[PaQSO] Networking M/M

Fri, 26 Sep 2003 16:09:39 -0400

What is the purpose of the serial number?

Simply put, it's a more-or-less unique identifier for each QSO that
eliminates the possibility of an automatic or assumed exchange, such as
"59(9) 05" (ie RS(t) & Zone used in some contests).   It actually need not
be sequential numbers (imagine doing the 'test starting at 1000 and working
your way down!) unless mandated in the rules of a particular contest.

Therefore, the various computers of a m/m station simply pull the next
sequential number off a counter, as has been suggested.

Now, what if your station is "holding" a number and the QSO, for whatever
reason (QSB, QRN, QRM, QRT due to dying battery on the other end, etc.)?
Hopefully your system will "retain" the number it last pulled until it USES
it for a valid QSO, then pull another one.  So, your system has "125" up
until you've actually completed that Q, even tho the station next to you is
on a hot band and has just used 126, 127, 128, etc.   This does mean that
your next number might be "132" --  which may just drive someone on the
other end a little batty trying to figure out what's going on.

Be so as it may, I think a simpler solution for our little contest would be
this:  If you're running a Phone and a CW station, keep separate logs &
numbers for each mode.   Otherwise, just keep a different log for each band
(or for the big, big dogs, band & mode).  And if someone says "hey, I just
worked you on 40 as #322, howcome on 75 you're #47," the answer is simple &
obvious.

Of course, you could just start at a higher serial number for one of the
stations.  Way back when, we did that one year at K3CR -- the phone station
started at 001, the CW at 1001 (which in retrospect would have been easier
the other way around...).  A few people questioned it, but once we
explained, no problem.

73, ron wn3vaw

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----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob Crossland" <[email protected]>
To: "'Bill Gallagher'" <[email protected]>; <[email protected]>; "Bob Crossland"
<[email protected]>; <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, September 26, 2003 2:33 PM
Subject: RE: [PaQSO] Networking M/M

This is a good thread.....I enjoy listening to the many ideas, suggestions,
theories, etc.  Hope others do also.

<snip> "and you end up with a whole bunch of invalid serial numbers..."
I think to this I would have to say, that really doesn't matter.  I don't
believe the contest managers are looking so much for sequential numbers as
they are for making sure the numbers given out match the number in the
recipient's log.

I would suggest that if the station you are working fades away, and you
never complete the QSO, then that number is discarded.  No harm, no foul.

Just my thoughts.

Thanks for a nice dialog folks.

Bob, N3FR  (port WAR)

Bob Crossland
Sr. Product Manager
TelCove
121 Champion Way
Canonsburg, PA  15317
(724) 743-9576
[email protected]
http://www.telcove.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Gallagher [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, September 26, 2003 1:46 PM
To: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Re: [PaQSO] Networking M/M

The other problem with geberating a number ahead means
that either all records need to be locked until the
record is completed, or the serial needs to be killed
if the 'transaction' isn't completed...and you end up
with a whole bunch of invalid serial numbers...

Since almost any experienced MM op I know of starts
typing as soon as he hears a cal, and doen't always
get the call right (either heard wrong, or mis-typed),
or even work that station at that time...

Bill WA3RA
--- [email protected] wrote:
> In a message dated 9/26/03 6:51:34 AM Pacific
> Daylight Time,
> [email protected] writes:
>
>
> >
> > I believe there are so few contests that require a
> serial number that the
> > programmers feel it just isn't worth the time to
> fix this issue.
> >
>
>
> Rather, I think the reason is that nearly all (if
> not all) contests using
> serial numbers permit, if not encourage, separate
> sets of serial numbers for each
> band.
>
> Separate numbers for each band also avoids the
> confusion arising when someone
> listening in on previous qsos hears the operator not
> giving out numbers in
> order.
>
> 73   -   Jim  K8MR
>
>
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