[CQ-Contest] When it's over, it's over (again)

[Art Boyars]

We all agree that we're not allowed to manipulate the log after the
Contest... "except for obvious typos," some say.  I've always disagreed
with that -- part of the job is to get the received info correctly into the
log.

Just to show that I actually hold by this, I just sent in my SS CW log.  To
relive the fun of the contest, I reviewed the Cabrillo log.  (Oh, how I
miss the info-laden paper logs, with each multiplier marked and with the
scratch-out corrections as visual reminders of the details of each QSO.)

In the Cabrillo log I noticed that one QSO with a QRP station shows
received NR 3316.  Well, sometimes I bang on the keyboard too hard and I
get an accidental double character.  "Obviously," that's a typo I could
correct to NR 316.  But I didn't.  One busted QSO.

In another QSO, I noticed that I logged N44LF.  Gee, I don't remember
working any N44's, but I do remember that N4LF was all over the place.
"Obviously," another accidental double character from hitting the keyboard
too hard.  And I didn't correct this one, either.  That's a busted QSO and
a penalty for busted call sign.

So, my score will suffer a little. Every year my bad typing costs me points
(and this year I used a new keyboard with unfamiliar software -- double
trouble).  But I feel good about my attitude and my behavior.

And I hope I'll act the same if I'm ever in first place (fat chance) by a
couple of QSOs.  Quoting my son, again: "If you don't use your conscience
regularly, it won't work when you need it."

Learning that, and applying it, is one of the values of contesting.

73, Art K3KU