Contesting Online Speak Out

Speak Out: Contest Databases

There can be no doubt that the use of Contest databases - both callsign (check partial) types and exchange types - is controversial. Detractors claim that they are nothing more than a crutch, promoting outright guessing and subsequent logging of questionable QSOs and many would like their use banned. Those on the "other side" claim, among things, that databases are a natural progression of computer logging, the use of which would be difficult to police and most flagrant abuse (guessing) would be quickly detected and punished in the log checking. What are your thoughts?

175 opinions on this subject. Enter your opinion at the bottom of this page.
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Opinions...

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Anonymous on 2004-07-31
I feel that everything that goes into your contest log should be WHAT YOU COPIED OFF THE AIR, and that crutches like callsign databases, SCP, cluster spots, and other automagic features of logging programs should be discontinued. Unfortunately the toothpaste is already out of the tube....

73, de Hans, K0HB

VE7GL on 2004-07-31
We use contest databases to help keep the error rate down and I feel no shame or discomfort in doing so. The hi-tech nature of contesting, be it DSP radios, computers, SO2R, multiple stack arrays, etc. is all part of the fun as far as I'm concerned. Even sail boat racing is computerized right down to the design of the sails and hull.

This is, after all, the 21st century. Time to get with it folks. One savings grace; I haven't found robots better than Gary VA7RR, Rade VA7OO, Nedo VA7AO...at least not yet...8-)

Dale - VE7GL
http://ve7gl.reboot.bc.ca
(A Ludite free zone)

k5tr on 2004-07-31
I have used SCP in the past and I have also used small databases of made up of contacts from my past ARRL sweepstakes logs for getting the check and section of the station. I use neither now. I found that the database caused me to have more errors and added more confusion to me than it was worth. Super check partial (SCP) is a diffrent matter - it is clear this can be a very useful tool - and as a reslut many top guys use it - I choose not to use it myself. I do contests because I like the challenge and I find that SCP takes some of that from me. So I do not use it even though it might help me figure out the calls of some of the weak guys calling. As far as recording contests - I have done it on and off but I have never used it to correct a log post contest. I have used it to look at the busted QSOs when I get my log checking report. It can be a useful learning tool to see just what happened during some QSO that gets dinged in the checking process. I am sure there might be a few that use it correct their logs after the event, I am also sure that the most accurate folks out there like K1ZZ, VA7RR and K4BAI are not doing this - they are just that good. I think a lot of the accuracy comes from being very consistant at asking for fills if they are not 100% sure of what they heard - asking for fills if there is any doubt.

N6RV on 2004-07-29
I operate the contests for fun not as if it is life or death. I have put a lot of effort, money and time into contesting nevertheless it is a hobby. I log what I hear. I submit what I log. I know that there are errors, just like every process that humans are involved in. So what? I think focusing on and rewarding operators who have flawless scores or who do not use certain software is driving people who otherwise would not care from the hobby. Make a determination whether or not the tool can be used. Incorporate it into the rules and move on. If someone violates the rules and you can detect it, it is then enforceable. If not then it is moot and you can expect that someone is violting the rule. We rely on the integrity of the individual.

Anonymous on 2004-07-23
The nerve has indeed been struck, troll.

VE4XT on 2004-07-21
If anonymous wants to accuse big-time contesters of cheating, he should have the guts to step out from behind the mask. Otherwise, he should stick to what he knows.

Big-time contesters get it right the first time. Since they all have lives outside contesting, none has the time to do the same contest twice.

You can get low error rates AND be honest. Looks like anonymous is just fishing for scapegoats to cover his own inadequacies.

Anonymous on 2004-07-17
Sure, and while you are at it outlaw computers and make every contest a stright key and paper event!

Anonymous on 2004-07-02
<krickets>

Must have hit a nerve, eh?

Anonymous on 2004-06-23
My personal opinion is the really big dogs listen to their recorded QSOs post-contest and check the logs before sending them in.

I have no proof of this except the extremely low busted QSO percentage over everyone else.

Of course, for the honest contester, computer logging and log checking has pretty much sucked all the fun out of contesting.

VE4XT on 2004-06-22
SCP is not intended to help people 'clean' their logs. A popular misconception is that penalties for busted Qs are license to post-contest scrub, and they're not. They're intended to encourage folk to get it right when it counts -- during the Q.

As for 'guessing,' if my nearest rival wants to guess his way to a lower score, ALL THE POWER TO HIM! SCP is just a tool, nothing more. And it's a poor craftsman who blames his tools.

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