Lets do better

[kc5fm]

Recently, there was a ham that Tweeted:

oh man, i wish that these ppl would tell me if they're a 1010 member and gimme their number... i 4got how fun 10m was

He was encouraged to look up the number on the http://www.ten-ten.org web site and then ask the member for his number. That will work and it worked for him on his next QSO.

However, we are 10-10 members. Aren't we proud of our 10-10 number? Can people join 10-10 without collecting numbers? Can they get chapter and 10-10 awards without a 10-10 number? How many mobile operators have a computer close at hand that will allow them the opportunity to safely look up numbers?

Can we do better, please?

73

[KK3Q]

Lloyd,

Safely looking up a 10-10 number on the Internet is not an option that current or prospective ops can use. Of all the information that is exchanged during a QSO, or after it via email, QSL or otherwise the 10-10 number itself must be exchanged between the two stations. There have been comments made about using 10-10 lookups and QSL card information for validating a QSO but they do not meet the letter of the QSO requirements. Any information concerning the station or operator may be exchanged via a relay station but the number must be exchanged one on one.

Ops cannot join 10-10 without working the required 10 contacts first. Making it a simple point and click join process would tell all former members that their efforts were in vain. One other thing about those first 10 numbers that a lot of folks don't realize: once you work 10 members and qualify for membership you must then work those same 10 numbers again to use them for awards. Why? Because the new member wasn't t a member at the time so the exchange of the original 10 numbers counts for membership but not for any awards. Same goes for chapter affiliations, you must have a 10-10 number to join a chapter (in most cases).

As for mobile ops, nothing like a scratch pad on the seat or dash to take care of the exchange.