Guide to CQWW DX-Contest UBN and NIL Reports
Updated at 2003/08/07
Guide to CQ WW DX Contest UBN Reports
1. INTRODUCTION
2. MESSAGE FROM THE CQ WW
CONTEST COMMITTEE
3. UBN REPORTS
3.1 EXPLANATION OF COLUMNS
3.2 EXPLANATION OF QSO CODES
3.3 EXPLANATION OF codes CONTAINED IN THE POSSIBLE CALLS LIST
3.4 UBN BAND SUMMARY
4. SCORE PENALTIES
5. SCORE CALCULATIONS
5.1 EXAMPLE INITIAL SCORE SUMMARY
5.2 EXAMPLE RE-COMPUTED SCORE SUMMARY
5.3 EXPLANATION OF INITIAL AND RE-COMPUTED SCORE SUMMARY COLUMNS
6. POSSIBLE LOG-CHECKER
ACTIONS
7. PUBLISHED FINAL SCORE IN CQ
MAGAZINE
8. CONCLUSION
9. THANK YOU
1. INTRODUCTION
The UBN report is the CQ World-Wide
Contest Committee's computer analysis of your entry. It contains an initial
computer calculation of your score simply made on the contacts contained in
your log, as well as a computer re-calculation of your score that includes the effects
of the computerized log checking. Score calculations for all entries are made
using the same proven multiplier-reference data and proven scoring algorithms.
In other words, to ensure uniform scoring, all log scores are recalculated by
the CQWWCC using one common country database and reassigning every QSO point value.
The report also shows QSOs found by the
computer that definitely impact and those that might impact the adjudicated
final score. This includes QSOs for which credit was denied (-B and -N) as well
as unique (U) QSOs. Credit is automatically removed for QSOs that have been
adjudicated either as being bad (-B), or found to be not-in-log (-N) during cross-checking
with no evident receiving error found in the cross-checked log. Note that bad means
incorrectly logged callsign, and does not mean that the callsign does not
exist. If a callsign is miscopied as someone else’s call, this does not warrant
credit. Those claimed QSOs, for which credit was denied, have been marked with
the minus sign(-).
***
NO CREDIT IS REMOVED FROM YOUR
LOG
SIMPLY BECAUSE A CALLSIGN IS UNIQUE(U)
The UBN reports normally provided are
abbreviated log-analysis reports showing only contacts for which credit has, or
may be, denied. If needed, a full report, showing the status of every entry in
your log, can be produced. This report, which is rarely generated, shows
detailed scoring information for each contact, which contacts were actually
cross-checked, and the number of total
claimed database QSOs made with every callsign in your log.
The committee's objective is to treat all
entries fairly and equitably. Where two entries are close, care is taken to
ensure that the listed winner deserves his published standing.
No electronic-log entrant should ever be
listed behind a "winning" paper log entrant unless the paper log is
subjected to the same level of checking. This normally means that important
paper logs will be entered into a computer. This data-entry process adds risk of
introducing additional errors, and electronic submission should therefore
benefit the entrant.
2. MESSAGE FROM THE CQ WW CONTEST COMMITTEE
The CQWW log-checking is neither perfect
nor purported to be perfect. It is accurate enough to determine the correct
order of finish in the various categories. Realistically, it has proven to be
very accurate. The vast majority of entrants will find no credit removed for
callsigns inaccurately adjudicated.
Large logs from stations in rare or uncommon locations might have a couple of
callsigns marked "-B, " (meaning incorrectly logged callsign) that
were actually worked and logged correctly. However, there are almost always a
compensating number of incorrectly logged calls that were only marked
"U." If a log is re-scored, we will make all appropriate changes that
impact your score, not just those that will make your score go up.
We do not publicize the actual methods we use to determine “Bad”
callsigns. We do improve our processes as we understand how and why mistakes
are made. We will not tell you “why” a certain callsign is marked -B.
The committee has most likely, already
found all of the logs submitted with the wrong callsign or submitted for the
wrong contest. These and possibly mis-directed logs are found using existing
sanity checks.
We use feedback, particularly from those
with recordings, to audit and improve our processes. Note that we have to rely
on the received logs for cross-checking, even if you have a recording that
which appears to show a station making a contact with you.
If you note a significant error (such as
might result in a final position change), please let us know. Send an
E-mail to K3EST@CQWW.COM. We will correct all errors which are of a
significant nature.
