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

To: Pete Smith N4ZR <n4zr@contesting.com>, reflector cq-contest <CQ-Contest@Contesting.COM>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] The Insanity of Cut Numbers in Serial Number Contests
From: Richard Thorne <rthorne@rthorne.net>
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2014 18:17:39 -0600
List-post: <cq-contest@contesting.com">mailto:cq-contest@contesting.com>
I agree Pete,

I don't want to have to use one of these..


On 12/14/2014 8:50 AM, Pete Smith N4ZR wrote:
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.


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