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Re: [CQ-Contest] Cut numbers -- a different take

To: CQ Contest <cq-contest@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Cut numbers -- a different take
From: Zack Widup <w9sz.zack@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2014 22:22:58 -0600
List-post: <cq-contest@contesting.com">mailto:cq-contest@contesting.com>
CW spy numbers stations use what we call the "ANDUWRIGMT" cut numbers
system. A=1, N=2, D=3, etc. The sequence of cut numbers was discovered
when identical number sets were transmitted by voice stations.

73, Zack W9SZ


On 12/15/14, Ktfrog007--- via CQ-Contest <cq-contest@contesting.com> wrote:
> Yet another take:
>
> In what radio service do the operators deliberately confuse things by using
>
>  cut numbers, especially when there is QRM, QSB, weak signals, etc?.  I
> thought real "radiomen" would consider the conditions and adjust accordingly
>
> to  get the message across accurately.  I thought cut numbers were to be
> used
>  only when it was safe and appropriate to do so.
>
> I had a friend, W9CG (SK), who was a ship operator in the old days and
> that's what he told me.
>
>
> 73,
> Ken, AB1J
>
>
>
>
> In a message dated 12/15/2014 17:00:27 GMT Standard Time, w5gn@mxg.com
> writes:
>
> At least  for the WPX CW contest, N1MM and N1MM+ both decode the cut
> number for the  serial, so you can type exactly what you hear and
> see the transcribed  numbers.  I was surprised to find the CQ WW does
> not decode cut  numbers for the zone, but I guess that was a conscious
> choice since the  zone will normally be populated from the call.
> I'm not sure what other  contests are similarly decoded.
>
> Of course, for ARRL 10, or any contest  where the exchange can
> include either serial numbers or text  (state/oblast/etc),
> cut numbers can't be safely decoded.
>
> And I'll  always send 5NN NN from EI/W5GN for the ARRL CW and others
> contests that  send power; not only because it sounds nice, and seems
> to be very well  understood - I can't recall every needing to fill
> with actual numbers - but  also because "99" is the "nick-number" of
> my bride, KA5PQD, plus, her  Grandmother signed her letters from Texas
> in the 1880's with "99 - Peace  and Love", which could go along with
> 73 and 88 on the  air!
>
> 99,
> and
> MERRILLY CHRISTMAS,
> Barry and Judy  Merrill
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: CQ-Contest  [mailto:cq-contest-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of
> Art Boyars
> Sent:  Monday, December 15, 2014 8:40 AM
> To: cq-contest@contesting.com
> Subject:  [CQ-Contest] Cut numbers -- a different take
>
> Well, yes, they are  annoying -- especially if I am running (hah!).  But...
>
> 1.  If  I am S&P, I usually hear one report before my QSO, so I am ready
> for cut  numbers.  (That's for actual spot-free S&P; might not apply to
> skill-free point-and-click.)
>
> 2.  I think we will eventually learn  to copy cut numbers, just like we
> learned to love 5NN -- and even ENN -- even  at QRQQQ.  And I think all the
> big
> guns here in Zone 5 are sending 5NN 5,  not even T5 or o5, and certainly
> not 05.  Who am I to complain if some  European wants to send A4 or A5, or
> if
> some Brazilian wants to use AA?   It all saves time, and, as the noted
> electrical experimenter Ben Franklin  (3BF, in the pre-license days) said,
> "Time
> is QSOs."
>
> 3.  "Ah," you  say, "A4, etc., are zone numbers.  We already know those.
> We're  complaining about Ser No's."  Yes, and you have made my point about
> CQ WW  -- no copying skill req'd; but that's a different topic.  But it does
>
>  lead me to...
>
> 4.  ...Point 2, again.  The user has to be  smart -- what can the copying
> station handle -- in this particular QSO?   It's just like wise use of code
>
> speed (or phonetics).  Right now, I think  most of the regular contesters
> can
> decode N=9 and T=0 in a QSO NR.  I  think E=5 and A=1 will be next.  I
> don't know if we'll ever get beyond  that.
>
> In the end, Darwin (preferring the soft sciences, he was never  QRV) will
> rule, and what works best will survive.  Who want's to go back  to .....
> ----. ----. ----- .....? Or hand keys? Or paper logs?  The  innovators will
>
> decide what improves their desired results -- whether that be  max rates,
> max points, or max fun.
>
> (Regarding leading zeros: Those of  us who start the 'Test late and are
> sending NR<10 when everybody else is  >200 find that it helps to send the
> leading zero until you have at least  two digits, sometimes three.  The
> copying
> op often cannot believe that NR  5 is right, and asks for a repeat.
> OTOH, many lower-tier op's do, indeed,  seem to use it too long, but that
> might be based on their own  experience.)
>
> And if you are sitting there grumping while everybody else  is increasing
> their rate by 1% or 2%, I sincerely hope you are having  fun.
>
> 73, Art K3KU
> "Tune for maximum  fun"
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