This subject seems to be a perennial issue that comes up around the beginning
of the contest season
For me the RS(T) report, while meaningless in itself, acts a convenient
placeholder in giving and receiving the contest exchange. Even in the SP it is
convenient to have it as a prelude to the actual exchange. Similarly it is
convenient in SS to have an NR sent before launching into the exchange. It
kind of primes you to start listening.
And what else is a DXpedition station supposed to do to confirm that a QSO has
been established? ( Maybe "W0XXX Hi there big boy???)
160 is probably the only band where you frequently give and receive
semi-factual signal reports, although the actual reading on the S meter is
seldom what is sent. But, a comparative S number is useful. If I hear a
signal that is buried in background noise 50 percent of the time I give an S 3
report. If it is just at the edge of the noise but is mostly copyable an S 5
is forthcoming. Above the noise and clear is an S 9. If my meter actually
reads over S 9 I usually give an S 9 plus report.
At the other end of the spectrum how many stations do you work on ten meters
that actually move the S meter at all?
Readibility is easily a quantifiable number although there are some instances
where a 3x9 plus report would be appropriate.
For that matter what is more useless than the T report. It has been a long
time since all the UA stations started using Japanese made radios and gave up
their distinctive chirpy CW. (Actually I used to listen for the chirpy CW
knowing that it was probably good DX)
Even longer since the quenched spark gap that gave such a distinctive tone that
you could often identify a station be the tone alone.
I think that the RS(T) is a permanent fixture and we might as well accept it or
go down with the ship
73
Larry
N7DF
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160 meters is a serious band, it should be treated with respect. - TF4M
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