[CQ-Contest] Public vs Private Logs

[Robert L. Shohet]

Hi Guys,

Public logs again... and again... and again...

Here are my thoughts having looked at many...

1) Most of us like privacy - and for different reasons.
But Contests are PUBLIC and the sponsors make the rules.
Deal with it or don't submit a log.  Or complain to them
directly if you want to get them to change their policy.

Going forward we all know the rules - the logs will be
made public.

2) There is no better way to learn strategy and propagation
than by "studying" the logs of others.

Want to operate a contest from 5Z4 but don't know the propagation?
Check out the logs from Zone 37 stations that operated!

3) There is no better way to learn YOUR OWN MISTAKES
   than by comparing your log to the logs of competitors in
   your category.  You can see what openings you missed,
what stations you missed and when.

4) It is FUN (for me anyway) to see what other stations have worked,
where and when, and I can do this when I look at SO logs as well as M2
and M/M logs from the US and all over the world!

After 35 years of contest operating, I can see myself "in the chair"
working those openings - and I remember them for the next contest!

5) I always miss A45XR and a few others in the contests.  By looking at
his log I now know WHY I miss him and where I need to be and when.

6) I HOPE that others use my logs as a way to learn.  I would be pleased
to know that others have learned from my logs and my strategies.  It is one 
of
the ways that I can and do GIVE BACK to contesting.

Am I worried that some contesters might cut their learning curve by
reading my logs and then move up in the "top ten"?  Not at all.
Open logs ultimately help the advancement of contesting and radiosport!

Why?  I like competition.  I like knowing that other people are trying real 
hard
to win.  I also know that reading the logs and being able to use that 
information
in a different contest under different conditions invalidates a lot of the 
strategy used.
So the information learned is useful, but the strategy can't be duplicated 
with the
same effect in the next contest.

Contesting, ultimately, is about making the RIGHT strategy decisions "on the 
fly".
Those ops who are most "learned" and most flexible typically do well 
wherever
they are, whenever they are operating.

7) Most people are either too disinterested or lazy to "study" the logs of
others to learn and improve their knowledge and skills.  This is a personal
choice.  Like most things in life, those with the best work ethic, and who 
make
the effort, usually reap the rewards.  Read logs and learn.  Don't read them
and stagnate.  It is up to you.

The best contesters are the best because of their knowledge, skill and 
passion.
The more tools you give them, the more ways they will find to beat you.
Open logs are a powerful tool in their hands.

Is your response to complain, or are you up to the challenge
to make some effort to use them and improve?

8) Self-policing is a good thing and provides "checks and balances"
for the log checkers and the participants.  Open logs make this process
possible and transparent, as it should be.

9) Open logs and public scrutiny can be a possible deterrent to some
operating abuses.  This is a GOOD thing!

10) Open logs and transparency go hand in hand, and give added credibility
to the scores, the ops and the checking process.

If anyone doubts the effects of  what lack of transparency means in the 
"real world",
just think about AIG, Citigroup, Lehman Brothers, the TARP program and how
most CEO's and their corrupt/incompetent boards run their companies.

Transparency vs lack of transparency?  NO CONTEST!

73 and Happy New Year!

Bob KQ2M