[RTTY] Additional Thoughts on Serial Number Repeats

[Hank Garretson]

I'm probably preaching to the choir, but here goes anyway.

You know, in the cosmic scheme of wasting time, repeating serial number
one, two, three, or more times is probably down in the noise.

Here are some real time wasters:

W6SX W6SX DE VK1AO VK1AO PSE K BK

Much better VK1AO VK1AO

Please send me what I need to know to continue the contact. All I need is
your call.

W6SX 599 117 599 117

Better W6SX 599 117 117 117

This way I get three shots at your number instead of two.

Even better 599 117 117

Please NEVER send 599 more than once per contact. NEVER.

CQ WPX RTTY CONTEST DE W6SX

Much better CQ WPX W6SX W6SX CQ

Eight characters shorter and I'm sending value information.

NR NR?

W6SX W6SX 599 117 599 117 599 117

Better 117 117 117

Please just send what I ask for. I know my call. I know 599. Make a
dedicated F-key to send NR NR. You can hit it more than once if it seems
appropriate.

   ...    W6SX    599   117   117  ... DE VK1AO BK

Please, ditch the extra spaces, the dots, the BKs, the PSE CPY's the DE's,
the K's. None contribute to completing the contact. All slow things down
and distract from your fun, the fun of the guy you're working, and the fun
of the guys waiting in line.

A final thought.

The Amateurs Code says the Amateur is Friendly. What’s the best way to be
friendly? It depends. 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
generally the most friendly thing you can do for me. The running station
sets the tone. If the CQing station, even if he’s my best friend, sends me
a standard-issue exchange, the most friendly thing is to send him a
standard-issue exchange without pleasantries. If he says HI HANK, then he’s
giving me the go-ahead to loosen up a (little) bit. It’s a contest—be
contest friendly during the event and regular friendly afterwards.

Thanks for hearing me out. CU in NAQP RTTY.

Contest Exuberantly,

Hank, W6SX