[RTTY] [NCCC] Contest Courtesy--A Different Take

[Alan M. Eshleman]

Yes, but be aware that most of the folks you work in a domestic contest are not hard core contesters and need to be cut quite a bit of slack. When they say "please copy" they *are* being polite according to what they know. Saying "please" is part of being polite as I'm sure your parents taught you. If some of these operators go on to become serious contesters the process itself will clean up their technique. In the meantime, I want their call in the log and am happy to get it. 


This is not go say that I don't occasionally blow off someone whose technique is so bad that it's a time sink and is spoiling a run. 


73, 


Alan/K6SRZ 

----- Original Message -----

From: k6rb at baymoon.com 
To: "Hank Garretson" <w6sx at arrl.net> 
Cc: "NCCC Reflector" <nccc at contesting.com>, "RTTY Reflector" <rtty at contesting.com> 
Sent: Wednesday, October 2, 2013 9:35:26 AM 
Subject: Re: [NCCC] Contest Courtesy--A Different Take 










I agree. As I wrote in "The Joy of Contesting" saying 'please copy' is not being polite; making the exchange as efficient as possible is polite. 

Rob K6RB 




My take on contest courtesy is a bit different from what has recently been espoused on the RTTY list. I don't expect everyone to agree with me, but I hope that everyone will consider my approach. 

It’s a contest and a prime objective is to maximize score. It’s a contest and a prime objective is to have fun. It’s a contest and a prime objective is to help others have fun and maximize their scores. We’re all in this together, and we can all do a lot to help each other maximize score and have fun. 

What’s the best way to be friendly and courteous? My rule for contests is that completing the contact in shipshape fashion as quickly as possible is the most friendly thing I can do for the other guy and for the other guys waiting. And, it’s the most friendly thing you can do for me. DE's, UR's, NR's, extra spaces, dots, commas, sending 599 more than once, extra TU's, sending names, etcetera--all detract from everyone's fun. 

Here's my idea of a shipshape RTTY contact. 

CQ TEST W6SX W6SX CQ 
N3RC N3RC 
N3RC 599 03 CA 
W6SX 599 04 MT 
N3RC TU W6SX CQ 

N3RC does not need to send TU to me. By sending his exchange, N3RC acknowledges that he got my info OK and that he has all he needs. My preference is that he not send TU--Roger can thank me after the contest. 

To end the contact, I send TU to N3RC to acknowledge receipt of his exchange and to tell the world that I'm ready for the next caller. I could just as well send R, QSL, CFM, 73, 88, or Aloha. 

It’s a contest--be contest friendly during the event and regular friendly afterwards. 


After all the above, I'm grateful for every single contact--keep 'em coming. 

73, 


Hank, W6SX 



_______________________________________________ 
NCCC mailing list (http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/nccc) 
Post to: nccc at contesting.com 
Manage your subscription at: http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/options/nccc 
Archives at: http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/private/nccc/