[VHFcontesting] Logging Rovers vs the log checking robots

[Keith Morehouse]

Thanks Joel.

The problem we're having is one some Rovers are familiar with.  Stations
like me, who upload our contest logger (in my case N1MM+) .ADIF right into
LoTW, having all the Rover contacts as xxxx/R and the Rovers, many of which
do NOT get a separate LoTW certificate for the /R designation, having THEIR
LoTW entries without the /R.  Results ?  The contacts DO NOT appear to
match in LoTW and no confirmation happens.

I have heard through direct emails (remember VHF CONTESTING reflector
users, the default 'reply' is the original poster only, not the list) that
some (probably small) number of Rovers have applied and received a separate
LoTW certificate for xxxx/R and upload Rover logs using that certificate.
Results ?  Those QSOs would match what I have in my LoTW database.

The problem may be that it's not common knowledge that one NEEDS a separate
LoTW certificate for a Rover to cover the almost universal practice (I
think...) of logging those Rover calls as xxxx/R.  I never thought about it
until this week when a local Rover dropped what will be dozens of new
band/grids for me onto LoTW. . . .and NONE of them matched.

Jay W9RM
DM58 CO

Keith J Morehouse
Managing Partner
Calmesa Partners G.P.
Olathe, CO

On Thu, Jan 5, 2017 at 2:06 PM, Joel Harrison <w5zn at w5zn.org> wrote:

> An interesting question, Jay!
>
> I have no experience with any logging programs of recent years other than
> N1MM for contests and DX4Win for my every day logging. After a contest I
> do as you have noted below, export the N1MM file to an ADIF and then
> import it into my DX4Win station log. These work fine for rovers and
> "W9RM/R" is imported as a U.S. callsign with all the other info (grid,
> etc). So I have no issue here with those two logging programs. I just went
> and verified this with some rovers from the June contest.
>
> I can't speak for other logging programs but all good here with those two.
>
> 73 Joel W5ZN
>
>
>
> > I'm having a off-line discussion with a experienced Rover and a question
> > has come up...
> >
> > When I log a Rover (any Rover - as long as I know he's a Rover), it goes
> > into my log as xxxx/R.  This is how I've always done it and never had a
> > problem with log checking robots at ARRL or CQ.
> >
> > But, what would the log checking bot think if I didn't include the /R and
> > then worked the same Rover in various grids (entering the proper exchange
> > for each one, of course).  Would those QSOs get dinged or is the robot
> > 'smart' enough to know the call is (or could be) a Rover and is
> > permissible
> > as long as the grid mult is different.
> >
> > Funny thing is, a call like W9RM/R is not a valid USA callsign - it is
> > more
> > likely a call for the Russian Republic, and many general logging programs
> > insist on categorizing it that way.
> >
> > This question doesn't really have anything to do with submitting a
> contest
> > log.  It's what happens when you try to use the contest log .ADIF for
> > something else (like LoTW...).
> >
> > Jay W9RM
> > DM58 CO
> >
> > Keith J Morehouse
> > Managing Partner
> > Calmesa Partners G.P.
> > Olathe, CO
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> >
>
>
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