In my previous email, I should have been clearer about AE5TT vs. AB1J.
Although one character longer, AE5TT is shorter on CW and easier to copy on CW
and phone. Better phonetics on phone, IMO. Easier to articulate.
Basically, I was trying to say you need to consider several aspects of calls if
you are going for a vanity call. Besides length. Some work better than others
for other reasons.
And, weirdly, sometimes in pileups longer calls are the last ones standing,
which makes them stand out. RTTY, too.
73,
Ken, AB1J
On Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 06:36:20 PM EST, ktfrog007--- via
CQ-Contest <cq-contest@contesting.com> wrote:
Re: contest calls with all the USA 1x2 and 2x1 calls used up
2x2 calls seem unpopular, but sometimes they are shorter or better than 1x2 or
2x1 calls. AE5TT is shorter than my call, AB1J, and easier to copy. Folks like
AA5AU use 2x2s quite successfully.
1x3 calls can be relatively short and easy to copy, too, depending on their
characters. Wx3 calls are popular because of their long tradition.
On CW, characters should always be considered. Dashes carry more energy than
dots and are easier to copy, but too many make for long calls.
Dots can be difficult to distinguish. S and H shouldn't be adjacent nor should
5 and H. A 5 in a call is not a problem adjacent to most other characters, as
it's right where you'd expect it to be. Dots at the end of calls tend to get
lost (Once I was W1GTE. Bad call)
Other characters can be confusing, too, especially with wishful thinking. For
instance, B becoming a 6, like with that nice DX mult A61J.
Some calls have a nice rhythm on CW. I've always liked K3EST, especially at
high speed, which just gallops through my head.
On RTTY, it's just call length, as far as I know. I don't know if some RTTY
characters more difficult to decode than others. Maybe someone else does.
On FT modes, call length doesn't matter.
On phone, call length can be a consideration, but you have to take phonetics
and pronunciation into account, too. I spent a Field Day once using W3GJB,
which I found difficult. With my call both Juliet and Japan as phonetics often
get turned into Quebec. I have a slight speech problem, but some of this also
has to do with having a small signal, which is another thing to take into
consideration on all modes. Big signals decode better by meat or machine. Get
better antennas and an amp if you can.
73,Ken, AB1J
On Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 01:34:43 PM EST, Butchie KAØWWT via
groups.io <ka0wwt=pm.me@groups.io> wrote:
Al, Understood, my reply simply indicated that a program, such as 1x1, as an
example would be nice for us to have. I do understand the requirements that go
along with that block of callsigns. --73Butch - KAØWWT_._,_._,_Groups.io Links:
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