diff --git a/src/main/java/kst4contest/logic/PriorityCalculator.java b/src/main/java/kst4contest/logic/PriorityCalculator.java
index 8fc8436..0a3d341 100644
--- a/src/main/java/kst4contest/logic/PriorityCalculator.java
+++ b/src/main/java/kst4contest/logic/PriorityCalculator.java
@@ -83,12 +83,13 @@ public class PriorityCalculator {
         // --------------------------------------------------------------------
         double score = 100.0;
 
-//        if (!member.isWorked()) {
-//            score += 200.0;
-//        }
-
-        //"worked" for scoring is derived ONLY from per-band flags (worked144/432/...)
-//        EnumSet<Band> workedBandsForScoring = getWorkedBands(member);
+        /*
+         * A manual Sked-fail mark represents an explicit operator decision. The
+         * penalty is therefore applied after all positive contributions, including
+         * an imminent sked. Applying it earlier would allow the later sked boost to
+         * almost completely cancel the failure mark.
+         */
+        boolean manualSkedFailed = false;
 
         if (workedBandsForScoring.isEmpty()) {
             score += 200.0; // never worked on any supported band -> higher priority
@@ -190,9 +191,11 @@ public class PriorityCalculator {
                 }
 
                 // Manual sked fail (path likely bad) => strong, permanent penalty until reset
-                if (mx.manualSkedFailed) {
-                    score *= 0.15;
-                }
+                /*
+                 * Remember the explicit failure state here. The actual penalty is applied
+                 * after the sked contribution has been calculated.
+                 */
+                manualSkedFailed = mx.manualSkedFailed;
             }
         }
 
@@ -226,10 +229,25 @@ public class PriorityCalculator {
         // --------------------------------------------------------------------
         // 8) Legacy penalty: failed attempts in ChatMember
         // --------------------------------------------------------------------
+        // --------------------------------------------------------------------
+// 8) Legacy penalty: failed attempts in ChatMember
+// --------------------------------------------------------------------
         if (member.getFailedQSOAttempts() > 0) {
             score = score / (member.getFailedQSOAttempts() + 1);
         }
 
+// --------------------------------------------------------------------
+// 9) Explicit operator override: manual Sked fail
+// --------------------------------------------------------------------
+        if (manualSkedFailed) {
+            /*
+             * Apply the penalty to the complete result. This includes an imminent
+             * sked and prevents its strong time-dependent boost from cancelling the
+             * operator's explicit failure assessment.
+             */
+            score *= 0.15;
+        }
+
         return Math.max(0.0, score);
     }
 
diff --git a/src/main/java/kst4contest/view/Kst4ContestApplication.java b/src/main/java/kst4contest/view/Kst4ContestApplication.java
index f2949e4..d619f56 100644
--- a/src/main/java/kst4contest/view/Kst4ContestApplication.java
+++ b/src/main/java/kst4contest/view/Kst4ContestApplication.java
@@ -4388,10 +4388,10 @@ public class Kst4ContestApplication extends Application implements StatusUpdateL
 	/**
 	 * Resolves and selects a priority candidate.
 	 *
-	 * If the station is currently visible in the member table, selecting it there is
-	 * preferred because the existing table-selection listener then keeps the rest of
-	 * the UI in sync. If the station is filtered out, we still show FurtherInfo and
-	 * prepare the /cq text so the priority list remains useful with active filters.
+	 * <p>The common selection helper is used deliberately. It updates Further Info,
+	 * prepares the directed message and selects the corresponding table row when
+	 * the row is currently visible. A candidate hidden by an active table filter
+	 * remains usable without changing or resetting that filter.</p>
 	 */
 	private void selectTopCandidate(
 			kst4contest.controller.ScoreService.TopCandidate candidate,
@@ -4408,25 +4408,17 @@ public class Kst4ContestApplication extends Application implements StatusUpdateL
 			return;
 		}
 
-//		if (tbl_chatMember.getItems().contains(resolved)) {
-//			tbl_chatMember.getSelectionModel().select(resolved);
-//			tbl_chatMember.scrollTo(resolved);
-//		} else {
-//			selectedCallSignInfoStageChatMember = resolved;
-//			chatcontroller.getScoreService().setSelectedChatMember(selectedCallSignInfoStageChatMember);
-//
-//			selectedCallSignFurtherInfoPane.getChildren().setAll(generateFurtherInfoAbtSelectedCallsignBP(resolved));
-//			txt_chatMessageUserInput.clear();
-//			txt_chatMessageUserInput.setText("/cq " + resolved.getCallSign() + " ");
-//			txt_chatMessageUserInput.requestFocus();
-//			txt_chatMessageUserInput.selectEnd();
-//		}
-
-		tbl_chatMember.getSelectionModel().select(resolved); //new mechanic for selectionchange events due to textfield
-		//manipulation...
-
-		// Keep ScoreService selection in sync even if the visible table selection path was used.
-		chatcontroller.getScoreService().setSelectedChatMember(resolved);
+		/*
+		 * This is an explicit operator action and therefore follows the same path
+		 * as a timeline click. The exact callsign and category stored in the
+		 * TopCandidate remain authoritative.
+		 *
+		 * focusChatMemberAndPrepareCq() also handles candidates which are currently
+		 * hidden by a FilteredList. In that case the table row cannot be selected,
+		 * but Further Info, ScoreService selection and the prepared /cq message are
+		 * still updated.
+		 */
+		focusChatMemberAndPrepareCq(resolved);
 	}
 
 	/**