>>Agree. I defy anyone to discern my zero from the letter "oh" in
>>pencil. This error has nothing to do with operating skill, rather an
>>issue of typing skill. Don't think touch typing drills are part of the
>>test.
>>
Well, as for the handwriting question, one checker already said that if
it can't be read, the QSO doesn't count. So wether your type a zero as
an oh or your zero looks just like an oh or vice versa or wether you
can't tell them apart in your handwriting, the same result still applies.
I defy someone to read my chicken scratches too! If I sent in a
handwritten log, I'd have HUGE penalties. :-)
But in today's modern age, the computer is as much a part of most ham
shacks as the transceiver itself. So I think if you want to type then
typing skills become a part of operating skills. Just as penmanship
skills are a part of the handwritten log. Properly logging Qs is as much
of a skill as hearing the call iself. Remember contests were started to
simulate and practice for emergency communications. What if you typed a
message wrong in a life threatening situation? It's all part of the
skill needed to operate.
>
>Similarly, if our logging software would show our calls the way I prefer,
>we could easily tell the difference between typing wo0o and w0oo
This would help, or having a font with the slash through the zero helps
as well too. Perhaps we need a keyboard where the oh is farther from the
zero? :-)
73,
Jon
KE9NA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Second Amendment is NOT about duck hunting!
Jon Ogden
jono@enteract.com
www.qsl.net/ke9na
"A life lived in fear is a life half lived."
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