Grid Square Standings - comments please

[VK4CP]

Hi all

Please spend a few moments to get involved in this discussion...

Before I begin releasing new VK Logger scripting, I would like some feedback regarding the online all-time Grid Square Standings table here on VK Logger.
Your feedback will be used to shape the (new) GSS interface, so that it is relevant to what most users would like to see.

After taking a look at the current GSS table, http://www.vklogger.com/gss/profile.php, a simple question: how can it be improved?
Please bear in mind, there is only so much width available on the average computer screen, and a complete breakdown of every mode on every band is not feasible.

What is the best way to show our achievements?

I am inclined, given the limited number of operators, to give 3.4GHz and above, the flick.
This would allow for more categories in the mainstream bands of 50MHz, 2m, 70cm, 23cm and 13cm.

I think at a bare minimum, it is important to differentiate between terrestrial and EME contacts for each band.
What about between CW and Phone?
For "weak signal" bands, there seems to be very little CW anyway, unlike the HF bands. To me, this is a little strange to begin with!

Comments please!

I propose that the VK Logger GSS table be "zeroed", and a fresh start be made with categories that are most popular.

My "KISS" suggestion;
6m terrestrial - CW/Phone
6m terrestrial - Digital
2m terrestrial - CW/Phone
2m terrestrial - Digital
2m EME
70cm terrestrial - CW/Phone
70cm terrestrial - Digital
70cm EME
23cm terrestrial - CW/Phone
23cm terrestrial - Digital
23cm EME
13cm terrestrial - CW/Phone
13cm terrestrial - Digital
13cm EME

Remember, this is an all-time standings table (and not an annual table), so you can retrospectively enter your scores whenever.

Is anyone interested in keeping the GSS, and does anyone care?

[VK3HZ]

Hi Adam,

I thought the Logger GSS page was a realtime representation of the VK Gridsquare League Table as maintained by Guy VK2KU, with 6m added: http://vhfdx.radiocorner.net/gridsquares.html
That does attract a lot of interest and I don't think people would agree to "zero" that out - there's a lot of work gone into some of those totals.

If you're proposing a second GSS, starting now, the AGT was intended to be a short-term version of such a thing. Interest in it seems to have died recently. So, I'm not sure there's room for a second GSS.

Regards,
Dave.

[VK2KRR]

Yes I agree with Dave, even though Im not in the GSS.

Its supposed to be a listeing of of grids worked by people since for ever... people have gone out and activated rare grid squares etc that may never be repeated again, and they are included in this tally. Its like a personal record of every square people have ever worked.

If you want to ZERO things, you may as well start the ANNUAL Grid Square tally again.

[VK4CP]

Hi Dave & Leigh

I think you have both misunderstood.
The table would be zeroed with any reorganisation of the fields, ie band categories, so that there is no incorrect data within each field.
As I mentioned above, the GSS is an all-time score, and that if the tabled were zeroed due to a reorganisation of categories, users can retrospectively enter their all-time scores at any time.
Any past achievements can be recognised, and I wasn't suggesting that a new implementation date be started at all.
(The VK2KU table does not recognise contacts before 1/1/1990, actually.)

There is absolutely no proposal to introduce a second all-time grid standings table.
I might be missing something, but I can't see the point of introducing a second all-time table here.
(An annual table is another separate issue, outside the scope of this topic.)

Looking at the VK2KU table, for each band type (ie terrestrial or EME), we can have four possible results; "20" as in mixed, "20 SSB", "20CW" and "20 Digi".
That representation is fine for a manually typed up list, but for an online end-user system, each category needs to be clearly defined.
Using the VK2KU system would mean 8 fields per band (4 for terrestrial and 4 for EME) MULTIPLIED by each band covered - too many for a typical users screen width... unless multiple web pages were involved.

So, back to the original question.
How can the VK Logger GSS table be reorganised to best suit most users?
It does not have to be a direct clone of the VK2KU table.

I'd like the online table to be as relevant to most current users as possible.

Digital contacts should always be in a category of their own with separate recognition, irrespective of being terrestrial or EME.
But is there any need to differentiate between; CW only, phone only, and mixed CW/phone via either terrestrial or EME?
This would "KISS" the table significantly.

[VK2DAG]

What about per band regardless of mode or propagation? That's all the VUCC is, just grid squares worked. Then if it's not to much effort have another page per band and in that page list mode and method - CW, SSB, Digi, EME CW, EME SSB, EME Digi and maybe DXCCs worked. Then on the main page you can show all bands up to light and each band has it's sub-page without the formating issues.

Matt.

[vk4abw]

I would have to agree with Matt. I don't really see a point to listing every possible mode and method used to work a square. If people are interested in a further breakdown, then by all means a simple tick box could do this against the displayed callsign, which would pull up the operators fields, showing a breakdown.

What would make it interesting is somehow pulling up the map interface with your gridsquares 'overlayed' on it.

Dumb suggestion

Gary

[VK3BJM]

Personally speaking, Adam, I'd say:

1) Yes, I want the GSS to remain.
2) I have no problem with the modulation categories you've suggested. There's separation between the digital and the non-digital, at least for terrestrial. I'm not (yet) an EME fiend, but I suspect some may like to see a similar delineation between digital and CW/SSB for EME, too. But I'll let them comment on that, if they wish...
3) I vote for keeping a table for the bands above 13 cm. Whilst it is obviously difficult (if not unworkable, even in widescreen) to cram every band into one screen, would a separate screen for the Microwave bands be too much to ask for?

Microwave activity is clearly on the rise and I, for one, appreciate a place to record what has been achieved!

73,
Barry
VK3BJM

[vk2ams]

I am quite happy with the way the GSS is at the moment. thanks mark VK2AMS

[VK5AKK]

I think if you wipe the slate clean many users will not bother to continue. There seems to be a lot of operators who have lost interest and not updated for over twelve months so this would be a nice way to clean up.
As for the breakdown of contacts, I am happy with the current system. The important thing here is that the digital contacts are seperated from the Real contacts. (Real contacts are CW or voice)

Cheers
Phil
VK5AKK

[VK3KH]

Hi All,
I am also happy with the table as it stands.

Michael VK3KH

[VK1PAR]

I am happy with the format at the moment, it’s easy to follow, functional and can be updated easily.

Cheers,

VK1PAR