[CQ-Contest] "?" not equal to "QRL?"

[Mark Beckwith]

> In a contest like CQWW CW, 30 seconds is an eternity
> and an unreasonable amount of time to listen to a freq.

I don't recall seeing the number "30 seconds" cited.  I take "some tens of 
seconds" to mean 20.  That's only one QSO at a rate of 180.  I don't think 
it's unreasonable.  There are many more foolish ways to lose a QSO than 
listening before you transmit.

> Do that, and you'll hear someone else grab it first.

This only seems like a good reason, but:

1. if the frequency was really available, you'd probably take it the moment 
you heard someone else's "?" before letting him grab it (I know I would), 
or:

2. the guy trying to work the JT would respond to the other guy's "?" and 
you'd learn the frequency was occupied in less than 20 seconds.

Vy 73

Mark, N5OT