Subject: [CQ-Contest] New ARRL File Format being introduced
Date: Wed, 29 Sep 1999 12:04:09 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Henderson, Dan N1ND" dhenderson@arrl.org
To: "'cq-contest'" cq-contest@contesting.com

ARRL Adopts Cabrillo File Format for Electronic Contest Submissions

The Contest Branch is pleased to announce that a new standard electronic file format known as Cabrillo has been adopted for all ARRL Contests. Starting with the 1999 ARRL November Sweepstakes, the Cabrillo V2.0 file format will be the standard file format at the ARRL for electronic submissions.

You may still use any file format which has previously been acceptable for ARRL contests during the next year's transition period. Starting with the November 2000 ARRL Sweepstakes, the Cabrillo format will be the only acceptable electronic file format for ARRL contests. Stations may still use text editors on their home PCs to generate the log files, but these "home designed" files must meet the Cabrillo file format beginning with next year's November Sweepstakes.

The Cabrillo file format is the result of a joint effort by software developers and contest sponsors in response to the proliferation of file formats being submitted to various contest committees. For example, in the 1999 ARRL Ten Meter Contest, several dozen different file formats were submitted. While most formats technically fit the requirements under the rules, almost all of the files required significant work by contest staff and volunteers in order to be processed.

Working with the developers of most major logging software programs and with the sponsors of most major contests, Trey Garlough, N5KO developed the Cabrillo format. The major software developers have agreed to incorporate the Cabrillo format into new updates of the programs. Operators should contact the various software developers and distributors for information on upgrades to their specific programs.

The Cabrillo format standardizes what information for each QSO will appear in each column of data. For more detailed information on the format, please refer to the "General Rules for all ARRL Contests" which will appear in the November 1999 issue of QST. Also, the specifications for the Cabrillo file format can be obtained on-line from: http://www.kkn.net/~trey/cabrillo/ Besides the file specifications, you may also view sample templates for various ARRL contests, a history of any modifications to the format, and some insight into the development of the Cabrillo file format.

For information on the technical specifics of the Cabrillo format please contact Trey Garlough, N5KO at trey@kkn.net. For more information on ARRL contests contact ARRL Contest Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND at n1nd@arrl.org or (860) 594-0232.