[UK-CONTEST] Start & End Times

[Paul O'Kane]

On 07/06/2012 17:44, Chris G4FZN wrote:

<snip>

> There's no argument that a QSO must be completed in terms of the "over the
> air" exchanges before the end time -

The QSO must be completed before the end time.
There is no need to qualify the word "completed".


> but for some it may be a few seconds
> later when the QSO has been entered onto a pc and the final "return" key
> pressed - which is when the entry is time stamped (it is in Minos anyway).

Whether the time stamp includes seconds, or just
minutes, makes no difference.  When, for whatever
reason, the time recorded for a QSO is later than
the end time, the QSO is rejected - and it's the
entrant's problem, regardless of how or why it happened.

This applies equally to time stamps that are simply
wrong, or those rounded, by the logging software,
to the nearest minute.

> I think that is where a degree of confusion is creeping in.

Is there any lingering confusion?  :-)



Now, and with regard to Bob G8WHN's later post

 >  and we tend to do things differently than on HF

Is this intended to imply that, on VHF/UHF, words
in rules have different meanings?  It seems to me
that end times are independent of frequency.

Or could it be that VHF/UHF contesters are disadvantaged
in some way, or need concessions that HF contesters
take in their stride?  Is QSB and noise something
that happens only on VHF/UHF?

<snip>

 > that was 2006, six years ago. Maybe it needs
 > re-affirming.

Why?  Do we really need a new definition of the term
"end time", or do the VHF/UHF contesters want contests
to continue for some time after the "end time"?   And
if so, how much time is enough?  And if someone else
needs more time than you, is that fair?  Should the
extra time be mode-dependent, or just operator-ability
dependent?  Should low power entrants get more time?
Should entrants in geographically-challenged areas get
more time?  Should pensioners get more time?

It seems to me that any contest, regardless of frequency,
is over at the end time, or perhaps I'm the one that's
confused?  :-)

73,
Paul EI5DI













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73,
Paul EI5DI