Stu,
It is nice to hear this view. I hope people can restrain themselves to a civil
discussion about it. I have felt this way a long time and I resisted using SCP
(and call history files) until last year. When I decided to become more
competitive last year, the now ubiquitous nature of SCP made me feel I had to
start using it. So, yes, I caved, and others would be right to point this out.
Some might notice that my DX contest result articles have stressed log accuracy
less than some previous. This was by design. I believe that SCP, grooming the
log (note: *legally*) during the contest and other such aids make it difficult
to wave the flag about our skill in accurate operating. It's a worthy goal to
be sure, but I do not believe that we are accurately measuring it. So, I
cannot get excited about 10,000 QSO golden logs, because I see it as utter
nonsense. Not cheating, just a bogus metric.
To address a few points:
1) This really is in a different class of aid than antenna switching and
loggers with duping. Dupes are allowed, and logger scoring isn’t what is
used by the sponsor. Other items improve station efficiency. SCP helps you
get the callsign instead of hearing it. Yes, virtually all of us use it as a
crutch for that whether admitted or not. Then again, frequent contest
operating also gives you this same skill by remembering calls, doesn’t it?
2) No one is arguing what is cheating or not, what is detectable or not. This
is about our assessment of integrity and the best way to maintain it. In this
world there is a difference between what can be done, what is legal to do, and
what one should do.
All this being said, realistically, I think that this one is out of the bag and
won’t go back in. I won’t suggest that we try to do so. But I am very
understanding and appreciative of Stu's point of view, and I am glad that we
question such things.
73,
Drew K3PA
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 2015 21:14:39 +0000
From: Stu Phillips <stu@k6tu.net>
To: "CQ-Contest@contesting.com" <CQ-Contest@contesting.com>
Subject: [CQ-Contest] Why SuperCheckPartial makes you assisted
Message-ID: <D278C1DC.888B%stu@k6tu.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"
Posting emails likely to cause a proverbial s-storm is not my intent and
certainly not my standard MO. but my role as the maintainer of
SuperCheckPartial as well as a regular user of it in contests leave me
personally in no doubt?
Using Super Check Partial makes you assisted category in a contest.
Before you reach for the reply key to rip me a new one, let me start with a
couple of email snippets from a world class contester (who I respect greatly
BTW) reinforcing why I need to release SuperCheckPartial before this coming
weekend?s CQ WW contest.
"It seems to me releasing the next SCP file a few days BEFORE CQWW CW would
make good sense and help many operators achieve a clearer log.?
And?
"I hope you will reconsider since log accuracy is such an important component
in the success or failure for everyone in this event.?
Emphasis added by me to make the point although no reconsideration was
required? I do listen to feedback FWIW.
I?m sure like me you?ve had experience of using SCP to help pull a call sign
out of a pile up/QRM/QSB because it gives you a clue for the possible things to
listen for ? of course, this can be a double edged sword as it can convince you
HEARD what you WANTED and so make a bad QLF.
How much more time do you spend verifying a call sign when it does NOT appear
in SCP versus when it does? I know that I am doubly vigilant for a call sign
bust both on CW and Phone when the call is NOT shown in the SCP window in my
logger. This improves my accuracy and my rate as I?m less likely to double
down on call sign verification.
In the end adherence to the letter and spirit of contest rules comes down to
individuals and their own decisions. When it comes to the spirit of the rules
? not what?s written but what one personally thinks is right, that?s a freedom
of choice that I completely endorse and respect
For me going forward, I will submit my entries in the assisted category
whenever I use Super Check Partial ? its clear that it helps with accuracy and
likely rate. Just like using cluster spots or pre-fill files (another set of
thorn bushes I?m not going to touch).
Respectfully presented & 73
Stu K6TU
PS: There will be a note going out shortly revising the SCP release schedule
to accommodate the feedback I?ve received (and folks difficulty in planning
ahead ;-).
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