[UK-CONTEST] What's the point?

[Ken]

Today it's only one small step from "checking" for "typos" to running 
programs to search for QSO's made on different bands in the same 
contest, previous logs, databases,  QRZ.com etc. This may give a good 
idea whether a callsign has been entered correctly or has been misread 
or mis-typed, this particularly applies to 'uniques'.

The same applies to checking & correcting locators in RSGB VHF contests 
especially when scores claimed by others can be examined. Making changes 
to an entry should not be permitted once it has been submitted as they 
can at present.

Since meaningful signal reports on HF have been abandoned for universal 
59(9')'s the only part of may contest exchanges that (probably) can't be 
checked post contest is the serial number and even this doesn't apply to 
CQWW or ARRL DX contests when serial numbers aren't exchanged.

This is despite RSGB VHF (but not HF?) ruleswhich state that "All 
information must be copied off air at the time of the QSO and on the 
band in use and databases must not be used to fill in missing 
information and for CQWW " Post-contest correcting of call signs by 
using any database, recordings or confirming QSO's is not allowed", how 
the adjudicators of contests know that these (and other) rules are 
adhered to is a mystery to me.

So what's the point of adjudicating on the basis of callsigns (& 
locators) when in many cases it's possible check & correct these after 
the contest? A log with few or no errors in all probability has been 
subject to some level of post contest checking whatever the rules say.

Anti-contesters might just say what's the point?

73...

Ken

G3LVp



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Bob, the actual contest, ie exchanging QSOs, might be over but it is intelligent amd mncessary to chcek through the log to corerct ant tyopos, as you
can see by this incirrected email. Back in the days of paper logs we positevly encouraged entrants to rewrite their logs top amke sure they doidn't
lose points uncesarily. Paper and pencil have ben replaced by a keyborad and it is wrong to assume taht someone who was adept and writing are equally
adept at typing.

I will continue to put my contest log ointo Excel when convenient and to do various sorst and cahecks. I am sure you wouldn't expaect me to always
send emnails or write reporst etc like this one?

73 Chris G3sjj