CW Abbreviations Question?

[Robert Barron]

> My interpretation is that if the receiving station knows what is meant by
> 5NN GA or ENNATT or "FIVE-NINE-BEE-CEE", then the information has been
> exchanged.  If not, the RX station should ask for a fill.

> 73 de Lee AA4GA

In that case I would like to take this opportunity to propose a
worldwide standard by which >dit< would signify 599 TX.  Now
that everyone knows about this it should be valid in all contests
that use that format of exchange. The fact that I live in Texas
has NOTHING to do with me offering this proposal I assure you!

;-) - Just in case.

73,

Robert Barron, KA5WSS                 barron at rmc.liant.com
Liant Software Corporation            Hook 'Em Horns!

>From David & Barbara Leeson <0005543629 at mcimail.com>  Wed Mar  1 17:51:00 1995
From: David & Barbara Leeson <0005543629 at mcimail.com> (David & Barbara Leeson)
Date: Wed, 1 Mar 95 12:51 EST
Subject: Climbing Belt Selection
Message-ID: <41950301175114/0005543629NA4EM at MCIMAIL.COM>

Klein is the name to remember for climbing belts...get a real lineman's
belt from a commercial source, and you won't regret it...the test of a belt
is whether you are willing to reach both hands around behind your back
while belted at 120' or so...I use the leather belt with the leather strap,
and have added the tool pocket and two short 5/32" steel cables (one each
side) with auto-locking caribiners from REI...these are the "gorilla hooks"
that give a redundant connection while you are climbing around ring
rotators or the like, and can be used to pull yourself closer, into a more
comfortable verticle position while you work...some climb with the belt
loose, but I am more comfortable climbing with the belt around the tower...
the big belt is worth the money, and keep an eye on the stitching as it
ages...I wouldn't buy a used belt (from the widow?), but I am looking at
the nylon belts for travel...nylon seat belt harnesses in race cars must
be replaced every 2-3 years because nylon loses its strength when exposed
to sunlight and smoggy air...it's your funeral, don't skimp!

73 de Dave, W6QHS  554-3629 at mcimail.com


>From Joel B Levin <levin at BBN.COM>  Wed Mar  1 18:36:48 1995
From: Joel B Levin <levin at BBN.COM> (Joel B Levin)
Date: Wed, 01 Mar 95 13:36:48 -0500
Subject: Clearing the Frequency
Message-ID: <1746.794083008 at bbn.com>

Jim Hollenback <jholly at hposl62.cup.hp.com> says:
|> So, guess what he did?  He started sending MCW, that is he threw 
|> the rig into SSB and modulated it with a tone of some sort. 
|> Well, that generated sidebands that were audible plus or minus 
|> one to two kHZ from his center frequecny.  . . .
|
|The technique you mention is very interesting. I'll have to keep it
|in mind for the frequency wars in November.

I don't know where you'll be operating from, but in the US isn't MCW
illegal in the CW subbands?

	/JBL KD1ON

>From Fred Cady ieefc at msu.oscs.montana.edu" <fred_c at ece.ee.montana.edu  Wed Mar  1 17:01:56 1995
From: Fred Cady ieefc at msu.oscs.montana.edu" <fred_c at ece.ee.montana.edu (Fred Cady ieefc at msu.oscs.montana.edu)
Date: Wed, 01 Mar 1995 12:01:56 EST
Subject: Climbing Belt Selection
Message-ID: <0098CB54.B71640C0.11 at ece.ee.montana.edu>

> 
> Klein is the name to remember for climbing belts...get a real lineman's
> belt from a commercial source, and you won't regret it...

> 
> 73 de Dave, W6QHS  554-3629 at mcimail.com

I agree with Dave.  Klein is the way to go;  get a wide, full floating
belt.  But, some of the local guys wanted to buy Klein belts last fall
and went to the local supply shop who deals in Klein equipment and
found out Klein is no longer supplying climbing belts.  Something
to do with lawyers, I understand.  Anybody else know anything about this?
Is there a supply of Klein belts anywhere?

Fred KE7X ieefc at msu.oscs.montana.edu
 

>From Peter G. Smith" <n4zr at netcom.com  Wed Mar  1 19:12:51 1995
From: Peter G. Smith" <n4zr at netcom.com (Peter G. Smith)
Date: Wed, 1 Mar 1995 11:12:51 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Numeric abbreviations
Message-ID: <Pine.3.89.9503011105.A6775-0100000 at netcom>

I don't know where I read it, but there's a precept in information theory 
about improving accuracy in the transmission of information by embedding 
it in a thoroughly-known matrix.  In other words, chances of information 
getting through are improved under "noisy" conditions if there is a 
"flag" just before the variable information that says "here it comes."  
My own experience suggests that the "599" in the ARRL or CQWW exchange is 
such a flag, and 5NN ditto, but ENN severely diminishes that value.  A 
somewhat more controversial case might be the use of "NR" before the 
number in an SS exchange, to get the receiving operator attuned to the 
fact that the exchange is about to begin.  What think?

73, Pete                                       
N4ZR at netcom.com
"Better, faster,cheaper -- choose any two"
"No no no -- it's WEST Virginia"

On Wed, 1 Mar 1995, H. Ward Silver wrote:

> > 
> > At 40 wpm there are roughly 15 dits per second. If a carribean op makes 
> > 4800 QSOs in a contest, then there is a difference of 19200 transmitted 
> > dits between the ENN and 5NN exchanges (assuming no repeats). Thus, the 5NN 
> > exchange transmissions are 21+ minutes longer than sending ENN over the 
> > course of the contest. This equates to 35 QSOs for a rate of 100/hour.
> > Slower sending speeds or higher rates increase the difference.
> > 
> 
> However...if you confuse just ONE guy by excessively abbreviating numbers,
> and he asks for repeats, it will waste the "saved time" for AT LEAST 50
> QSOs, destroys the pileup rhythm, and gets the DX op's mind out of the
> groove.  Figure that the confusee's call will probably be a 2-by-3, will
> be sent slower, and may take more than one repeat by the DX op to get it
> all straightened out.
> 
> Penny-wise and pound-foolish to trade those four dots against the probable
> disruption, in my opinion.  Better to keep order and keep everyone
> informed and on the beam.
> 
> 73, Ward N0AX
> 
> 
> 

>From jesposit at sctcorp.com (Joe Esposito)  Wed Mar  1 20:11:00 1995
From: jesposit at sctcorp.com (Joe Esposito) (Joe Esposito)
Date: Wed, 1 Mar 95 15:11 EST
Subject: Numeric Abbreviations
Message-ID: <m0rjujc-0003h4C at sctladm.sctcorp.com>

I agree with Pete. Upon hearing "599", I'm primed for what follows.

Joe, K2YJL/M

>From Brogdon, Al,  K3KMO" <abrogdon at arrl.org  Wed Mar  1 20:08:00 1995
From: Brogdon, Al,  K3KMO" <abrogdon at arrl.org (Brogdon, Al,  K3KMO)
Date: Wed, 01 Mar 95 15:08:00 EST
Subject: Cut numbers
Message-ID: <2F54D512 at arrl.org>



     As the newest list subscriber, I am seeing discussions of the use of E 
as a cut number for 5.

     I don't know where that's coming from, but it's not traditional.  The 
usage of cut numbers that I learned in ASA radio intercept officer school in 
1957 was that 4, 5, and 6 had no cut numbers.  That had been military and 
commercial practice for many years at that time.

     If contesters want to use the cuttest of cut numbers, they could send 
nothing (not even one dit) to mean 599, and the computer logging program 
could be adjusted to record 599 for all contacts.  Or do the logging 
programs do that already?

                    73,  Al, K3KMO

>From John W. Brosnahan" <broz at csn.org  Wed Mar  1 20:36:24 1995
From: John W. Brosnahan" <broz at csn.org (John W. Brosnahan)
Date: Wed, 1 Mar 1995 13:36:24 -0700
Subject: K0RF in Boston
Message-ID: <199503012036.AA18691 at teal.csn.org>

Just wanted to thank evryone for the nice responses to my request for a
chair in the ARRL DX test for K0RF.  Chuck will be at KC1XX, whose station is
just a few minutes from where Chuck will be working.  Nice to see so many
W1s take pity on us poor W0s!
73  John  W0UN
broz at csn.org

>From Brogdon, Al,  K3KMO" <abrogdon at arrl.org  Wed Mar  1 19:58:00 1995
From: Brogdon, Al,  K3KMO" <abrogdon at arrl.org (Brogdon, Al,  K3KMO)
Date: Wed, 01 Mar 95 14:58:00 EST
Subject: Numeric abbreviations
Message-ID: <2F54D27C at arrl.org>



Hi, guys,

     I'm not sure where dit as a cut number for 5 is coming from, but 
historically (by military and commercial practices) there were no cut 
numbers for 4, 5, and 6.  Somebody is making something up and trying to pass 
it off as accepted practice to push the idea of dit as a cut number.

     If there is going to be anything new under the sun, why not use dit to 
mean 599?  Better yet, just send nothing at all and have the computer 
automagically insert 599 for both halves of the exchange?

     Hi-yo, Ward!

                    73,   Al


 ----------
From: Peter G. Smith
To: H. Ward Silver
Cc: Steve; cq-contest
Subject: Re: Numeric abbreviations
Date: Wednesday, March 01, 1995 11:12AM

I don't know where I read it, but there's a precept in information theory
about improving accuracy in the transmission of information by embedding
it in a thoroughly-known matrix.  In other words, chances of information
getting through are improved under "noisy" conditions if there is a
"flag" just before the variable information that says "here it comes."
My own experience suggests that the "599" in the ARRL or CQWW exchange is
such a flag, and 5NN ditto, but ENN severely diminishes that value.  A
somewhat more controversial case might be the use of "NR" before the
number in an SS exchange, to get the receiving operator attuned to the
fact that the exchange is about to begin.  What think?

73, Pete
N4ZR at netcom.com
"Better, faster,cheaper -- choose any two"
"No no no -- it's WEST Virginia"

On Wed, 1 Mar 1995, H. Ward Silver wrote:

> >
> > At 40 wpm there are roughly 15 dits per second. If a carribean op makes
> > 4800 QSOs in a contest, then there is a difference of 19200 transmitted
> > dits between the ENN and 5NN exchanges (assuming no repeats). Thus, the
5NN
> > exchange transmissions are 21+ minutes longer than sending ENN over the
> > course of the contest. This equates to 35 QSOs for a rate of 100/hour.
> > Slower sending speeds or higher rates increase the difference.
> >
>
> However...if you confuse just ONE guy by excessively abbreviating numbers,
> and he asks for repeats, it will waste the "saved time" for AT LEAST 50
> QSOs, destroys the pileup rhythm, and gets the DX op's mind out of the
> groove.  Figure that the confusee's call will probably be a 2-by-3, will
> be sent slower, and may take more than one repeat by the DX op to get it
> all straightened out.
>
> Penny-wise and pound-foolish to trade those four dots against the probable
> disruption, in my opinion.  Better to keep order and keep everyone
> informed and on the beam.
>
> 73, Ward N0AX
>
>
>

>From blckhole at rci.ripco.com (Keith wb9tiy)  Wed Mar  1 21:01:57 1995
From: blckhole at rci.ripco.com (Keith wb9tiy) (Keith wb9tiy)
Date: Wed, 1 Mar 1995 15:01:57 -0600 (CST)
Subject: Climbing Belt Selection
Message-ID: <m0rjvWv-000Kl7C at foley.ripco.com>

There was a bit of a scare not to long ago with one type of rock climbing 
harness available from REI.  The manufacturer recalled them due to weak 
stitching, with a potential breaking problem.  Not the hot setup when hanging 
off the side of a 1200' cliff (OR a 100' tower, for that matter).

I don't claim to be an expert, but, in my opinion, any harness that is 
accepted by the rock climbing guys would be a fine harness for tower work.  
The physics are more or less the same.  Abrasion resistance is probably better 
in a rock climbing rig.  Maybe freedom of movement also.  The only drawback 
may be the lack of loops and such for tools.

Personally, I use a Klein tree-trimmer rig.  It's a seat-type leather and 
nylon setup with two (2) sets of D-rings.  Set one is the "normal" set you 
would find on any climbing belt, the other D-rings are set up to take the tension 
and load from the "seat" strap in the harness.  You use this set when you're 
going to be in any one position for a while.  The safety strap leaves the belt 
at about a 45 degree angle upwards and allows you to actually SIT in the 
belt.  Its quite a bit more comfy then making your legs support your weight 
for the duration.

I also use a padded sling (available from REI) to hold my huge load of 
carabiners and slings.  Its a GREAT setup !  What !?!??  You DON'T use 'biners
and slings ????!?!?!

Keith WB9TIY
Society of Midwest Contesters
blckhole at ripco.com

>From Draper, Bruce L." <draperbl%smtplink.mdl.sandia.gov at sass165.sandia.gov  Wed Mar  1 20:19:09 1995
From: Draper, Bruce L." <draperbl%smtplink.mdl.sandia.gov at sass165.sandia.gov (Draper, Bruce L.)
Date: Wed, 01 Mar 95 14:19:09 MDT
Subject: AA6TT/AA5B 160 Phone Results
Message-ID: <9502017940.AA794096349 at smtplink.mdl.sandia.gov>


On the road again . . .
In my quest for low-band knowledge, I went to
AA6TT's station in extreme southwest Colorado and 
operated in the 160 phone contest last weekend.

Final numbers:   1100 Qs x (57 + 12) mults = 175k

Nice station, but not a very favored location for
this contest -- I worked no Europeans or Africans, 
and couldn't hear any of the ones that the guys
east of the Mississippi were working.  In fact, I
couldn't even hear a lot of the east coast stations
that the guys in TX/MO/IL were working.

Station description:
        FT1000 + Alpha 87A + CT/DVP.
        4-square, elevated feed, 2 radials per corner.
        Beverages, but they were never better than the array.

First night was brutal.  I tried to slug it out with
the gang in between 1820 and 1860 but was never successful.
And forget trying to work anything in the window.  Ended 
up with only 520 Qs that night, and almost decided to go
home when I found out that I was at least 250 behind some
of the midwest stations.  And it didn't do me any good when
guys would stop by the frequency to say things like "N2IC 
is about 20 dB louder than you!"  

But I stuck it out.  Changed strategy -- stayed almost 
exclusively above 1900 the second night (but used the second
rcvr to tune the rest of the band and work lots of folks).  
Found that I could find slots up there quiet enough to hear some 
of the weaker east coast stations, and a fair number of DX stations 
dropped by to work me.  Ended up putting more guys in the log 
that night than on the first night (I can't remember that ever
happening to me in any contest!).  And that was despite
monster static crashes from storms all over northern NM and
southern CO -- 20 dB over S9, about 10 per minute, all night.

Had an interesting string of Columbians call me on Saturday 
night.  Sounded like their idea of a multi-op was for a bunch of 
guys to get together at one station and pass the microphone
around!  Looks a little odd in the log.

Despite what many of you told me before the contest ("Are you 
masochistic?"   "Forget it, the contest is a dog" . . .), I
think that I liked it enough that I'll try it again next year
if Bill will have me back.

     -Bruce  AA5B 

        AA5Banana at AOL.COM