Description

Add better form validation and user feedback to improve data quality and user experience.

Current State

• Basic required field validation
• Limited error messaging
• No real-time validation
• Minimal user guidance

Required Validation Features

Real-time Field Validation

• Validate fields as user types (debounced)
• Show validation status with icons
• Clear error messages when fixed
• Progressive validation (validate on blur)
• Custom validation rules per field

Callsign Validation

• Valid amateur radio callsign format
• Country-specific callsign patterns
• Special event station callsigns
• Invalid character detection
• Callsign lookup integration

Frequency Validation

• Valid frequency ranges for amateur bands
• Band/frequency consistency checking
• Mode-appropriate frequency validation
• Out-of-band warnings
• Frequency format validation (MHz input)

Date/Time Validation

• Reasonable date ranges (not future dates)
• Time format validation
• UTC vs local time handling
• Contest period validation
• Date sequence validation

Grid Locator Validation

• Maidenhead grid square format
• Valid grid square ranges
• 4-character vs 6-character grids
• Geographic consistency checks
• Auto-format grid squares

RST Report Validation

• Valid RST ranges (1-9, 1-5, 1-9)
• Mode-appropriate RST formats
• CW vs SSB vs digital RST patterns
• Signal report reasonableness

QTH and Location Validation

• Country/state consistency
• DXCC entity validation
• State/province format checking
• Geographic coordinate validation
• Location lookup integration

Technical Field Validation

• Power level reasonableness (1W-1500W)
• Valid mode names
• Band/mode combinations
• Antenna information format
• Equipment model validation

User Experience Improvements

Error Messages

• Clear, actionable error messages
• Context-specific help text
• Suggestion for corrections
• Multiple error display
• Error message positioning

Visual Feedback

• Color-coded validation states
• Success/error icons
• Progress indicators
• Field highlighting
• Tooltip help messages

Form Auto-completion

• Previously used values suggestions
• Smart defaults based on context
• Auto-completion from QRZ data
• Recent contacts suggestions
• Template-based entry

Required Field Indicators

• Clear required field marking
• Dynamic required field changes
• Completion progress indicators
• Missing field highlights
• Form completion status

Form Auto-save

• Automatic draft saving
• Recovery from browser crashes
• Session timeout handling
• Draft management
• Auto-save indicators

Advanced Validation Features

Cross-field Validation

• Band/frequency consistency
• Country/state/DXCC alignment
• Date/time sequence validation
• Contest-specific validation
• Station configuration consistency

Data Quality Checks

• Duplicate contact warnings
• Unusual QSO parameters alerts
• Data completeness scoring
• Consistency with previous QSOs
• Award qualification validation

Integration Validation

• QRZ lookup result validation
• DXCC entity cross-reference
• Contest exchange validation
• Band plan compliance
• Repeater offset validation

Batch Validation

• Import data validation
• Bulk edit validation
• Consistency checking
• Error reporting for batches
• Validation rule configuration

Implementation Notes

• Use schema-based validation (Zod, Yup)
• Implement client and server-side validation
• Create reusable validation components
• Add validation rule configuration
• Provide validation bypass for special cases

Validation Rules Configuration

• Admin-configurable validation rules
• User preference overrides
• Contest-specific rule sets
• Custom validation patterns
• Validation severity levels

Error Handling

• Graceful degradation for validation failures
• Network error handling
• Validation service unavailability
• Browser compatibility issues
• Performance impact mitigation

Accessibility

• Screen reader compatible error messages
• Keyboard navigation support
• High contrast validation indicators
• Error announcement for assistive tech
• Focus management for errors

Acceptance Criteria

• Real-time validation provides immediate feedback
• Error messages are clear and helpful
• Form completion is guided and intuitive
• Data quality improves measurably
• User satisfaction with form experience increases
• Validation doesn't hinder rapid logging

Priority

High - Essential for data quality and user experience

Dependencies

• Validation library integration
• QRZ lookup service (✅ already implemented)
• DXCC entity database (✅ already implemented)
• Form component framework

Notes

• Balance validation strictness with logging speed
• Consider contest logging requirements for rapid entry
• Provide validation bypass for emergency situations
• Ensure mobile-friendly validation experience