[CQ-Contest] "It's just to save on typing"

[Ria Jairam]

Some people might get upset by this, but I'll say it anyway:

Common sense would dictate that the idea of a contest is to measure
who can put most of what they work on the air into the log, in a
nutshell. Multipliers are part of this and a measure of how far and
wide you make contacts.

The idea that you can take info from external off-air sources
(crowdsourced from other hams), put that in your log and claim points
for it seems counter to this. If you can't properly copy someone, then
it shouldn't go in your log. That's the way I see it. Work to copy
them better next time by improving your station or operating
technique.

The words, "arrange, solicit or confirm" contacts by non amateur means
comes to mind. Is it OK to use buckmaster or QRZ CD-ROM to look up
things like grid squares during a contest? How is that different from
using their Internet services? It's the same database. How is that
different from another database of callsigns?

Some people do not send me 599 during a contest. They may send 559,
579, or another signal report. I log what I hear, even if the contest
sponsors don't check. They may send a different zone or other number.
I try to correct them ON AIR but if they insist, I just log what I am
sent. If I lose points, so be it. I am supposed to log what I hear.

I was joking when I said I change it up to keep people on their toes,
but maybe I should (and maybe others should). I was licensed in 1997
but I have other amateur licenses I obtained in 2001 and 2006. Maybe I
should use one of those dates instead. :)

One ham told me he doesn't like WPX and how it's a "stupid" contest
because you have to copy serial numbers instead of a static exchange.
To that I said - bring it on. I like those kinds of contests as you
can tell how people are doing AND you have to copy the other person
rather than let the software fill it for you.

I don't expect to change any minds from this, mind you. Just hoping we
can take a better look at how we play the game to keep true to
fairness and operating ethics.

73
Ria, N2RJ


On Fri, Oct 20, 2017 at 8:23 AM,  <jamesdavidcain at gmail.com> wrote:
> Lessee, now. This discussion began concerning the ARRL Sweepstakes
> contest(s).
>
> Seems to me that a legitimate entry must follow the rules for the exchange,
> and those rules are specific. I don't see where any of the exchange elements
> can be fudged, or "negotiated."
>
> If you don't plan to submit your SS log you can fudge anything you want --
> except your call sign. But that's not playing fair.
>
> K1TN
>
>
> 4.1. A consecutive serial number;
>
> 4.2. Precedence;
>
> 4.2.1. "Q" for Single Op QRP (5 Watts output or less);
>
> 4.2.2. "A" for Single Op Low Power (up to 150 W output);
>
> 4.2.3. "B" for Single Op High Power (greater than 150 W output);
>
> 4.2.4. "U" for Single Op Unlimited Single-Op Unlimited High Power and
> Single-Op Unlimited Low Power both send "U")
>
> 4.2.5. "M" for Multi-Op (Multiop High Power and Multiop Low Power both send
> "M")
>
> 4.2.6. "S" for School Club;
>
> 4.3. Your Callsign (remember that you must include your call sign during the
> exchange)
>
> 4.4. Check
>
> 4.4.1. The last 2 digits of the year of first license for either the
> operator or the station.
>
> 4.4.2. An entry must send the same Check throughout the entire contest.
>
> 4.5. ARRL/RAC Section (click here for the official list
> <http://www.arrl.org/contest-sections-list> )
>
>
>
> -----------
>
> I've been meaning to change things up anyway, just to keep them on their
> toes.
>
> 73
> Ria, N2RJ
> On Thu, Oct 19, 2017 at 4:31 PM Art Boyars <artboyars at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> When I saw the post about Call History Files for SS, and then saw the post
>> for the site where you can get them, I was tempted to put in some bogus
>> data -- change CK 60 to CK 69; change name Art to name Ari.  But I'm not
>> quite that cranky.  Yet.
>>
>> 73, Art K3KU
>>
>> On Fri, Sep 1, 2017 at 12:48 AM, Radio K0HB <kzerohb at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> > Where possible, I routinely "update" my exchange from the last contest,
>> > just to confound those who use "pre-loaded" data file crutches.
>> >
>> > 73, de Hans, K0HB
>> >
>> >
>> > -----Original Message----- From: Art Boyars
>> > Sent: Thursday, August 31, 2017 9:01 PM
>> > To: CQ-Contest Reflector
>> > Subject: [CQ-Contest] "It's just to save on typing"
>> >
>> > E-mail chatting with N4ZR, who has relocated from WV to MD.  Pete muses
>> > that a lot of people who rely on SCP or Call History (or whatever it is)
>> > "to save on typing" will bust the QSO by logging him as WV.
>> >
>> > I can see it now -- a cry for making the data files official; perhaps
>> > prohibiting people from relocating or using a different name.
>> >
>> > "All participants must register in the official Call History File.  Your
>> > log must contain the data as reported in that File.  Scoring will be in
>> > accordance with that File."
>> >
>> > Just think of all the typing we'll save!
>> >
>> > 73, Art K3KU
>> > who hopes you took this in fun (sort of)
>> > _______________________________________________
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>> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
>> >
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