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If you are using a CW decoder but would like to learn or improve your own CW
capabilities, I invite you to look at www.cwops.org/cwacademy.html The Academy is offered by CWops and is free to all. Pete, W1RM ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
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Another great site for improving CW proficiency (at ANY level) is http://lcwo.net/
Barry W2UP |
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And another great resource, if you want to build your own practice files,
is ebook2cw,written by Fabian Kurz, DJ1YFK. Converts text to really nice sounding CW, with control over rise/fall times, pitch, timing, etc... Command line version works great on Mac OS X, and I believe it also runs on Windows and Linux. I use it frequently to convert chunks of practice text to mp3 files, burn it on a disc and practice by listening to it while mobile. http://fkurz.net/ham/ebook2cw.html --Andrew, NV1B maineware.net .. On Thu, Nov 8, 2012 at 8:05 AM, Barry <[hidden email]> wrote: > Another great site for improving CW proficiency (at ANY level) is > http://lcwo.net/ > Barry W2UP > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
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In reply to this post by Peter Chamalian
Your brain IS best at CW decoding - but only after you've spent many hundreds of hours training it. You can work CW DX NOW by getting a Keyer and learning one thing in CW - the sound of your callsign. Let CW Skimmer decode for you. It's not as good as your brain, but this setup will have you working CW at any speed without dedicating hundreds of hours you might wish to spend otherwise. CW is just another digital mode. Decoders will improve. Get in the CW game now. K4KGG, Larry ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
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In reply to this post by Peter Chamalian
For many of us CW is an art form, a skill worth those hundreds of hours
of practice, and a connection to wireless history. Fortunately, amateur radio is a broad enough service/hobby that it can support all the opinions we may have on this subject. On Thu, Nov 8, 2012 at 1:15 PM, Larry Libsch wrote: CW is just another digital mode. ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
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In reply to this post by K4KGG
Hope anyone who's interested in getting into CW isn't put off by the
thought of spending hundreds of hours to train or being bored by just another digital mode. Larry is 50% right here. I mean that in a positive way (i.e. not "50% wrong"!) To say that CW is just another digital mode, or that it takes hundreds of hours to train, isn't necessarily correct. Some of the most exciting moments I had doing CW were when I was studying code before I got my ticket, (barely) copying 5 WPM in Mass. from a station in Florida which seemed like pulling magic out of the air. At that point I had only about 24 hours of CW training. When I got the ticket, my first QSO was on a straight key from Tenn. to Washington state (still have the QSL card, N7CEY!) was equally thrilling, largely because it was hands-on (Internet wasn't even mainstream yet). It's a very different *experience* than having a computer do it for you. I agree with Larry's recommendation to just jump in and immerse yourself in the mode, in whatever form. One way isn't better than the other. For upcoming CW enthusiasts, only by trying the different methods available to you - digital or analog makes no difference - will you find what you like and what you can do without. Find your niche and enjoy it; it's YOUR niche and there's a lot of fun out there when you find it. Decode-by-brain comes quick for some, especially when they enjoy it. And then, training is ongoing - so yes, it can certainly require hundreds of hours, but for some those hours seem like a thrill not a chore. --Andrew, NV1B maineware.net .. On Thu, Nov 8, 2012 at 1:15 PM, Larry Libsch <[hidden email]> wrote: > > Your brain IS best at CW decoding - but only after you've spent > many hundreds of hours training it. You can work CW DX NOW by getting a > Keyer and learning one thing in CW - the sound of your callsign. Let CW > Skimmer decode for you. It's not as good as your brain, but this setup > will have you working CW at any speed without dedicating hundreds of > hours you might wish to spend otherwise. CW is just another digital > mode. Decoders will improve. Get in the CW game now. > > K4KGG, Larry > > Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
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Well I've been at it for about 8 months now and have worked only CW (about 1100 QSOs to date) since I got my ticket . I'm just beginning to be able to put down the pen and copy in my head. Sure I miss a couple of words here and there, but for the most part I'm getting much better. I think I'm at a transition point and finding that even though I don't have to write down copy I find it somewhat reassuring and often do it anyway so I don't miss anything. Of course if the WPM goes much faster than about 22 WPM, I can't write fast enough anyway so I have to really focus and let the old brain have at it. I think once I hit the one year mark, I should be in pretty good shape and expect to be able to send and copy at about 30 wpm...not that I have a need for speed, but it's just an observation on my progress during my first year as a ham. It's certainly more relaxing to just sit there and close my eyes and listen rather than frantically trying to write down everything!
73 Steve W1SFR On Nov 8, 2012, at 1:52 PM, Andrew Moore wrote: > Hope anyone who's interested in getting into CW isn't put off by the > thought of spending hundreds of hours to train or being bored by just > another digital mode. Larry is 50% right here. I mean that in a positive > way (i.e. not "50% wrong"!) > > To say that CW is just another digital mode, or that it takes hundreds of > hours to train, isn't necessarily correct. > > Some of the most exciting moments I had doing CW were when I was studying > code before I got my ticket, (barely) copying 5 WPM in Mass. from a station > in Florida which seemed like pulling magic out of the air. At that point I > had only about 24 hours of CW training. When I got the ticket, my first QSO > was on a straight key from Tenn. to Washington state (still have the QSL > card, N7CEY!) was equally thrilling, largely because it was hands-on > (Internet wasn't even mainstream yet). > > It's a very different *experience* than having a computer do it for you. > > I agree with Larry's recommendation to just jump in and immerse yourself in > the mode, in whatever form. One way isn't better than the other. For > upcoming CW enthusiasts, only by trying the different methods available to > you - digital or analog makes no difference - will you find what you like > and what you can do without. Find your niche and enjoy it; it's YOUR niche > and there's a lot of fun out there when you find it. Decode-by-brain comes > quick for some, especially when they enjoy it. And then, training is > ongoing - so yes, it can certainly require hundreds of hours, but for some > those hours seem like a thrill not a chore. > > --Andrew, NV1B > maineware.net > .. > > > > On Thu, Nov 8, 2012 at 1:15 PM, Larry Libsch <[hidden email]> wrote: > >> >> Your brain IS best at CW decoding - but only after you've spent >> many hundreds of hours training it. You can work CW DX NOW by getting a >> Keyer and learning one thing in CW - the sound of your callsign. Let CW >> Skimmer decode for you. It's not as good as your brain, but this setup >> will have you working CW at any speed without dedicating hundreds of >> hours you might wish to spend otherwise. CW is just another digital >> mode. Decoders will improve. Get in the CW game now. >> >> K4KGG, Larry >> >> > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[hidden email] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
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In reply to this post by Peter Chamalian
>Your brain IS best at CW decoding...
Amen to that, brother! >...Let CW Skimmer decode for you... Only if a non-brain decoder is good enough to read the DX station at 28 wpm (or better) when he says "pse na qrx nw ja up" and you understand what that means, and not keep calling incessantly because the decoder hasn't displayed your call. Sorry for the rant, but there are waaaayyyy too many people calling out of turn these days. I suspect that non-brain decoders are the reason. There's only one way to get the Carnegie Hall. Ralph, VE7XF ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
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In reply to this post by Peter Chamalian
I respect the hams that have spent many hours developing and improving their CW skills ... until they attempt to discourage hams who choose to come at CW with a different approach. The conjecture that those of us using decoders cause more problems than those audibly decoding is just that - a conjecture. Inexperience is very likely a more important factor. Please note that many accomplished CW ops use keyers when it's to their advantage - during CW contests. Software-generated code has no "fist"and is therefore more readable. And many CW contesters can achieve higher speeds with accuracy using a keyer and software than they may be able to do by hand. Please note that the Elecraft team, among others, continues to work to improve the CW decoding capability of the K3. Wayne is offering a beta firmware version with improved CW decoding ability right now. Not liking software CW encoders and decoders is not going to make them go away. They are the future of CW. JT65 can decode inaudble signals now. The only question is when software will be better at decoding CW than the human brain. CW is for all hams. It doesn't belong just to a select group who learned how to key it by hand. If you want to limit your experience of ham radio by spending all your radio time learning CW, by all means do it. But there is so much else to explore in ham radio: RTTY, satellites, antennas, towers, DXing, contests, portable operation, equipment construction and much, much more. Use the available tools. Exploring this digital mode with software may make sense for you. K4KGG, Larry ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
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In reply to this post by Millerhill
Hello Stephen,
It sounds inspirational! I have never found CW very restful or been able to copy in my head. I think it all started when I first learned CW the wrong way....it took me two tries to get the 13 wpm General class license back in the 60's. And I was sweating bullets as I typed out the letters on a borrowed laptop computer during my Extra license test (I can't hand write 20 wpm)! What is the secret (if there is a secret) to learning how to copy in your head? In lieu of mentally copying, is there some cheap (free) program to type out what you are receiving and then to use the keyboard to send CW too? My keyboard speed isn't really super duper, but it sure is a LOT better than my handwriting ability!!! I have just bee introduced to N1MM, and that seems to work great with my K3 and laptop computer, but it really seems geared for quick openings or working pileups. Is there something better suited to casual CW QSO's? VY 73, Lance On 11/8/2012 7:23 PM, Stephen Roberts wrote: > Well I've been at it for about 8 months now and have worked only CW (about 1100 QSOs to date) since I got my ticket . I'm just beginning to be able to put down the pen and copy in my head. Sure I miss a couple of words here and there, but for the most part I'm getting much better. I think I'm at a transition point and finding that even though I don't have to write down copy I find it somewhat reassuring and often do it anyway so I don't miss anything. Of course if the WPM goes much faster than about 22 WPM, I can't write fast enough anyway so I have to really focus and let the old brain have at it. I think once I hit the one year mark, I should be in pretty good shape and expect to be able to send and copy at about 30 wpm...not that I have a need for speed, but it's just an observation on my progress during my first year as a ham. It's certainly more relaxing to just sit there and close my eyes and listen rather than frantically trying to write down everything! > > 73 > Steve > W1SFR > > > > On Nov 8, 2012, at 1:52 PM, Andrew Moore wrote: > >> Hope anyone who's interested in getting into CW isn't put off by the >> thought of spending hundreds of hours to train or being bored by just >> another digital mode. Larry is 50% right here. I mean that in a positive >> way (i.e. not "50% wrong"!) >> >> To say that CW is just another digital mode, or that it takes hundreds of >> hours to train, isn't necessarily correct. >> >> Some of the most exciting moments I had doing CW were when I was studying >> code before I got my ticket, (barely) copying 5 WPM in Mass. from a station >> in Florida which seemed like pulling magic out of the air. At that point I >> had only about 24 hours of CW training. When I got the ticket, my first QSO >> was on a straight key from Tenn. to Washington state (still have the QSL >> card, N7CEY!) was equally thrilling, largely because it was hands-on >> (Internet wasn't even mainstream yet). >> >> It's a very different *experience* than having a computer do it for you. >> >> I agree with Larry's recommendation to just jump in and immerse yourself in >> the mode, in whatever form. One way isn't better than the other. For >> upcoming CW enthusiasts, only by trying the different methods available to >> you - digital or analog makes no difference - will you find what you like >> and what you can do without. Find your niche and enjoy it; it's YOUR niche >> and there's a lot of fun out there when you find it. Decode-by-brain comes >> quick for some, especially when they enjoy it. And then, training is >> ongoing - so yes, it can certainly require hundreds of hours, but for some >> those hours seem like a thrill not a chore. >> >> --Andrew, NV1B >> maineware.net >> .. >> >> >> >> On Thu, Nov 8, 2012 at 1:15 PM, Larry Libsch <[hidden email]> wrote: >> >>> Your brain IS best at CW decoding - but only after you've spent >>> many hundreds of hours training it. You can work CW DX NOW by getting a >>> Keyer and learning one thing in CW - the sound of your callsign. Let CW >>> Skimmer decode for you. It's not as good as your brain, but this setup >>> will have you working CW at any speed without dedicating hundreds of >>> hours you might wish to spend otherwise. CW is just another digital >>> mode. Decoders will improve. Get in the CW game now. >>> >>> K4KGG, Larry >>> >>> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:[hidden email] >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[hidden email] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > -- Lance Collister, W7GJ (ex WA3GPL, WA1JXN, WA1JXN/C6A, ZF2OC/ZF8, E51SIX, 3D2LR, 5W0GJ, E6M) P.O. Box 73 Frenchtown, MT 59834-0073 USA TEL: (406) 626-5728 QTH: DN27ub URL: http://www.bigskyspaces.com/w7gj Windows Messenger: [hidden email] Skype: lanceW7GJ 2m DXCC #11/6m DXCC #815 Interested in 6m EME? Ask me about subscribing to the Magic Band EME email group, or just fill in the request box at the bottom of my web page (above)! ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
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In reply to this post by K4KGG
