[CQ-Contest] Log checking and deadlines

[Ron Notarius W3WN]

Ah, but that is one of the problems Tom.

Cabrillo is A standard.  But not THE standard.

I seem to recall a lot of shouting when Cabrillo was announced, developed,
and finally introduced... and even improved.  As I recall, there were a lot
of tempers flaring over the mere insinuation that Cabrillo was part of some
vast plot by the ARRL to somehow "take over" control of the contest
community... and so on and so forth ad infinitum ad nauseum.

So what's the solution?  I'm not certain.  Undoubtably, some contests will
eventually choose to adopt one primary "standard" format, but allow some
"secondary" alternate ones... be it a format like ADIF, or a database
structure like an SQL or Access or dBase file, or a "standard" layout like a
spreadsheet format.  Whatever, so long as the contest committee is
comfortable with file formats that their log checkers and log checking
software can deal with.

And, BTW, how will you handle paper logs?

If a particular contest does make an adaptation like this... and then
someone sends in a non-compliant log, knowing well in advance (of course)
what the rules or penalities are... well, I can see the day come where a
major contest says "use format X, Y, or Z, or there will be a 5% point
deduction for log conversion"  And who'd want to lose a contest because they
were penalized for sending in a non-compliant log, and the penalty made the
difference?  (I'm not saying I'd neccesarily agree with this, mind you, but
I can see the day coming)

73

-----Original Message-----
From: cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com]On Behalf Of Tom Haavisto
Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2009 6:43 PM
To: Michael Coslo
Cc: CQ-Contest at contesting. com
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Log checking and deadlines

< snip >
However, I do take issue with having everyone use the same logging
software.  We do have a standard format called Cabrillo, and everyone
is expected to follow that format.  In some cases, the contest sponsor
specifies the formatting of the file they expect.  If submitted logs
that don't match that standard are rejected, I expect in very short
order the situation would get a whole lot better.  OR - send the
person an email indicating their logs cannot be processed due to
non-compliant formatting.  Make them fix the problem, chase the
author(s) in question, or switch to complaint software.  They will get
the message in short order of what is expected!

Tom - VE3CX