[Fists] Need a pro-sign

Thu, 20 Nov 2003 21:35:03 -0800

Another angle perhaps...

I don't normally engage in a QSO in order to exhibit or expect absolutely
perfect operating procedure. I am not passing traffic or operating as a paid
CW operator, I am instead engaging in a bit of conversation. To that extent
some relaxation of the strict pedantics can happen IMHO, and no one should
be worse for the wear.

So, I will admit that there have been times I have sent "R" when in fact I
did not copy every letter or even every word. For instance, if I did not
quite get the exact temperature at the other ops' QTH, I am unlikely to ask
for a repeat. I really don't think that bit of detail is normally too
important to miss. Should I, however, then send "pse temp agn"? I don't
think so.

I will probably send "R", meaning, I received your end of the conversation
enough that I am satisfied that I understand what you are telling me without
having perhaps gotten every bit of minutae. To leave it off might then make
the other op wonder if I had missed something and what it was. It's not
really worth it. It is not exactly comparable, but we all do exactly this
sort of thing in everyday face-to-face or phone conversations. The "R" is an
acknowledgement that everything is OK with the conversation, please
continue.

I do agree that if you're sending "R" immediately followed by a request for
a fill of missed info it is not correct, but I'm willing to cut the guy/gal
some slack on that point. We're amateurs!

73,

Casey, KS7J

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]On
Behalf Of Stan Reas
Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2003 3:29 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: [Fists] Need a pro-sign

Bill, W4BOT and I chatted the other night about the use and misuse of "R"
during a QSO.

The definition of the Procedure Signal "R" is:
	I received your transmission perfectly.  Do not send "R" if you didn't
copy everything.

Often we hear "R" repeated two or three times at the beginning of a
transmission.  Followed by the statement:  "Missed ur name"  or  "Missed ur
QTH"  or  "Missed ur FISTS number"  Etc.
Or, "Pse repeat name"  or  "Pse repeat QTH"  or  "Pse repeat FISTS
number"  Etc.

No where do I find a Procedure Signal that means: I received "some" or
"most" of your transmission.

So we got to thinking that we need a Procedure Sign which indicates that:
	I received most of your transmission, but not a solid copy.

Perhaps we could use an "X"
	For example:  W4BOT de K4UK    X    Pse ur name agn

Often I find myself sending "OK" rather than "R" and then proceeding with
my transmission figuring the other station will recognize that I did NOT
send "R" and that I may have missed some of his last transmission.

We got to wondering whether any of the "old timers" know of any pro-sign
that was used to indicate a not complete copy.

If not, maybe FISTS can come up with such a pro-sign and publicize
it.  Having such a pro-sgn would  sure would help to eliminate the
incorrect use of "R"

73, Stan - K4UK

_______________________________________________
Fists mailing list
[email protected]
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/fists

---
Incoming mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.538 / Virus Database: 333 - Release Date: 11/10/2003

---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.538 / Virus Database: 333 - Release Date: 11/10/2003