While we're on the subject of computer-based CW learning and operating -
another perhaps lesser-known setup that may be worth checking out is the CW-over-Internet approach using FLDigi and Mumble software, which provides multi-user, high audio quality, low latency CW over the net via a server. Some of the great advantages of this system for those wanting to build CW speed is that it's available 24/7 and eliminates the dependency on good band conditions, propagation or being tied to your shack. You can have "live" QSOs in near perfect conditions pretty much whenever you want it, which is a huge help in building skill and speed. Chuck/AA0HW has put loads of research into tweaking the setup for best results, providing ways to interface your paddle and key to the system, generating pleasant sounding sidetones, etc. Users on Chuck's server tend to focus on QRQ but everyone's welcome. Chuck has created videos detailing how to set up the software. Again, a very different experience than sitting in front of a radio, but can be highly enjoyable even for seasoned CW ops. For more info: http://qrqcwnet.ning.com/ --Andrew, NV1B maineware.net .. On Thu, Nov 8, 2012 at 3:56 PM, Larry Libsch <[hidden email]> wrote: > > I respect the hams that have spent many hours developing and > improving their CW skills ... ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
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In reply to this post by K4KGG
Yes and the good ones like Elecrafts will decode your call sign quickly as
well no need to learn it either. 73, Fred/N0AZZ -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Larry Libsch Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2012 12:16 PM To: [hidden email] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] CW Decoding - Your Brain is best Your brain IS best at CW decoding - but only after you've spent many hundreds of hours training it. You can work CW DX NOW by getting a Keyer and learning one thing in CW - the sound of your callsign. Let CW Skimmer decode for you. It's not as good as your brain, but this setup will have you working CW at any speed without dedicating hundreds of hours you might wish to spend otherwise. CW is just another digital mode. Decoders will improve. Get in the CW game now. K4KGG, Larry ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
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I can see that someone might want to use a K3 CW decode or a computer decode program like CW Skimmer when operating a contest. After you set things up, very little real CW skill is necessary to be a CW contest player. Indeed, many probably do just that.
Ultimately of course, the software will get better and the instance of the human operator will no longer be necessary. Some future glorified computer program can play the game all by itself. You can even schedule your computer program to startup when the contest schedules begin and stop when they end. Of course, total control of your rig by remote is included. Cool -- just think, I could be off doing more interesting things while operating a contest from my Mac hosted computer application. I could be a high scorer -- I could win! I would be the contesting CW champ. Or, at least my program would be but no one need know that. The best part is that during the contest and during all those automated hours or cranking up my score at 2.7 GHz CPU speeds, I can be out in the wilds nearby with my wire antenna thrown into the nearest tree and operating QRP CW from my KX3 using my Begali paddle. 73, phil, K7PEH ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
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In reply to this post by Ralph Parker
If you check the calls on most all of them you will find most "ALL" old
extra or advanced ops just LIDS as always things are the same as before computers even came along. You speak as if this is some kind of new thing, in fact software has improved many aspects of the hobby. 73, Fred/N0AZZ -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Ralph Parker Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2012 1:27 PM To: [hidden email] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] CW Decoding - Your Brain is best >Your brain IS best at CW decoding... Amen to that, brother! >...Let CW Skimmer decode for you... Only if a non-brain decoder is good enough to read the DX station at 28 wpm (or better) when he says "pse na qrx nw ja up" and you understand what that means, and not keep calling incessantly because the decoder hasn't displayed your call. Sorry for the rant, but there are waaaayyyy too many people calling out of turn these days. I suspect that non-brain decoders are the reason. There's only one way to get the Carnegie Hall. Ralph, VE7XF ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
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In reply to this post by W7GJ, Lance
Someone was on the right track. Why all the systems and methods?
