[CQ-Contest] Guessing or miscopied?

[v31jp at logical123.net]

What I am seeing in this discussion is that each busted
call must have been the result of "guessing", not just
being miscopied. A sudden QSB changes an "N" to an "I",
or a "B" to an "H", and is so entered. These may or may not
be caught, because the receiving operator had no question
as to what he received. He did not guess. This does happen,
but not often. When you have 4,000 to 8,000 Q's in a log,
I would expect that the percentage would still be quite
small. Do these deserve a penalty more than the loss of
the contact. I don't think so. Above what percentage
should a penalty be applied? I can't say, as I do not
have the stat's to say "here is a guesser" and "here are
the miscopied calls." These levels should be stated in
the rules before the contest so that all operators know
and understand the penalties of guessing.

I know that when conditions are poor, QRN, QSB or heavy QRM,
I have a tendacy to drag my feet when S&Ping to insure I did
copy the call correct, even when I have no question. When I
am CQing, I have sent the calling stations call as I have
copied and if he doesn't correct me, what more can I do? Do
I deserve penalty points or a QSO removed?

Oh, yes rate is important in a contest. Don't try to kid
yourselves, but with accuracy. I agree, that a missed
exchange of information is not a QSO.

"David A. Pruett" wrote:

> Also, in my mind you've just confirmed the argument for penalty QSOs.  If
> you were to use such a "database" (the use of which is really only a more
> refined form of "guessing") and you get it wrong (ex: K8CC moves to MS)
> then you deserve the penalties you get!
> 
> Let's ask ourselves: "What is a contest QSO?"  It is an exchange of
> information between two amateur stations OVER THE AIR taking place during
> the course of the contest.  If you guess at the data, THE INFORMATION WAS
> NOT EXCHANGED.  If you edit and refine the data after the contest, THE
> INFORMATION WAS NOT EXCHANGED.  How can you argue with that?

-- 
73 de K8 Joe "Palooka" & Beverly
Joe Pontek
26441 Devaney Road
Arcadia, IN 46030
USA
317-984-7388
K8JP, V31JP, VP5/K8JP, VP5JP, K8JP/VA2, ex-K8HKM
Read "The Contest Traveler" in The National Contest Journal
CJ5 '65


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