With the ARRL International DX Phone Contest looming on the horizon this
weekend I wanted to take a moment and remind the list (and encourage the
list members to share with others) about some of the things that crop up
each year...
1) Remember that electronic logs must be submitted in the Cabrillo
format. The available contest logging programs are pretty much
universal in outputting this file with the extension .LOG You might
want to make sure you are running a version of your program that will
output the file.
2) Electronic entries must be emailed to dxphone@arrl.org with the
CALLSIGN used during the contest in the SUBJECT: field of the message.
Also, be sure all of the information in the Cabrillo file header is
correct. One of the most common problems we find is that the Header is
missing required information. This generally occurs when the
participants does not set up the file properly (selecting the necessary
information during the program set up). If you check the file before you
send it, you may catch mistakes.
3) Non-W/VE stations should make sure that the ARRL-SECTION: Field shows
the term DX, such as:
ARRL-SECTION: DX
This allows the log checking to sort through the entries for processing.
And make sure you leave at least one space after each colon (:) in the
header. The space signals the robot to the end of the keyword.
4) To participate in the ARRL Affiliated Club Competition, your club
must be a full ARRL affiliate. Clubs in non-W/VE DXCC countries
generally are not ARRL Affiliates, so they should simply not include a
club name in the CLUB: field.
5) Remember that we share our bands with non-contesters. Listen before
trying to grab a frequency. Be respectful of on-going conversations,
nets and bands plans. With the higher bands being open for less time
these days, the lower bands become more crowded. Don't let the heat of
competition substitute for good operating procedures and courtesy.
Finally, watch which transmit VFO you are on if operating split.
Keeping these points in mind should make for a more enjoyable contest
for all of us.
Good luck and 73
Dan Henderson, N1ND
ARRL Contest Branch Manager
---------------------------------------------------------------
The world's top contesters battle it out in Finland!
THE OFFICIAL FILM of WRTC 2002 now on professional DVD and VHS!
http://home1.pacific.net.sg/~jamesb/
---------------------------------------------------------------
_______________________________________________
CQ-Contest mailing list
CQ-Contest@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
|