Suggestions from the QSO Party Manager

[kz3t]

Please read the following just for information purposes:

Suggestions from the QSO Party Manager

Well, since taking over as QSO Party Manager last year I sure have learned a lot about scoring the QSO Parties. It is not that hard, just time consuming, so during those times please bear with me if I don’t answer your questions quite as fast as I would like to. I do appreciate all the participation everyone has shown in entering these QSO Parties. As the band conditions improve I suspect that participation will at least double. Most logs that I receive are no problem to work, however, there are a few where I have to align things up. Normally this is not a problem but when I get a log that has several hundred contacts it becomes very time consuming. I do have to make sure the electronic logs are aligned just to make things easier for me to go through the logs otherwise it takes me 2 to 3 times as long to go through a log. What I mean about align is mainly the columns. It would be nice if the columns all line up nicely throughout the log. There are a few other items I would like to mention. When submitting your logs please ensure the following:

1. Ensure that logs have the points listed. For example:
Contacts w/10-10# _______ X 2 = ___________
Contacts w/o 10-10# _______ X 1 = ___________
Total Ctx ______________ Total Pts ___________

2. Check your logging programs regularly for updates. N3FJP’s 10-10 Contest Program has been updated to include necessary data that is needed on log submissions. His updated version is 2.5

3. Ensure that all the blocks on QSO Party Coversheets or computer printouts are checked or included. Things such as Individual, QRP or Club, etc. I had one application that should have been a QRP but I don’t know that if it is not checked whether Individual or QRP or Club.

4. I can accept most all formats, however, one format that I cannot is the ADIF format. Most programs can convert that to a .txt or .log format that I can accept.

That is it folks. Not a lot of problems at all but when dealing with over two or three hundred logs it could be. Also, it is very hard to confirm logs if/when I have a question about them for those that are sent via snail mail if that person does not have email. Send your logs via email if possible. I do prefer that method and it sure is a lot cheaper than having to spend money on postage. Oh, and I am not beyond making some mistakes here and there and I have so bear with me when I do. I will correct them as soon as I can. I will send out messages periodically via email to the Ten-Ten Forum, the TenMeters Group and the new Ten-Ten list service of all logs I receive. If you don’t see your call on there, please let me know unless you sent it via snail mail since that may take a day or two longer. Thanks again to everyone who has participated in the past 10-10 QSO Parties and look forward to many more entering in the future.

Dan Morris KZ3T 10-10 QSO Party Manager