3. UBN REPORTS
In your callsign subdirectory is a
Unique/Bad/Not-In-Log report
named either cw.ubn or ssb.ubn. For each
band that you worked,
there is a report BODY, which is a
listing of QSOs that have been
flagged by the log-checking software as
being either U, B, or N
callsigns. At the end of each band
evaluation is a BAND SUMMARY.
Two SCORE CALCULATIONS follow, at the end
of the report.
EXAMPLE BODY OF UBN REPORT:
9Y4XYZ.80, 22:12, Tuesday,
01-Jun-1999
LINE CODE CALLSIGN(#-BAND-LOGS)
[POSSIBLE-CALLS(#-band-logs)[code]]
---- ----------- ------------------------------------
257 U n5dfc
268 -N vp2eyz(255)
278 -B w9kea(1) w0kea(134)H
w9kia(97)H
299 U wa2udk wa2udt(255)H wa2uuk(255)Ww wa2ubk(13)
360 U wb2fwk wb2fsk(2)
385 -B kb8in(1) kb8vn(129)H
kb8wn(2)
386 U w9uuk
389 U nd9f nd9o(187)H nd3f(72) nd0f(34) nu9f(26)
3.1
EXPLANATION OF COLUMNS
LINE = QSO number on THAT band for your
log
(QSO) CODE = Status of flagged callsign
(U, -B, N, -N, or Z) in your log
CALLSIGN = Flagged callsign found in your
log
#-BAND-LOGS = # of times this call was
worked by other stations in
the database
POSSIBLE CALLS = Computer determined
possible callsigns similar to
the flagged callsign.
#-band-logs = Number of total database
entries for the possible
callsign
code = Status of possible callsign (B, N,
Ww, Wn, H)
In the header, your root callsign is
shown, followed by the band.
Band designations for CW are 160, 80, 40,
20, 15, and 10. For
phone, band designations may be one
number greater, such as 161,
81, 41, 21, 16, and 11 (these odd band
#'s are for internal CQWWCC
use).
3.2
EXPLANATION OF QSO CODES
U = Unique. In the entire database
(approximately 2.5 million log
entries/mode), this call appears only in
your log. No credit is
automatically removed for U calls.
EXAMPLES OF U CALLS:
88 U K7ZM K1ZM(1159)Ww
K7ZZ(361)N K6ZM(302)H K3ZM(252)
258 U K1CD K1CN(412)H K1SD(183)H
K1DD(34) K1DC(27) K1CL(20)
307 U VE1BV VE1BY(388)Ww VE1BX(5) VE1FV(4) VE1BH(2) VE1BE(2)
B = Bad. This call has been adjudicated
to have been miscopied. It
is not in the country callsign database,
or has otherwise been
determined to be incorrect(see Wn
explanation below). Credit for
all B calls is automatically removed by
the computer when
re-calculating the score, and the calls
are all marked -B.
EXAMPLES OF B CALLS:
3 -B KD95T(5) KD9ST(548)Ww
KD9SH(25) IT9SVJ(64) WB9SVK(22)
45 -B VE2SS(8) VY2SS(3197)Wn
VE1SS(21) VE2SO(14) OE2S(790)N
54 -B W3IXD(1) K3IXD(313)H
W9IXD(12) W3IZ(536)H W3IP(36)
88 -B K2RDDDD(1) K2RD(1121)Wn
K3ND(805)Ww N3RD(588)HK3MD(249)H
126 -B SH7XYZ(3) S57XYZ(362)
N = Not-In-Log. Your callsign is NOT in
the log of the station you
claim to have worked. The computer then
tries to determine if it is
likely that the claimed station miscopied
your call. If the
computer finds potential close callsigns
in the other log, they
will be listed under POSSIBLE CALLS. Only
N-calls that have no
computer-determined appropriate, close
callsigns will automatically
lose credit. These are indicated by -N.
Note that it is possible
that the copying station can make a
copying error that the computer
algorithms are unable to recognize. Some
large logs, from stations
with complex callsigns can expect to lose
credit for a few
unrecognizable errors.
EXAMPLES OF N CALLS (From Sample PJ9B Report):
179 N PA3XYZ(2359) PJ2B(7)B DJ9BX(89)
546 -N W5ABC(600)
831 N VQ9QRM(842) PJ9BB(1)
1268 N KH6ZYX(25) P49B(2)B
Z= Zeroed-out-contact. This contact was essentially
removed from your log, just as if it had never occurred. No penalties are
imposed.
