Topband: Last Night - S9SS (the "Alligator")

[Tree]

>   A pointer - if you call me on 160 M and I am struggling to piece together your call sign in the noise, please wait until I get the full call right before you send a report.  I lost one station last night who was extremely difficult to copy in the noise.  I probably would have completed the contact had he not given me his call once or twice followed by repeated RSTs every time I sent a partial and "?".  He faded back into the noise before I could piece together the complete call sign.  Had he concentrated on getting the call sign across to me first, I'm sure he would be in my log now. Save the RST report until I get your call right.  I can usually copy RST's more easily in the noise than I can copy call signs.

An excellent pointer Charles.  The "sequence" of a QSO needs to be 
paid attention to so those tough QSOs can be made.  Not sending the
report until you are sure the DX station came back to you and you have
heard the report is what I try to do.  That way, I don't end up with 
the DX station sending "73" and I have no idea what the report was.

With QSB - it isn't a guarantee that asking for the RST once or twice
will ever be heard.  Not sending the report is the only way to make
sure the DX station knows something is amise.

Put about a dozen EUs in the log last night.  A good early opening, a horrible
middle opening (0400-0600) and then a nice UK opening before heading to bed.

Did get a UA4 to hear me this AM, but had to leave for work before my sunrise
peak.

73 Tree N6TR