[CW] AR = +

[George, W5YR]

I guess all the OF's are welcome to this one . . .   <:}

Back when I started in the mid-40's, I am almost certain that the ARRL and
FCC recommended that AR be used at the end of each transmission prior to the
callsigns and K. Remember that was back when most of us used the "broadcast"
system of "I transmit for 5 minutes and then you transmit for five minutes .
."
We needed some way to know when a guy was through with his time period -
that was marked by the AR. At the very end of the last transmission, we used
SK to denote end of that contact and the availability of the station to
receive a call from another station. If unavailable (going to bed!) we sent
CL for "closing station."

My Elmer, who worked CW-only from 1914 to 2001 at his death, used that
protocol and I learned it from him. But, I seem to recall clearly that the
ARRL operating manuals, etc. recommended that use of AR to avoid confusion.

It is largely out of place these days what with 99% rapid fire QSK on both
ends and same-frequency operation for both stations.

But I still like to use it for old time's sake - has a nice swing to it!

73, George W5YR
w5yr@att.net


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ronald KA4INM Youvan" <ka4inm@tampabay.rr.com>
To: "cw" <cw@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, December 22, 2003 10:39 AM
Subject: Re: [CW] AR = +


> > I think AR would be mostly used when there is a body of information to
be
> > passed, like in a formal back and forth - and would NOT be used in the
QSK
> > type of contacts many have.
>
> > I hear it on the air used in this way when one station makes a
transmission
> > then sends call letters and a "go ahead", as well as in formal message
> > handling, but not when there is frequent QSK interruptions.  However, I
> > don't hear it as often as I used to and I hear it from older hams much
more
> > often than younger hams.
>
>    Ouch, that's me, I send a + BEFORE (per ARRL) the call signs
> signifying the cw equivalent of "OVER".  My "Elmer" taught me
> to do it that way.  He was a real OT!
>    I should also be used to signify the positive sign ` + ' in
> a message.
> -- 
>         73 (= Best Regards) de: Ron ka4inm@tampabay.rr.com
>      100% LINUX, since July, 1997   SENT Time and Date are UTC
>         Visit my HAM Web SITE at: http://www.qsl.net/ka4inm
>
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