Since last summary, I received more varied responses. I received
several requests to summarize, here are the new stats.
The overwhelming majority (70+) did receive QSL cards after a 2-5 month
delay when sent by registered mail in security envelope with cash not
IRCs. Some who sent IRCs did receive QSLs but others didn't and he has
to go through all sorts of acrobatics via a Brazil station to redeem
IRCs since Libya is not a member of the UPU and doesn't accept IRCs.
Those who received QSLs listed no call signs or reference to amateur
radio on envelope. Every attempt was made to make envelope appear bland
and not containing money.
Despite this positive response, several people (about 10) never received
cards despite sending 2-3 requests and one person sent as many as 6.
This becomes quite expensive with registered mail fees.
73 Merri AB0MV
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>From Leigh S. Jones" <kr6x@kr6x.com Wed May 30 19:44:52 2001
From: Leigh S. Jones" <kr6x@kr6x.com (Leigh S. Jones)
Subject: [CQ-Contest] Don't repeat my STUPID mistake!
References: <NABBJJMHMOJDAICFPIFDOEEMCMAA.jmaass@columbus.rr.com>
Message-ID: <024501c0e938$b781a060$ede3c23f@kr6x.org>
As long as the program is free, I don't have any problems recommending
software from Microsoft.
The TimeServ program included in the Windows NT 4.0 Resource Kit is
available from Microsoft's web site for free, but only runs as a
service on
Windows NT, Windows 2000, or the soon to be available Windows XP.
It can set the time from a variety of sources including the NIST over
the internet. It also equips your computer to provide the time to
other computers over your home network.
Of course, none of these kinds of programs will set the time for you
automatically while you are running DOS, and neither NA nor CT will do
an adequate job of CW contesting unless they are running in native DOS
(no DOS command prompts from Windows on CW).
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeff Maass" <jmaass@columbus.rr.com>
To: <w9wi@w9wi.com>; <cq-contest@contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2001 10:25 AM
Subject: RE: [CQ-Contest] Don't repeat my STUPID mistake!
>
>
> PCs keep lousy time, and I finally got fed up.
>
> Now I use a program that keeps my PC clock synchronized to the
> proper time via SNTP on the internet. Since I have a cable modem,
> I have it configured to check and correct the time every 15 minutes.
> It can be configured to correct the time when you first connect
> to the 'net, or in many other combinations (or, on request).
>
> The one I use is called "Dimension 4" and is freeware, available
> from http://www.accessone.com/~thinkman/index.htm.
>
> You can also find it via c/net downloads at:
> http://download.cnet.com/downloads/0-10106-100-4407346.html
>
> (As an aside, having the correct time on your computer is important.
> I sat in a big DX pileup on 10 mters at the end of the ARRL SSB DX
> Contest this year, attempting to work a new multiplier with my low-
> powered station. With five minutes remaining in the contest, the DX
> station announced that the contest period was over, and refused to
> work anyone else! I kept trying to convince him that there was time
> remaining, but his computer clock told him that the contest had
ended,
> and he would not be moved!)
>
> 73,
> Jeff Maass jmaass@columbus.rr.com Located near Columbus
Ohio
> USPSA # L-1192 NROI/CRO Amateur Radio K8ND
> Maass' IPSC Resources Page: http://home.columbus.rr.com/jmaass
> Circleville USPSA/IPSC:
http://home.columbus.rr.com/jmaass/pcsiipsc.htm
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: owner-cq-contest@contesting.com
> > [mailto:owner-cq-contest@contesting.com]On Behalf Of Doug Smith
W9WI
> > Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2001 11:55 PM
> > To: cq-contest@contesting.com
> > Subject: [CQ-Contest] Don't repeat my STUPID mistake!
> >
> >
> >
> > Well, I'd say I'd learned my lesson, but I've done something
similar (but
> > not quite as stupid) before...
> >
> > DON'T FORGET TO SET YOUR COMPUTER'S CLOCK BEFORE THE CONTEST!
> >
> > Checked my eQSL mailbox this morning, and noticed a handful of
> > "cards" from
> > last weekend's WPX contest. Checked the first one against my
log - he was
> > in there, but the time was a bit over an hour off. I guess the
> > guy got the
> > local<=>UTC conversion wrong. No big deal. Check the next card -
he's in
> > there too - and *his* time is a bit over an hour off. Uh, this
> > doesn't look
> > good.
> >
> > Sure enough, it was *me* who got the local<=>UTC conversion
wrong - the
> > computer clock was an hour fast compared to WWV. I stopped
operating an
> > hour early because I wrongly thought the contest was over....
> > --
> > Doug Smith W9WI
> > Pleasant View (Nashville), TN EM66
> > http://www.w9wi.com
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > CQ-Contest on WWW: http://lists.contesting.com/_cq-contest/
> > Administrative requests: cq-contest-REQUEST@contesting.com
> >
> >
>
>
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>
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