[Elecraft] K3 CW decoder and CQ CW contest

[dmb at lightstream.net]

Sorry - I wasn't clear. Of course it makes no sense to send "DE" prior to
calling anyone if the only thing you're sending is your own call.

I was referring mostly to folks who are calling CQ, especially those with
a bad fist, and under poor conditions. I've heard stations with an unusual
callsign who call CQ, send their call maybe three times with NO spacing
between iterations. If you miss the start of the call, it takes a lot of
work to sort out the longstringofpossibilitiesfromthemess. By simply
sending "CQ CQ CQ DE ..." the DE acts as a heads-up that "here is the
start of my call", which gives one a fighting chance.

Under good conditions, it's not a problem.

I'm not a contester - ever - though I like chasing DX and actually enjoy
trying to work out a strategy for pileups. And no, I never send "DE" under
those conditions -- or even my callsign again -- unless I know the DX
station has it wrong.

73, Dale
WA8SRA



> On Mon,12/1/2014 5:52 AM, dmb at lightstream.net wrote:
>> But PLEASE DO develop the habit of using the characters "DE" to preface
>> the sending of your callsign, whether calling CQ or in exchange with
>> another station.
>
> NO, NO, NO! (CAPS added for emphasis). When a contester (or DXpedition)
> is running (calling CQ), we EXPECT to hear YOUR callsign, and we start
> typing that call in the entry window. Lots of calls begin with D, so
> when someone sends DE, we must backspace. DON'T send his call first --
> he knows his call -- only send yours. Same problem with typing. Further,
> sending the old CW elements like DE, K, KN, and QSL during a contest are
> time-wasters equivalent to "please copy" on SSB. Most good contesters
> use "TU" or "R" and end a QSO by sending "TU" followed by their callsign.
>
> Another rule -- NEVER resend anything that the other station has copied
> correctly. If the other station sent your call correctly when he
> responded to you, don't send it again. Send it again ONLY if you think
> he got it wrong.
>
> Count me among those who HATE cut numbers other than for 5NN.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC