Topband: ARRL 160

[W7TMT - Patrick]

Based on my experience with my own call sign I would beg to differ. 

When I was looking to change calls because the previous one was busted so frequently I stumbled on an unused call that seemed to have a nice rhythm to it and no pesky dits/dots to get lost in the ether. As soon as I started using it I noticed that vast majority of people sending it manually seemed to automatically add a half space between the suffix characters. The letters TMT just seem to beg for that rhythm. In every contest I hear the same thing, an exaggerated spacing between the letters and I know the op is sending manually. 

With a straight TMT about the only bust I usually get is "TQ". Adding the half space significantly reduces that occurrence. When I tried adding a half space on my CQ message I found that the Skimmers often logged it as W7TM and lost the last T. Changing the message to W7TMT W7T~M~T solves both problems.

I suspect there are other character combinations with similar issues.

73
Patrick, W7TMT


-----Original Message-----
From: Topband <topband-bounces+w7tmt=outlook.com at contesting.com> On Behalf Of Pete Smith N4ZR
Sent: Thursday, December 8, 2022 07:36
To: topband at contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: ARRL 160

 From 13 years experience rather than detailed analysis or any knowledge of VE3NEA's decoding methods, I don't think that an additional half-space is a big problem - certainly not as compared to running things together - for example making TEST N4ZR into TESTN4ZR.  The latter makes for many bum spots of TN4ZR, TK2XX, etc.  I see those in numbers every contest.

73, Pete N4ZR
One of the RBN team

On 12/7/2022 8:08 PM, m.r.c. wrote:
> that's where added half space has a useful point.  your increase in 
> copied accuracy should more than offset the decrease in spot accuracy
>
> the ZIP speed change for any part is the first thing I get rid of 
> sitting down at a position, the pico gain in time is far offset by the 
> annoyance and accuracy loss
>
> especially on top band I dislike the S and T, and any mis use of a 
> character. NN is just an exchange so it matters less unless its used 
> in a zone- BAD idea-. Its tough enough to copy correctly sent data, 
> don't make it harder just to gain 50 microseconds.
>
> off soap
>
> WA6CDR
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Joe" <nss at mwt.net>
> To: <topband at contesting.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 07, 2022 14:05
> Subject: Re: Topband: ARRL 160
>
>
>> I'll differ on the half space thing.
>>
>> I cut my repeat needs by at LEAST 75% and still get spotted by the 
>> RBN all the time, (well not much on 160 he he he)
>>
>> But on bands where i got good signals my repeats are far less when I 
>> use
>>
>> W9~E~T than when I use W9ET
>>
>> Joe WB9SBD
>>
>> On 12/7/2022 9:13 AM, Mike VE9AA ve9aa at nbnet.nb.ca wrote:
>>> Lee et al,
>>>
>>> Which just goes to further prove my point. The RBN (& skimmers) are 
>>> truly wonderful tech, but they are not perfect even if your CW is 
>>> (or nearly so).
>>>
>>> Please do not be surprised by the occasional bust or dupe if you are 
>>> doing something "weird" with your callsign by adding 1/2 spaces, 
>>> slowing letters down and whatnot.
>>>
>>> Human brains may (or maynot) be able to deal with that somewhat 
>>> better (up for debate - I personally dislike it done to most 
>>> callsigns), but computers don't 'know' what the intent is with that 
>>> type of sending.
>>>
>>> VE9AA
>>>
>>> ======================
>>> I get spotted as KX4M and KK4TT all the time. It does not matter if 
>>> I send by hand or through N1MM / Winkeyer.
>>>
>>> 73 de Lee KX4TT
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Wednesday, December 7, 2022, 08:48:47 AM EST, <kq2m at kq2m.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hi Ron,
>>>
>>> The wrong call sign spotting and "run of dupes" happens a few times 
>>> a year to me.
>>> Bob, KQ2M</pre>