[RTTY] Short Serial Numbers

[aa5au at bellsouth.net]

There's a couple of things to think about with short serial numbers and WPX (and some other RTTY contests with serial numbers).  The WPX rules specifically state "VI. Exchange: RS(T) report plus a progressive three-digit serial number starting with 001 for the first contact. (Continue to four digits if past 999.)" Unfortunately some people don't read the rules.  Those sending one or two digital serial numbers are in violation of the rules.

The rules also state "Your log MUST show the correct serial number sent and received for each contact".  So does this mean that if you receive serial number 1 then you have to log it as 1?  I think not.

Furthermore, the WPX rules state that the serial number LOGGED must be a three or four digital serial number.  So if someone sends you serial number 4 then it should be logged as 004 according to the rules.  However, I haven't done this in the past because of the old school thinking of "log what you receive".  This old school thinking is outdated.  Unfortunately not all contest logging software converts 1 and 2 digit serial numbers to 3 digits, so they need to be manually entered into the log as 3 digital serial numbers.

But in the past, I've NEVER had a QSO rejected because it was logged as a 1 or 2 digital number.  However, because of the rule that states serial numbers must be logged as three or four digits, I now convert 1 and 2 digit serial numbers to three digits before logging.  It's the safe thing to do.

I guarantee that if Eddie G0AZT was checking logs, those sending 1 and 2 digit numbers would have their first 99 contacts disallowed and those logging 1 and 2 digit numbers would have those contacts disallowed.  It seems the robot and contest manager now let this one slide.

73, Don AA5AU

-------------- Original message from Art Searle W2NRA <w2nra at optonline.net>: -------------- 


> Hi Shelby, 
> 
> The software should convert 99 to 099, or even convert 1 to 001. When 
> logging I always just type the numbers without the leading zeros; always 
> have and my Cabrillo file always comes out right. 
> 
> 73 Art W2NRA 
> "Keep to the Code!" 
> w2nra.com 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Shelby Summerville" 
> 
> 
> > ted at w4ze.com asked: "What should be done when a station send a less than 3 
> > digit serial number when the rules call for serial numbers starting at 
> > 001? 
> > If someone sends me 
> > 99, I make it 099 in the log. Is this correct?" 
> > 
> > And I will ask: "why ask for many opinions, that do not count, when a 
> > single 
> > message to the contest manager or log checker, would get an answer, that 
> > does matter? I had a situation of not receiving a confirmation of my log. 
> > Did I ask how many others may have had the same situation...NO. A single 
> > message, to the contest manager/log checker gave me the information that I 
> > needed, without having to sift through various opinions. The opinions of 
> > the 
> > reflector subscribers, are just that, nothing more. The opinions of the 
> > contest manager/log checker, are the only ones that "really matter"? 
> > 
> > C'Ya, Shelby - K4WW 
> 
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