Virginia QSO Party
  • Hints on Logging, Duping & Summary Sheets

• Please review the Virginia QSO Party Rules before the contest. You should defer to the rules over any interpretation that may be suggested in this tutorial.

• Refer to the sample log, dupe and summary sheets when reviewing the information below.

Logging

• Note your county or city designator at the top of your log (from the "Virginia Counties & Cities" list) so you can remember to provide it to the stations you work. On voice you could say "Arlington County, Alpha Romeo Lima," for example.

• You only have to note the last two digits (minutes) under the Time/UTC column until the hour changes. Remember, the date changes at 0000 UTC, which is 1900 (7 p.m.) local time.

• You may note the band and mode only when you change band and/or mode if that is your preference.

• Notice that the "Your QSO" column is set up to allow you to write in one or two digits as your QSO count increases beyond 10.

• Some operators note mobile stations with a /M after the call sign, e.g. WA3GIN/M.

• You could contact a particular station during the event, e.g. WA3GIN as a fixed station, an expedition station, and as a mobile station from each county he operates from without him being a duplicate (or "dupe") contact (see Duping narrative below). Carrying that to the extreme, if he's only in VA, you could get credit for working WA3GIN as a fixed station in VA, and then if he goes mobile, 134 mobile QSOs, (1 for each county and independent city), and then if he goes into expedition mode, work him as an expedition for a total of 136 QSOs per band/mode. (Example provided by NQ4K)

• If you work a bonus station (e.g. K4NVA) note it in the margin to help you remember to add in bonus points on your Summary Sheet.

• Submit separate logs for Fixed, Expedition, and Mobile operation.

Duping

• "Dupe" is an abbreviation for "duplicate" which is a contact with a station you have already logged on the same band and mode. Computer logging programs typically recognize a dupe and alert you before you log the station. If you use paper logs, you must use a "dupe sheet" if you make 200 or more contacts. We have provided an example. If you find after the event that you have dupes in your paper logs, draw a line through them and do not count them when calculating points. Please note the exceptions to logging a station as a dupe in this event, mentioned in the Logging narrative above.

• You may use the ARRL dupe sheet provided on our web site for the Va. QSO Party (per NQ4K). Use a dupe sheet for each band and mode, noting your call sign, the band and mode at the top. Also note "2012 QSO Party" and "Dupe Sheet" at the top. Our sample does not note the mode, but you should use a separate dupe sheet for each band and mode.

• The columns in the dupe sheet are narrow. You should record the entire call sign, although you may, where appropriate, note just the suffix (e.g. under the VE columns). The suffix of a call sign is the letter or letters following the number. For example, the suffix of call sign VE3ABC is "ABC". If you record only the suffix in some columns, note your methodology in the margin. Some operators prefer to create their own dupe sheets using MS Word so they can provide wider margins, etc.

Summary Sheet

• Fill out the Summary Sheet carefully to ensure that you provide all information requested.

• Review your logs carefully to ensure accurate calculation of QSO Points, Multiplier Points, Bonus Points, and Contest Grand Total. Check your math.

• Be sure to date and sign your Summary Sheet.

The deadline for filing logs/entries is April 15. Submit your log/entry directly to the VA QSO Party. Check the Virginia QSO Party rules for submission procedures.

Have fun and good luck!