[CQ-Contest] ARRL and Open Logs - Time for the next step?

[Michael Coslo]

On Jul 30, 2008, at 11:19 PM, Tom Haavisto wrote:

> Hi David
>
> Lets put it this way:  in car racing, they use restricter plates in
> the engine, carefully measure the cars for exact dimensions, and on
> and on to ensure a level playing field for all contestants.    The
> team with the best driver/pit crew should win the race, so then why
> even bother running the race?  During the race, things happen that
> require on-the-spot decision making, and can affect the outcome.  It
> is these on-the-fly decisions, and who makes the most "right"
> decisions that ultimately determine the winner.

The NASCAR analogy won't fit into radio contesting however. All the  
competitors in that sport are somewhere near the same skill level. I  
was able to enter my first contest along with some of the best  
competitors out there. I stunk. But I got better.

Note that you mention restrictor plates, designed to limit horsepower  
and acceleration via airflow restriction. I'm envisioning a future  
where in order to participate in contesting, everyone has to buy the  
same one or two radio models, use a prescribed antenna at a prescribed  
height, and I guess have a handicap system for their location. Yuck.


> Granted, this is professional motor sports, and there is lots of money
> at stake, but lets apply this to contesting.


Let's not please. I have no intention of helping turn radiosport into  
a miniature version of NASCAR.  We should all take a deep breath, and  
think about how this is a hobby, not all that serious, and relax a bit.

Other questions to throw into the mix:

If logs are to be open to the public, should one's radio be made  
available for public inspection? How do we honestly verify power levels?

Should the antenna system be verified? Should I resurrect my idea of  
the "poor station" category?

Should we provide a directory tree to verify that the computer in use  
doesn't have the dreaded software on it?

Admittedly these are a bit of slippery sloping - but just a bit.


>  By playing nice, we ALL win.  I see
> open logs as just one more way of playing nice, and everyone wins -
> even those who give up their "secret sauce".


The best secret sauce is to get on the air, and operate a lot. Become  
a better operator. Compete against and beat your last year's score.  
Spend less time looking at computer screens except for logging, and  
more time operating. You'll find yourself moving on up the charts.

--------------------------------------------

On a related note, even if the station callsign is munged, someone can  
ID the operator by comparing logs without a whole lot of problem.

Just match up two callsigns from two logs, and you've ID'd  the Ops  
logs right there.

So really, there are only two choices, completely open logs, or  
private logs.

-73 de Mike N3LI -