How Long Do We Hafta DO 5-9 & 5-9-9?

While I Love Computer Assisted Transceiving (C.A.T.) for radiosporting, if we are to rescue it from

possible degeneration into a Repetitive Colossal Bore, the exchange delivery needs to be updated

to reflect the world of Radiosport 2000 and beyond.  Back in the day (50 - 60+ years ago) as radio sport contests came into the mainstream, a received signal report ACTUALLY meant something. 

During the DX contest for example, if the DX station was (to me) RST 5-2-9, I sent him 5-2-9

(although he probably logged it 5-9-9).

 

The purpose of this Contest Blog entry is to pitch a case (several cases, actually) detailing why sending signal reports in radiosport contests is an utter and COMPLETE waste of time that should

be replaced with something more useful.

 

The way *I* understand the spirit of radiosport, the idea is to convey relevant information Quickly & Accurately.  Notice I said RELEVANT.  I don't consider the transmission of 5-9 or 5-9-9 to be relevant anymore, it never really was; in my mind sending it is a COMPLETE waste of time and in no way contributes towards demonstrating superior operating skill.

 

My FAVorite contest exchange is used in ARRL's November Sweepstakes - for example: 

WA6LKB NR 123 U WQ6X 69 EB. 

Notice there is no signal report; we already have enough to send as it is.

 

I propose the notion that certain contest exchanges can and should be transformed into something more relevant and therefore more enjoyable (or at least one that's less prone to boredom - BoreDumb as I sometimes call it).  Here are (to me) some of the more obvious ways to restructure a typical contest exchange: 

• Instead of 5-9 or 5-9-9 + Zone - how about Name + Zone -or- Name + State/Section - similar to NAQP and State QSO parties  - no need for a signal report.
• Contests like the RTTY RU send Serial # + Section - again no need for a signal report.
• In RTTY contests, how about Serial # + Zone  - again no need for a signal report.
• A composite exchange could be: Zone + State/Section.
• Or even: Name + Zone + State/Section - alternating Alpha / Numeric/ Alpha.

While there are many other possibilities, the above 5 suggestions demonstrate how easy it is
to replace the signal report with something more usefully relevant.

The purpose of radiosport competitions is the demonstration of a superior ability to accurately communicate specific, relevant pieces of information in a timely manner over a limited amount

of time.

What do You think of eliminating 5-9 & 5-9-9 from radiosport contest exchanges?

I would like to hear YOUR views.