QTT
Quality Telegraphy Time
QTT

QTT Award

DRAFT

Quality True Telegraphist Award

AWARD Granted to those who Qualify

  • SPONSORED by no less than five existing QTT
  • EXEMPLARY use of CW Operating Procedure
  • QUALITY telegraphist skills and performance

The QTT Award is testimony to the holder being a True Telegraphist:

  • No use of decoders
  • Accuracy of exchanges
  • Correct Telegraphy Procedure

Sponsors must ONLY sponsor after sufficient time or amount of QSO to be sure of all of the following criteria having been met by the time of the sponsor QSO:

  • Correct use of both callsigns at start of QSO
  • Correct handover either by QSK break-in or BK or callsigns 
  • When handing over transmission ending K or KN
  • Adequate exchange of information: RSN, Name, QTH, PWR, ANT at min.
  • Greetings and/or thanks on establishing QSO
  • Wishes (ideally including “77” if its meaning is known) on ending QSO
  • Not sending any “dit dit” until the end of *both* sides of QSO
  • Patience and perseverance in poor conditions, no quick give up and “73”
  • Correct copy of callsigns, if unsure, clarification must have been requested
  • Sponsor QSO took place within TOP 5 kHz of CW exclusive band section 
  • RSN report was exchanged (or RSTN) not RST (to promote use of RSN)
  • Paddle use only if QSO took place at or above 25WPM
  • If using paddle only: no running together of characters, or uncorrected errors, method of correction is not determined as many are acceptable
  • QSO should have taken place at a speed of 18 WPM or more if on a mechanical key, 25 WPM or more if using a paddle (or keyboard)
  • Full QSK or Semi-QSK operation if rig allows for it
  • ? Exchange of at least one affiliated club membership ID, currently FISTS

There is no exact minimum or maximum length required for the Sponsor QSO other than it must not be rushed and all information required at minimum (see above) must have been exchanged. 

The following not only do NOT qualify if taken place during sponsorship QSO but must be corrected and known to have been corrected in general.  If any QTT is heard on air using any of the following incorrect procedures their award may be cancelled therefore if there is any doubt whatsoever, more time should be taken to evaluate that the incorrect procedure is no longer used at any time by the prospective QTT candidate:

  • Ending a CQ either with callsign then silence only or with <AR> only 
  • Not ending a CQ with a K, or PSE K, <AR> K, DX etc K, or <AR> PSE K
  • Calling or replying to a CQ by only sending their own callsign
  • Giving a 5NN or 599 inaccurate report in ANY situation including ‘test etc
  • Using a decoder (handicapped may use keyboard correctly for sending)
  • Giving an obviously inaccurate report (e.g. R5 when requiring repeats)
  • Incorrect copy of callsign without having sought repeat or confirmation

Difficult to determine, but if known to be the case by witness, or surety, the following characteristics do NOT qualify for QTT Award:

  • Ignoring stations that are calling but are below the “comfort level” within reason. E.g: a signal is above the noise but not armchair copy, the station continues to CQ ignoring the caller as they aren’t armchair copy
  • Receives additional information about PWR, ANT, and/or KEY but does NOT reciprocate (without prompting) to also supply this information (WX, Age, and anything else however do not have to be reciprocated).
  • Not showing patience to newcomers such as QRS, or to QRP, or to QSD of others
  • Being unable to copy reasonable variations of fists, bugs, cooties etc. The QTT candidate must have above average skills in copying radio Telegraphy
  • Signs of impatience when conducting QSO upon their having called CQ, unless in contests, they should not be rushing to conclude QSO already after only RST and name or QTH. Their QSO partners should not feel rushed. QTT advocate Quality Over Quantity when it comes to QSO totals.

The following are examples of things, which if known to the sponsor, must NOT affect the granting of sponsorship for QTT:

  • The individuals off-air character, profession, politics or belief etc, the QTT is all about on air Quality Telegraphy which is the sole criteria for judgment
  • The quality of the signal transmitted from the station: drift, chirp, click, buzz, low power, are not reasons to deny sponsorship, as the QTT Award is about the Operator’s Qualification and not the qualification of the station.
  • Participation in “contests” – however, even in contests the QTT must give a reasonable report and must not operate in TOP 9 nor on QRP frequencies
  • Use of other modes: the QTT does not need to be an exclusive CW operator
  • Sending style, e.g. fist, swing, with the exception of proscribed procedures
  • Type of keying used, anything from bare wires to keyboard are acceptable

Note on keyboard use: for extreme QRQ (e.g. above 50 WPM) as well as for general use in CW by those suffering from issues which prevent the use of keys, keyboards are perfectly acceptable, provided they are used correctly in the context either of the QRQ free QSO or the “Rubber Stamp Protocol QSO”, e.g. use of non-standard “…” or “:” etc instead of adapting keyboard use to mimic usual CW operation, is not acceptable. Decoders are never acceptable.

The Qualified True Telegraphist not only can operate in Morse Code but loves radio telegraphy and this shows in their passion and on air activities. They have sufficient knowledge of operating procedures and radio telegraphy above and beyond the minimum required by amateur radio, for example, history, current developments (RSN report alternative, CW-only greeting “77”, Q codes, the “Protocol QSO” – meaning the time established “rubber stamp” QSO, CW clubs and organizations, band plans etc) and are committed to the defense, preservation and promotion of the art of True Telegraphy. 

FOUNDING QTT MEMBERS may nominate operators that they have established are QTT without the need for sponsorship QSOs. Such must have displayed all the required qualities in past QSOs. Such nominations are suitable given the age of some QTT and a well established history of evident qualification. Nominees must be shared to all founding members to allow for any objection or clarification to be made, and upon agreement the nominee is contacted and/or awarded the QTT Award.

Qualified True Telegraphist

Granted to those who graduate from CW University (future development)