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[CQ-Contest] The Insanity of Cut Numbers in Serial Number Contests

To: reflector cq-contest <CQ-Contest@Contesting.COM>
Subject: [CQ-Contest] The Insanity of Cut Numbers in Serial Number Contests
From: Pete Smith N4ZR <n4zr@contesting.com>
Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2014 09:50:54 -0500
List-post: <cq-contest@contesting.com">mailto:cq-contest@contesting.com>
Please, please don'tuse cut numbers when transmitting a serial number. I've even heard some Es and As today - that's just absurd, and counterproductive..

There is good information science behind this plea. When you really need to get a number right, particularly with weak signals, even the most common cut numbers, like N and T, are more trouble than they are worth in time saving. Why? Because each full number has five elements, grouped together - that is consecutive dots or dashes. Your brain can use this fact to copy confidently, even if QRM or QSB causes you not to hear a dit or dah, because of spacing *between* numbers. If you send a cut number, you deprive the receiving op of this aid - he asks for a fill, and you've lost more time than the cut number would save you in 5 QSOs.

--

73, Pete N4ZR
Check out the Reverse Beacon Network at
http://reversebeacon.net,
blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com.
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