[VHFcontesting] Answers to Questions on Distance Based Scoring

[James Duffey]

Glen - You wrote:

"1. Is someone writing a distance based scoring proposal to present to  
the VUAC? IMO, the VUAC members themselves do not seem inclined to  
push this. I think they would need a proposal in the form of a  
proposed set of new rules to get this moving."

I, and I am sure others have suggested this to our ARRL directors, to  
members of the VUAC and to others concerned with contesting at ARRL. I  
do not think the problem is lack of a sound proposal.

"2. Since the motivation for distance based scoring presented here, is  
to "solve" the Grid Circling "problem", why do you think that distance  
scoring is going to change that? "

My motivation for the distance based scoring is to provide diversity  
to the VHF/UHF contesting community. Currently all the contests are  
the same. That distance based scoring discourages grid circling is, I  
suppose, a benefit, not the motivation.
There are no multipliers in distance scoring, so grids are only  
important to determine the distance worked. Multipliers are the key to  
grid circling, they multiply quickly; multipliers on one band multiply  
QSOs on other bands. SO scores skyrocket easily. Wiht distance based  
scoring there is no multiplying, scores add, contacts made on one band  
add to the QSOs on other bands, there is no multiplication. Giving 100  
points for each initial contact encourages contacts with many  
different stations. Stations with many QSOs with the same station,  
like grid circlers, don't get the 100 points for unique stations, so  
scores grow more slowly.  The minimum distance requirement also deters  
grid circling, as does the requirement to move a minimum distance  
before the same station is worked again.

It is good to think about these things. - Duffey

--
KK6MC
James Duffey
Cedar Crest NM