I concur with Jim K8MR that “5NN” is now a cut number for “Please Copy “
in CW.
But I think 5-9 in SSB contests play a more important role as a substitute for
“umm” at the beginning of a QSO. Without 59’ the more important part of the
exchange might be lost due to improper settings of VOX or, more often, the op
being slow to key the mike with ptt before saying the exchange and thereby
cutting off the beginning of the exchange. Dropping it would result in may more
requests for repeats.
I would rather hear a meaningless 5-9 than “please copy.”
Consider how often there is a need to ask for a repeat of a call sign prefix
when the transmission is clipped at the beginning because the op was talking
before actually keying the mike.
Even in CW consider the likelihood of a request for a repeat if instead of
signal report and zone only zone was required….e.g., 5 instead of 5NN 5.
If someone needs convincing, maybe RS(T) could be dropped for one of the
mid-week mini contests to see if the repeat rate increases as I predict.
Stan K4SBZ
>
> On Nov 17, 2023 at 3:26 PM, <Barry Jacobson (mailto:bdj@alum.mit.edu)>
> wrote:
>
>
>
> I feel honest RST is extremely important, because one ought to want to know
> if his station is having problems so he can get on the case. But if in
> contests it has become a formality, then I would prefer to send power level
> so people can know how powerful a weak or strong station really is. For
> instance, if a guy is really weak, I may think my antenna or receiver isn't
> working, but in reality the guy may be operating QRP. It also lets us learn
> differences in signals from different areas and different power levels so we
> can know how much advantage an amp may provide, and make an educated decision
> whether to use it and how much to put out. I recall there is one contest that
> requires that, but think would be good for all, if you aren't taking RST
> seriously, anyway. GL Barry WA2VIU -- Barry Jacobson WA2VIU bdj@alum.mit.edu
> @bdj_phd On Fri, Nov 17, 2023, 9:10 AM Duncan Fisken <radiog3wzd@gmail.com>
> wrote: > That’s what I tell my CW Academy students when I introduce them to
> > contesting; 5NN means ‘pay attention because what come next is
> important”. > > 73 > Duncan G3WZD / M3F > > Sent from my iPhone >
> > > On 17 Nov 2023, at 01:40, JIM STAHL via CQ-Contest < >
> cq-contest@contesting.com> wrote: > > > > > > As I suggested a
> while back, “5NN” is now a cut number for “Please Copy “ > > > > 73 -
> Jim K8MR > > > > > > Sent from my iPhone > > > >> On Nov
> 16, 2023, at 7:57 PM, w1rm@comcast.net wrote: > >> > >> I've been a
> ham since 1956 and worked more than my share of contests. > For > >> as
> long as forever, RST was an integral part of the qso and exchange. > In >
> >> days gone by, RST had value, especially the R and T values. If you had
> > a > >> crappy signal, T was a way to alert the op of that. > >> >
> >> > >> > >> But, fast forward to today, when was the last time
> you got anything but > 599? > >> If you got 227 how would you react? >
> >> > >> > >> > >> Signal reports are available through RBN for
> strength, to see if a band > is > >> open, etc., but if you are single
> op, unassisted, I'm not sure you can > even > >> use that. > >> >
> >> > >> > >> So, does RST still have value? Is it time to retire
> it? > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> Pete Chamalian,
> W1RM > >> > >> > > > >
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