Just get on the air and use it. That is how we actually did it back when. We used CW as a primary mode for the most part. We learned how to use it and improved by doing it on the air. Anyway I want to talk about CW, CW decode on the K3, The P3/SVGA and keyboard and CW decode and send using all of the above. I was watching some CW stations on the monitor RX window while having Text Dec turned on. I got to messing with the NR, Audio filter and such. It all makes a difference in getting better decode. Anyway I got to thinking how good it actually was and how it could help those who do not do CW because of a million reasons including age and hearing losses or problems. Having a couple of the memories on CW set up a non code person could use the K3/P3/SVGA/Nice size monitor to actually work CW at any speed. This especially in contests where the keying is usually "machine" memory sent and the exchange is minimal. A person could easily make QSOs using the programmed memories. Tune in a station on the monitor or K3 display. Find that you need that one for whatever award/s and you want to work him. Follow his activity and when he breaks for another station hit M1 on the K3 sending out your call. Watch the monitor for him to respond to you. If he does he sends 599 0123 K. You hit M2 on the K3 which sends RR 5NN TU and you have a valid DX style contact. Not a rag chew of course but in the log and on the wall. Of course that is as minimal as it gets but it works to work a new one and a new mode for the contest or just the award/s you want. Really think about it for a minute. Lots of rigs can do it but the K3 does it well. They don't even advertise CW operation for non CW types.....8>) but it's there. 73 es GL ...............6M DXCC #436 132/132 "It ain't easy bein a ZERO". Mike Sanders KOAZ ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
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In reply to this post by Peter Chamalian
At 05:08 PM 11/8/2012, Jim Dunstan wrote:
>At 03:56 PM 11/8/2012, you wrote: >> >> I respect the hams that have spent many hours developing and >>improving their CW skills ... until they attempt to discourage hams who >>choose to come at CW with a different approach. The conjecture that >>those of us using decoders cause more problems than those audibly >>decoding is just that - a conjecture. Inexperience is very likely a more >>important factor. Please note that many accomplished CW ops use keyers >>when it's to their advantage - during CW contests. Software-generated >>code has no "fist"and is therefore more readable. And many CW >>contesters can achieve higher speeds with accuracy using a keyer and >>software than they may be able to do by hand. I disagree to some of your statement. In particular that computer generated cw ... that comes without "fist" is more readable.. I am from the old school ... I was a commercial CW operator at the end of the era. The 'fist' as u describe was similar to a speaking accent. Some accents are easier to understand than others (from a personal point of view). The fist was very important ... it defined who you were. The official policy of the service was that operators should use a manual key. However almost everyone on the net (used a keyer - bug in those days) which added to but didn't create the different 'fists'. There were some great 'fists' ... some that u could sit back and read like music. To be able to send with such a fist was really a 'gift'. Such a gifted 'fist' is by far superior to computer generated cw using an unimaginative algorithim. If you can listen to a wonderful 'fist' and compare to a computer generated signal ... u would immediately recognize the difference. So i encourage cw ops to develop their own 'fists' ... who knows they may be one of those gifted with the magic 'fist" ... the fist that allows you to sit back and enjoy listening to it. Jim, VE3CI ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
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In reply to this post by Phil Hystad-3
You forgot one thing when you go portable to take your netbook no need for
the key CW will be treated as any other digital mode, no more no less. Just things progressing as they do many have changed in my lifetime. 73, Fred/N0AZZ -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Phil Hystad Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2012 4:22 PM To: [hidden email] List Subject: Re: [Elecraft] CW Decoding - Your Brain is best I can see that someone might want to use a K3 CW decode or a computer decode program like CW Skimmer when operating a contest. After you set things up, very little real CW skill is necessary to be a CW contest player. Indeed, many probably do just that. Ultimately of course, the software will get better and the instance of the human operator will no longer be necessary. Some future glorified computer program can play the game all by itself. You can even schedule your computer program to startup when the contest schedules begin and stop when they end. Of course, total control of your rig by remote is included. Cool -- just think, I could be off doing more interesting things while operating a contest from my Mac hosted computer application. I could be a high scorer -- I could win! I would be the contesting CW champ. Or, at least my program would be but no one need know that. The best part is that during the contest and during all those automated hours or cranking up my score at 2.7 GHz CPU speeds, I can be out in the wilds nearby with my wire antenna thrown into the nearest tree and operating QRP CW from my KX3 using my Begali paddle. 73, phil, K7PEH ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
