function using my own previous contest files for
quite some time. This last couple contests I have used Gary's files which
are much more comprehensive.
There is probably no right way or wrong way and certainly it is probably
most helpful to the "part-time" contester where it potentially reduces the
workload.
For the hardcore contester it will be less of an issue. I will often have
runs of 200+ per hour and what I do when the prefill info is inaccurate is
variable. Many times I have already hit "enter" and then I simply click and
enter the right thing as an edit. this may be a strange way of doing it but
in most contests I can complete the edit while CQing/sending TU message.
Lots of tools. Not enough contests. Hi Hi.
73's, Dean - 8P6SH
On Wed, Mar 5, 2014 at 11:48 AM, Alan Marshall <acmd@rcn.com> wrote:
> I find that the prefill is best used if you change the field that is
> "prefilled" to be OVERTYPE rather than insert. Then no deletes are needed
> and you can run just like you do with NO prefill. When you forget that it
> is prefilled and don't see it in the heat of the battle you are good-to-go!
>
> -Alan, W1CCE
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gary AL9A" <al9a@mtaonline.net>
> To: <writelog@contesting.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2014 6:56 PM
> Subject: Re: [WriteLog] Prefill Files - a warning
>
>
> Steve is correct that when using prefill files there will undoubtedly be
>> instances where the information coming from the prefill is no longer
>> current. It is my hope to continuously improve upon the accuracy of the
>> data by adding the most current year's results file when made available.
>> I've developed a method of appending the current year data file with the
>> previous years history file and then sorting them and removing duplicates
>> so that the latest data is retained in the file as being the most accurate.
>>
>> Of course, if someone moves again between contests there is no way to
>> correct that prior to the next contest. If the data field in question is
>> prefilled with the wrong data there are a few ways to quickly correct the
>> situation, hopefully without too much delay. In a contest like the ARRL DX
>> CW/SSB, where the QTH field is always a two character state or province
>> I've found the fastest way is to just quickly hit the Delete key twice and
>> then retype the correct exchange. This is facilitated by WL placing the
>> entry cursor on the first position of the field, so after the two Deletes
>> you are ready to type in the new.
>>
>> In the case of a longer field involving multiple characters there are two
>> options for a quick fix. First would be to hit Ctrl+W, which works just
>> the way Alt+W does, except it only clears the current field, not all fields
>> in the Entry window. Of course, this still involves pressing two different
>> keys at once to clear the field. A faster method would be to use Keyboard
>> Shortcuts to program an unused key with the command EntryClearField. Then
>> a single keystroke would clear the entire field and allow entry of the new
>> data.
>>
>> 73,
>> Gary AL9A
>>
>> -----Original Message----- From: GW4BLE
>> Sent: March 04, 2014 11:57 AM
>> To: writelog@contesting.com
>> Subject: [WriteLog] Prefill Files - a warning
>>
>> Firstly, thanks to Gary AL9A for making the prefill ADIF file available
>> for DX
>> participants in the ARRL Contest, HOWEVER I would advise caution when
>> using these files -
>> I've never entered a contest with them before, but I did last weekend in
>> the ARRL DX.
>>
>> In the heat of running a reasonably fast *sustained* pileup (say, over
>> the 200/hr rate) it
>> can be annoying to have the field prefill, only to find the guy at the
>> other end
>> has moved from say, PA to MN ! That few seconds deleting the prefill and
>> typing in what the
>> guy actually sent put me out of sync on a number of occasions!
>>
>> If the rate is 'average', maybe it's not a problem, but really I would
>> say it's MUCH
>> better to go it alone and just type in the exchange for yourself. Period.
>>
>>
>> YMMV
>>
>>
>> Steve
>> GW4BLE
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> WriteLog mailing list
>> WriteLog@contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/writelog
>> WriteLog on the web: http://www.writelog.com/
>> _______________________________________________
>> WriteLog mailing list
>> WriteLog@contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/writelog
>> WriteLog on the web: http://www.writelog.com/
>>
>>
>> -----
>> No virus found in this message.
>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>> Version: 2014.0.4335 / Virus Database: 3705/7153 - Release Date: 03/04/14
>>
>>
> _______________________________________________
> WriteLog mailing list
> WriteLog@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/writelog
> WriteLog on the web: http://www.writelog.com/
>
--
*Dean St.Hill*
*Counterpoint Consulting *
*17 Ocean City*
*St.Philip*
*Barbados*
*246-266-8230*
*246-416-5277*
*dmsthill@gmail.com <dmsthill@gmail.com>*
_______________________________________________
WriteLog mailing list
WriteLog@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/writelog
WriteLog on the web: http://www.writelog.com/
|