[CQ-Contest] Use of SCP Data Encouraged

Mon Feb 3 15:39:19 EST 2020

With just a few domestic and DX contests under my bent ... let me share a few observations about using the Super Check Partial (SCP) file as an operating aid.

There is absolutely NOTHING wrong nor should anyone ever be ridiculed for using this valuable tool.  Not sure how long the SCP file has been available but it must be nearly three decades or longer and contesting has benefited.

The current file contains roughly 95% of all station calls who actively participate in HF contests.  It is amazingly comprehensive.  N1MM and N6TV scripts makes it very easy to keep up to date in popular logging systems.

I use the SCP file for two things:

First and foremost I use SCP supplied data to confirm that the call I've typed into the logger is valid.  I'm a terribly dyslectic typist and often screw up the order of letters, and in some cases even forget to log a call before entering the next.  Looking at that little two inch square box on the screen for every QSO provides a simple and important quality check on data entry.  When the call or some reasonably close variation does not appear in the Check Partial or N+1 boxes (a true 'unique') I am often prone to ask for a repeat of the call, even during periods of very high rate.  WHY you ask?  Because the penalties applied for incorrectly copying and then logging a bad call are in the major contests very severe (as they should be).  Getting the call right is the single most important data capture we all do in contests.  Other QSO data is certainly as important (State, Zone, Number, etc) but without logging a call accurately there is no possibility of getting credit for any contact.  SCP data is never 100% accurate, nor does it handle 'special calls' all that well, so vigilance when logging remains as important as ever.

Second I use the data displayed to 'guess' at what the call might be ... when dealing with QRM, QSB or QRN ridden signals.  Don't know about you but what I hear in my earphones is rarely free of some impediment which makes accurately capturing the data with a complete certainty possible.  I make such guesses 5 to 20 percent of the time depending on conditions.  I see nothing at all wrong with using the SCP information in this manner.  Again, log accuracy can and does make a big difference when scores are tallied and listed after adjudication by the contest sponsor.  The operator who has the log with the fewest errors and penalties will benefit and sometimes win.

Being some sort of 'purest' by refusing to make use of SCP data is to my way of thinking self-defeating.  Logging accurately improves your score and the score of everyone you contact.  There are other factors in play - call recognition being a major one of course, but I've found that as age creeps up on me the use of this tool has made contesting far more enjoyable (and accurate).  I encourage everyone to use SCP.   YMMV.

See you in the upcoming ARRLDX CW as P44W (yes the call is in the SCP file).

Regards,

John, W2GD/P40W

________________________________
From: CQ-Contest <cq-contest-bounces+w2gd=hotmail.com at contesting.com> on behalf of Mike Smith VE9AA <ve9aa at nbnet.nb.ca>
Sent: Monday, February 3, 2020 12:29 PM
To: cq-contest at contesting.com <cq-contest at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] [N1MM+] New Super Check Partial files available

I *usually* have SCP loaded, updated and ready to go….most of the time.

The truth?  I rarely rarely ever look at it.  I am not a touch typist or
quick on the mouse, so it’s of very little benefit to me.

( I didn’t say no benefit, mind you)

You wanna know the absolute hands-down, best SCP in existence? The gooey
stuff between your ears Joe.

I don’t know how many times I have typed a callsign missing one or even 2
letters and corrected/filled it in, on-the-fly and had it be correct 95% of
the time.

The trick?  No trick.  You have to get on the air and be very active.

This also works in reverse too…..people will recognize your call as well.

I don’t have time to be looking over at a little 1”x1” check box on a laptop
screen in the heat of the battle most times. Every once in a blue moon, if
things are slow and the QRN or QRM is wicked, I might go back to a guy who
I’ve only got ½ a callsign from and “guess” his callsign back to him to see
if its right or not.  Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn’t.  It’s not
magic and won’t populate your log (unless you let it…and then you risk
getting it wrong anyways if you don’t confirm the call)

Callsign recognition.  That’s your best SCP, bar none.

No charge.  Your welcome.

Mike VE9somebody or ‘nuther

Can anyone help me with these? Super Check Partials...

If needed we can discuss this off list.

I have in the past tried to use these SCP's and just don't get it. Or I'm

just not using them correctly?

Say I get a Partial call K9T

I know there's more, and I am offered 26 more to choose from. And that's

just it. By the time I look through 26 possibles,

I could have easily just sent K9? or 9T? etc. and got a repeat much faster

and then know for sure what the correct call actually is, vs taking a guess

from the 26 possibilities on what it "Might" be.

What am I missing or doing wrong?

Joe WB9SBD

Mike, Coreen & Corey

Keswick Ridge, NB

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