[Dxbase] hybrid submissions

Fri Jun 15 07:32:23 EDT 2007

just my opinion
"The more you try to make a complex situation automatic, the less automatic 
it will become"
I have made 2 or more submissions of cards and LoTW qsls the past few years.
Some were 'hybrid' (hardcard and LoTW) qsl submissions.
some were LoTW only, and some hardcard qsl only.
some were hardcard, Field Checked.
Except for my typos and plain stupidity, almost error free.
First for hard cards.
I assign each new hardcard that I know I will submit, a unique qsl number 
that is entered into the 'special 2' field.
This 'qsl number' covers that card whether 1 qso is to be submitted or 
others.
I also assign a code 'C07-2' or L07-4' into the Special 1 field.
They represent 'CardYR-submission (in the example it was a hardcard, in 
2007, and the second submission of the year) likewise for LoTW submission.
I attach a post-it note to the card, with the info:
C07-2
QSL # 061407-1 (date-1st qsl for that day)
Callsign of the station
****important****
which qsls (if multiqso qsl) I want to submit
with it's date, band, mode
(many times 10 meters is confused with 10 mHz)
When I prepare the paper work for a hardcard direct to HQ or for Field 
Checking, I do the awards submission search on the Special 1 field to select 
ONLY the qsls with the C07-2 code.
At the end of the process, I do NOT, tell DXB to mark these as credited for 
DXCC.
(I always thought the default should be 'NO' to that option).
The printed submission form has a place to check if it's a hybrid 
submission.
As well as the LoTW part of the process has the option to indicate if 
hardcards are sent to HQ or will be checked at a Field Checking.
So far, this system has worked for me, no duplicates, no wrong bands/modes, 
being credited.
Occasionally an typo error on my part.
After I get the notice back from the DXCC desk, if there are any rejections, 
I check out why, find the error, correct it, and then mark each qso as 
credited for DXCC, Challenge, whatever.
Same with the LoTW portion of a hybrid or direct, check the results online 
and make the entries into DXBase. (I leave the code and qsl # in the Special 
Fields for future checks in case of questions).
Now this may seem like a lot of work, maybe it is. But because I chase many 
awards, DXCC, 9Bands, Quixote Quest, Top List, Challenge, it's been almost 
foolproof.
Occasionally I or the DXCC Desk card checker disagree (usually due to 
handwriting), a scan copy emailed to DXCC Admin, solves it.
But as to the issue of a hybrid, I NEVER INCLUDE THE LOTW QSL on the form I 
present to the field checker. My understanding has always been that the qsl 
list was so he could compare the hardcard with what band, mode, date, etc is 
being submitted.
(there are reasons why I declined invitations to serve as a field checker, 
eyestrain, and sanity being some)
If you don't like my system, then in the words of the late 'SNL Emily 
Luttilla' "nevermind!".
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"Today's subliminal thought is:"
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Bill H. in Chicagoland
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