[VHFcontesting] To submit or not to submit

[Doug Allen]

For many decades starting in the 1950s I submitted my VHF (and HF) contest
results to the ARRL. I also reported my results on 3830 kHz back in the
days, and on the 3830 web site since then. For some 30 years, I often had
competitive, top 10, VHF (and HF) results as W2CRS, W0AH, and K4LY.
I'm now age 83, and for the past ten years, I've not had the energy,
motivation, and concentration to operate the necessary hours to be
competitive despite probably still having a competitive station.  More
troubling than that, for me, is the realization that I make more logging
mistakes than when I was younger.  I don't know how long the following
contest rule has existed-
*"Contacts with call sign errors ("Busted") or that are not found in the
corresponding log ("NIL") are removed from the log and an additional
scoring penalty of the QSO point value of that contact is assessed."*
I think the rule, and computer error checking, are fine, but they have
eliminated my submissions because I don't want others to be penalized by my
mistake of not logging them.  With 8 VHF+ bands, three modes, 3 chat pages,
2 computers, 2 rotators, and one failing briain (poor hearing, eyesight,
and memory), I  wish I were confident in my logging ability, but those days
are over, and so too, I guess, the submitting of contest results to the
ARRL.  I really appreciate the chance to submit my scores to the 3830 site
and see how others have done.
Doug K4LY EM85wb
Inman, SC