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| The KL8DX Classroom |
I recently received an email from Randy, K5ZD outlining my Log Checking Report (LCR) for the 2012 CQ World Wide DX CW Conest. Logs are public and participants are alerted to their log becoming available. A few feel that revealing of the contest logs should not happen as it would possible give up strategic information, etc. Me on the other hand, it's my Report Card and grades how well I did in the contest. I welcome these reports with open arms and I sure use them to my benefit. I learn from them and then try to fix my problem areas.
My shack is my classroom when it comes to operating. I'm always learning. It could be about propagation, strategy, space weather, greyline or simply how my equipment plays under certain conditions. I also learn from others without leaving my chair. As mentioned in my previous blog, via email or simply just tuning and listening to other operators on the air. I learn what and what not to do this way.
Anyhow, if I had to grade my operating from the CQ WW CW Contest, I would grade myself at a C+ level. This is simply because my 3.8% error reduction. Had I not lost a multiplier, I would of graded myself at a B-, I think. Let's take a look at the breakout -
************************** Summary ***************************
1881 Claimed QSO before checking (does not include duplicates)
1862 Final QSO after checking reductions
4186 Claimed QSO points
4046 Final QSO points
129 Claimed countries
128 Final countries
69 Claimed zones
69 Final zones
198 Claimed mults
197 Final mults
828828 Claimed score
797062 Final score
3.8% Score reduction
8 (0.4%) calls copied incorrectly
7 (0.4%) exchanges copied incorrectly
0 (0.0%) band change violations
4 (0.2%) not in log
15 (0.8%) duplicates (Removed without penalty)
3 (0.2%) calls unique to this log only (not removed)
********************** Results By Band ***********************
Band QSO QPts Zone Cty Mult
Claimed 160M 0 0 0 0 0
Final 160M 0 0 0 0 0
Claimed 80M 11 23 5 5 10
Final 80M 11 23 5 5 10
Claimed 40M 30 76 8 8 16
Final 40M 30 76 8 8 16
Claimed 20M 728 1731 19 58 77
Final 20M 720 1657 19 58 77
Claimed 15M 913 1896 19 38 57
Final 15M 905 1852 19 37 56
Claimed 10M 199 460 18 20 38
Final 10M 196 438 18 20 38
Claimed All 1881 4186 69 129 198 Score 828828
Final All 1862 4046 69 128 197 Score 797062
When I looked a bit closer as to the reason why, it was simply my copy. In looking at it from another angle, my lack of copying. Let's take a look -********************* Incorrectly copied *********************14053 CW 2012-11-24 0247 KL8DX 1 PS1T 11 correct PS2T 14027 CW 2012-11-24 0327 KL8DX 1 JF1NSD 25 correct JF1NHD 21046 CW 2012-11-24 0840 KL8DX 1 SF3A 14 correct HF3A 28065 CW 2012-11-24 1911 KL8DX 1 N7LXU 3 correct N7XU 28038 CW 2012-11-24 2340 KL8DX 1 JH1CTQ 25 correct JS3CTQ 14065 CW 2012-11-25 0015 KL8DX 1 K1BG 5 correct K1DG 14040 CW 2012-11-25 2252 KL8DX 1 K7FL 3 correct K8FL 21082 CW 2012-11-25 2359 KL8DX 1 JF1NSD 25 correct JF1NHDI've always had a mental block with the letters "H" and "S" at higher speeds.In looking above, that is what stood out first in my error report. And it did not stop there. I also incorrectly copied the following exchanges -*************** Incorrect Exchange Information ***************21067 CW 2012-11-24 0154 KL8DX 1 7K4XNN 24 correct 25 21058 CW 2012-11-24 1819 KL8DX 1 K7BG 3 correct 4 21048 CW 2012-11-24 1827 KL8DX 1 KH7X 5 correct 31 21098 CW 2012-11-24 1851 KL8DX 1 WX9U 5 correct 4 28063 CW 2012-11-24 2244 KL8DX 1 NG7Z 5 correct 3 21036 CW 2012-11-25 2215 KL8DX 1 W3HDH 5 correct 4 14040 CW 2012-11-25 2249 KL8DX 1 N0EF 4 correct 3The biggest puzzle for me is how in the heck did I get KH7X wrong! Zone 5 for31? And I gotta wonder about 7K4 as Zone 24 and not 25? That's a bit easier to swallow than KH7X. I've worked Paul, NG7Z in so many contests and I know he is in Zone 3.The ones