[CQ-Contest] On Distance Scoring

[Jimk8mr at aol.com]

1. There is certainly a lot of inequity in the current 1-2-3  point,  
continent based scoring system. 
 
2. Integer QSO point values made sense in the days of paper logs. Today  
there is no reason to require QSO points to be integer values.
 
3. QSO points for DX QSOs should be awarded in the form of   QSO  Points =  
1 + ( D / K )
 
Where D is the distance between stations, and K = a constant to yield the  
desired QSO point difference between close and distant stations.
 
4. Zero points for QSOs within the same country in DX contests is  still 
OK. For WPX, not.
 
5.  D may be the distance between zones; between countries (or  
states/regions in large countries); between each station if precise  locations are 
known. In practice, it's a tradeoff between precision and  practicality.
 
6. K may be different for different bands. For example, a smaller number on 
 the low bands to yield higher point values for long distance  QSOs.
 
7.  For distances in miles, I'd suggest K = 3000 on the high bands. So  a 
QSO to the antipodes would be a hair over five points.  A QSO from EA9 to  
ZB2 would be worth 1.01  points (or whatever the exact distance  yields) if 
country data is used.  
 
8. On 80 or 160, K = 1000 to 2000 sounds good.
 
9. Such a scoring system would not need to replace the current 1-2-3  
system. Just use it to provide a second set of scores. For now, I assume such  
scores would be reported only on the web, not in print magazines.
 
10.  Sponsored plaques or other awards for distance based winners  welcome.
 
 
 
73   -    Jim   K8MR