[CQ-Contest] WPX Leading Zero Plea

[Dick Green WC1M]

I think the unfortunate custom of sending leading zeros stems from the
wording of the rules for CQ WPX:

IV. EXCHANGE: RS(T) report plus a progressive contact serial number starting
with 001 for the first contact. Note: Multi-Two and Multi-Unlimited entrants
use separate serial number sequences on each band.

Note the leading zeros. I believe that some have interpreted this to mean
that leading zeros are required. Further, I have a vague recollection that
at one time the rule said something like, "a three-digit serial number
starting with 001", but that could be faulty memory on my part.

In any case, many stations don't use leading zeros and, as far as I know, no
one has ever been penalized for it.

Another vague memory is that the rule used to say "consecutive" contact
serial number, rather than "progressive". Either can be problematic in SO2R
mode, where certain logging programs, like Writelog, assign the next serial
number as soon as the selected radio transmits (regardless of whether the
other station answers.) So if the other radio makes a contact first the
serial numbers can have gaps or get out of sequence. Again, I've never seen
any deductions for non-consecutive or non-progressive serial numbers.

73, Dick WC1M

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mike Wetzel [mailto:w9re at comcast.net]
> Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2015 6:07 PM
> To: cq-contest at contesting.com
> Subject: [CQ-Contest] WPX Leading Zero Plea
> 
> Not to start a debate but for those that don't want to send leading zeroes
in
> their QSO number in the upcoming WPX Contest figure now how to turn
> "leading zeroes" off.  Personally I dislike leading zeroes.  It sometimes
results
> in errors on my part.  For example if someone sends "017" and there is
some
> QRN/QRM I question was it really "117".  Also it takes more time to
> add the "00"'s to every number sent.   Some argue that they like leading
> zeroes as placeholders but with many stations in the 1000's I don't think
I
> have ever heard "0009" sent.  JMTC
> 
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