[CQ-Contest] A Higher Level of Unique

[Ward Silver]

All the discussion about log checking and what transgressions shalt be dinged has omitted one aspect of the sport which I maintain is unique and should strongly color its adjudication.  Radio contesting consists of cooperative interactions between the participants.  It is not all of us shooting at individual targets or knocking each other down (well, mostly) or running ahead of everyone else.  The winners are the ones that have the most successful two-way exchanges of information with other participants.

Because of the two-way requirement, judging must be based on the satisfaction of that requirement by BOTH parties.  While you may bemoan the occasional incompetence of the other participant, that does not affect the requirement to complete and record a valid interaction.  In fact, this goes back to the original intent of contests as ways of enhancing communications skills of all involved.  

All of the scenarios put forth over the past couple of days, even though blame may not lie with the party which is ultimately penalized, are examples of a failure to complete the valid two-way exchange of information.

This does add an element of strategy in that I need to judge whether I am likely to have a valid exchange with someone that calls.  We have all told a very weak caller, "Later", when it becomes clear that we are unlikely to be able to copy their information.  If someone calls in using their new Vibro-Bugamatic and can't send the letter "E" correctly twice in a row, then I will probably not log or their QSO or log it with zero points.  The balance must be struck between risk of penalty and the desire for additional points - that's why we don't just blow off everyone that isn't Q5.

It is to the credit of the log checkers that ONLY in cases where it is clearly demonstrable that the QSO was invalid with a high degree of probability is credit removed for the QSO.  It is completely true that the penalty is not always assessed in strict compliance with the proportion of blame - just like in real life. (one of which we should all attempt to get)  It is also completely true that these methods are applied equally to all competitive entries and that the results are neither secret nor unchallengeable.  If a better methodology can be demonstrated that can be acheived with the limited resources available, then I think it would be considered.  Until then, the present methods are, as has been pointed out, the gold standard.

This reminds me of a great George Carlin-ism - "Isn't it amazing that everyone that drives faster than you is an idiot and everyone that drives slower is a moron?"

73, Ward N0AX


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