[VHFcontesting] distance scoring

[Sebastian]

So what happens when W4AS hears W4SO coming back (we are about 35  
miles apart)?  What do I tell him?  Sorry OM you are too close to me?   
Or do I ignore him since I don't want to lose points, so I'll QSY to  
search for someone who is further away?

Then you have the problem of how to accurately determine distance.   
You would have to call CQ with your call and grid square.  More  
congestion on the band IMHO.  Then you would need a map of grids  
handy, along with logging call signs & grids, now you have to go to  
the map and mark out those grids you already worked (unless software  
exists which does that for you already).

What happens if one of the stations in a 'long distance' grid you  
already worked, never submits a log?  Or gets your call wrong?  Do you  
then work another station in that grid just in case?  How many is  
enough, just in case?  How do you track that?

Another scenario:  I work a station in Rhode Island, a small state  
(with few grids I'm sure).  Another station from Rhode Island then  
calls me.  Do I work him, so he can then have a 'long distance'  
contact, or do I ignore him?

Think of the characteristics of 6 meters (which is the band I am most  
familiar with).   Most of the time, the band is open only to one or  
two different geographical locations.  So if the band is only open  
from Florida to New England, after I work all those grids - what do I  
do with the rest of the 23 hours of the contest?  Not a lot of fun.

I'm all for tweaking the rules (as I have mentioned before), but this  
type of change is just too much.  Let's keep it simple.

73 de W4AS
Sebastian

On Jun 20, 2008, at 9:37 AM, Gregg Seidl wrote:

> I'd LOVE to see distance scoring.Its the only way to make it "fair"  
> for
> those who live out in the sticks.I'm amazed at how many stations are  
> worked
> with smaller stations in high population areas.
>    I still won't win but it would at least attempt to even it out  
> some.
> Gregg  K9KL   www.k9kl.com