2012 CQ WPX CW Log Check Report

Summary 13.9% Score Reduction

Not In Log

Incorrect Call

Incorrect Exchange Information

Let's start with my score summary as I took a 13.9% (n = 376,208) score reduction as a result of not in log, incorrect call, and incorrect exchange information. I mentioned in my previous post there is cause and effect when the score is officially adjudicated.

Likewise, there is perspective, as I claimed (n = 1,588 Qs) and my final was (n = 1,506 Qs) or 2.9% of calls copied incorrectly (n = 46) and 2.0% incorrect exchange information (n = 32) with 0.3% not in the log (n = 4).

Subsequently, 376,208 points was subtracted from my claimed total of 2,699,166 points (2,699,166 - 2,322,958 = 376,208 point reduction).

The question I'm asking of my performance, "What is my root cause?"

There is a definitive pattern when reviewing incorrect callsigns and incorrect exchange information. If I were to scatter plot then a picture emerges that is the preponderance of evidence suggests missed dits and missed dahs of letters-to-numbers and numbers-to-numbers.

For example, SH8MU corrected to S58MU, SH0XX corrected to S50XX, or IH3EO corrected to S53EO, SH2ZW corrected to S52ZW, and SH9ABC corrected to S59ABC.

Examples of incorrectly copied numbers such as 228 corrected to 238 or 275 corrected to 285.

Root cause analysis suggests I am not hearing crucial dits/dahs and cannot be explained away as mistakes at the keyboard. The solution is carefully listen or ask for a repeat if there is any question about either callsign or exchange information.

What patterns are you seeing in your log check report?

Contest on!

Explaining RadioSport Log Check Report

Good Saturday morning from the #hamr shackadelic zone as rain moves across the central coast of California for the remainder of the weekend. Our local surf conditions are overhead and extremely choppy. Additionally, I'm hearing signals from Texas on 15m and Canada on 20m, while Cycle 24 numbers especially sunspot count suggest satisfactory to quiet conditions.

The RadioSport log check report (LCR) is my adjudicated score that is my official score after software verifies complete and accurate exchanges including the callsign of the station. The LCR is my performance report. I recommend familiarizing to the level of knowledgeable because there is a cause and effect relationship when a station is logged.

Not in log (NIL) results in one additional QSO removed from my log.

Incorrect call results in one additional QSO penalty.

Incorrect exchange information results in QSO removed from the log.

One very important skill is listening inside the cans and ensuring the callsign inside the entry window is correct. Additionally, verify exchange information for accuracy, as operators move from zone-to-zone, section-to-section or send a different name in an event like Sprint or North American QSO Party. The pre-fill information in the entry window may not reflect what is really communicated on-the-air.

My next posting will further explain the point penalty cause and effect relationship. I really, really need to focus on the one more or one less dit and/or dah both in the callsign and exchange information.

Contest on!   

The First List And Comments On LoTW

First List As Of 21 December 2012

Good afternoon from the shackadelic #hamr zone where I'm listening to PV8AA running rate during 2012 WPX CW earlier in the year. Currently, there is a swarm of stations on Paolo, PV8DX rate frequency, and he is efficiently executing our RadioSport adrenaline rush.

In the meantime, between my vicarious thrill of listening to Paolo, PV8DX an accomplished DXer and RadioSport operator at PV8AA; a significant load of LoTW credits were downloaded into my log. The Swains Island DXpedition confirmed on respective band slots in addition to 4O3A, D4C, and D3AA.

LoTW Queue Status As Of 21 December 2012

As of 21 December 2012 at 1301 UTC approximately (n = 26,301) individual logs are in the LoTW queue for processing then on 22 December 2012 at 0001 UTC approximately (n = 26,665) individual logs are awaiting processing with a 10 day, 14 hour, 40m, 16s backlog of credits yet processed.

