[RTTY] Dupes how to handle

[john at kk9a.com]

It so frustrating to call a multiplier only to have him blow you off saying 
B4 when I know that he is not in my log.  I think it's a much better 
practice to work every dupe and move on.

John


To: "RTTY-reflektorn" <rtty at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [RTTY] Dupes how to handle
From: "Shelby Summerville" <k4ww at arrl.net>
Date: Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:33:06 -0500

I don't work dupes, and it isn't open for discussion, with me! I'm convinced
that working dupes encourages bad operating habits? When making a contact,
there a responsibility on both parties. If a station is running, it is their
responsibility send their exchange, so that it can be copied correctly, in
as short a time frame, as possible. It is also their responsibility to make
sure the receiving station has received it. That can only be presumed, if a
repeat is not requested? It is the responsibility of the receiving station
to copy, and log, the exchange correctly, or not leave the frequency until
this has happened? Having to send repeats is not a problem, for me? I'm
rarely "in it to win it", so losing a contact or a multiplier because
another station did not fulfill their responsibility, doesn't bother me. It
is also the responsibility of the receiving station to know, for sure, whom
they are calling. On more than one occasion, during WPX, I had VE, W1 and W2
stations spot stations that I was working? If they couldn't hear me, all it
would have taken is a moment, to listen, and they would have known the
station was calling me, and not running on that frequency? This not only
caused confusion, especially to the stations calling me, it made it
necessary for me to make sure that they knew they were working me, and not a
station that I had worked, previously, but had been spotted, in error, on
that frequency.
IMHO, the best macro is the one in WF1B software that not only gives "QSO
B4", but allows the user to indicate the date, time and band when the
contact took place. This allows a log correction, during the contest, when
it is allowed?
With the increased participation, in RTTY contest, it only stands to reason
that the number of SO2R operators is also on the increase. I wish that some
video game programmer would program a "SO2R practice" game for the "newbie"
SO2R operators? Allowing them to practice, outside of contests would solve
the "wait while I work someone on the other radio" situations that happen,
all too frequently? When that happens, to me, I'm convinced that their
"other radio" contact is more important, than mine, so I move on.

Stay tuned...Dayton RTTY contesting forum information coming soon!

C'Ya, Shelby - K4WW