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Re: [CQ-Contest] Contest calls (was [RTTY] A Gripe/Rant WPX RTTY)

To: Ron Notarius W3WN <wn3vaw@verizon.net>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Contest calls (was [RTTY] A Gripe/Rant WPX RTTY)
From: Bernie McClenny via CQ-Contest <cq-contest@contesting.com>
Reply-to: Bernie McClenny <bernie@dailydx.com>
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2026 16:52:32 -0500
List-post: <mailto:cq-contest@contesting.com>
even better - EI5ISH

Bernie McClenny, W3UR
Glenwood, MD (FM19lg)

Editor of: 
The Daily DX (1997-2026)
The Weekly DX (2001-2026)
How's DX? (1998-2026)

http://www.dailydx.com 
https://twitter.com/dailydx    
1-410-489-6518 (cell and WhatsApp)

> On Feb 19, 2026, at 9:36 AM, Ron Notarius W3WN via CQ-Contest 
> <cq-contest@contesting.com> wrote:
> 
> Well, you can always move to Spain and see if they'd be willing to reissue 
> EE5E.
> 73
>    On Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 06:44:32 AM EST, dwdudley ve3oi.ca 
> <dwdudley@ve3oi.ca> wrote:   
> 
> I am sure the perfect call is out there, I just havent found it yet
> 
> HH5HH
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: CQ-Contest <cq-contest-bounces+dwdudley=ve3oi.ca@contesting.com> On 
> Behalf Of John Geiger via CQ-Contest
> Sent: February 19, 2026 8:12 AM
> To: ktfrog007@aol.com
> Cc: RTTY Reflector <rtty@contesting.com>; cq-contest 
> <cq-contest@contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Contest calls (was [RTTY] A Gripe/Rant WPX RTTY)
> 
> I have wondered the same about RTTY calls, if some characters are easier for 
> the software to copy than others.  As someone who used to have a J in their 
> call, it often was changed to India on phone, not sure how that happened as 
> to me they don't sound much alike, other than they both have 3 syllables.  
> The last letter C often gets switched to K on CW and the first C often gets 
> switched to G on phone. 
> 
> I am sure the perfect call is out there, I just havent found it yet
> 
> 73 John AF5CC
> not AF5CK or AF5GC
> 
> 
> 
> Sent with Proton Mail secure email.
> 
> On Wednesday, February 18th, 2026 at 11:35 PM, 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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> 
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