[CQ-Contest] Sweepstakes -Automatic Fill - 93 or 67

[Ron Notarius W3WN]

Well, it's very simple.

You copy and log what is sent, not what the computer says was done in years
past.  Failure to do so at your own (score's) peril.

The check is supposed to be the year the operator (or club station if using
a club call) was first licensed, to the best of one's ability to determine.
We've had many an argument on this reflector, over the years, over how
accurate the check actually is.  

Regardless, however, this should now make it very clear that what's
important is not so much the actual number sent (although, IMHO, you should
send an accurate one, not a made up one just to fool the computer users...
YMMV VWPBL(STn)), but that whatever number is sent is COPIED correctly.

And remember... we have only 3 more sets of Sweepstakes (2009 2020 & 2011)
before the checks lap, since 1912 marks the 100th anniversary of the first
actual government amateur radio licenses in the US... 

73

-----Original Message-----
From: cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Stan Stockton
Sent: Wednesday, April 08, 2009 2:02 PM
To: cq-contest at contesting.com
Subject: [CQ-Contest] Sweepstakes -Automatic Fill - 93 or 67

Looking at the log checking reports, I was surprised at the number of 
stations who apparently fill in the exchange information from a previous 
year's database.

My son used my call in 2007 and his check is 93.  In 2008 I operated 
with a check of 67.

There were 22 instances in 2008 where received logs did not make a 
correction, had the check listed as 93, they lost the QSO and perhaps, 
for some, a mulitplier.  I would assume there were perhaps hundreds who 
made the correction from 93 to 67.

There were other instances where it was somewhat close to 93 (not even 
close to 67) and the log checking report from the previous year shows 
the check was miscopied in 2007, and then the incorrect information was 
used for 2008 and the contact would have been lost even if Kevin had 
operated instead of me.

There may be some advantage in using the fill but something that you 
would really need to watch in order for it to not hurt you more than it 
helps.  For those who choose to use it, it would be good to go to the 
log checking report and correct any errors in your log so it will be the 
best it can be for the next time.

Stan, K5GO 

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