[CQ-Contest] The Insanity of Cut Numbers in Serial Number Contests

[Mike Ritz, W7VO]

I noticed the same thing yesterday. I had to listen twice or even three times to a few guys to figure out what they were doing! Trying to copy a 4 digit serial number right the first time with QRM in a crowded band is hard enough, but then throw in a A4NT instead of 1490 and it is REALLY confusing. Sounds more like a callsign! 

73; 

Mike, W7VO 

----- Original Message -----

From: "Pete Smith N4ZR" <n4zr at contesting.com> 
To: "reflector cq-contest" <CQ-Contest at Contesting.COM> 
Sent: Sunday, December 14, 2014 6:50:54 AM 
Subject: [CQ-Contest] The Insanity of Cut Numbers in Serial Number Contests 

Please, please don'tuse cut numbers when transmitting a serial number. 
I've even heard some Es and As today - that's just absurd, and 
counterproductive.. 

There is good information science behind this plea. When you really 
need to get a number right, particularly with weak signals, even the 
most common cut numbers, like N and T, are more trouble than they are 
worth in time saving. Why? Because each full number has five elements, 
grouped together - that is consecutive dots or dashes. Your brain can 
use this fact to copy confidently, even if QRM or QSB causes you not to 
hear a dit or dah, because of spacing *between* numbers. If you send a 
cut number, you deprive the receiving op of this aid - he asks for a 
fill, and you've lost more time than the cut number would save you in 5 
QSOs. 

-- 

73, Pete N4ZR 
Check out the Reverse Beacon Network at 
http://reversebeacon.net, 
blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com. 
For spots, please go to your favorite 
ARC V6 or VE7CC DX cluster node. 

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