[SEDXC] Counting "Off Times" in Contests

[John Laney]

I am forwarding this to the DX and Contest reflectors because it 
contains an easy to understand explanation of how to compute off times 
in contests.  If you follow this, you will be safe.  If you accept what 
your computer tells you, you may be one minute short of the minimum off 
time and won't be able to subtract that from your maximum operating time 
in a given contest.  73, John, K4BAI.



It is important to note that "60 minutes" means (as far as I know) 60 
consecutive "empty" clock minutes during which no QSO was logged. 
(Seconds are not considered - again, as far as I know.)

This is a valid 60-minute off time in a log:
1358 QSO
1359 QSO
     first empty minute at 1400
     last empty minute at 1459
1500 QSO
1501 QSO

This is NOT a valid 60-minute off time in a log:
1358 QSO
1359 QSO
     first empty minute at 1400
     last empty minute at 1458
1459 QSO
1500 QSO

There must be 60 consecutive "empty" minutes. The "time B minus time A" 
gap of 1459 - 1359 = 60 does not meet the 60-minute test because only 59 
consecutive minutes are actually "empty" - the last "empty" minute is 
1458, not 1459.

Leaving a gap of 60 "empty" minutes is always the safest way to be sure 
one is in compliance with off-time minimum-break rules since the exact 
requirement is rarely stated exactly, nor are the consequences of a 
violation spelled out.  Be safe and don't lose a big chunk of your log 
because you were one minute too hasty!

If this is incorrect, please educate me, contest sponsors.

73, Ward N0AX
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