[RTTY] spaces, dashes, and everything

[Kevin H. Phillips]

On 2/11/2013 9:17 PM, Jeff Stai wrote:
> - I also noticed more people are echoing back MY serial number - usually
> before they send their serial number (but I did see one or two send my SN
> as part of the TU). This seems like a bad idea to me because when receiving
> is difficult I am looking for any numbers that make sense, and adding extra
> numbers to the mix would only seem to confuse. I personally would urge
> folks to not echo back my exchange but maybe there's a good reason to do so
> I'm not thinking of...?
>
I'm not sure if this is what you are talking about but I have 
experienced stations replying to me saying "CFM (or QSL) <my serial 
number>".  If I do not likewise reply "CFM/QSL <the number they send>" 
then they repeat sending their exchange until I reply "CFM/QSL" or 
similar.  At first it seemed excessive but the more I think about it the 
more it grows on me.  I wonder if it is not a good way of insuring 
accuracy in both logs and sealing an ironclad QSO; perhaps reducing 
calls for repeats (?).     Several years ago I helped take turns 
operating SSB with a local club's Field Day operation.  The standard 
practice (then, at least) seemed to be "QSL your <ARRL Section, serial 
number, etc.>.  Please copy our <ARRL Section, serial, etc.>".  To which 
the other station would QSL or similar.  I don't know if they are still 
doing that, though.  I don't seem to be blessed with good propagation at 
my QTH so I experience quite a bit of QSB, QRM, or other conditions that 
make copy difficult.  So many people anxious to move on to the next 
contact never allow time for me to ask for repeats, or don't reply to my 
requests for repeats,  so I am frequently not very confident in contacts.

73
Kevin
W5TTY