[UK-CONTEST] N1MM in UK

[Callum]

I'm a bit late here, however I'm an N1MM fan and will do anything I can to
help out. I use the WPX format when ever I can for the error checking, but I
must admit, I'd like the scoring to work for EUI / UK contests.

I was so daunted by the main N1MM support group, that I started (on the QT a
while ago) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/N1MMLoggerEU with the objective of
starting a "self-help group" for UK or EU stations. I've done nothing with
it as yet, perhaps this is an opportunity.

(By the way, I'll use any logging s/w that I'm dropped into at the club - or
at field days etc. but for my own station, I happen to like N1MM. I don't
want a "my logger is better than yours" because they all do a job.)

Kind regards,

C.


-----Original Message-----
From: G3SJJ [mailto:g3sjj at btinternet.com] 
Sent: 17 February 2006 22:32
Cc: uk-contest at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] N1MM in UK

Neil, you need to be sure you are differentiating between scoring and 
the ability to log incoming information.

Over the last 10 years I have used K8CC's NA, then Writelog and now N1MM 
for all RSGB Contests. It was always easy to put the .log file into 
Excel, run some checks and then sort it for scoring. With the Cabrillo 
standard now, there is no requirement to submit a claimed score and the 
logging program doesn't need this facility. Therefore, scoring during 
and after most RSGB HF Contests is unnecessary.

For example, in the 160m contests, no-one is really bothered whether a 
station is a new bonus. You want maximum number of contacts. Likewise in 
CW Field Day, all you need is a count of Band Qs to compare with your 
target. SSB FD, you want to now if it is a new DXCC country. Hopefully 
21/28 Contests will be re-vamped!

The main requirement really is for the program to be able to log an 
incoming exchange and this is the weakest area that I have experienced. 
Usually you can find another supported contest which is near enough.

I think you should resist calls for all or most contests RSGB Contests 
to be supported but concentrate on getting coverage for the most 
suitable ones. As you say, band maps and networking are the strong 
points of N1MM so strengthening the IOTA Contest module would probably 
be the first thing to look at, probably then Commonwealth Contest since 
there is a large non-G contingent who would probably want to use N1MM.

My feeling is that SD covers the smaller single-op events perfectly well 
so anyone wanting full scoring in those events are adequately catered for.

To summarise:
- add Commonwealth Contest (is the Jubilee module near enough?
- strengthen IOTA
- forget the rest

That way, you retain the goodwill of the N1MM support team.

Chris G3SJJ


G3RIR wrote:

>Hi,
>
>Many of us UK amateurs are using N1MM as the preferred contesting software
particularly where networking is concerned. However the interface to MMTTY
and the superb bandmap facility amongst many other features make it first
choice anyway.
>
>I have been discussing very briefly with the writers of the software
enabling some of the RSGB contests more specifically. 
>
>I find that it is possible to use the WPX variants for many RSGB HF
contests but it makes no attempt to score them correctly. A recent posting
suggested the use of DXSERIAL as the contest type to use for RSGB contests
but this allows an entry to be logged wthout an incoming serial number and
it is then rather cumbersome to add it later.
>
>VHFREG1 contest type works well for many VHF contests in the UK and Europe.
The main draw-back it has is that it deafults to S9 reports which is not the
norm for Eu VHF contests.
>
>The writers of the N1MM software will consider taking on board a few RSGB
contests but only with the following being taken into account.
>
>We already support quite a few, Neil, and our guy who does most of the
contest programming is stretched a bit thin these days (real job, advanced
degree studies, etc.).  As a result I have asked that when nominating a
contest for support, MM users should indicate how many entries the contest
received last year, when the next running will be, and provide a web site or
other source for up-to-date rules.  I have also asked that a person who
nominates a contest make himself available for thorough testing before the
module is released.  And finally, I have warned that support for a specific
contest cannot be guaranteed on any sort of timetable, because some
prioritization is necessary, both among N1MM developments and with the real
world.
>
>Given these considerations, we generally find it more satisfactory if the
person proposing a given contest is someone who has a direct, specific
interest in it.  Frankly, an effort to "beat the bushes" for UK contests is
likely to result in some disappointments.  If you want to put this around to
the UK community, though, and make it clear that we're open to proposals
with these conditions understood, that's fine.
>
>73, Pete 
>
>So UK contesters let me have your thoughts about RSGB contests and I'll
collate them and pass them on to Pete.
>
>Neil, G3RIR
>
>
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>
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