[UK-CONTEST] UBN errors

[Peter Burden]

As somebody comparatively new to modern contesting practice here's some
thoughts:-

1. If the two log entries don't match then neither operator should get any
credit. Anything else smacks of "star chambers" and "black balling" and
various more or less opaque ways of apportioning blame.

2. One off errors are still errors. Perhaps check digits should be
introduced into contest exchanges. [A use for the 'T' field perhaps?]

3. If a particular operator is giving a lot of duff reports then everybody
that works him suffers similarly, he, of
course, suffers severely and will quickly realise that something is
seriously wrong and, it is to be hoped, he will fix it equally quickly to
the benefit of all.

4. Before taking part in a contest an operator should check every aspect of
his station equipment for proper operation. It seems that such checks
should include the logging software. Of course checking software is very
different from checking power supplies, amplifiers and antenna SWR, this
doesn't mean it can't or shouldn't be checked. It is also a matter of
record that just because an item of software is widely used or from a well
known source it doesn't follow that it is free of faults.

5. Perhaps the HF contesters should join the skimmer and RBN outputs to the
keying, logging and station control computers, then we could all go down
the pub and leave the computers to get on with it.

Peter Burden, G3UBX