[CQ-Contest] [NCCC] Official ARRL Section Name Use on SSB?

[Dave N2NL]

    Imagine me as a new contester, participating in this SSB contest 
called Sweepstakes.  I grew up in New Jersey, and had never been to 
California.  What's obvious to you is oblivious to me.  Yeah, I have my 
section check-off-list, but it lists them as SV, SCV, SJC, ETC.  Imagine 
my confusion when I try to hear your exchange through the QRM.  Did you 
just say "Santa Clara Valley" or "Sacramento Valley"?  Say them both out 
loud.  Sound pretty similar, don't they?  Now, add San Joaquin Valley to 
the mix.  Sounds an awful lot like the other two.  The call sign won't 
help either - you're all 6's.  I imagine I busted a bunch of sections 
the first couple years because of this.
   Granted, when I bust your exchange, you don't lose the points, so why 
care?  Here's why: Once I learn the importance of copying the section 
correctly, I'm going to ask you for fills.  That's going to slow down 
your rate. 
   This really happened to me.  I imagine it happens to a lot of new 
contesters. 

***The ARRL doesn't care how you send the section, they care that the 
proper abbreviations are shown in your Cabrillo log entry.***

 Oh, and were you a resident of "SCV land" last weekend?  ;)

73, Dave N2NL/6


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> Although I don't necessarily agree, I shall now consider myself to NOT be in "Santa Clara Valley" Land, but rather an operator/resident of "Sugar Charlie Victor" Land.
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