that really effect ones score are the multipliers that are "busted." I did just that -********************** Lost Multipliers **********************21046 CW 2012-11-24 0840 KL8DX 1 SF3A 14 correct HF3ASo, I review my results for the next test. What can I do to improve and what mistakes did I make in this last contest that I need to pay more attention to during the next contest? Yes, when one is tired, it's easy to make mistakes but when contesting, that could be the difference between what I refer to myself as framing or blaming, or simply - wallpaper or none.I've also made an attempt to correct people when they have busted my call. I hope that others will do the same should I bust their callsign. Yell back at me or send your call a few times so I get that "V-8 Moment" and correct it. Sadly, many bust my callsign because of poor spotting. I often get spotted as KL7DX and people will click, work, log and move on without verifying my call.I correct as many as possible and I make sure I send my call after each QSO if I'm running stations. If I'm S&P (Search & Pounce) and someone has my call wrong, I send it not only once, but twice. Something like,"K8QWY de KL8DX 5NN 01 de KL8DX.Here is a look at how many busted my callsign (I removed the call to protect those who did) -************* Stations Copying KL8DX Incorrectly *************21000 CW 2012-11-24 0148 JH**** 25 KL7DX 1 21000 CW 2012-11-24 0158 JF**** 25 KL7DX 1 14064 CW 2012-11-24 0517 VE*** 3 KL7DX 1 14040 CW 2012-11-24 0745 R*** 16 KL7DX 1 14009 CW 2012-11-24 0756 SP**** 15 KL8NX 1 14000 CW 2012-11-24 0757 Y*** 15 KL9DX 1 21062 CW 2012-11-24 0838 L**** 15 KL7DX 1 14065 CW 2012-11-24 1524 S*** 15 KL7DX 1 14008 CW 2012-11-24 1625 R*** 17 KD8DX 3 14034 CW 2012-11-24 1634 L**** 20 KA8DX 4 14059 CW 2012-11-24 1644 N*** 5 KL7DX 1 21021 CW 2012-11-24 1823 K*** 5 KL7DX 1 21025 CW 2012-11-24 1844 W***** 3 KL7DX 1 21000 CW 2012-11-24 1902 W***** 3 KL8DK 1 21000 CW 2012-11-24 1959 K**** 4 KL7DX 1 21077 CW 2012-11-24 2018 K*** 5 KL8X 1 21000 CW 2012-11-24 2036 K**** 5 KL7DX 1 21077 CW 2012-11-24 2044 N*** 3 KL7DX 1 21077 CW 2012-11-24 2047 K**** 3 KL7DX 1 21077 CW 2012-11-24 2106 W**** 4 KL7DX 1 21000 CW 2012-11-24 2208 N*** 3 KL7DX 1 21077 CW 2012-11-24 2210 W*** 5 KL7DX 1 21077 CW 2012-11-24 2224 K*** 3 KL2DX 1 21000 CW 2012-11-24 2227 VE**** 4 KL7DX 1 28000 CW 2012-11-24 2240 K*** 4 KL7DX 1 14066 CW 2012-11-25 0004 K*** 5 KL7DX 1 14066 CW 2012-11-25 0043 VA*** 3 KL7DX 1 14000 CW 2012-11-25 0202 N*** 4 KL7DX 1 14066 CW 2012-11-25 0211 K**** 5 KL7DX 1 14027 CW 2012-11-25 0302 W*** 3 KL7DX 1 14001 CW 2012-11-25 1210 U*** 16 DL8DX 14 14015 CW 2012-11-25 1215 R*** 16 KL7DX 1 14059 CW 2012-11-25 1225 9*** 15 KL8TEX 1 14028 CW 2012-11-25 1227 9*** 15 KL7DX 1 14000 CW 2012-11-25 1243 U**** 16 DL8DX 14 14102 CW 2012-11-25 1252 U*** 16 KD8DX 4 14054 CW 2012-11-25 1448 Y*** 20 KL7DX 1 21040 CW 2012-11-25 1515 Y*** 15 KL7DX 1 14033 CW 2012-11-25 1546 Y***** 20 KR8DX 4 21000 CW 2012-11-25 2045 C**** 8 KL7DX 1 21028 CW 2012-11-25 2058 L*** 13 KL7DX 1 21000 CW 2012-11-25 2101 K*** 5 KL7DX 1 21000 CW 2012-11-25 2126 V**** 5 KL7DX 1 21037 CW 2012-11-25 2135 K*** 5 KL7DX 1 21000 CW 2012-11-25 2137 W*** 4 KL7DX 1 21037 CW 2012-11-25 2202 N*** 3 KL7DX 1 21036 CW 2012-11-25 2203 N*** 4 KL7DX 1 21037 CW 2012-11-25 2203 N*** 5 KL7DX 1 21037 CW 2012-11-25 2204 N*** 3 KL7DX 1 21037 CW 2012-11-25 2205 W/****** 3 KL7DX 1 21000 CW 2012-11-25 2212 K**** 4 KL7DX 1 21037 CW 2012-11-25 2215 N*** 4 KL7DX 1 21037 CW 2012-11-25 2218 K*** 5 KL7DX 1 14040 CW 2012-11-25 2322 N*** 4 KL7DX 1 21000 CW 2012-11-25 2347 JA**** 25 AL8DX 1Contesting is about speed AND accuracy, and scoring reflects just that.A call can be busted for many reasons, fatigue, QRM, QRN, QSB or simply, just not copying it right. What is loud and clear is my final result and using that, I will forge ahead and hopefully do better next year.But for now, class dismissed...
