[WriteLog] Yet another SS CW prefill file

[Gary AL9A]

I always caution users of a prefill file to verify the accuracy of each 
prefill element from what is heard over the air before logging the contact. 
I think the PREC field has the greatest potential for error as any given 
call sign may often operate in a different category than the previous 
year(s).

Since the CK field is supposed to be the year FIRST licensed I do not 
understand why this information would "need adjustment" from year to year. 
The rules do not say the CK is the year you were issued your current 
license, it is the year first licensed regardless of what that call sign was 
then.  Of course SECT is another field that can change significantly from 
year to year as people often move or operate portable from some other 
section than in previous years.  Or, live in Ontario!

73,
Gary AL9A

-----Original Message----- 
From: Radio K0HB
Sent: October 31, 2013 7:00 PM
To: Steve Dyer
Cc: writelog at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [WriteLog] Yet another SS CW prefill file

Steve,




Just one data point in support of Randy.



I have found that my "CK" report sometimes needs adjustment year-to-year.




Then that years UBN report of "others copying error" shows an inordinate 
number of cases where the operater was caught in a time warp and copied my 
last years "CK" as it was before the adjustment.




73, de Hans, K0hb

On Thu, Oct 31, 2013 at 9:51 PM, Steve Dyer <w1srd at yahoo.com> wrote:

> Randy,
> Sounds good (sic), but any data to support your hypothesis?
> 73,
> Steve
> W1SRD
>> Advice to anyone that wants to have maximum accuracy in their log.  Do 
>> not use a prefill database. Listen to what is sent and log it.
>>
>> I know this sounds flip, but the prefill tends to lull users into not 
>> listening as well as they could.  Especially in SS where any of the 3 
>> fixed exchange elements could change from a previous year!
>>
>> Randy, K5ZD
>>
>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: WriteLog [mailto:writelog-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of 
>>> Gary
>>> AL9A
>>> Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2013 7:52 PM
>>> To: WriteLog Reflector
>>> Subject: [WriteLog] Yet another SS CW prefill file
>>>
>>> I just picked up a lead this afternoon from another reflector about a
>>> prefill adi file for SS CW that is maintained by the PVRC North Carolina
>>> chapter.  Apparently this file is a compilation of multiple years worth
>>> of ARRL SS results history that contains both CW and SSB history.  This
>>> file contains 8,624 calls in the file, significantly larger than my adi
>>> prefill file of 1,291 calls which is based on only CW calls from the 
>>> 2012
>>> contest.
>>>
>>> There is a caveat about the accuracy of this history file, so be aware
>>> that while you may get more “hits” with this file there is a higher
>>> probability that some of the data may be outdated and you will have to
>>> carefully verify what the station is sending this year and edit any
>>> fields that may be in error.  Also, due to “conflicting issues”, the 
>>> PVRC
>>> data is only through the 2011 contest season and doesn’t contain any
>>> history from 2012.  And no, I don’t have the time to try and merge my
>>> 2012 file with the PVRC file to add the missing 2012 info!
>>>
>>> I have downloaded the file and played with it a bit and it does work.
>>> There are three different versions of the prefill file on the web site –
>>> WriteLog, NIMM and TR/TR4W.  Be sure to select the correct file.  I will
>>> probably try running with this file in the contest.  If it proves too
>>> troublesome due to data accuracy issues I will switch back to my 2012
>>> history file and just get the missing ones off the air.
>>>
>>> http://pvrcnc.org/
>>>
>>> 73,
>>> Gary AL9A
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