[CQ-Contest] ARRL DX "Leveling, Handicapping, Equalizing"

[Hank Greeb]

Shucky durn, the best way to level the playing field is to add up all 
the scores, divide by the number of entries, and then figure a handicap 
so that everyone comes out with the exactly same score.

I think that's how handicapping is supposed to work.

73 de n8xx Hg

On 7/2/2011 3:00 PM, Stan Stockton <k5go at cox.net> wrote:
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Sat, 2 Jul 2011 07:27:25 -0500
> From: Stan Stockton<k5go at cox.net>
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] ARRL DX "Leveling, Handicapping, Equalizing"
> To: Tom W8JI<w8ji at w8ji.com>
> Cc: "<w1md at cfl.rr.com>"<w1md at cfl.rr.com>,
> 	"<cq-contest at contesting.com>"<cq-contest at contesting.com>
> Message-ID:<40694398-45FD-4D7D-9DD5-393488F07296 at cox.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain;	charset=us-ascii;	format=flowed;	delsp=yes
>
> Final thoughts/Summary...
>
> Distance and path both impact one station's ability versus another in working a target country.
>
> The distance may be the same between two stations and that target yet one station has a huge advantage over another because of the path.
>
> One station may be closer than another to the target yet the farther station has station has a great advantage.
>
> In other cases the one closer one has the advantage over another station who is closer to the target.
>
> And there are a lot of variables including, but not limited to, the band and other propagational factors.
>
> I think everyone agrees there are certain areas, perhaps even all areas, which are overall disadvantaged relative to an area in the far Northeast, given that the vast majority of the contacts are made between US/VE and Europe.
>
> The US and Canada combined is a big area, and it may not be possible to level anything to any extent in an objective way to allow someone in Missouri or Iowa or California, for example, to compete with a VY2  or a W1 in a way that everyone could accept as fair.
>
> The goals would be to stimulate competition, allow more to be excited about the competition and to recognize outstanding efforts by those who might not be located in a geographical area that would allow them to receive that recognition with the current scoring and results reporting.
>
> I think I am good so far, and that's exactly where I will end.
>
> 73...Stan, K5GO