[CQ-Contest] Contest Scoreboards ???

[k3bu at optonline.net]

>>
Until we get to the point of having fully "Realtime" Contest Scoreboards, something like the above WRTC (URL) would be very cool.

Further, with some options to display ONLY specific stations of interest and no % changes (but perhaps band/mode tallies).  This would be very interesting for club competitions and selected member callsigns.<<



Pardon my ignorance, or danger of being called Luddite, but:

I am wondering about this obsession with contest scoreboards.

As a serious contester, going for blood, what would I use it for? If I am way ahead, I could slack out, have nap, or go to the bar?

If I am way behind, what do I do? Quit the contest, because I have no chance to win, or send Tony Soprano to visit competing station with wire cutters?

If I am just casual, making few contacts here and there, do I look for my favorite stations to feed them points? Or go and tie up the front runner with slow repeats, or feed them with bogus calls to have them take full advantage of 3 QSO "learn the accuracy" penalties?

What should the middle of the field contester do, watch the scoreboard or operate?

I can see the attraction of WRTC posting because of unique contest for all those in one place, but if I am seriously, going for blood (points), I could care less who is doing what. All I am concerned is to go like hell, make the most I can and when the final whistle blows, then see how I did.

I think we can make analogy to timed races, like downhill skiing, you have your chance, you try to make the best of it and see where you end up. If you have bunch of non-participating spectators, it might have a purpose, but in contesting, where we are trying to fill that second day with contacts, I'd rather see casual contesters encouraged to fire up and work stations, rather than watch the scoreboard. Don't tell me that this would bring the contest haters into contesting (unless we are on "reality TV" show,  and tie up the TV channel for 48 hours :-)

As far as proper reflection of scores and efforts in HF contests, as the Earth turns, the propagation is flowing at different parts of the world and really messes up any correlation of scores. So what's the point?

I think first thing to "fix" is the 9-month real results processing. With logs that can be available in 24 hours, processed, UBNed in 6 (?) hours, why do we have to wait 9 months for the "birth" of the official and final results? I would like to see final results posted after the contest, not just reported some scores on 3830, and not to get them 9 months after the contest, when I forgot all about it. 

Oh well, scoreboards, 3 QSO "penalty", 9 months of results pregnancy, packet pileups, aging OF contesters - better way to go? Just grumpy old F musing.


73, Yuri Blanarovich, K3BU

N2T - Tesla RC celebrating 150th birthday of Nikola Tesla from new home
www.TeslaRadio.org