[UK-CONTEST] Re the RTTY exchanges

[Phil Cooper]

Hi all,

As Bernie rightly pointed out, there are a few ideas that can make life a
lot easier for ecveryone in RTTY contests.

If you are calling CQ, then it can be a good idea to use something like
this:
CQ TEST DE GU0SUP GU0SUP CQ.
The CQ at the end is for anyone tuning past, and missing the start of the
line.
If I see DE G3XYZ PSE K, how am I to know whether he is calling CQ, or
responding to a call?
Once you have completed an exchange, try TU G3XYZ NOW QRZ? DE GU0SUP CQ.
The TU right at the start means I can see he has got my exchange OK, and I
can move on.
The CQ at the end means I am open for business, and is instead of the
commonly-seen PSE K, which once again can be mistaken.

If you see someone CQ'ing, all you need to do is go back with DE GU0SUP
GU0SUP GU0SUP.
PLEASE do NOT use G3XYZ G3XYZ G3XYZ DE GU0SUP GU0SUP GU0SUP! This is just
superfluous, and I do know MY call! All too often, what happens is this:
G3XYZ G3XYZ G3XYZ DE GUCVBMJU:KJN?KLJHB>YF so I have to ask again.

For the exchange, something like this:
G3XYZ TU 599 001 001 001 DE GU0SUP K is all that is needed. You will know I
am working YOU, and not someone else, and 3 serials is just right.
If you see NR? program a buffer with JUST the serial number, and then hit
that key as many times as you think is needed, given the conditions.

If you are S&P, you only need to send DE GU0SUP GU0SUP GU0SUP, or maybe just
DE GU0SUP GU0SUP, depending on conditions. If you keep getting called as the
wrong call, or you see AGN?, then 3 times is good.
Another buffer with your call in just once is good too, as you can use it as
many times as may be needed.

I can't understand why folk should use 5NN instead of 599! This is not the
default of any software, so folk are programming it in, but why?

I saw one response like this last night:
GU0SUP DE G3XYZ TU AND GE OM
UR RST 599 599 599
SERIAL NUMBER 001 001 001
AR GU0SUP DE G3XYZ PSE KN
Probably OK in this contest, but use that style of response in, say, CQWW,
and you will draw a lot of negative comment!
Folk remember that, and the call it came from, and then avoid them on other
bands, and possibly from DX locations too!
You want your call to be remembered in a positive light, so that when the
likes of Tom GM4FDM go off to Benin, they may just recognise enough of your
call to pull you out of the pile up.

Having said all that, it is great to see so many folk enjoying the delights
of RTTY - maybe for the first time, and in reality, anything you chuck out
is welcome as a QSO.
The best bit of advice I was ever given was to sit and watch what was going
on before hitting the keys for that first time. I'd suggest watching Lee
G0MTN, or Roger G3LDI, and see how slick these guys are.

Just in case you fancy a major RTTY contest, this weekend is the SPRVG
(Polish RTTY) contest, which runs from 1200UTC on Saturday, till 1200UTC on
Sunday.
Full rules can be found at www.rttycontesting.com

73 all, and ENJOY!
Phil GU0SUP



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