[CQ-Contest] CW QSY Format Proposal

[PaulKB8N]

I thought I'd post my response to Tom, K5RC, as it answers some of the
concerns others have written about:

In a message dated 98-01-12 11:24:26 EST, TOMK5RC writes:

<< << Sounds like good proposals, but, I think the guys you are spending the
most
  time with about changing bands are the casual operators, and they wouldn't
  have a clue about the QSY shorthand. The regulars pretty much respond to
"QSY
  28.050 ?"
   >>
 Hi Tom,
 
 I was rather surprised at how awkward it was even with experienced
contesters.  I was apparently getting out on 10M, although I heard only a few
stations.  I had several folks try to move me to 10M and the conversation
usually went like this:
 
 Him:  QSY 10M?
 Me:  RR
 Him: 28045?
 Me: R CU
 
 I would have to say that even with the most needed mults, an experienced
contester will not ask an inexperienced station to move.  (I resisted the
temptation to move an obviously inexperienced NE station to 15M) I believe
that I was a candidate to be moved because I am a known two transceiver user.
I kept one radio on 10m for quite a while hoping for an opening, but heard
very little here and was unable to work those who tried to move me.
 
 If a good technique is developed, I believe everyone will want to jump on the
bandwagon (no pun intended) and it will become commonplace.  If a Rip Van
Winkle Contester woke up to today's operating practices, he wouldn't recognize
a lot of the things that commonplace today.  For the sake of speed and scores,
contesting has evolved, and many have been dragged kicking and screaming,
while others have led the way.
 
 Contesting is a game of seconds.  To eliminate a keystroke or streamline a
procedure is what its all about.  Like it or not, we've all adjusted to using
cut numbers to some extent.  Those that aren't willing to change only hurt
themselves.
 
 I find QSY F56 much preferable to QSY 28056 for reasons of speed and
accuracy.  My station and the TR software allow me to quickly switch to the #2
radio, type 28056 into the call window, hit Enter, and the radio is there with
the appropriate antenna automatically selected.  If I can copy and type F56
instead, I've cut the time in half, with less chance of error.  I've replaced
three lengthy pieces of information (280) with one (F).  If the computer can
accept this alphanumeric to automate the bandchanging process, I don't even
necessarily have to know that F = 28 MHz.
 
 Gone are the days of CQ SS  CQ SS DE W9IOP W9IOP AR K.  Just as we've
supplanted that message with SS KB8N, so too should we look for ways to
streamline everything else, leaving no rock unturned.
 
 73,  Paul, KB8N
  >>


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