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In reply to this post by Jim Dunstan
I'm one who doesn't "enjoy" digital modes none of them CW included it's just a tool to make contacts with is all it is. Computers are made for digital modes and have brought them a long way with the JT65 modes to where we can work stations that could never be worked on CW and even with QRP. I enjoy speaking to someone on the phone for only for so long then I want to hang up also. 73, Fred/N0AZZ -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Jim Dunstan Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2012 4:26 PM To: [hidden email] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] CW Decoding - Your Brain is best At 05:08 PM 11/8/2012, Jim Dunstan wrote: >At 03:56 PM 11/8/2012, you wrote: >> >> I respect the hams that have spent many hours developing and >>improving their CW skills ... until they attempt to discourage hams >>who choose to come at CW with a different approach. The conjecture >>that those of us using decoders cause more problems than those audibly >>decoding is just that - a conjecture. Inexperience is very likely a more >>important factor. Please note that many accomplished CW ops use keyers >>when it's to their advantage - during CW contests. Software-generated >>code has no "fist"and is therefore more readable. And many CW >>contesters can achieve higher speeds with accuracy using a keyer and >>software than they may be able to do by hand. I disagree to some of your statement. In particular that computer generated cw ... that comes without "fist" is more readable.. I am from the old school ... I was a commercial CW operator at the end of the era. The 'fist' as u describe was similar to a speaking accent. Some accents are easier to understand than others (from a personal point of view). The fist was very important ... it defined who you were. The official policy of the service was that operators should use a manual key. However almost everyone on the net (used a keyer - bug in those days) which added to but didn't create the different 'fists'. There were some great 'fists' ... some that u could sit back and read like music. To be able to send with such a fist was really a 'gift'. Such a gifted 'fist' is by far superior to computer generated cw using an unimaginative algorithim. If you can listen to a wonderful 'fist' and compare to a computer generated signal ... u would immediately recognize the difference. So i encourage cw ops to develop their own 'fists' ... who knows they may be one of those gifted with the magic 'fist" ... the fist that allows you to sit back and enjoy listening to it. Jim, VE3CI ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
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In reply to this post by Jim Dunstan
Interesting discussion. If you _want_ to learn CW you _can_do it. I
started when was 50 and had suffered minor brain damage from years of heart disease 'episodes' as UK doctors call them. It has been a struggle but well worth it. Electronic decode is not the same and does not work well with hand coded Morse. If you want to use CW then just be determined to learn it and enjoy doing something that no amount of money can buy. Colin - G8FRA/M5FRA m5fra.org.uk <http://www.m5fra.org.uk> > > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
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In reply to this post by N0AZZ
I don't rely on a CW decoder, but I have done a lot of contesting in both CW and SSB modes, and if that skewed contention were true we wouldn't have just as many people calling out of turn on SSB as we do on CW. Dave AB7E > > -----Original Message----- > From: [hidden email] > [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Ralph Parker > Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2012 1:27 PM > To: [hidden email] > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] CW Decoding - Your Brain is best > > > Sorry for the rant, but there are waaaayyyy too many people calling > out of turn these days. I suspect that non-brain decoders are the reason. > Ralph, VE7XF _ ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
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