[CQ-Contest] Cabrillo tools

[Georgek5kg at aol.com]

In a message dated 8/28/2002 5:40:23 PM Greenwich Standard Time, 
w7ti at dslextreme.com writes:


> Does anyone but me find it annoying that we have to purchase
> software that should be furnished free by the ARRL?  The League
> foisted the Cabrillo requirements on us without much input from
> the membership.  IMO, the League should buy the tools from WT4I
> at some reasonable price and distribute them free to anyone who
> wants them.  If the WT4I tools are not for sale, the League
> should develop their own.
> 
> Am I missing the bigger picture here?  Comments welcome.
> 

Here are my comments:

WT4I Tools software is not required in in order to create a Cabrillo 
compliant log.  That is the responsibility of the contest participant, and 
most if not all of us, depend on our logging software - TR, WL, CT, etc. - to 
generate the Cabrillo format correctly.  WT4I Tools is an optional aide to be 
used in ensuring, but only to a degree, that contact information is logged 
correctly.

The contest sponsors, in this case the ARRL, has established - with the help 
of very accomplished contesters - a standard format in which logs should be 
submitted.  That is Cabrillo.  The benefit, of course, in having such a 
standardized format is in the efficiency gained by automating the processing 
of hundreds or thousands of logs.  

You are questioning why the ARRL does not provide free of charge to the 
contest community the WT4I Tools software.  Your argument seems to be that 
the League has adopted the Cabrillo standard and, therefore, should provide 
software to edit the content of a Cabrillo file.  Following that logic, you 
could also argue that the League should provide free of charge the contest 
logging software - TR, WL, CT, etc.- that generates the Cabrillo files.  
Carrying the thread further - why not have the League provide free of charge 
the equipment required to operate the contests to provide the contacts to 
capture in the software to generate logs in the standardized format?  (...she 
swallowed a fly...).  I think that you can begin to see the ridiculousness of 
this logic.  

Here is the Bottom Line in my way of thinking:  The contest sponsor has the 
responsibility of setting the rules (and standards) of the contest, 
advertising the contest, evaluating and publicizing the results and awarding 
the prizes.  Everything else - including all costs of participation and 
compliance with the rules - are are the responsibility of the contestants.

IMHO.

73, Geo...

George I. Wagner, K5KG
Productivity Resources LLC
941-312-9450
941-312-9460 fax
201-415-6044 cell





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