[CQ-Contest] Thing that drive me nuts

[W0MU Mike Fatchett]

I am seeing this much more lately as well.  I have QSK and still notice 
this or I miss the first dit or dah.

W0MU


On 12/5/2016 9:30 AM, David Pruett wrote:
> I've been contesting for 40+ years and I've never felt that sending 
> "test" at the end of a contest CQ has ever hurt my rate. Is it 
> absolutely necessary?  No...but I do think that it helps to attract 
> more of the casual operators by making the intent of my transmission 
> clear.
>
> I've read the comments in this thread and while there are no shortage 
> of opinions, I saw no compelling arguments.  Therefore I will continue 
> to format my contest CQs in a manner which my experience has shown 
> results in the best rate for me, not for some hotshot with an itchy F4 
> finger who MIGHT happen to be tuning by.
>
> The thing which drives me nuts are the lids that start sending their 
> call before I've finished sending.  My xcvr switches back to receive 
> and the station calling me is already sending the second digit of his 
> call.  This is not a CW VOX delay problem as my CW PTT is controlled 
> by the computer which releases simultaneously with the last CW 
> element. (Yes, I'm a retired engineer and wrote my own logging 
> software so I KNOW that's how it works.)
>
> Scenario:
>
> me:    CQ TEST K8CC TEST
> other: 2XYZ
> me:    2XYZ?
> other: 2XYZ
> me:    ?2XYZ
> other: 2XYZ
> me:    2XYZ NO QSK HR DAMMIT
> other: N2XYZ
>
> Disclaimer - the callsign N2XYZ is shown simply as an example.  No 
> doubt the station was simply trying to get the QSO done quickly, but 
> he's killing his own rate.  Doing it on the initial call might be a 
> simple timing mistake, but doing it over and over (I am not 
> exaggerating about this) shows a lack of situational awareness on the 
> part of the other op.
>
> Establishing and completing communication is at the core of 
> contesting.  This requires more that just a fast keyer speed and 
> transmitting without a sense of timing...
>
> FWIW...just my humble opinion.
>
> Dave K8CC
>
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