Hi Phil,

I thought it was something like that, but hadn't run across it before.

73,

Dave, W7OQ

At 07:13 PM 2/23/2015, you wrote:
>Dave,
>
>The odd number such as 99 instead of 100, helps operators in the contest
>know if they worked someone with that exchange without having to inter it in
>the log to see if you worked that station already or not.  Years ago, a big
>contester was KH6IJ.  He used to send 5nn ttt.  The tripple T stood for 1000
>watts or, obviously a KW.  As I comb the band, the exchange often allows me
>to stay on frequency to work the guy or to skip working him because I
>recalled his unusual exchange.  The Japanese also use 5nn u5 for 599 25
>which is their zone during CQ Worldwide.  I've also heard DX contesters
>using tnn nnn for 599 and 999 watts, or in other words, a kilowatt.  So it
>is just a way of keeping the exchange short and sweet.
>
>Phil.
>K0NX