FT Challenge Cabrillo Format

The Cabrillo log file format is a text file that can be opened, examined and modified with any text editor such as Notepad, MS Word, etc.  Most contest logging programs export this file format.  However, if the logger is mis-configured for the FT Challenge, then the Cabrillo file output can have errors.  Therefore, the first step in creating a proper Cabrillo file is to setup your logger software for the FT Challenge.  When the Cabrillo file is created in the logger software, there may be some informational data it asks for, so of course that needs to be entered correctly.

After the file is uploaded to https://ft-challenge.contesting.com/ftcsubmitlog.php, another software program called the “robot” examines the file for formatting errors.  These errors are described to the entrant, who can correct them.  It is important to read and understand these errors, correct them before submitting the log.  The log can be re-submitted any number of times.  Only the most recent submitted file is used in log checking.  All prior submissions are ignored.  Often, the errors can be corrected on the uploader webpage.  Otherwise, the original file can be opened in a text editor, as mentioned above, and the simple edits made before re-uploading.

The Cabrillo log file is composed of two components: a header and the individual QSO line data.

Header

A typical header looks like this:

START-OF-LOG: 3.0
CONTEST: FT-CHALLENGE
LOCATION: SCV
CALLSIGN: W0YK
CATEGORY-OPERATOR: SINGLE-OP
CATEGORY-ASSISTED: ASSISTED
CATEGORY-BAND: ALL
CATEGORY-POWER: LOW
CATEGORY-MODE: RTTY
CATEGORY-STATION: FIXED
CATEGORY-TRANSMITTER: ONE
CATEGORY-OVERLAY: CLASSIC
CLAIMED-SCORE: 31442
CLUB: LOMA PRIETA CONTEST CLUB
CREATED-BY: WriteLog V12.84
NAME: Ed Muns
ADDRESS: POB 1877
ADDRESS-CITY: Los Gatos
ADDRESS-STATE-PROVINCE: CA
ADDRESS-POSTALCODE: 95031-1877
ADDRESS-COUNTRY: USA
EMAIL: ed@w0yk.com
OPERATORS: W0YK
SOAPBOX:  Lots of great activity worldwide.  Thanks for the fun!

These header lines can be in any order after the first line above.  The information to the right of the colon must conform exactly to the Cabrillo specification which is maintained by the WWROF at https://wwrof.org/cabrillo/.

These header lines are followed by QSO lines for each contact made in the contest.

QSO Line Data

Here are example QSO lines for the FT Challenge:

QSO: 14090 DG 2024-12-07 1833 W0YK       -03 CM97      KL7DE       +01 BE49
QSO: 14090 DG 2024-12-07 1833 W0YK       +07 CM97     KB9S           -11 EM37

One or more character-spaces are required between each element of the QSO line.  The specification of each element is delineated in the WWROF Cabrillo Specification above.  Any errors can be fixed in the original logging software, then a new Cabrillo log file exported.  Alternatively, especially for simple errors, a text editor can be used as noted above and the corrected file re-submitted.  If there are errors that are repeated in every QSO line, e.g., RY instead of DG for the mode element, use a column editor such as Crimson Editor or NotePad++ to quickly make corrections.  Some multiple errors like this can also be handled by the Find/Replace function of the normal text editor.

Final Line

After the last QSO line is the final line of the file:

END-OF-LOG:

 

If you have problems or questions, please contact ftc-questions@rttycontesting.com