[RTTY] Short Serial Numbers

[Inbody, Don]

DXLab's DXKeeper transmits three digit numbers with leading zeros for serials, i.e., 001, 002, but when it generates the Cabrillo file, strips all leading zeros from both the transmitted serial as well as any received serials.  I have not had any logs returned as illegal.

73, Don ADØK


-----Original Message-----
From: rtty-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:rtty-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Don Hill AA5AU
Sent: Monday, February 11, 2008 20:33
To: RTTY at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [RTTY] Short Serial Numbers

It's been brought to my attention that WriteLog's Cabrillo output for WPX shows serial numbers sent as 1, 2, 3, etc.  I'm not
changing my log.  It's been the same for the past 4 years with no problem.


73, Don AA5AU
http://www.aa5au.com
http://www.rttycontesting.com 

-----Original Message-----
From: rtty-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:rtty-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of aa5au at bellsouth.net
Sent: Monday, February 11, 2008 8:28 AM
To: RTTY at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [RTTY] Short Serial Numbers

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  This old school thinking is outdated.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 
> 
> _______________________________________________ 
> RTTY mailing list 
> RTTY at contesting.com 
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/rtty 
_______________________________________________
RTTY mailing list
RTTY at contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/rtty

_______________________________________________
RTTY mailing list
RTTY at contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/rtty