[CQ-Contest] SS CW question

[Jimk8mr at aol.com]

A couple more observations:
 
1.  Skipping your call in the SS exchange is also bad because what  
immediately follows is another number - which then has to be determined if that  
number is a new one (the CK) or a repeat of the old one.  How do you parse  a 
high power VE7 sending 64 B 64 B...  ?
 
2.  If you are just sending an S&P exchange starting with a  naked serial 
number (no other guy call, TU, or NR... ) please wait at least a  fraction of 
a second before you start sending.  I had at least a few fills  needed 
because someone started so quickly that the first dot or two were missed  before 
my relays and AGC got all settled in.
 
3.  (For all contests!) If you are going to say TU or the like, do it  at 
the beginning of the exchange, not the end. I hate punching the enter key (  
or whatever) only to hear the first few milliseconds of something else 
coming at  me.  I don't know that you are done, repeating something, or what, so 
I  then have to rush to hit the escape key to stop sending, and then try to 
get all  back in sync. So, please make it TU 5NN OH, not 5NN OH TU !
 
4.  I disagree with K5PI on first correcting your call. That  emphasizes 
that a correction will be needed. I'd rather start working on it, or  shifting 
my mind into correcting it, a few seconds before the rest of the  exchange 
comes at me. 
 
5.  If you are a somewhat slower op who is asked for a correction, but  
aren't quite sure just what it was you were asked to correct, just send the  
whole exchange again (just once!). That is over time quicker for all than  
guessing what you were asked for, sending the wrong thing, and having to be  
asked again.
 
 
73  -  Jim  K8MR
 
 
 
 
In a message dated 11/8/2010 5:03:41 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
rb at austin.rr.com writes:

I had  probably 8-10 guys omit their call from the exchange.  If  you're
expecting it as a "sync bit" (like "5NN") it really throws you  off.

So, we're all in the choir on this reflector, right?  But if  I ever were to
offer some operating tips to an SS participant, here's my  top ten peeve 
list
for CW contests:

10.  Pleasantries -- I  quick "GL" or something is okay, but please keep it
short.

9.   Correcting your call before sending the exchange -- I need to know I  
got
your call wrong.  But in SS, if I botch your call, I'll get it  right when
you send it in the exchange.  

8.  My call --  Unless you're specifically concerned at that moment that a
guy who's close  to me might think you're working him, I'd prefer you not
send my  call.  

7.  Sending by hand -- No computer? No CW interface?  Even if you send the
serial number by hand, a memory keyer for the rest  would make it easier on
both of us. If you do send by hand, please don't  hurry. Shortened spacing
isn't really faster and really makes it hard to  copy

6.  Portable, mobile, or QRP indicators -- In a contest, I'd  prefer you
shorten your call as much as allowed by law.

5.   Non-standard exchange -- If the rules say you must send your own call
(or  signal report), or send the exchange in a particular sequence, please  
do
so.  Odds are, I'm multi-tasking (looking at the rate meter,  opening a 
soda,
and thinking about a band change, etc.), so please don't  hand me a square
peg.

4.  Cut numbers -- It sounds like a good  idea, but it's just not standard
practice except for signal reports and  power levels in ARRL DX.  If you 
send
"ANT4" as a serial number,  you'll get a resounding "Huh?" from me.  Also, 
in
marginal conditions,  cut numbers provide fewer error checking bits. 

3.  Leading zeros  -- It slows things down.  And in marginal conditions, it
can confuse  things.  "Was that a 1, or a leading zero?"

2.  Changing what  you send in a fill -- If I'm struggling to get a fill,
please keep sending  it the same way.  I may be 90% certain I've got it.  If
you  change "MI" to "MICH" and I only get "CH" that time, I'm back to zero. 
  

And number one . . .

1.  Repeats -- The SS exchange is  long enough, and there's a snarling pack
of other ops ready to steal my run  frequency.  So please just send things
once.  It's faster, and I  might well get it.  If I don't get it, I'll ask
for a repeat and we  can go back and forth as needed.  That keeps my loud
signal on the air  and helps me hold my frequency.

BTW, dupes only makes honorable mention  on my SS list.  Sure it would be
nice if everyone looked up the rules,  but SS is rare in allowing only one
QSO on any band.

Robert  K5PI