CW - SS - Off Topic
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Ladies and Gents,
This is a little off topic, but it follows on the heals of the discussion of memory keyers for contesting being integrated into the K2 software. I was using WriteLog this last weekend for SS on a Pentium 233 Laptop. As you can guess, the CW transmission was slurred because of timing issues. This is not my station. I had brought with me my old AEA CK-2 Contest keyer (and the manual). For transmission, we used the CK-2, but we had to send the call and then push buttons of course. That is the hardway to make over 1100 Qs and it reminded me of the 70s and 80s when the memory keyers with serial number features hit the market. It also showed me how sending code via machine all the time in SS can really destroy your own fist. I was really bad getting some calls out with the old digits. And lastly, I remember copying the call and then sending the call with the digits not following the alphabet, but following the series of sounds the call made. I remember doing that a lot in the 70s and 80s. I was amazed how far and how easy contesting for CW has become with the advent of the computer generating the code. The slick computer programs for contesting have sure off-loaded computing time on the grey matter CPU. 73, Lee - K0WA _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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Lee wrote:
>I was amazed how far and how easy contesting for CW has >become with the advent of the computer generating the code. >The slick computer programs for contesting have sure off-loaded >computing time on the grey matter CPU. It almost seems equivalent to running a marathon by riding a motorcycle. I guess I like the purity of older ways. For example, it's amazing how many of today's ham CW "gurus" advise Morse newcomers to skip the straight key and begin with an iambic keyer. No danger of learning the fundamentals with that approach, or learning that sending decent Morse above some relatively slow speed is much more difficult and requires much more skill than receiving it. Might just as well tell them to skip keys altogether and "learn" the use of a computer or memory keyer from the start. 73, Mike / KK5F _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by k0wa@swbell.net
In a message dated 11/10/2004 9:59:20 AM Eastern Standard Time, "Mike Morrow" <[hidden email]> writes:
>Lee wrote: > >>I was amazed how far and how easy contesting >>for CW has >>become with the advent of the computer >>generating the code. Memory keyers eliminated a lot of the sending even before PCs were common. >>The slick computer programs for contesting have >>sure off-loaded >>computing time on the grey matter CPU. Yep. The voice folks aren't much different - latest thing in SSB contesting is the "voice keyer" with canned messages in *your* voice. >It almost seems equivalent to running a marathon >by riding a motorcycle. Having run two marathons and many shorter races, that's a good analogy! But such is the way of progress - the K2 has two VFOs, ten memories, can be remote-controlled and doesn't need to be tuned up. >I guess I like the purity of older ways. I did SS with my "other" rig - all homebrew, 100W, inverted V at 37 feet. (google up my homepage to see a picture). No computer, no memory keyer, not even a second VFO. 424 QSOs in 76 sections. I can change bands in about 20 seconds but it's a bit more complex than with the K2.... The use of paper logs and lack of automated sending was a major limitation in how many QSOs I could make per hour this year, and how much effort it took to make the ones I did. >For example, it's amazing how many >of today's ham CW "gurus" advise Morse newcomers >to skip the straight key >and begin with an iambic keyer. I think that's bad advice, and actually makes it *harder* to learn good sending. 73 de Jim, N2EY _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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[hidden email] wrote:
> The use of paper logs and lack of automated sending was a major limitation in > how many QSOs I could make per hour this year, and how much effort it took to > make the ones I did. The big problem, I remember, was the dupe sheet. I recall operating at a club station years ago in 'multioperator' mode...we had two operators, one to make contacts and one to dupe and log! The Sweepstakes is a relatively easy contest to dupe, because you can only work a station once. Contests like the CQ WW in which you can work the same station on each of 6 bands are much harder. And taking into account the insane call letter assignments that are the rule today, it's almost impossible to a decent job without a computer. -- 73, Vic, K2VCO Fresno CA http://www.qsl.net/k2vco _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by k0wa@swbell.net
Jim, N2EY wrote:
"Memory keyers eliminated a lot of the sending even before PCs were common." ========== The advent of the memory keyer freed up some time during QSOs to keep a paper log and paper dupe sheet for each band during a contest, but the BIG thing that reduced contest fatigue for me was ability of the PC to eliminate the need for keeping paper logs and dupe sheets! 73, de Earl, K6SE _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by N2EY
I really have to disagree. I advise those getting started with CW to not
bother trying to master a straight key before beginning to use a keyer. I just don't see how learning to send with a straight key helps anyone send better with a keyer, and if they're going to eventually use a keyer, why not just start out with one? Unless you really enjoy using a straight key, I think it's a disincentive. It's certainly harder on the wrist. Remember, we're talking about a hobby here, and a hobby is supposed to be fun. If it's not fun to work CW, fewer guys are going to operate CW. I'd rather have more CW ops using keyers, than a few die-hards pounding straight keys. 73! Dan KB6NU --------------------------------------------------------------------------- President, ARROW Comm. Assn. (www.w8pgw.org) ARRL MI Section Affiliated Club Coordinator CW Geek (FISTS #9342) Read my ham radio blog at www.blurty.com/~kb6nu ----- Original Message ----- From: <[hidden email]> To: ""Elecraft Reflector"" <[hidden email]> Sent: Wednesday, November 10, 2004 12:10 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] CW - SS - Off Topic > In a message dated 11/10/2004 9:59:20 AM Eastern Standard Time, "Mike Morrow" <[hidden email]> writes: > >Lee wrote: > >For example, it's amazing how many > >of today's ham CW "gurus" advise Morse newcomers >to skip the straight key > >and begin with an iambic keyer. > > I think that's bad advice, and actually makes it *harder* to learn good sending. _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by k0wa@swbell.net
In a message dated 11/11/04 8:26:30 AM Eastern Standard Time, [hidden email]
writes: > I really have to disagree. I advise those getting started with CW to not > bother trying to master a straight key before beginning to use a keyer. I > just don't see how learning to send with a straight key helps anyone send > better with a keyer, and if they're going to eventually use a keyer, why not > just start out with one? It has to do with developing rhythm and timing. While the keyer requires a different motion and timing than a straight key, the basic mental concepts/skills are best laid down with the straight key. IMHO. > > Unless you really enjoy using a straight key, I think it's a disincentive. Why? > It's certainly harder on the wrist. Remember, we're talking about a hobby > here, and a hobby is supposed to be fun. If it's not fun to work CW, fewer > guys are going to operate CW. I'd rather have more CW ops using keyers, than > a few die-hards pounding straight keys. I'm not saying everyone *must* use straight keys, just that it's a good idea to *start out* with one to develop the skills and timing. In my experience, those who start out with straight keys actually have an *easier* time learning to send good CW - with straight key, bug, or keyer of any variety. 73 de Jim, N2EY > > _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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