To All Contesters and Contest Logging Software Developers:
The Cabrillo log format has become the accepted standard for submission of electronic contest logs. The Cabrillo format describes a set of tag definitions that are used to format information so it can be easily processed by the log submission robot and contest log checking software. (see http://www.kkn.net/~trey/cabrillo/ for a description of the Cabrillo format).
In 2009, the committee that controls the Cabrillo logging format standard introduced 4 new tag definitions for entry of postal mailing addresses. Each contest may choose to adopt or utilize the Cabrillo tag definitions as they wish so it is important to check with the sponsors of each contest for the tags and formats they accept.
Background
With the CQ WW Contest receiving over 10,000 entries, the CQ WPX Contest more than 7,000 entries, and the CQ RTTY Contests with almost 5000 entries, it is becoming increasingly difficult to efficiently parse the free form addresses that appear in logs from all parts of the world. These new tags were requested to help entrants in formatting their postal mailing addresses in a way the computer will be able to read and understand.
Since all certificates for CQ contests are mailed from the United States, we are required to follow the US Postal Service rules for mailing addresses. By having entrants specify their postal mailing address in a known format, we can automate this process and reduce errors.
ADDRESS tag definitions
ADDRESS: text
The street address or post office box line(s) of the address. Maximum length 75 characters. This is the original ADDRESS tag definition and can be used for entry of the complete address. All other ADDRESS- tag defintions are optional.
ADDRESS-CITY: text
City name in postal address.
ADDRESS-STATE-PROVINCE: text
State, province or region name for the postal address.
ADDRESS-POSTALCODE: text
Postal or zip code in the postal address. Please type the postal code according to the convention in your country.
ADDRESS-COUNTRY: text
The post office name for your country. Not required for mailing addresses in the USA or Canada. The list of accepted US Postal Service country names (required for CQ Contests) can be found at http://www.cqwpx.com/usps_country_names.htm
Examples
Examples of using the new tags.
USA Example
NAME: John Smith
ADDRESS: 100 Main Street
ADDRESS: Apt 14
ADDRESS-CITY: Newtown
ADDRESS-STATE-PROVINCE: MA
ADDRESS-POSTALCODE: 01555
Germany Example
NAME: Andy Meszaros
ADDRESS: Wormser Str. 4
ADDRESS-CITY: Karlsruhe
ADDRESS-POSTALCODE: 76185
ADDRESS-COUNTRY: Germany
Japan Example
NAME: Sakae Morishima
ADDRESS: 3-3-2 Suwacho
ADDRESS-CITY: Matsudo
ADDRESS-STATE-PROVINCE: Chiba
ADDRESS-POSTALCODE: 271-0077
ADDRESS-COUNTRY: Japan
UK Example
NAME: Bill Thompson
ADDRESS: 35 Meadow Bank Avenue
ADDRESS: Cowplain
ADDRESS: Waterlooville
ADDRESS: Hants
ADDRESS-POSTALCODE: PO8 8SQ
ADDRESS-COUNTRY: UNITED KINGDOM
Use by CQ WPX
The contest log submission robot for the CQ WPX contest has been updated to accept the new tag definitions. The new tags are optional and all logs will be accepted if they use them or not.
Entrants for the CQ WPX Contest 2010 RTTY/SSB/CW may use the new tags in their Cabrillo log files. At a minimum, we request entrants to use the ADDRESS-COUNTRY tag.
These new tag definitions will be accepted for the CQ WPX and CQWW contests. We hope that other contests will support the use of these new tag definitions.
We ask all software developers to add the necessary fields to their software so users can enter their addresses in the more detailed format that matches the new tag definitions.
Please direct any questions about the use of the new tags to me at k5zd@cqwpx.com.
Why are addresses a problem? Visit http://www.columbia.edu/kermit/postal.html for a comprehensive explanation of the variation in worldwide postal address formats.