Received an inquiry from a DX'er today, who wanted to know exactly how we went about handling verifications/QSL's when the Broadcast Test Coordinator is handling the reception reports for a DX test. It's a fair question, so here goes:
Our process works like this---I review the reports (and hopefully recordings) and try to determine if the station was in fact heard. If I cannot confirm the reception, I inform the DX'er of that. They can then "appeal" this to Brandon Jordan, who acts as an independent "check and balance". He can overrule me and issue the card, or agree with me...in which case, it's an unconfirmed logging. We never do QSL's or verifications without the permission of the station, but they usually do not review the reports directly. We always send the station a summary of the loggings, and sometimes we'll send out a CD of the recordings that we've received. Most stations don't have the time, or resources to handle verifications, so they're happy to have us do them. In many cases, tests would be impossible to arrange otherwise. I would encourage you to develop the ability to record your loggings. Using a computer, it's easy and cheap (free) to record things directly to MP3 these days. It makes reports much easier to verify---most of our question marks come from "paper loggings". I have only a minimum amount of details about the WWNH test, for example...so I have to piece meal a log together from recordings of others and then check the paper logs last. It's time consuming---- In those cases, were I am able to record the test directly or get detailed logs from the stations, the whole process is much easier, but in many tests, I have to construct a time line of the test based on the recordings of others. That makes "paper logs" very difficult to check and I do them last. The most valuable item in my shack is a software program called "Total Recorder", which costs $11 bucks, and can completely automate your overnight DXing. Many DX'ers record the TOH period using this software, on each hour, and then review their recordings the next day. I've added over 100 stations to my log using this method. www.highcriteria.com You can also use it's scheduling function to record a DX test automatically and save it to MP3. Others have complained that having the BTC verify the reports makes them "less valid" or desirable than those from the station. I defend the practice in two ways: A. If it makes getting a test possible, then it's worth it. Any test is better than no test, including those who do not or cannot QSL at all. B. I've personally worked at two radio stations and one TV station. I've seen Chief Engineers open reception reports and send out verifications without ever listening to the recordings or checking log details. They literally "rubber stamp" them, because that is the least trouble for them. That's one of the big reasons why you have coast to coast receptions of Part 15 stations, or other nearly impossible DX feats going on. These DX'ers often receive verifications of their receptions! In our case, we actually do listen to the recordings, check the log times and descriptions against program content, etc. We've denied dozens of reception reports this season alone---how many CE's are taking that kind of time and trouble to protect the integrity of the QSL? Hope this helps everyone to better understand how we're going about all this. 73 & Good DX! Les Rayburn, N1LF NRC/IRCA Broadcast Test Coordinator Please call anytime 24/7 if your transmitter will be off the air for maintenance. (205) 253-4867 _______________________________________________ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://arizona.hard-core-dx.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com