Z applies to contacts adjudicated to be with pirates or with stations using
illegally assigned callsigns. Z might also be applied to "contacts" claimed
that are deemed to be outside the spirit of the contest, such as multi-operator
stations exchanging lists of contacts with each other's operators, each signing
"portable." Note that this particular practice appears to have been stopped
many years ago.
3.3 EXPLANATION OF codes CONTAINED IN THE
POSSIBLE CALLS LIST
Possible calls are determined in two
different, but similar ways.
For (U or -B) callsigns in YOUR log,
possible calls are computer
estimates of what the correct callsign
might be.
For (N or -N) callsigns in YOUR log,
possible calls are calls in
THE CLAIMED-STATION'S band-log that might
be miscopied versions of
your callsign.
DEFINITION OF codes AFTER POSSIBLE CALLS
N
= (For U or -B) We have an electronic log from the station, and
your correct callsign is not in his log.
H
= (For U or -B) We have the log for this station, but it is
probably a paper log. It is available for
a manual cross-check if
needed to judge a very close competition.
Wn = (For -B) We have a an electronic log
from the station. The
capital W means that your callsign is in
his log. The lower-case n
means that his callsign is not in your
log. In developing hard
data(time checks) on the Wn, the CQ WW CC
found that essentially
all of the Wn-calls were found to result
from copying errors by the
entrant. You will lose credit for this
claimed contact.
Ww = (For U or -B) We have an electronic
log from the station. The
capital W means that your callsign
appeared in his log. The
lower-case w means that his callsign
appeared in your log.
W+3 etc. = (For U) This related callsign
appeared in your log 3
contacts later. No credit is
automatically deducted. However, this
often suggests that the same station
simply kept calling until you
got his callsign correct, and that you
logged him under two
callsigns.
B = (For N) That possible callsign in the
claimed-station's log has
been determined to be bad. The
claimed-station will lose credit,
and his report will have that contact
marked -B. You will not lose
credit automatically, because it is
likely that your call was
miscopied.
3.4
UBN BAND SUMMARY
At the end of each of the band list
bodies is a BAND SUMMARY. An
example is:
2181 calls, 62 (U or B) ( 2.8%), 62 (U+1
or B or N) ( 2.8%)
359 cross-checked, 3 not-in-log.
Lost multipliers (-B or -N calls): UK
NIL QSO points removed (no possible logs)
= 16 (2 QSOs).
BAD QSO points removed = 120 (10 QSOs).
EXPLANATION OF BAND SUMMARY:
2181 calls = number of QSO entries on
that band.
62 (U or B) = number of QSOs in your band
log that are Unique or
Bad calls.
(2.8%) = percentage of (U + B)/(calls).
This has found to be one of
the reasonable measures of accuracy for
almost all logs.
62 ([U+1] + B + N) = number of QSOs that
are Unique+1 or Bad or
Not-in-Log. Unique+1 (U+1) calls are
those that actually have
computer-determined close, possible
callsigns in the database. The
number of (U+1 or B or N) callsigns has
been found to be
representative of the number of QSOs for
which credit is likely to
be denied.
(2.8%) = percentage of (U+1 or B or
N)/(calls). This has found to
be another reasonable measure of accuracy
for almost all logs. It
of course includes a measure of assuring
that the stations claimed
were actually worked.
359 cross-checked = 359 QSOs on that band
were cross checked
against logs in the electronic database.
3 not-in-log = 3 QSOs that you claimed
were not found in other
stations' log.
Lost multipliers: (B or N calls) : UK
Credit for the UK multiplier has been
removed from the log. All
claims for QSOs with that multiplier have
been denied for bad-call
or not-in-log reasons. If a prefix
appears in the "Lost
multipliers:" list, and only a
single contact for that multiplier
is marked "-B" or
"-N," then that was the only log entry on that
band representing the possible
multiplier.
NIL QSO points removed (no possible logs)
= 16 (2 QSOs).
N-calls, that have no computer-determined
"close" callsigns in the
cross-checked log, lose credit. In the
example, 2 QSOs (each, with
appropriate point value) x PENALTY = 16
points lost.
BAD QSO points removed = 120 (10 QSOs).
Credit for all Bad QSOs is removed. In
the example, 10 QSOs (each,
with appropriate point value) X PENALTY =
120 points lost.
