[CQ-Contest] To cut or not to cut?

[Jimk8mr at aol.com]

Rules for cut numbers:
 
1.  Don't use them except for numbers that are already known before  you 
send them. A4 is a fine CQ zone number for a DL. AUTN is a bad serial number  
for anybody.
 
1a.  ARRL DX powers are OK for common power numbers.  1TT or ATT  is OK for 
a hundred watts.  ATTT (as in a kilowatt) is not.
 
1b.  If you suspect a guy is having trouble getting your number go  ahead 
and try a repeat using the cut number equivalent if it is an N,  A, or T.    
 
2.  Leading T's  (zeros) in serial numbers are good, but not for  more than 
three total digits.
 
3. Remember, the guy on the other end has to copy and type/write your  
serial number. And he probably won't start sending until he is done typing.  
Those few extra tenths of a second are not going to waste when you send the  
whole, uncut number.
 
4.  Don't mix cut numbers and letters.  EN NA as a grid  square is bad.
 
5.  Don't use cut numbers for your SS CK unless it is not the  actual year 
you got your first license. (Sorry, just kidding. It's been six  months 
since or six months until that hoary subject reared/rears its ugly head  again!)
 
 
73  -  Jim   K8MR
 
Operating in  the ARRL VHF contest from grid square EN  NA 
 
 
 
 
In a message dated 5/31/2012 5:49:42 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
w9sz.zack at gmail.com writes:

An  anecdote -

In my first really semi-serious effort as a little pistol in  ARRL DX
CW (n 1993) I had been inactive in ham radio for quite a number  of
years and honestly hadn't encountered cut numbers other than 5NN.  Many
stations were sending "ATT" for the exchange in the ARRL DX. I  logged
on paper logs and wrote down just that, as I didn't know what  it
meant. That's what the ARRL got on my paper logs.

I also didn't  know what some of the prefixes were, as I had a DXCC
countries list that  was many years old and it didn't have S5, T9 and
some other prefixes I  heard and worked.

Even recently I have been thrown by cut numbers in a  serial number
exchange when I get something like "ATET." I have to stop and  think
about it, which slows me down.

I thought the  generally-accepted convention was never to use cut
numbers in a callsign.  Seems people are even doing that these days. If
I hear someone doing that I  will probably just pass them by.

73, Zack W9SZ (not  WNSZ)
:-}