It is interesting and worth a try but I think not as much fun, particularly on
160m. I envision a pileup on a DX station listening to either or both for an
extended length of time trying to copy a complicated exchange. That was
typical years ago when the CQ 160 Contest required just a serial number to be
sent by the DX station.
73… Stan, K5GO
Sent from my iPhone
> On Jan 16, 2022, at 4:39 PM, Randy Thompson <k5zd@outlook.com> wrote:
>
> Launching a new contest is a difficult thing. It's like throwing a party.
> You have to hope enough people show up to make it so fun they want to do it
> again.
>
> One reason the WW is so popular is that it is easy, has lots of activity, and
> has some great dates on the calendar. It provides a good mix of top level
> competition with fun for everyone. It was also one of the first.
>
> A random exchange contest would be interesting to the hard core competitor
> class, but maybe not so fun for a guy who is just tuning the bands and
> wanting to see if he can work a new country. It requires special software
> and participants who really want to see who can copy the best.
>
> There was a 2 hour contest called the Internet Sprint about 20+ years ago
> where the exchange for each QSO was the name you received from the previous
> QSO. Not random, but entertaining as you could hear various names get
> mangled or burn out. The idea of using a random number generated by the
> logging software is an innovative suggestion.
>
> Success would require running some proof of concepts first. Both to test the
> logging software but also to find the balance for scoring and activity. A 4
> hour event run when there is best propagation into the areas of the world
> with lots of participants would be a good test bed. That concentrates the
> activity.
>
> It is also really hard to copy random information for hours at a time so 4
> hours is probably about all most could take in the beginning. As Franki
> pointed out, the RAEM contest has an unusual exchange that requires some
> thought getting the location on the first QSO. I find the challenge
> interesting, but I am sure many would not.
>
> A short time also makes it easier to find a slot of the calendar. CWops has
> demonstrated that weekday contests can find activity.
>
> There have been groups working on real-time logging (which is another level
> of modernization), but it takes time and is hard. Has not shown visible
> progress (yet).
>
> Maybe someone will step forward, make some rules, promote the event, and then
> we can see if people will respond. Kind of like inviting people to a party...
>
> Randy K5ZD
>
> PS - To avoid needing software to be modified, maybe come up with a manual
> process for doing the randomization. E.g., last exchange received, qso
> number x2, etc. That way even someone without the special software could
> participate.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: CQ-Contest <cq-contest-bounces+k5zd=outlook.com@contesting.com> On
> Behalf Of Paul O'Kane
> Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2022 3:20 PM
> To: cq-contest@contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Software Column in NCJ - Need Ideas
>
>> On 12/01/2022 15:55, Pete Smith N4ZR wrote:
>>
>> Do you have specific software packages, or kinds of software, that
>> you'd like to see written about in NCJ? How about subjects *about*
>> software, and the influence of software on contesting? One topic I'm
>> thinking about is call history files
>
> Call history files have contributed to the dumbing-down of contesting over
> the last 30 years or so. It seems to me that there is little or no point in
> having on-air exchange elements that are known and pre-filled - CQ WW being
> the prime example. And, no, I'm under no illusions - CQ WW will not change.
>
> The issue with fixed exchange elements is just that - they are fixed for the
> duration of the contest. They include, apart from the ubiquitous 59(9),
> zones, states, counties, districts, locators, IOTA references, and so on. If
> you don't copy them the first time you'll probably get or hear them later.
> Even if you don't, there are plenty of online resources that have the
> information, including licensing databases and QRZ.com. And, yes, I know
> these are all against the rules.
>
> There is one exchange element that forces operators to copy it, and get it
> right, before logging the QSO - one that is impossible to deduce later
> without collusion with other operators concerned. In 2017 the UK/EI Contest
> Club (ukeicc.com) ran a "random number" contest, as proof of concept. The
> "new" number to be sent in each QSO was displayed by the logging software,
> but the number received could not be predicted, and had to be copied.
>
> The exchange (the number sent) was a pseudo-random number - with 4 digits
> (always 4 digits, no leading zeros) between 1000 and 9999. This number was a
> repeatable combination of the previous call logged and the previous number
> sent. Being repeatable lets the adjudication software identify
> responsibility for errors or discrepancies between logs.
>
> The received number has to be copied and logged in real-time. Unlike serials,
> it is not possible to guess/generate it by listening to subsequent QSOs.
> Without collusion (seeing other logs), an incorrect received number could not
> be "corrected".
>
> The concept worked, but was limited by the fact that it was not supported by
> N1MM+. Any appropriate algorithm will work but, for it to be accepted, the
> N1MM+ crew would have to lead the way. The other contest loggers would soon
> follow. Note that knowledge of exactly how the "random number" calculation
> is done will not help anyone who didn't copy it on air.
>
> Here's what a "random-number" contest QSO might look like
>
> ei5di: EI5DI TEST
>
> k1ki: K1KI
>
> ei5di: K1KI 3906
>
> k1ki: 7044
>
> ei5di: TU EI5DI
>
> If you would more information, or to see it in operation, please contact me
> directly (pokane@ei5di.com), not via this mailing list. I can demonstrate it
> on TeamViewer or Zoom.
>
> How about it - who will get the ball rolling?
>
> 73,
> Paul EI5DI
>
>
>
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