[RTTY] "not in log" contacts

[John Barber]

Maybe it is worth an explanation of how these "not in log" contacts get
excluded (many incorrectly) from a contest log.

The procedure for the contest manager (much simplified) is:

1) All received logs are used to create a master call file and a cross
check file.
2) The logs are then checked for bad contacts, uniques etc. using the
master call and cross check files.

Now the important bit. If any log which has been used to create the
cross check file has a big problem, many or all of that station's
contacts will be bounced from everyone's logs.

The solution is simple. The log checker prints out a provisional contest
summary and looks for any entries which have a big discrepancy in
claimed and valid QSO numbers. If a log shows 1000 QSOs and only 250 are
valid then it is pretty obvious that there is a problem. Two actions are
then essential:

1) Most important. A new cross check file is created from all the logs
except the bad ones. This is used to recheck and score all the logs.
Result .. none of the innocent stations lose any points.

2) The problem log is checked to see what has gone wrong. Most common
reasons that I see are either missing suffix on the callsign ( AB1C
sends in a log but forgets that he worked the entire contest as AB1C/6),
or stations sending in a correct format log but for the wrong contest.

This situation has occured  in every BARTG contest that I have checked.
There are always a few problems which need solving but there is no
reason why the majority should be penalised for a simple error by one
station. Don't be too hard on the contest manager though ... if all the
entries were right in the first place these things would never happen!

Cheers

John GW4SKA
BARTG Contest Manager