[UK-CONTEST] Cut Numbers

[Doug Roberts]

"The Morse Code for Radio Amateurs" (8th Edition - 1994) by George Benbow,
G3HB (RSGB publication - I knew I still had it somewhere here!) lists all
the 'abbreviated figures', as he calls them, and then states:
----------------
In commercial practice these may be used _provided that no misunderstanding
can arise from their use_ [his emphasis].

In amateur radio the standard signal report given in contests (irrespective
of signal strength!) is 599, sent as 5NN.  Serial numbers sent in contests
are quite often given as a mixture of abbreviated figures and standard
figures.  This does cause confusion, which results in a request for a
repeat.
----------------
Seems we haven't progressed much in the last 10 years (or more!).
Interestingly, numbers 4, 5 and 6 have no abbreviation in his list.  His
first sentence contains two reasons for not using abbreviations - a) we are
not in commercial practice, and b) it causes misunderstandings - well,
that's not quite true,  non-understandings is more accurate :-) .  The
importance attached to 'abbreviated figures' can be judged by the fact that
this information is only included in an appendix to the main booklet (along
with "Accented Letters").

73,
Doug G0WMW

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Forsyth" <jim at forsyth.net>
To: <uk-contest at contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 02, 2004 2:58 PM
Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] Cut Numbers


| Well that's an interesting claim, what is the source of that information?
|
| When I first started contesting in 1961 cut numbers were already in
| widespread use worldwide. What part of "internationally agreed and
|  recognised" are cut numbers failing to qualify for?
|
| Jim, AF6O
|
| ----- Original Message ----- 
| From: "Ray Goff" <ray at g4fon.co.uk>
| To: <uk-contest at contesting.com>
| Sent: Wednesday, June 02, 2004 7:45 AM
| Subject: RE: [UK-CONTEST] Cut Numbers
|
| > The flaw in that argument is that the RST code is internationally agreed
| and
| > recognised, whereas cut numbers are not...
| >
| > Ray, G4FON
|
|
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