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

[Tom Osborne]

Especially when they are sending at 50wpm with over the pole flutter.

I've fond the best thing to do if they are running is just keep asking 
for repeats until they slow down or send numbers.

After everyone just keeps sending 'agn??' they might get the idea cut 
number don't work  73
Tom W7WHY


On 12/14/2014 10:34 AM, Bill Hider wrote:
> Pete,
>
> I couldn't agree with you more!
>
> I shake my head every time I hear a cut number, before I go into 'translation mode' to figure out what the heck the actual number was that was sent.
>
> Bill N3RR
>
> On Dec 14, 2014 9:50 AM, Pete Smith N4ZR <n4zr at contesting.com> wrote:
>> 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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