[CQ-Contest] Getscores, 3830, and cherrypicking

[Ron Notarius W3WN]

There is a fundamental flaw in your reasoning Rich.

Where exactly do you draw the line for "major" categories and "casual"
operating.

For the sake of argument, let's say that I've managed to build the new
station (oh, one can only hope!) to be competitive in the ARRL DX contest to
the point where I think, in my selected mode and power category, I can win
my Section and have a decent shot at my Division as a Single Op.  [Also
assuming for the moment that these are not what your are classifying as
"major" categories in the contest, obviously].

Much to everyone's surprise, though, it turns out that this was the "100
year flood" contest weekend where the stars and planets aligned, dogs and
cats are living together, the full moon was out, the propagation gods smiled
on me, the phone didn't ring, the computer didn't crash, the neighbors
didn't kvetch... and I actually end up wining by a hair the SO category for
the US.  It might not even be revealed until the contest scores are
tabulated, since in this theoretical case I didn't bother to post to 3830,
so no one else knows or could know.

Only I didn't declare my entry classification & category half way through,
since I didn't expect to win a Major Award.

If your proposed change is adopted... it means I'm DQ'd for non-compliance,
therefore, I don't win.

And this happens because of a rule change intended to catch category-jumping
"cherry pickers".  In other words, cheaters.

How many contest cheats do you guys really think are out there?  You must
have little faith in the majority of contest entrants, to go to such lengths
to try and catch them?

Sorry Rich, I don't mean to pick on you personally.  But this entire trend
really bothers me.  I've been licensed, and operated contests, for a long
time.  Yes, there have always been cheats, sad to say, and not many have
been caught.  You see, though, it used to be that everyone was given the
benefit of the doubt that they operated ethically and within the rules, and
they sent their contest entries (win or lose) into the sponsor in the same
vein.  Now it seems to be assumed that everyone cheats and no one is
trusted, and we have to jump through unreasonable hoops and go to great
lengths to keep everyone "honest."

We've already had absurd suggestions that are a burden for the average
contester... for example, the suggested requirement that a contester record
his entire contest operation.  It wasn't that long ago that we laughed at
people who did that, now it's considered not just normal but by some
expected?  What's next?  A 48 hour web cam so that we can be monitored live?

I refuse to believe that the vast, vast majority, are anything but honest.
Yes, mistakes happen, and there is always someone tempted who once in a
great while might give in to the temptation.

Based on my experience, on people I've met, on people I've discussed
contesting and operating with at Hamvention, and baring evidence to the
contrary, I'd say that well over 95%, probably closer to 99.5% or more, are
honest.

Do we REALLY need to go to these extraordinary lengths to try and catch the
evasive minority that usually figures out the loopholes anyway?

73, ron w3wn

-----Original Message-----
Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 13:51:41 -0500
From: Richard DiDonna NN3W <nn3w at cox.net>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Getscores, 3830, and cherrypicking
To: "CQ-Contest at Contesting.COM" <CQ-Contest at Contesting.COM>

I'll break your hypotheticals into questions

1)  Who is going to man the phone lines so that dxpeditions without internet
access can make the long distance satellite phone call to accept the
declaration?

Leave a message at a number.  Or declare before the contest.

2)  What happens if you can't get through, you can't win anything?

See answer to #1, supra.

3)  What about the casual guy who just happens to win an odd category and
doesn't know that half way through??

Thats why I discussed MAJOR categories.  If you wind up winning #1 SOLP in
the Virginia section of the ARRL DX test, fine.  It isn't going to change
the world - just your world.  There is not a need to account for these ops.
But if you are shooting for the #! USA SOABHP or the #1 EU ABHP, or the #1
World Multimulti, be prepared to pony up.

73 Rich NN3W