Topband: ARRL 160 comments

Tue Dec 9 12:04:54 EST 2025

I'm with you Dave, in a serial-data-stream context, the 599 serves as a 
"start bit" for the key data to follow.  Especially handy if there is 
QRM involved and a guy is not strong.

I do see the argument in a QSB context (that the 599 may occupy the 
"high signal parts of the transmission and fade by the time you get to 
the section" - but there you are at the luck of the QSB either way - 
it's as likely that the QSB has the signal weak on the 599 as with the 
section.

Still, there is some utility in having the 599 from a copy standpoint in 
my view.

73/jeff/ac0c
alpha-charlie-zero-charlie
www.ac0c.com

On 12/9/2025 10:20 AM, Dave Cuthbert wrote:
> Thank you all for another fine ARRL 160 meter contest! To me 5NN is a
> preamble that helps get one ready in both amplitude and code speed for the
> real data to follow. By the way, of over 400 Qs only one op sent other than
> 5NN. Unfortunately these serve to throw one off by having to correct the
> log, or even miss it, resulting in no points for that one. We will see you
> all in the Stew Perry Distance Challenge with our shore located full size
> ground plane.
>
>    73, Dave KH6AQ
>
> On Tue, Dec 9, 2025 at 4:08 AM Bill Cromwell <wrcromwell at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> I participate in some on air activities that involve low power and/or
>> compromise antennas. Honest signal reports are desired and appreciated.
>> Perhaps not so much in the Stew but RST is not dead yet.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> Bill  KU8H
>>
>>> On Dec 8, 2025, at 5:19 PM, n0tt1 at juno.com wrote:
>>>
>>> 
>>>> Another trend I noted was people not sending the 599. Several were just
>>> sending their section.
>>>   The "599" is a place filler in the exchange, but not sending it seemed
>>> to slow things down."
>>>
>>> I noticed that too.  Other OPs are expecting a certain sequence in the
>>> exchange
>>> and if that's disrupted then it may cause a problem.  Especially if
>>> signal strength
>>> is marginal.
>>>
>>> Charlie, N0TT
>>>
>>> On Mon, 8 Dec 2025 15:36:26 +0000 jon jones <n0jk at hotmail.com> writes:
>>>> I missed K7RAT despite looking... I had put up a ¼ wave wire in tall
>>>> trees on our farm north of Lawrence. It worked really well. It came
>>>> down last week in the snow storm. So to hand out a few Qs used
>>>> the rain gutter on our home again.
>>>>
>>>> Despite a minimal antenna and my old TS-850 at 50 watts, worked many
>>>> people "S & P" including PJ2T and KP4AA. And Don, WD8DSB — thanks!
>>>>
>>>> Conditions seemed down Friday night with east coast stations weak
>>>> and unworkable. Better Saturday evening and worked many W2, W3s and
>>>> K1KI CT. Copied several W6 but no luck. N7EPD WWA strong but didn't
>>>> copy me. High K index didn't help.
>>>>
>>>> Tree has a point with the exchange issue and timing. Sending the
>>>> other station's call helps. Another trend I noted was people not
>>>> sending the 599. Several were just sending their section. The "599"
>>>> is a place filler in the exchange, but not sending it seemed to slow
>>>> things down.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>   *
>>>> Jon N0JK
>>>>
>>>> ________________________________
>>>>
>>>>> Conditions have not been so good - although I did manage some East
>>>> Coast
>>>> QSOs around midnight local time.
>>>>
>>>> One or two QSOs didn't make it into the log for a reason I would
>>>> like to
>>>> share.  When the band is open to Europe for the East Coast, it is
>>>> common
>>>> for us West Coast people to end up on their frequency as it is
>>>> totally
>>>> clear on this end.  If an East Coast station sends their call sign -
>>>> but
>>>> totally out of sync, we pretty much know what is happening.
>>>> However, if
>>>> the timing is good - then we can feel confident that they are
>>>> working us.
>>>>
>>>> However, when I am low power - it is hard for the East coast station
>>>> to
>>>> hear me - add in some QSB - and thus the timing might get messed up.
>>>> I had
>>>> this happen last night (calls changed to protect the guilty):
>>>>
>>>> CQ TEST K7RAT
>>>> K3ZO
>>>> K3ZO 5NN OR
>>>> <nothing>
>>>> K3ZO 5NN OR
>>>> <nothing>
>>>> K3ZO 5NN OR
>>>> <them sending the exchange but out of sync>
>>>> <K3ZO 5NN OR>
>>>> K3ZO 5NN MDC
>>>> <nothing>
>>>>
>>>> At no time during this am I feeling very confident that I am the one
>>>> being
>>>> worked.  Instead of sending K3ZO again - which I already have -
>>>> sending
>>>> K7RAT once would really help me understand what is happening.
>>>>
>>>> Food for thought.  Again - if the QSO is well timed, this isn't
>>>> necessary -
>>>> but if things are difficult due to QSB, sending the "other" guy's
>>>> call when
>>>> S&Ping really helps.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks for reading.
>>>>
>>>> Tree N6TR / K7RAT
>>>>
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