Can't the RST report be dropped for contests?

[NZ5N]

As everyone sends 59 or 5NN, why do most contests still require this?  I even read it was bad form to send anything other than 59, because it complicates the other guy's logging (his logging program defaults to 59 so anything else must be manually entered).

73,
Bill NZ5N

[AD6WL]

5NN is an important part of the contest exchange.  It actaully means "OK, get ready here comes the important information."

Also, if you log it wrong then the contact doesn't count.

[WW3QB]

I love it when someone struggles to hear the other station, has him repeat his call and report several times, and then he's still 59!

Bob

[KB9CRY]

It's just a tradition.  Probably back on the old days when folks didn't have such great antennas and equipment and amplifiers, everyone was probably not a true 599 and I'm sure different reports were given.

Now a days even the average joe can have a nice signal.  

Kinda like NASCAR, they really don't race "stock cars" anymore even though they call them that.

I wouldn't get too worked up over it.

[W6OP]

Often 59 is given in contests and from Dxpeditions because the log can be defaulted to 59 to save an extra step when logging quickly.

[AF9J]

I won't lie. I've been contesting for over 20 years. I've hated the RST report for at least 15 years. Keeping it because of tradition is silly. None of the Major VHF/UHF contests use it, nor does Sweepstakes or NAQP.  It's completely and utterly meaningless.  Especially if you're doing the contest QRP or low power, and are usually not 599.  It's almost a travesty to be given a 599 report, after having to repeat your information several times.  

Saying RST 599 is another way of saying "OK" isn't quite true, since the other station will usually acknowledge with "Roger", or QSL.  I wish the RST was replaced with something else like say the operating class you're doing, or QSO number.

My 2 cents worth,
Ellen - AF9J

[N2WEC]

If you can't be honest, "Why bother?"

[KX8N]

"If you can't be honest, "Why bother?" "

There's nothing keeping everyone to be honest.  A 59 report isn't mandatory.  Maybe preferred, but not mandatory.

[NZ5N]

I agree with Ellen.  The report is outdated, it encourages dishonesty (false reports), and it should be dropped.  However, I won't lose any sleep over this "tradition".

[KG4RUL]

That is what I like about digital modes.  MixW has a readout for RST - what the computer says is what I send.  On occasion this has prompted an exchange wondering why I gave them such a low RST?  Sorry, the box has a totally objective algorithm.

Dennis KG4RUL

[WA7NCL]

In contests with a long history, it keeps the length of the exchange constant so that results will be comparable over the years.  So instead of dropping it, perhaps grid square should be substituted as it is almost the same length.