[CQ-Contest] Sweepstakes: Should I be penalized forgetting my license in 2000?

[Ron Notarius W3WN]

I've also heard from the ARRL Contest Branch that the check per se isn't
significant as long as it's consistent.  In other words, they're not going
to, er, check your check.  The purpose of the check appears to simply be a
piece of information to convey, and it's only, er, checked to make sure you
copied what was sent.

And the earliest possible check would be "12" since 1912 was the first year
that the US Department of Commerce started issuing licenses to operate in
what we now know of as the Amateur service.  Outside of a handful of club
stations, some of whom either aren't active in SS or who don't know what
their check should be, I don't think you'll find too many of those around
(or any other check earlier than 20).  Of course, that will change in 6
years... but before we have a century overlap, it would be curious to see
how many ancient checks, so to speak, turn up.

73, ron w3wn

-----Original Message-----
Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2006 17:14:03 -0600 (CST)
From: Zack Widup <w9sz at prairienet.org>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Sweepstakes: Should I be penalized
	forgettingmylicense in 2000?
To: John Geiger <johngeig at yahoo.com>
Cc: Shelby Summerville <k4ww at arrl.net>, CQ-Contest
	<CQ-Contest at contesting.com>

The section where you are located is used as a multiplier in calculating
your score.

The check is not used in calculating your score; it is just a number you
need to copy accurately as it was sent.  It doesn't even enter into a
category in comparing scores, as the "A", B"", "Q" etc. are. So it is in
fact just a number and as far as I'm concerned just needs to be copied
accurately. The  only impact it cold have on your score is when you don't
copy it correctly.

Maybe we should change this; in addition to a clean sweep, you could get a
mug for copying all years in the check from say 1920 to 2006.  :-)

73, Zack W9SZ

On Wed, 8 Nov 2006, John Geiger wrote:

> Exactly.  Why not just change the section you send
> every year.  I would probably get alot more calls
> sending NT or NL than OK.
>
> 73s John W5TD
>
> --- Shelby Summerville <k4ww at arrl.net> wrote:
>
> > K0HB wrote; "Check variable from year to year"
> >
> > IMHO, unless the "last two digits of the year you
> > were first licensed);" is
> > also "variable",  there is no option in the rules
> > for the check to be
> > "variable"?
> >
> > >From the rules: "4.4. Check (the last two digits of
> > the year you were first
> > licensed);"
> >
> > C'Ya, Shelby - K4WW