Sorry John, but the rules require you to take a 30 or more minute off time.
Not a 29 or 28 or 27 minute off time. If they allowed you to take shorter
off times and then chop the extra minutes off the end of your log, it
wouldn't be fair to the guys who follow the rules. (You might be gaining
QSOs at a time when the rate is good and then giving away minutes at the end
of the contest when rates are low.)
It would be useful to know the algorithm the log checking program uses for
NAQP. Tree has a very specific way he handles off times for the Sweepstakes
and once you know what it is, there should never be a problem with taking
enough time. (See the accuracy sidebar in the online SS CW results for an
explanation).
Claiming a mistake in the heat of battle doesn't cut it with me. You are on
an off time so should not yet be joined!
Randy, K5ZD
> -----Original Message-----
> From: cq-contest-bounces@contesting.com
> [mailto:cq-contest-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Chris Hurlbut
> Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2005 2:39 AM
> To: cq-contest@contesting.com
> Subject: [CQ-Contest] NAQP Off Times
>
> With the new NCJ out, I think I'll share this with the list.
>
> Beware your off times! If they are not EXACTLY 30 minutes
> (or more) long, you will lose the last xx minutes of your
> log. Unlike the ARRL, NCJ just truncates the last part of
> the log, counting your messed up off time as on time.
>
> Obviously if one operates for more than the 10 hour limit,
> like 10 hours and 1 minute, they are not following the rules.
> No argument there.
>
> I do think that the NCJ should limit the penalty on minor
> errors like that. Perhaps a penalty QSO or 2 for each minute
> on each off time that is too short. With say, a 3 or 4
> minute buffer. If you mess it up by that many minutes, then
> count it as on time. So if you take 4 off times, 3 of them
> 30 minutes, and 1 of them 29 minutes, you don't end up losing
> the last half hour of your log by default. Perhaps take the
> QSO's out in that extra minute, and assign a penalty of xx
> QSO's for each minute you are over. Again, up to 3 or 4
> minutes or something.
>
> It's just an idea. What do you guys and girls think?
>
> You live and learn, but I really do think the current penalty
> of losing 30 minutes of op time is too harsh for a 60 second
> (or less) screw up in the heat of battle.
>
> -Chris KL9A
>
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