CT and serial numbers

[Jeff Tucker N9HZQ]

Hello, all.  I have a question about using networked CT in a
contest which involves serial numbers.  During the SS CW weekend,
we ran two computers networked together, each with CT v. 8.45.
We had a real problem keeping the serial numbers consistent
between the two computers.  Often, one station would make a QSO
while the other station was checking for a dupe.  Having
something on the callsign line seemed to mess up the serial
number.  That is, when the first station made its QSO, the number
on the other station wouldn't increment.  If it then worked a
guy, often the serial number sent and logged would be the same as
the other contact.  Sometimes, this could reach back two or three
QSO's, repeating a number given a couple QSO's ago.

Another problem was that CT would often send a different number
than was shown on the QSO line.  You might work a guy, with 1233
showing on the line, but listening to CT you note that it sent
1232.  In many cases, neither number was right, as it should have
been 1234.

Did others have this problem?  The network worked flawlessly in
that every contact made it between the two computers.  And, the
serial numbers logged in the two computers appear to be
identical.  But, before the phone SS weekend, I'd like to know if
anyone knows how to combat this problem.

Thanks es 73,
Jeff

p.s. As a related question, is there ANY other program for any
contest which supports two computers networked together?

-- 
-----------------------------
Jeff Tucker    ()<                  N9HZQ
tucker at eedsp.gatech.edu             Graduate Student, Electrical Engineering
W4AQL Contest Domination Team       Georgia Institute of Technology

>From len at ariel.coe.neu.edu (Leonard Kay)  Wed Nov 17 21:55:42 1993
From: len at ariel.coe.neu.edu (Leonard Kay) (Leonard Kay)
Date: Wed, 17 Nov 1993 16:55:42 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Portable calls
Message-ID: <9311172155.AA03458 at ariel.coe.neu.edu>

OK, OK, what really bothers _me_ is... to take an example...

I happened to pounce upon AL7GX in SS last weekend, only to copy an exchange
of EMA. While Alaska isn't worth any more than any other section in SS, in the
context of other contests, I get annoyed when people with KL7, KH* or KP* calls
don't sign portable when not in their 'default' DXCC country, or vice versa for
poeople with 'normal' calls who live _there_. 

Otherwise, portables don't bother me, especially since I _know_ most of the 
portables I run into during SS, like K6X0, K1LL, etc. It only matters
when you're S&Ping, and you just have to listen to the exchange in progress to
figure it out, right? 

Len KB2R

>From alan at dsd.es.com (Alan Brubaker)  Wed Nov 17 22:18:46 1993
From: alan at dsd.es.com (Alan Brubaker) (Alan Brubaker)
Date: Wed, 17 Nov 93 15:18:46 -0700
Subject: Three things
Message-ID: <9311172218.AA02448 at dsd.ES.COM>

Hi Tree...Dec. 26, and I will be looking for you in CQWW. I will be one of
the 10 meter ops. at K0RF. Good luck.

Alan

"You have a limp lizard."  --  The Sheriff of Rottingham


>From Jim Reisert AD1C  17-Nov-1993 1710 <reisert at wrksys.enet.dec.com>  Wed Nov 17 22:06:08 1993
From: Jim Reisert AD1C  17-Nov-1993 1710 <reisert at wrksys.enet.dec.com> (Jim Reisert AD1C 17-Nov-1993 1710)
Date: Wed, 17 Nov 93 17:06:08 EST
Subject: Bootleg software
Message-ID: <9311172206.AA12837 at us1rmc.bb.dec.com>

It's funny, John must have been reading my mind because I was thinking about
this very topic last night as I was making floppy copies of the CT CTY files
to mail out to people.

I agree bootleg software is a problem.  I know people who have finished in
the top 5, even #1, who do not own the software they are using.  Who's so
cheap that they can spend $10K on radios, towers, etc.  but can't pay $50
for the logging software they use in EVERY contest?

I have tried several DX logging programs.  Every one is registered to the
particular callsign that uses it.  Why can't contest logging programs do the
same? It shouldn't be so hard to brand all the printouts, etc.  with the
registered callsign.  Of course some people will edit the printouts with
their favorite text editor to put their callsign in place of the registered
one.  However, there are ways to make it hard to operate.  For example, in
CT, make F4 send only the registered callsign, such that there is no way to
override it.

What about the other side, though? Does Trey, WN4KKN need to cough up
another $70 to buy a copy of CT to use in EA9, if he already has the
software registered with his US callsign?

As Susan, KU2Q pointed out, hams are self-policing.  I do not believe it is
the responsibility of the various contest committees to disqualify people
using pirated software.  However, I believe it is the responsibility of the
contest community to put pressure on those who are.

73 - Jim AD1C

--
James J. Reisert		Internet:  reisert at wrksys.enet.dec.com
Digital Equipment Corp.		UUCP:	   ...decwrl!wrksys.enet.dec.com!reisert
146 Main Street	- MLO3-6/C9	Voice:	   508-493-5747
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