[UK-CONTEST] Re QTC in WAEDC RTTY

[stewart rolfe]

--- On Fri, 14/11/08, Ian Maude <ian at gb7mbc.net> wrote:
   
> Thanks John, I understand the exchange (I think) but I am
> no closer to 
> understanding the concept.  Why would one do such a thing? 
> If you were 
> running on 20m for example, you could put down  LOT more
> points than 
> waiting for QTC's to be read to you surely?  I just
> cannot get my head 
> around it.  Who thought of the idea and why! :)
> 
> 73 Ian
> 

Ian,

I've only ever done cw WAEDC and in those (as well as the ssb I think) it's the DX stations only that can send QTCs - we just receive them and this can be (*is* for me!) a real challenge and test of skill. However each one correctly received gives both sides an extra point so if a sending dx station gives out all his QTCs he/she doubles their raw points total; have a look at the results pages to see what a difference they can make to EU scores.....

Not sure what the original philosophy behind this rule was but it means that when things go quiet and you're struggling to find new stations to work you can instead earn extra points and keep things ticking over by asking for QTCs from stations already worked; 10 QTCs typically take less than 2 minutes - 10 extra points in that time is pretty good. I believe QTC means something along the lines of "I have a message for you" and in this context it is an exercise in exchanging information more substantial and more challenging than the usual 599 and serial number. Ofcourse you have to balance QTCs with normal QSOs since only the latter can give you mults.

See www.darc.de/referate/dx/fedcw.htm for .mp3 examples of cw and ssb QTCs being exchanged.

73,

Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF