[CQ-Contest] New Run Mode Macro

[Eric Hilding]

Some of you may do this already, but for those who don't, perhaps it may be of benefit.

As soon as the new custom mounts are done for my revamped X-KEYS setup on the Ergonomic keyboard, I am definitely adding a separate key that will auto-append a "?" to any partial letter callsign (as an optional method)  and then send the exchange. With my big hands, I keep fumbling around too much to press the SHIFT key plus the "?" at the same time to plug this into the callsign window ;-(  Some times, of course, I do not add the "?" but just send the partial call.  The fewer letters I've copied, the more I tend to want to add the "?".  I believe most loggers allow for multi-key assignments to a Macro key.

In the brief times I was QRV in the ARRL 160m Contest, I had some real bizzare moments that normally don't happen to frequently.

Those being, 2, 3, 4 or more stations calling dead-zero beat with each other at just about the same signal strength.  I'd generally end up only being able to get the last 2 letters of the slowest caller at the end (or use only 1 letter if that's all I could copy when the dust settled), *try* to add the "?" and then send the exchange to eliminate another back & forth.  Umh, there were some QLF moments on the keyboard lnd a few delays when I couldn't enter the "?" fast enough ;-(

Most ops were pretty sharp & just corrected their callsigns (if I copied wrong or mis-typed letters), and/or filled in the missing letters or number.  Tnx, guys, for your patience!

Yup, ONE key to multi-task this type of situation in the future should make things flow more smoothly at times, and I hope it may work for you too.

FYI & 73...

RIck, K6VVA