Based on my experience with my own call sign I would beg to differ. When I was looking to change calls because the previous one was busted so frequently I stumbled on an unused call that seemed to have a nice rhythm to it and no pesky dits/dots to get lost in the ether. As soon as I started using it I noticed that vast majority of people sending it manually seemed to automatically add a half space between the suffix characters. The letters TMT just seem to beg for that rhythm. In every contest I hear the same thing, an exaggerated spacing between the letters and I know the op is sending manually.
With a straight TMT about the only bust I usually get is "TQ". Adding the half space significantly reduces that occurrence. When I tried adding a half space on my CQ message I found that the Skimmers often logged it as W7TM and lost the last T. Changing the message to W7TMT W7T~M~T solves both problems. I suspect there are other character combinations with similar issues. 73 Patrick, W7TMT -----Original Message----- From: Topband <topband-bounces+w7tmt=outlook....@contesting.com> On Behalf Of Pete Smith N4ZR Sent: Thursday, December 8, 2022 07:36 To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: ARRL 160 From 13 years experience rather than detailed analysis or any knowledge of VE3NEA's decoding methods, I don't think that an additional half-space is a big problem - certainly not as compared to running things together - for example making TEST N4ZR into TESTN4ZR. The latter makes for many bum spots of TN4ZR, TK2XX, etc. I see those in numbers every contest. 73, Pete N4ZR One of the RBN team On 12/7/2022 8:08 PM, m.r.c. wrote: > that's where added half space has a useful point. your increase in > copied accuracy should more than offset the decrease in spot accuracy > > the ZIP speed change for any part is the first thing I get rid of > sitting down at a position, the pico gain in time is far offset by the > annoyance and accuracy loss > > especially on top band I dislike the S and T, and any mis use of a > character. NN is just an exchange so it matters less unless its used > in a zone- BAD idea-. Its tough enough to copy correctly sent data, > don't make it harder just to gain 50 microseconds. > > off soap > > WA6CDR > > > > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Joe" <n...@mwt.net> > To: <topband@contesting.com> > Sent: Wednesday, December 07, 2022 14:05 > Subject: Re: Topband: ARRL 160 > > >> I'll differ on the half space thing. >> >> I cut my repeat needs by at LEAST 75% and still get spotted by the >> RBN all the time, (well not much on 160 he he he) >> >> But on bands where i got good signals my repeats are far less when I >> use >> >> W9~E~T than when I use W9ET >> >> Joe WB9SBD >> >> On 12/7/2022 9:13 AM, Mike VE9AA ve...@nbnet.nb.ca wrote: >>> Lee et al, >>> >>> Which just goes to further prove my point. The RBN (& skimmers) are >>> truly wonderful tech, but they are not perfect even if your CW is >>> (or nearly so). >>> >>> Please do not be surprised by the occasional bust or dupe if you are >>> doing something "weird" with your callsign by adding 1/2 spaces, >>> slowing letters down and whatnot. >>> >>> Human brains may (or maynot) be able to deal with that somewhat >>> better (up for debate - I personally dislike it done to most >>> callsigns), but computers don't 'know' what the intent is with that >>> type of sending. >>> >>> VE9AA >>> >>> ====================== >>> I get spotted as KX4M and KK4TT all the time. It does not matter if >>> I send by hand or through N1MM / Winkeyer. >>> >>> 73 de Lee KX4TT >>> >>> >>> >>> On Wednesday, December 7, 2022, 08:48:47 AM EST, <k...@kq2m.com> wrote: >>> >>> Hi Ron, >>> >>> The wrong call sign spotting and "run of dupes" happens a few times >>> a year to me. >>> Bob, KQ2M</pre> _________________ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector