[SCCC] Fwd: [3830] 2000-20001 ARRL Contest Season

[Bruce Horn]

I will also post this important info about ARRL contest logs on the SCCC 
web site.

73 de Bruce, WA7BNM   (bhorn@hornucopia.com)

>From: "Henderson, Dan N1ND" <dhenderson@arrl.org>
>Subject: [3830] 2000-20001 ARRL Contest Season
>Date: Fri, 3 Nov 2000 09:38:40 -0500
>
>
>The 2000-2001 ARRL contest season kicks off this weekend with the 2000 ARRL
>November CW Sweepstakes. The 1999-2000 season was the best ever for the
>ARRL, as we processed a record number of entries - nearly 18,000 from our
>various contests. It's a good time to restate some important changes for
>submitting entries for ARRL Contests.
>
>As of this past Wednesday November 1, 2000, all electronically logged
>entries to ARRL Contests must be submitted to the ARRL Contest Branch in the
>Cabrillo file format. A paper printout of the file is not an acceptable
>substitute.  The latest versions of the commercial logging programs all will
>output the Cabrillo format file.  A complete Cabrillo file will include a
>header with the complete summary sheet information; and the log file, with
>the QSO data in the specified columns.  The complete Cabrillo specifications
>are found in the November 1999 issue of QST or may be found at
>www.kkn.net/~trey/cabrillo/. If you are running an older version of your
>logging program, you may want to contact them to get the most up-to-date
>version.
>
>Remember the new West Central Florida (WCF) section was added to the ARRL
>Field Organization in January 2000.  A total of 80 sections are required to
>make the "Clean Sweep" in the November Sweepstakes.
>
>A common question asked is "how do I mark dupes in the log file?"  The
>simple answer is "You don't."  The log checking process does not rely on the
>claimed score from your log.  After processing your log, it calculates your
>remaining valid QSOs and Multipliers to determine your final score.  All of
>the major commercial logging software packages already count any dupes in
>your log as zero point QSOs, so the log checking software does not penalize
>you for "unmarked dupes."  Handwritten paper log penalties remain the same.
>
>Another common question is "How do I mark off-time?"  Again, the simple
>answer is "You don't."  The log checking software will search your Cabrillo
>log file and calculate off-times.  Do not add off times into the Soapbox
>Section and do not edit them into your Cabrillo log data.  If we find a log
>with which we have a question regarding off times, we will contact the
>participant.
>
>Before you submit your Cabrillo log file entry, please verify that the
>summary sheet header section of the file includes all of the required
>information.  Do not assume that your software automatically includes
>everything you need in the header.  Over the past few weeks, I have been
>looking at the output files of the various programs and find some problems.
>For example, one of the commercial software packages allows you to select
>"Single Op Assisted" for the ARRL Ten Meter Contest, but there is no such
>category in the rules.  Another example is submitting as "Single Op
>Unlimited" or "Single Band Assisted" in the ARRL International DX Contest.
>Those are not valid entry categories for those contests. Multioperator
>stations may need to edit in the additional operator callsigns to the file.
>Please verify the information in the Cabrillo Header is correct before you
>submit the file to us.
>
>You only have to submit one file: the Cabrillo log file.  Please make
>certain that it is properly named before sending it to us.  Name it
><YOURCALL.TXT> (such as N1ND.txt).  Improperly named files are more easily
>overwritten or lost.  Imagine the problems we would have with a hundred
>files named "SSCW2000.txt.) Do not send .bin or .qdf files.  The Cabrillo
>format log file must be in ASCII format. Excel spreadsheets, Word or
>WordPerfect documents, or other such program files are not usable and may
>cause your entry to be classified as a checklog. And remember there is a
>unique e-mail address for each contest (found in each contest rules
>announcement in QST.)
>
>If you have any questions in regards to the ARRL Contest program or need
>information on log submissions, please contact me at n1nd@arrl.org or by
>phone at 860-594-0232.  Good luck to all of you in what promises to be an
>exciting contest season.
>
>
>Dan Henderson, N1ND
>ARRL Contest Branch Manager


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