[CQ-Contest] Best & worst scenarios - 3830 postings

[Mike Coslo]

Ron Notarius W3WN wrote:

  -----Original Message-----
 > From: cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com
 > [mailto:cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com]On Behalf Of David Robbins
 > K1TTT
 > Sent: Friday, September 05, 2008 4:34 PM
 > To: 'reflector cq-contest'
 > Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Best & worst scenarios - 3830 postings
 >
 >
 > I would rather have everyone post scores in real time... isn't that 
what I
 > said?  If everyone posted in real time then the 3830 debate would be moot
 > since all the scores would be collected automatically by the real time
 > scoreboard and you would know at the end of the contest who won (assuming
 > log checking doesn't shift order of finish of course).


> But (at least for the forseeable future) you won't get everyone to post
> scores in realtime.
> 
> Not everyone has or can get a high speed Internet connection.
> 
> For example, suppose I somehow glom onto a hunting cabin up in Volwinkle PA,
> the upper corner of Clarion County, near the border with Forest County?
> Very quiet from an RF standpoint.  But no dependable cell phone coverage.
> No Internet connections.  No telephone.  No packet network access on VHF.
> (And if you don't believe that places like this exist, talk with N3SBF &
> KB3GMN, because this is exactly where there cabin is located, and my club
> has operated in the Pa QSO Party from there).

Let us not forget that mobile operations are disqualified.

> How could I possibly participate in a real time scoring system?

Well, you could buy into satellite network access I suppose. I suppose 
the mobile station could come up with something also.

But there is one huge problem. I don't know about others, but I'm in 
this for the radio, not for some hotshot expensive remote internet 
access scheme. If I had to have real time net access, I suppose I'd just 
do something more radio oriented that weekend.

> Would you disqualify my log because the computer tells you that my home
> address has Internet, regardless of where I operated from?
> 
> Would I have to apply for an "exemption?"  And what if someone with a stick
> up his, er, ah, someone who's just plain doesn't care decides not to grant
> it to me?

What happens when during the middle of the contest, someone runs their 
car into a telephone pole, eliminating your internet access?

> Sorry.  We're just not ready for Universal "Real Time" Scoring yet.  IMHO,
> YMMV.

Ron, just as a example, imagine the reaction if I implemented a rule 
that would make remote operations, mobiles, county line stations, and 
rovers not eligible. I'd be lucky to come out of that one with my health 
intact! 8^)

If I were to ask for contesters to do one thing, it would be to vet 
their suggestions according to a formula.

Is my suggested change going to give me a competitive advantage over 
other Ops?

Is my suggested change going to disqualify other operators?

Is my suggested change practical?

Too many proposed changes solve one problem, and create a few more.

	- 73 de Mike N3LI -