Brad wrote:
I do use the gps babel program to convert gdb to igc, that still
results in invalid OLC posting

Brad

I think the validation is to do with whether the logger is on the IGC
secure list or not. Your Garmin isn't, so can't produce a validated file
no matter what you do to it after download.

..igc is just the format - the validation comes from the security built
into the logger (or not, in the case of Garmin GPSs, XCSoar logs from
PDAs, etc).

You only need validation for badge and record claims, so far as I know.