4. SCORE PENALTIES
For each -N or -B callsign, contact-point
and multiplier credit is
denied. In addition, a point penalty of 3
times the
claimed-contact-point-value is assessed.
The scoring is actually implemented by
first crediting the claimed
point value and then removing 4 times
that value. These 4-times-
claimed-points are the "points
removed" discussed above.
If another same-multiplier station is
worked on the band,
multiplier credit will automatically
result from the good contact.
The penalty system is deliberately
implemented to encourage
accurate operating. Improperly logged
contacts adversely impact the
scores of others and create significant
extra work for the
log-checkers.
Primarily because not all participants
submit logs, the automated
log-checking process only finds and
penalizes a portion of the
actual Bad and Not-in-log contacts. The
penalty system is not
primarily implemented to compensate for
this log-checking
shortcoming. It is intended to strongly
discourage logging of
callsign guesses.
The penalty can be viewed simply as a standard for logging
contacts. If you are not certain you want to
risk losing 3 QSOs, simply either ask for a repeat or tell the caller, "No
QSO." Do not put a guess at the call in your log.
Everyone is judged under this single, easy to understand, standard.
5. SCORE CALCULATIONS
At the end of your UBN report are two
computer calculations of your
score.
The INITIAL SCORE SUMMARY is a computer
calculation of your score
made using all the claimed contacts
contained in your log. It is
essentially your claimed score based on
the claimed contacts
actually in our database. Score
calculations for all entries are
made using the same multiplier reference
data and proven scoring
algorithms.
The RE-COMPUTED SCORE SUMMARY is your
score, reduced by removing
any -B and -N calls with appropriate
penalties. The percentages by
which your QSO total and score were
reduced are shown.
5.1
EXAMPLE INITIAL SCORE SUMMARY:
P29AS Papua New Guinea 1997 CQ Phone 10:16, Friday, 06-Mar-98
1709 station logs, 1944498 QSOs, 100214
calls, 40540 common, 59674
unique
CALLS
COM U+B %U+B
1BN %1BN QPts
Zn CTY BScore FileName
-----
--- --- ----
--- ---- ----
-- --- ------ --------
1
1 0 0.0
0 0.0 0 1 1
0 P29AS.160
185
170 15 8.1
15 8.1 466
18 27 20970 P29AS.80
1389 1304 85 6.1 85
6.1 3903 35
87 476166 P29AS.40
2181 2119 62 2.8 62
2.8 6342 38
119 995694 P29AS.20
4080 3966 114 2.8 116
2.8 12041 36
118 1854314 P29AS.15
1371 1310 61 4.4
74 5.4 4006
33 94 508762 P29AS.10
-------------------------------------------------------------------
9207 8870 337 3.7 352
3.8 26758 161 446 16242106 P29AS.ALL
5.2
EXAMPLE RE-COMPUTED SCORE SUMMARY:
Score totals with NIL and Bad call
penalties factored in:
1 0 1 1 0
P29AS.160
181 418 18 27 18810
P29AS.80
1374 3723
35 87 454206 P29AS.40
2169 6206 38 118
968136 P29AS.20
4056 11753
36 118 1809962 P29AS.15
1347 3726
33 94 473202 P29AS.10
----------------------------------------------------------------
9128 25826 161 445 15650556 P29AS.ALL
-0.9% -3.6%
The date and time the report was
generated plus database statistics
are contained in the header.
5.3
EXPLANATION OF INITIAL AND RE-COMPUTED SCORE SUMMARY COLUMNS
CALLS = number of QSOs claimed
COM = number of calls you worked that
were worked by others
U+B = number of Unique+Bad calls on band
%U+B = U+B / (total QSOs on band)
1BN = number of (One-off-Unique+Bad+NIL)
QSOs on that band
%1BN = 1BN / (total QSOs on band)
Qpts = QSO points on that band
Zn = number of zones claimed on that band
CTY = number of countries claimed on that
band
BScore = band score
FileName = Your call.band
The first percentage at the end is for
the QSO reduction.
The second percentage at the end is for
the score reduction.
6. POSSIBLE LOG-CHECKER ACTIONS
Most of the entries are processed totally
by computer. With 7500 entries in a year, we do not have the resources to do
this any other way.
A log-checker MAY choose to modify any
computer score-calculation. Log-checkers are not obligated to correct
typographical or any other errors in your
log, but do make decisions that attempt to be fair. You should proofread your
own log before submitting it if you want to be certain that you will not lose
credit for typographical errors.
If you do not have 5 minutes to review
your log for obvious typographical errors, it is unlikely that the committee
has 625 hours that it would take to perform a 5 minute review on each of the
7500 entries.
If you submit your entry under one callsign,
and it appears that you actually used another callsign on the air, a
log-checker is likely to change it. This happens most often when special calls
are used for the contest, and the log is submitted under the regular callsign.
If you submit a 20 meter single-band
entry, and all stations claiming contacts with you indicate that you were on 15
meters, it is likely that you will be placed in the 15 meter category.
If you miss a band change, and log a
large number of contacts on the wrong band, it is possible that a log-checker
may move those contacts, but it is by no means guaranteed.
Finding and correcting errors of this type
takes considerable time. Please help the log-checkers by taking a few minutes
to check your entry before submitting it.
7. PUBLISHED FINAL SCORE IN CQ MAGAZINE
The SECOND SCORE SUMMARY is normally what
will be your published score.
Although extremely unlikely, it may
differ by actions of a CQ WW Contest Committee
log-checker.
8. CONCLUSION
The purpose of the CQ WW Contest
Committee's log checking and
evaluation is to promote accurate
operating. This enables a
meaningful comparison between the
entrants efforts.
Some entrants may find their scores have
gone down significantly.
If credit is somehow lost for a few
double multipliers in a small
log, the score will go down dramatically.
Please take care to log callsigns
correctly. Incorrectly logged
callsigns not only cause scores to be
reduced but create extra
work for log-checkers.
Please also try to make certain that the
stations have your call
correct, and are actually working you.
Try not to be intimidated
into logging a contact either before you
have the station's call
correct, or the station has your call
correct. If your call is
logged with enough errors, the computer
algorithms will not even be
able to recognize it as even being
related to your actual callsign.
Send it again if you are not CERTAIN that
your call was logged
correctly. One of the goals of our
penalty system is to encourage
big stations to take care when logging
smaller stations.
If after a reasonable attempt, you are
still uncertain of a
station's callsign, tell him to try again
later. Please be fair
to him and also tell him that you are NOT
logging the NON-
contact --"No QSO".
You can help yourself and us by adhering
to the following:
Please help our computer programs avoid
data misinterpretation.
Take care not to log anything but the
callsign in your logging
program's callsign field. Our software
may treat it as an error.
Your final score is not computed from the
score your logging
program computes.
Please do not log anything with a note
that it is not a valid
contact, such as "WA8XYZ???" or
"WA8XYZ/not-sure".
Please do not mark any uncertain contacts
with a zero in the
claimed-points field of your log. Our
software is very likely
incapable of properly recognizing it as a
call you want eliminated.
The easiest thing to do is erase the Call
after you have typed it.
Please do not change callsigns to make YOUR
logging program score
the contact correctly. Please do not
change callsigns to things
like VE/XO7XYZ, VE7/XO7XYZ, PY/ZZ2ZYX,
PY2/ZZ2ZYX, YO4ABC/MM/W4,
MM/YO4ABC/W4. Our cty.dat file takes into
account all non-standard
callsigns used in the contest.
It is not necessary to log /QRP if a
station sends it. It is not part of a callsign. Our processing ignores /QRP.
Note that if you err, and log a station as /QPR, you will lose that contact
plus the penalty. Our software is not smart enough to account errors made
typing “/QRP.”
Please log maritime mobile stations as
simply /MM. Please do not
put the "region" or the prefix
for a nearby country in the
callsign field.
Different entrants may encounter
different degrees of difficulty in
logging accurately. On phone, language
differences can contribute.
Power line noise and atmospheric noise
can make accurate copy very
difficult. Anyone can make mistakes.
Please use the information
provided in the UBN report to improve
your skills.
9. THANK YOU
Thank
you for participating and thank you for submitting an
electronic
log. Even if your score was small, or you had problems
that
resulted in a large score reduction this year, your electronic
logs
helped us check the logs of other entrants.
Please also, send only a single entry.
Submitting both a mailed-
diskette and E-mail entry will create
five to ten minutes of extra
work for log-checkers.
Please continue to participate in the
future, and please continue
to submit electronic entries, preferably
by E-mail.
CQ WW SSB logs to: ssb@cqww.com
CQ WW CW logs to: cw@cqww.com.
If you have a question send it to questions@cqww.com
Thank you again.
The CQ WW Contest Committee