[CQ-Contest] Eliminating NS Tailgate & Non-CFM Problems

[Eric Hilding]

One or more recent 3830 posts brought forth the growing NS "Tailgate" and non-confirmation problems.  Some of us have unfortunately QLF'd when caught up in the excitement of the moment. The solution to 99% of these common NS problems experienced is as easy as 1-2-3-4 (below)...

NS Suggestions of the Day/Week/Month/Year/Decade:

1. ALWAYS send "NS" after your callsign when CQing - (This indicates you are fair game to call)

2. ALWAYS send"NS" after your callsign when you "inherit the frequency" - (This also indicates you are fair game to call)

3. ALWAYS send an "R", "TU", "EE", or *something* to acknowledge that you've copied the other station's exchange BEFORE you disappear down the trail

4. ALWAYS QRX until a confirmation/acknowledgment is made by the other station. *** CAVEAT: You may not be able to actually copy the other station due to skip condx ;-(

If *everyone* tweaked their contest software slightly, we could all benefit with less confusion and minimal Tailgate occurences, because if you hear a callsign with nothing after it, that *should* mean that the station has called SOMEONE ELSE - so DON'T CALL THEM.  If you hear "NS" after the callsign, that means GO-FOR-IT.

73...

Rick, K6VVA