[CQ-Contest] Cut numbers and logchecking

[David Pruett]

Jack,

I'm the logchecker for the ARRL 10M contest where DX stations send 
serial numbers and yes it *is* your job to interpret sent cut numbers.  
The rules specify that for a valid DX (i.e, non-W/VE) QSO, you must 
receive a valid RS(T) and a valid serial number.  Cut digits are not 
numbers.  They are simply "on-the-air shorthand", and even then there 
isn't necessary a standard set of "cut" characters.  If you can't 
interpret what they sent, you need to ask for a repeat; you're the only 
one who can.

I don't accept the argument that you're "just copying what they sent".  
I haven't seen a single Cabrillo log submitted to us that shows cut 
digits in the sent serial number, so even if we were to accept cut 
numbers in your log, you're most likely going to lose the QSO anyways 
because what you copied doesn't match what is shown as sent in the log 
from the station you worked.  It's certainly not the logchecker's job to 
interpret cut numbers, because we weren't there when the QSO was made.  
The only station who can interpret a received cut number is the 
receiving station.

Here's a real world example from the 10M contest a few years ago.  
Somebody worked a KH0 and logged a received exchange of "599 NE".  Now 
is that the KH0's 95th QSO or did he relocate to Nebraska?  As the 
receiving station, there are things you can do to resolve this; for 
example, if he's running you can hang around and listen to what he sends 
to the next station.  If he answered your CQ, you can ask "NEB?" or "nr 95?"

I can't necessarily speak for all ARRL contests, but my logchecking 
orders from ARRL HQ are that a serial number must contain all numeric 
digits to be valid.

73, Dave/K8CC


K2RS wrote:
> Dont' have a clue what the "J" stands for, Randy. I'm just logging what 
> they send. I could be wrong, but it's not our job to "interpret" cut 
> numbers, is it?
>
> Jack,   K2RS
>
>
>
> Randy Thompson K5ZD wrote:
>   
>> Can someone tell me what the cut number J is supposed to represent?  Guys
>> keep sending 5nnjtt and I can't decide if they mean 100 or 200!
>>
>> Randy, K5ZD
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> CQ-Contest mailing list
>> CQ-Contest at contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
>>
>>   
>>     
> _______________________________________________
> CQ-Contest mailing list
> CQ-Contest at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
>
>