[PaQSO] newbie with questions

[Michael Coslo]

On Oct 12, 2006, at 10:52 PM, Jon wrote:

> Hello All,
> This is my first contest so please pardon these seemingly silly  
> questions i am about to ask.
>
> I'm using N3FJP's PA QSO software which allows me to enter the  
> call, a serial, section or PA, & optional county for PA....  I'm  
> reading the rules for the contest and the exchange is serial +  
> county  OR  ARRL/RAC section.  Since my software asks me to put in  
> a serial number for all contacts logged...  What should do for a  
> serial number for a contact that's in Iowa (for example)?  And for  
> the sake of things, lets say this person is not actively persuing  
> contacts for the PA QSO party...
>
Hi John,

	This happens fairly often. You record his serial as number 1


> Next question, the dupe sheet.  If I log a dupe (by mistake, of  
> course) I am to declare it on the dupe sheet?
> my software spits out a dupe sheet that alphabetizes the call signs  
> I made contact with and where.  Is that what a dupe sheet is?   
> something that makes it obvious to see if there is dupes?

	Back in the good ol days when men were men and logging was done with  
pencil and paper, duplicate contacts were more common. In the thick  
of the contest, a person just wouldn't remember if they contacted an  
Op before or not. So dupe sheets were made in which a person could  
write down call signs after the contest and filter out the dupes. I  
understand there was a technique for doing this efficiently. It was  
before my time though.

	With the advent  of computerized logging for contests, dupe sheets  
have become somewhat of a dinosaur, since most logging programs won't  
allow a dupe. And the few that do fight with you about it, so that  
you have to force it to accept the dupe call.

	Good luck in the party, and hope to work you there.

-73 de Mike KB3EIA -