[UK-CONTEST] RSGB Contest Committee

[Chris G3SJJ]

  I think this is good logic Roger and support it. The shape of the exchange is important, as is the rhythm, which is why I don't like speeded up 
bits. Can you imagine a Zone 5 exchange KWAN3ER - "G3SXW" (at 30 wpm) "Dit" (at 60 wpm) or a Zone 15 - EN - at 75 wpm, err, was that R? Shall I send 
my callsign again?!

In the case of IOTA Contest, which was the original start of the thread regarding exchanges, I think it would end up in chaos, since many ops would 
send 59(9) either because they weren't aware of the rule change, may be due to being a casual entrant, or after 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50 years contesting, 
they just prefer to send the 59(9) anyway. You certainly couldn't legislate or police the not-sending of it!!

As regards the serial number in IOTA, at GU8D we always considered it part of the challenge of the contest. In the first few hours maintaining a rate 
of 185 Q/H with lowish serial numbers was mentally stimulating (?!) but later on when you get spotted on 15m and get a pile up of JAs where you are 
saying or sending 59(9) 2657 Europe 114 can get quite interesting if you want to maintain rate!

The contest has been going for 17 years with only the occasional problem. I don't see any reason to change that part of it.

Chris G3SJJ




On 07/08/2010 19:29, Roger G3SXW wrote:
> Correct thinking, Paul. But let me repeat: it depends on what else is in the
> exchange. It must be sufficient to give shape to the transmission and be
> communicated quickly and efficiently. My example was non-island stations:
> you send your exchange + hand back to him and all you hear is " 1 ", sent at
> 30wpm, once. Bit daft, innit! Like in CQWW you might just hear " AE " (15
> short-code) or 'fifteen' barked once in a foreign accent. Daft! Wherever
> there is only ONE other element eg serial number (or zone number) then RST
> shouldn't be dropped, IMO.
>
> The other issue is accuracy of logging. We already these days have higher
> error rates (and point deductions in log-checking)as a result of snappy
> operating, compared with the old days. There has to be a balance here
> somewhere. But . . . each to his own! Next you will suggest swapping ONLY
> call-signs, then it will be just a list of call-signs heard (like ISS). Then
> 2-way contacts become 1-way. No, each contest needs individual
> consideration. Dropping the signal-report for Sprints was sensible because
> there is more than one exchange element AND because both call-signs must be
> transmitted.
> 73 de Roger/G3SXW.
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Paul O'Kane"<pokane at ei5di.com>
> To:<uk-contest at contesting.com>
> Sent: Saturday, August 07, 2010 6:13 PM
> Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] RSGB Contest Committee
>
>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Roger G3SXW"<g3sxw at btinternet.com>
>>
>>> non-island stations with no IOTA reference to send would be
>>> left too little to send and keep 'shape' to the QSO.
>> QSOs in major HF contests have a simple shape.
>> They consist of Callsign + Exchange (when you're
>> running) or Exchange (when you're not running).
>>
>> RST is still exchanged only because that's the
>> way it has always been.  Up to about 40 years
>> ago it may have had some significance in major
>> HF contests, just as it still has in VHF contests.
>> However, we all know, from HF events like the
>> Sprints, that you don't miss it when you don't
>> expect it.
>>
>> All that has to happen is that the rules of
>> any major HF event change to make the exchange
>> of 5NN optional and, within two years, we will
>> wonder why we kept it for so long.  The IOTA
>> contest is an obvious candidate because it has
>> a longer exchange than most.
>>
>> If Roger calls me in IOTA and I reply with
>> G3SXW 089 EU115, I expect he will deal with it
>> and that's all he has to type/log.  He knows
>> that once he hears his call, the important bit
>> (the exchange) is likely to follow.   When he
>> replies with 132 EU5 (he's faster than me), I
>> can deal with it.
>>
>> When I send my call and exchange to a non-island
>> station, and hear nothing but 008 or 461 or 2097
>> in return - it's no problem.  What more is there
>> to say?
>>
>> 73,
>> Paul EI5DI