One of the things we do as part of the log checking for CQ WW is download the FCC license data on Sunday evening of the contest. We then use this info to check for QSOs with non-existant callsigns. Steve, N8BJQ, used this data to calculate the license class for USA entrants in the 2018 contests.

USA SSB ENTRANTS BY LICENSE CLASS

USA CW ENTRANTS BY LICENSE CLASS

• The final score shown in the Log Checking Reports (LCR) does not always match the score you see in the CQWW.com on-line scores database. We are now aware of this issue and will address it soon.  The scores in the on-line database at cqww.com are correct.  We are considering sending out all 2017 SSB LCR report again, but this time with correct information.  This was caused by the LCR reports being rerun at a different time (date) as compared to what was supposed to be the final run of scores, NIL, Bad calls, etc. run.  The two are “out of sync.”  We have a backup of the original (correct) file and will attempt to put things right soon.
• Some of the entries in the LCR reports show ********** Stations Receiving Not In Log From [your call sign] ********** are in error.   This can happen when both stations log the other as a DUPE on the same band.   Again, the scoring is correct, but the text description in the LCR (for only those specific cases) is wrong.
• All stations which were reclassified to Administrative Check Log are showing up as Check Logs in the scores database.  This is incorrect and we are working to correct it.  It is a table setup issue.  Administrative Check Logs are not disqualifications.

Our sincere apologies for the errors/issues.

Crowd-sourcing for identifying outliers in CQWW logs

The CQWW contest committee, specifically, the log checking sub-group, uses many tools to scrutinize all logs.  One of the tools is used to establish Benchmarks across various parameters.  Benchmarking only establishes expected “norms” by comparing logs to each other.  One potential issue with Benchmarking is that if everybody cheats, then everybody still “looks normal.”  Fortunately, the vast majority do not cheat.

CQWW has decided to pilot making one of our benchmarking tools public. The expectation is that more reviewers will result in wider and faster identification of potential issues (flags).

We suggest that all contesters compare their data with their competitors’ data and alert us if you think a log or logs deserve closer attention.

How to start

We are making available two Benchmark tools:

1. Benchmark one – Power benchmark
2. Benchmark two – Assistance benchmark

Please note that the benchmark tools should be used by incorporating some deeper levels of thinking, meaning that we want you to use the variable parameters intelligently. For example, one cannot compare a log entry that was active only 10 hours with another entry that was active 30 hours or 45+ hours.

Using the tool:

The tool is a graphical display (scatter-gram) showing single points for each entry, per the values you select (right-hand side).  If you move your cursor over any individual point on the display, the “owner” of that “dot” will pop up and you will see various data about that point, including the owner’s call sign.

The Benchmark Power link is here: https://public.tableau.com/profile/jos.nunes#!/vizhome/CQWWCW2017PowerBenchmark/Planilha1?publish=yes

The Power benchmark tool is set initially for USA, Single Operator, All Bands, Non Assisted category.  You can see that the Benchmark is clean with QRP, Low Power, and High Power categories in line with what should be expected.

The Benchmark Assistance link is here:

https://public.tableau.com/profile/jos.nunes#!/vizhome/CQWWCW2017ASSISTANCEBENCHMARK/Planilha1?publish=yes

This benchmark tool is set initially for Europe, Single Operator, All Bands.  You can see that the Benchmark is also clean with Assisted stations and Non-Assisted stations in line with what should be expected.

Please note: The data source for these tools is the raw log submissions.  This means that you will be using data prior to cross-checking and other log-checking software functions.  You will be looking at the data used to generate the ‘raw’ scores.  These are not final scores, not final Q’s, not final Zones, and not final Countries.

This specific tool < https://www.tableau.com/ > was implemented and is made public by José, CT1BOH, making it very accessible and user friendly.  Previously, we did this using Excel pivot tables and filters.  This way is a big improvement.

Please use the tool and if you “find something” that you think is worthy or further review, please let us know immediately.  The deadline for feedback that we can act on is February 24, 2018.  Sorry about the short notice.

Please send your findings, if any, directly to José, CT1BOH:   CT1BOH {at} gmail {dot} com

Enjoy!

On behalf of the CQWW Contest Committee

We received some comments that indicated that we make available the Raw Scores for the Overlays.  This was not previously available.

We are pleased to announce that this is now available for CQWW 2017, SSB and CW.

To see the Overlay Raw Scores, please go to cqww.com then select the Results tab.

On the drop down, select Raw Scores (either SSB or CW) and then scroll all the way down to the bottom.

NOTE: If you enter your call in the Raw Scores section, you will see your total Raw Score for your entire log.  That may or may not match your Raw Score for your Overlay entry, depending on how many total hours you actually operated.

If you operated 24 hours or less, then the scores will match.  If you operated more than 24 total hours, you will see two different Raw Scores: one score in the “upper” section for the full log score and another score in the Overlay section.

Thank you to Ken, K1EA for doing the raw scoring magic and thank you to Randy, K5ZD for making it happen on the CQWW.com site.