Bob, this is the best explanation of why not to use cut numbers that I have
seen.
73, George k5kg
Sent from my iPhone
On May 31, 2013, at 11:38, Robert Chudek - K0RC <k0rc@citlink.net> wrote:
> I don't care for cut numbers other than 5NN, the standard "synch pulse" of
> contest exchanges.
>
> During the WPX last weekend with very poor conditions, those using cut
> numbers hurt themselves and the stations they were working. Of all the
> stations I worked who used cut numbers, at least 75% of them I needed to ask
> for a repeat, if not two or more repeats. Here's why...
>
> The number sequence 0 to 9 (should) always contain 5 'elements'. Sending
> numbers in this manner provides a built-in error checking scheme. If I am
> expecting a serial number and I hear two dits and one dah, I already know
> this will be the number 2. When I hear the remaining two dahs, this confirms
> that I just heard the number two. Likewise, if I hear a dah dit, I already
> know this is the number 6, and the trailing three dits confirms that.
>
> Furthermore, when listening to a sequence of four numbers, I am expecting
> four groups of 5-elements with appropriate spacing between the groups. This
> built-in error checking can often survive moderate QRN without having to ask
> for a repeat.
>
> However, when you start throwing cut numbers into the sequence, the entire
> error checking scheme goes out the window and requires a strong, noiseless
> environment. This was not the band conditions I experienced last weekend. In
> addition to QRN, the propagation, auroral flutter, and back scatter was
> severely distorting signals at times. It was tough enough receiving the full
> 5-element numbers, let alone a solo dit or dah thrown into the middle of a
> serial number sequence.
>
> Those of you who use cut numbers should be aware that I will continue to ask
> for a repeat until I am 100% confident I received the correct number for the
> log. I am not about to take a 3X penalty because you believe using cut
> numbers has some kind of advantage.
>
> 73 de Bob - KØRC in MN
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> On 5/31/2013 5:48 AM, Ktfrog007@aol.com wrote:
>> I agree with the comment below. I do a lot of S&P and always try to get
>> the serial number of the previous QSO if possible. I still have to be alert
>> when I am are sent a serial number because SO2Rs can jump by more than one
>> if an intervening QSO occurred on another band. I don't expect any
>> running station to slow down for me unless I ask them to.
>> There are stations where I can copy the call sign but not the serial number
>> if they are very fast and using high cut numbers. I recognize a lot of
>> well known calls, plus I may have worked them earlier on another band. It
>> seems that I get older and slower all the time and everyone else is getting
>> faster. After this WPX-CW I added a QRS PSE button to my N1MM. I expect
>> I'll be using it since most likely I'll be older yet next year.
>> I don't understand why some speed demons don't slow down or stop cutting
>> toward the end of the contest as their numbers get high and they are working
>> the Sunday afternoon and evening casual ops who are just on for fun and to
>> give out a few Qs. It's rude to blast back at these folks who are really
>> just helping out the high scorers. Show some gratitude and slow down, guys.
>> 73,
>> Kermit, AB1J
>> In a message dated 5/30/2013 22:29:12 Coordinated Universal Time,
>> john@kk9a.com writes:
>>
>> If you
>> call someone, they assume that you were already able to copy their
>> callsign and that you would be able to copy the report and recognize your
>> callsign at their speed. You probably already heard the report that they
>> gave to the station before you so you should already have some idea what
>> to expect.
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>
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