Radio Society of Great Britain – Contest Committee


RSGB - Contest Committee

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    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)



    Log Submission

    Q:How do I send an IOTA contest log?
    A: In electronic format, send your log to . If you have a paper log, you can send your log to RSGB IOTA Contest, RSGB, 3 Abbey Court, Fraser Road, Priory Business Park, Bedford, MK44 3WH, UK.


    Q:What kind of electronic logs do you accept?
    A: We prefer logs in the cabrillo format, but will accept just about any format. Other formats will have to be converted manually by the administrating team. Most contest software (eg K1EA, EI5DI, WRITELOG) support the cabrillo format.


    Q:How do I email a log to you?
    A: This is important:
    1) Identify the log that you need to send and note its file name.
    2) Open your email software and start composing an email to .
    3) In the subject of the email enter the callsign you used during the contest eg 5B4WN/P.
    4) Now choose from the menu of your email software the INSERT/ADD ATTACHMENT (as file) option. Navigate to the log file on your (hard) disk and click OK.
    5) Now SEND the email.
    Please note that you should ONLY send ONE ATTACHMENT/file per email. Do NOT compress your log.
    We do NOT need a summary sheet etc as you will be asked to enter this information later! If all was done OK, you should expect to receive an email from our robot within 24 hours. Please also note that anything you write in the body of the email, will be ignored. You will be given the opportunity to tell us about special instructions later!


    Q:My logging software does NOT support cabrillo for the IOTA contest, is there anything else I can do?
    A: If you only have a handful of QSOs you may wish to try the web based cabrillo file maker (thanks WA7BNM).. Alternativey send your logfile to the robot and activate the log and we will convert it for you.


    Q: Does my logging software support cabrillo?
    A: Check in the software manual. CT (V10), TR, N1MM, Win-Test, Writelog, AALog, SDI, LuxLog, RCKlog, NA, MixW support cabrillo for IOTA. Windows based programs usually have an export to or save as cabrillo option. Please ALWAYS open the created cabrillo file with a text editor eg windows notepad and visually confirm its accuracy. DOS-based software may need you to issue a special command eg WRITECAB in CT, or use a special accessory program such as SDICHECK in the case of SDI. If you cant find the information you wish, search on it on the web, email the software developer or email us your log in the native format and we will try and convert it for you!


    Q: Can I send a COMPRESSED log (.zip or .exe)?
    A: No, the robot will completely IGNORE those (you will NOT even get an acknowledgement).


    Q: Should I receive an acknowledgement?
    A: Yes. ALL electronic submissions SHOULD receive acknowledgement of reception. This is an automatic process and typically happens within 5 minutes of submission.
    Occasionally because of "high web traffic" this acknowledgement may be delayed up to 24 hours!
    Please note that you should read all instructions in the email as your log submission is only 50% complete at this point! See FAQs below for the activation procedure.


    Q:It's been 24 hours and I haven't received an acknowledgement yet?
    A: Firstly ensure that your email software has your correct email address configured. This is the address the robot will send you the acknowledgement.
    Occasionally for a number of reasons your email may not reach the robot. You should re-send the log to (see above for special details) and await for acknowledgement. If you still receive no response, send your log with details of what happened to the .


    Q: I have received an acknowledgement that states that I have cabrillo errors in my log?
    A: This is possible due to mistyping. software bugs etc! Occasionally people also send the wrong log to the robot (hence wrong date error). Locate the log you have sent, and open it with a text editor. Visually confirm/ correct any errors. Save it and resend it to the robot as described above.


    Q: I have a received an acknowledgement but the robot has detected the wrong callsign or different number of total QSOs (including dupes)?
    A: This means that there are errors in your cabrillo log format. Use a text editor to look at your log. Ensure that the CALLSIGN: tag has your correct call. Ensure that all QSO lines begin with the QSO: tag. See here for cabrillo specifications. If you have spotted any formatting errors, correct them and resend the log as described above. If you need help, send the log to the explaining what the problem is.
    Also look to see if this is a known problem with a particular version of your logging software and see if there is a work around!
    Do NOT activate/complete your submission unless this information is correct.


    Q: I have receipt an acknowledgement that says there is a problem with Email attachment?
    A: See above for details on how to correctly submit your log.


    Q:When is the deadline for submission?
    A: You may submit your log up to 23:59Z August 16th.


    Q: Can I get an extension?
    A: Only under special circumstances and after the approval of the .



    Cabrillo Help
    Q:How do I produce cabrillo with N1MM software?
    A: Choose File->Export->Export Cabrillo to file Send the created log to the robot!



    Q:How do I produce cabrillo with K1EA CT software?
    A: Only CT V10.02.008 and above supports cabrillo for IOTA (download here. With CT running type WRITECAB in the callsign field. A file is created and saved in your CT directory called YOURLOG.LOG. Edit this with a text editor to complete important cabrillo header info.



    Q:How do I produce cabrillo with SDI software?
    A: To produce cabrillo with SDI you need to run a separate program called SDICHECK (bundled in the same directory as SDI) and enter the correct information in the appropriate fields. Email (attach) the resultant LOG file to the robot.






    Log Activation

    Q:What is Log activation?
    A: If you have correctly submitted the right log, you should receive an email with instructions on how to activate a log. You will be redirected to a web site where you will need to enter some details eg Category, Address etc. Once you entered all this details, click on the submit button to complete your submission. You should receive an email acknowledgement confirming completion of your submission.


    Q:How long does it take?
    A: About 1 minute!


    Q: Why do you need an activation step?
    A: To ensure that you have entered all the required details especially the category and your contact addresses. With so many different logging software, it is difficult to encoded some of the information. In fact analysis of logs from 2003 and 2004 revealed ~430 different ways of encoding the category information (cabrillo headers!)! The activation procedure ensures that the IMPORTANT information is collected correctly. We also give you the opportunity to upload a photograph from your operation.


    Q: I am unable to activate my log. I get an error that the site is unreachable!
    A: Ooops! Occasionally the web traffic may be too much for the server! Wait for 5-10minutes and try again. If the problem persists, email the Contest Manager and we will try our best to help you!


    Q: I have activated my log but I spotted a mistake, shall I re-submit my log?
    A: No, you won't be able to! This is done for security purposes. However, you can email the and inform him of what the problem is. Ensure to include in the email your call and the activation URL (link) as stated in the acknowledgment email!


    Q: Where can I tell you about some special details about my log?
    A: When you try to activate your log by visiting the web link in the acknowledgement email, you can tell us about any Special Notes, in the special notes box! Alternatively, you can email the . Ensure to include in the email your call and the activation URL (link) as stated in the acknowledgment email!


    Q:Where can I confirm that my submission is complete and you have my details OK?
    A: Visit the log activation page. Note that only ACTIVATED logs appear here. If you notice any errors tell the . Ensure to include in the email your call and the activation URL (link) as stated in the acknowledgment email!



    Photos


    Q: I can't see my uploaded photo! Why?
    A: A contest administrator has to approve/enable your uploaded photo before becoming public!





    Q: Who has developed the IOTA robot?
    A: The software/implementation was written by Marios (5B4WN/G0WWW) under the watchful eye of Don G3XTT (and the cc). This work is 100% voluntary! Many other have helped in one way or another (eg translating etc)!


    Updated: 15-07-2009