[PVRCNC] Ancillary data files in SS

[Howie Hoyt]

Hi Sam -

Some history:

SuperCheckPartial has been around for quite some time- it was first
used by DOS loggers- CT (K1EA) or TRlog  (N6TR) type.

SCP contains a catalog (now kept by WA1Z) of known good contest callsigns.
Most loggers support SCP and it serves as a 'check' of what you are
about to log. Namely,
using your own judgement, you may ask for a 'repeat' if you are not positive you
copied the call right and it is NOT in the SCP Check Display.
Starting with TRlog, it became possible to extend the SCP data to
include more than
Callsigns -by adding extra fields to the data indexed on call.
-we also must remember that TRlog and CT/dos are DOS based where
memory & processor speed were smaller, but interference
from other programs/processes was less !

Later arrival, N1MM, picked the extended SCP up. This type file is a
heirarchial type file keyed on the callsign.
The binary file usually has a filetype of  '.dta'. TRmaster.dta,
MASUSVE.dta, etc.
With the EXCEPTION of special builds the SCP is just a historical
catalogue of good contest callsigns.

For N1MM, the extended SCP is now more popularly encompassed in a flat
file called a call history file.
Since the flat file is input to the an internal relational d/b (MDB),
the performance is quite good -But
there is CPU overhead involved in the lookup process. This is not a
problem unless a CPU is
already on the edge of saturation-almost always due to the CPU being
asked to generate CW, rather
than using Winkey.

-In N1MM you may elect to display the extended data (SS Check/Section)
at the bottom of the exchange window or plug it in -
prefilled.
Likewise, WriteLog supports a version of the above via ADIF formated input.

With that history in mind;

On Tue, Nov 3, 2009 at 9:04 PM, Sam Leslie - W4PK <w4pk at arrl.net> wrote:
> Please forgive me for what is probably obvious, but I have a couple of
> questions regarding setting up N1MM for my attempt at participating in the
> ARRL SS test this weekend.  I am a relatively new user of N1MM and I plan on
> entering in the U category.
>
>
>
> The first question is should I use the PVRCMAST.DTA file instead of the
> MASTER.DTA file available off the Internet, and why?

Firstly, let me say you can run both. If you are doing SCP (advised),
the extra overhead of extended SCP is negligible.
OTH, the PVRCmast is redundant if you use a callhistory file (with
exception that PVRCmast indicates PVRC names).Viz:

The two distinctions between MASUSVE.dta and PVRCmast.dta is that:

PVRCmast has PVRC names built in.
Say, you had limited time, and wanted to work as many PVRC as possible.
You can enter the call, hit spacebar, and if CHECK shows a name- you
know he is PVRC.
Likewise, if your memory is like mine, you can use it to recall a buddies name.

Since CHECK/SECTION are also built into the PVRCmast you can use it
stand-alone- or, with
the below file.
PVRCmast-
PRO: single file, slightly less CPU overhead.
CON: display in separate window from exchange window. No pre-fills.
>
>
>
> The second question is what is this Call History thing all about?  Is this a
> file that PVRC provides to its members to assist in filling in data from
> calls that have been previously identified as to section, ck, etc., or is it
> just a call history of all the calls that I have previously logged in my
> N1MM log?

OK, this can be where controversy sets in.
Some argue that prefills are too tempting to accept.
The extreme example is PREC. Just because historically WA4PGM operated
QRP is no guarantee
he will be 'Q' this time. You may have noted sentiment to use the
CHECK of W3PP, K3IXD, W2GJ to honor
them-- again a CHECK other than what the prefill inserts would result.
The prefill can be corrected right within the exchange line. Typically
the logger will take last word as the correct one.
Eg, if you worked N4AF and the prefill is '58 NC', but he give you '57
NC' you can type 57 after prefill of '58 NC' so the
line appears as '58 NC 57'.

Without getting into the rules for call correction, caveat being that
it can be easy to be lulled into accepting whatever the
prefill provides.

----------
Now to the specifics of your last question.
W4KAZ has (laboriously) built the C.H./ADIF files based on the ARRL
d/b of past SS results. This is somewhat golden as to quality.
He also offers a slightly larger d/b that integrates in some logs from
trusted associates.
More data on this is available in his writeup on http://PVRCNC.ORG.

So the answer to your last question is that this (and PVRCmast) are
special builds that may be optionally used to give
(historical) information on what the station used in previous Sweepstakes.

If you have made it this far-
***IMPORTANT***
Get in one or more of the Thursday/Friday SS practice sessions.
Make SURE your logger works the way you THINK it does. Likewise check
out those antennas.
You REALLY need to check both RUN scenario AND S&P situation
re:logging and F keys.

One last point. PVRC practice (thurs) may be a little fast for some
folks. The NCCC practice starts with a half hour of SLOW
speed CW at 18wpm. You may run high power and sprint qsy does not apply.
--------------
NCCC PRACTICE  CONTESTS continue this week, Nov. 5 and 6 local dates
in North America; Nov.  6 & 7, UTC, starting at 0230Z

SS rules, no dupes.  In addition to the usual Thursday practice,
we'll run a Friday night session for the guest ops travelling to
their host stations.

ONE HOUR EARLIER, LOCAL TIME - Eastern folks can go to bed earlier!
--30 mins   0230-03Z  (all NCCC practice sessions will be the same
0230 UTC START TIME YEAR-ROUND, UFN):

This Thursday & Friday, use real ARRL SWEEPSTAKES rules using three bands:
BANDS:   20, 40,  80m: --  around 14040, 7040, 3540, SPREAD OUT!
-- CW only,  choice of power, no dupes

PVRC is running a Thursday (only) SS practice also at 10 PM EST, or
0300z, which follows our practice at 0230Z, near 3530.

Slow speed NS from 0200 to 0215Z, 20, 40, 80m.  Check CQ-Contest
reflector for W9RE's announcement.
----------------------------------

PVRC is running lean this year- we need every qso !

73, Howie N4AF

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> Sam W4PK
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-- 
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