I'm of the opinion that LoTW is one of the ARRL's signature programs because all of our awards are based on its credit system. First, it was explained to me that current system hardware will be replaced in the very near future, explanation accepted. Then, an initiative to reinvigorate open sourcing of Trusted QSL, in order to improve functionality and efficiency.

The last communication to membership from the ARRL was 11 December 2012 and 10 business days have elapsed since the severe disruption of credit processing. Where are status updates that quantify progress? Where are we in regards to the open source project? Has any hardware arrived and from whom is membership purchasing the hardware from?

Frankly, this is unacceptable, organizations thrive on two way communication channels with almost daily updates to all those concerned especially if one of your signature programs is failing spectacularly. I'm losing confidence in the credibility of the system because of the lack of information. My question is, "What is going on?"

73 from the shackadelic near the beach.      

From The W6SL DX Desk | Dummy Load

It’s time. It’s really way past time. Tuning up transmitters and amplifiers on the DX station’s frequency has got to stop. Although I truly believe that it’s callous rudeness and selfishness I’ll give the benefit of the doubt and say it could be lid behavior from those who don’t know how to work those fancy rigs with dual VFOs.

But probably not.

Thousands and thousands of dollars are spent on fancy rigs, amplifiers, antennas, towers, rotators, keyers, QSLing, etc. yet most hams are too cheap, yes too darn cheap, to spend a few bucks to build or buy a dummy load.

Over the years QST has published articles on easy-to-build dummy loads. In fact, QST recently published a dummy load project article in the February 2011 issue. Old Heathkit Cantenna dummy loads are often found at ham swap meets or advertised on internet sites such as in the classified section of QTH.com.

You can buy new dummy loads made by MFJ, Vectronics, Bird, and Yaesu. Palstar makes a high-quality dummy load that handles 2000 watts for a full minute, Alpha sells one that will take SIX KILOWATTS! DX Engineering handles most of these brands.

I know. I’m whistling Dixie and preaching to the choir. Most wouldn’t bother to use a dummy load if it were available for free. So what’s next?

There is a simple solution that doesn’t cost a cent: Have the IARU members establish load-up frequencies on each band where any ham can sit on a frequency as long as he/she wishes and load the big amps until their tubes glow white and burn out. It would take the sacrifice of one or two kilohertz per band, one KHz for CW, one KHz for the SSB portion. If you wanted to try a QSO on those frequencies you’d certainly be welcome but you would have to be aware that you could be clobbered with QRM. But it would get the QRM off the DX stations. Isn’t it worth that small sacrifice? Two kilohertz per band? 

It’s such an easy solution to a problem that has existed for so many years but one that seems to have become much worse in the last few years.

I did a lot of listening to the recent DXpeditions—Yemen, Swains, Mauritania, Lesotho, Campbell, Cambodia and others. Every two minutes or so the whole DXing world would have to standby while some selfish jerk would load up a big amplifier right on top of the DX station. And then we’d have to lose another minute while the frequency cops called the jerk all sorts of names from “lid” to tail-end-of-a-donkey. (That’s a euphemism, son.) By the end of that diatribe it would be time for another selfish jerk to come along and load up. Isn’t it time we made some effort to stop this craziness?

W6SL

To Endeavour

Endeavour

Engines

Scale of Endeavour

The conclusion of one more year is reaching its climax and requires reflection. The endeavor verb meaning is try hard to achieve something while its noun is an attempt to achieve a goal. I recently spent a weekend in Los Angeles visiting a few locations in addition to the California Science Center in Exposition Park. It was a remarkable experience brought to me by friends and family.

I was thunderstruck by the scale of shuttle Endeavour named after the British HMS Endeavour which took Captain James Cook on his first voyage of discovery according to Wikipedia.

Certainly, current events are weighing heavily on my mind, as I seek an understanding of my responsibility in this world. I thought of endeavor that is achieve and attempt to achieve a goal.

What are your ham radio goals for next year?

73 from the shackadelic near the beach.