[PaQSO] newbie with questions

[mkempisty at comcast.net]

John,

A simple rule of thumb is, work the dupes.  Logging software will dutifully log it but not give you any unearned points for working a stion more than once.  You'll spend more time trying to sort out whether he is a dupe or not then just working him/her a 2nd time.  If you have a great signal and start running stations one after another, working the dupes will be easier.

--
Take care, 
Mark N3GNW

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: Michael Coslo <mjc5 at psu.edu> 

> 
> 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 - 
> 
> 
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