Rules for cut numbers:
1. Don't use them except for numbers that are already known before you
send them. A4 is a fine CQ zone number for a DL. AUTN is a bad serial number
for anybody.
1a. ARRL DX powers are OK for common power numbers. 1TT or ATT is OK for
a hundred watts. ATTT (as in a kilowatt) is not.
1b. If you suspect a guy is having trouble getting your number go ahead
and try a repeat using the cut number equivalent if it is an N, A, or T.
2. Leading T's (zeros) in serial numbers are good, but not for more than
three total digits.
3. Remember, the guy on the other end has to copy and type/write your
serial number. And he probably won't start sending until he is done typing.
Those few extra tenths of a second are not going to waste when you send the
whole, uncut number.
4. Don't mix cut numbers and letters. EN NA as a grid square is bad.
5. Don't use cut numbers for your SS CK unless it is not the actual year
you got your first license. (Sorry, just kidding. It's been six months
since or six months until that hoary subject reared/rears its ugly head again!)
73 - Jim K8MR
Operating in the ARRL VHF contest from grid square EN NA
In a message dated 5/31/2012 5:49:42 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
w9sz.zack@gmail.com writes:
An anecdote -
In my first really semi-serious effort as a little pistol in ARRL DX
CW (n 1993) I had been inactive in ham radio for quite a number of
years and honestly hadn't encountered cut numbers other than 5NN. Many
stations were sending "ATT" for the exchange in the ARRL DX. I logged
on paper logs and wrote down just that, as I didn't know what it
meant. That's what the ARRL got on my paper logs.
I also didn't know what some of the prefixes were, as I had a DXCC
countries list that was many years old and it didn't have S5, T9 and
some other prefixes I heard and worked.
Even recently I have been thrown by cut numbers in a serial number
exchange when I get something like "ATET." I have to stop and think
about it, which slows me down.
I thought the generally-accepted convention was never to use cut
numbers in a callsign. Seems people are even doing that these days. If
I hear someone doing that I will probably just pass them by.
73, Zack W9SZ (not WNSZ)
:-}
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