Hi Phil, certainly you made some great observations, having a low power antenna with no or little gain, I think I am doing well just to stay in the contest. I have found that with two sets of multipliers (country and zone), miscopying a call can amount to a large penalty, especially without a second contact from the same country. In all honsety, any time I lose about 10% of my score, I think 'business as usual' although, like you say, I always strive for imrovement.
ReplyDeleteAs for spotting, so far it has not helped me any while in contests, as by the time a station is spotted, half of North America is trying to work them, and I am not about to spend an hour trying to work a station just for the multiplie. Which leads me to my next thought... I wonder if any of the bad spots were sent intentionally by dishonest contesters with full knowledge that many will click, work and log their contacts without ever comparing the spot to what they hear. I don't consider myself a purist, but I think there is more challenge using the old-fashioned way, using the right hand to tune the VFO, the ears to do the spotting, the right foot to engage the mike, and the left to record the contact. I gave up on paper logs years ago, so I am not entirely old-fashioned. Just someone who enjoys every contact that I make.
Thanks for sharing your LCR, Phil. Huge is that some U* copied you as DL8DX in 14 :-) That must hurt! I was surprised, I received LCR even for my checklog submission. I think that accuracy is one of key properties to success in CQWW.
ReplyDeletePhil,
ReplyDeleteA good argument about ears in the cans and the number of false positive inputs into the cluster. Dude, seriously, the number of those who did not copy your call sign correctly, is ridiculous! The evidence suggests point, click, log then move without any regard to the consequence. I waited for the code red call sign while operating assisted during WPX SSB to validate the input. Yes, about 90 percent were false positives and needed correction before confidently logging the contact. Unfortunately, there is no remedy other than guys like us sharing our log check report with the world. Maybe, a few will get it and next year will be better? Take care, Brother.
73, DRR
Joe, thanks for the nice response! After writing this, I got to deep think about how I messed up a few exchanges. Many are 5 which may be a default. I'm thinking (and will have to watch in future contests) if for some reason, it just loads as Zone 5 and I forgot to change it? Not sure. I also send kudos your way for jumping in the contest. People don't have to contest to participate and the more who participate, the better the contest. And you're right about the spotting. I can just CQ and W3LPL or a skimmer can catch my CQ and that's all she wrote. I will have an instant pile-up. I contest (if competing) exclusively with software and keyboard. I decode all in my head and send what I type. These contests require pretty good keyboarding skills (assuming the operator is using a computer) so thankfully, I can find my way pretty quickly across the keyboard. Together, we will learn from our mistakes and strive to better our best. Hope to catch ya in the next contest, Joe!
ReplyDeleteTomas, thankfully those who failed to copy my call correctly did not count against me. But, that happens pretty frequently when I hear and work Europe. Maybe they figure since they are working Europe themselves, this Alaskan station is not possible? I get confused with DL8DX often, just like I do with KL7DX. You are so right, accuracy is key to not losing points for sure.
ReplyDeleteScot, crazy on my call, huh? I agree very much, these reports are extremely useful. I sure hope that it makes me a better operator. I try. :0)
ReplyDelete