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CW Transmit Text Decode is off

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Cliff Clark

CW Transmit Text Decode is off

I love my KX2, and I thought I would use the TX only CW code to practice,
but I'm having a problem.

I turn Vox off so there is no RF out.

I'm sending some letters like L that end up as ED, or something an R ends
up EN. The sound emitted by the radio seems right though. I even recorded
it in Audacity on my laptop, and the waveform looks perfect, but the decode
is sometimes right, and sometimes not.

Is this just the way it works, or am I just bad at sending? (or maybe both
:-)

I think I'll have to disable the CW decode for now.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Cliff (AG7CC)
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Bob McGraw - K4TAX

Re: CW Transmit Text Decode is off

If it is decoding two characters and not one, this says the sending spacing and length of each element is inconsistent.

Bob, K4TAX

Sent from my iPhone

> On Sep 16, 2018, at 7:05 PM, Cliff Clark <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I love my KX2, and I thought I would use the TX only CW code to practice,
> but I'm having a problem.
>
> I turn Vox off so there is no RF out.
>
> I'm sending some letters like L that end up as ED, or something an R ends
> up EN. The sound emitted by the radio seems right though. I even recorded
> it in Audacity on my laptop, and the waveform looks perfect, but the decode
> is sometimes right, and sometimes not.
>
> Is this just the way it works, or am I just bad at sending? (or maybe both
> :-)
>
> I think I'll have to disable the CW decode for now.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> Thanks,
> Cliff (AG7CC)
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

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Don Wilhelm

Re: CW Transmit Text Decode is off

In reply to this post by Cliff Clark

Cliff,

The decoder demands precise timing of dits, dahs, and the spacing.
It sounds like your "L" being decoded as ED is a result of a slight
pause between the leading dit and the following part of the dahs and
ending dits.
Similarly, "R" coming out as ED is the same problem - a slight pause
after the first dit.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 9/16/2018 8:05 PM, Cliff Clark wrote:

> I love my KX2, and I thought I would use the TX only CW code to practice,
> but I'm having a problem.
>
> I turn Vox off so there is no RF out.
>
> I'm sending some letters like L that end up as ED, or something an R ends
> up EN. The sound emitted by the radio seems right though. I even recorded
> it in Audacity on my laptop, and the waveform looks perfect, but the decode
> is sometimes right, and sometimes not.
>

Cliff Clark

Re: CW Transmit Text Decode is off

Well, I think I might know what is going on then. The timing must be
really tight. I'm using a single lever paddle, and I think if it polls
when I'm switching from dit to dah, or vice versa, then it breaks the
letter, even if it sounds pretty much OK (well, it's faster than my ears
anyway).

So, I guess the technique is to switch before the last element is sent so
it has enough time to engage the next element before it polls.

I'm actually doing the level 1 CW Academy course. I guess I have plenty of
practice ahead. It's pretty embarrassing not being able to send my own
name right :-)

Anyway, good to know I'm not losing my mind (yet).

Thanks,
Cliff

On Mon, Sep 17, 2018 at 12:24 AM Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Cliff,
>
> The decoder demands precise timing of dits, dahs, and the spacing.
> It sounds like your "L" being decoded as ED is a result of a slight
> pause between the leading dit and the following part of the dahs and
> ending dits.
> Similarly, "R" coming out as ED is the same problem - a slight pause
> after the first dit.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
>
> On 9/16/2018 8:05 PM, Cliff Clark wrote:
> > I love my KX2, and I thought I would use the TX only CW code to practice,
> > but I'm having a problem.
> >
> > I turn Vox off so there is no RF out.
> >
> > I'm sending some letters like L that end up as ED, or something an R ends
> > up EN. The sound emitted by the radio seems right though. I even
> recorded
> > it in Audacity on my laptop, and the waveform looks perfect, but the
> decode
> > is sometimes right, and sometimes not.
> >
>

Gwen Patton

Re: CW Transmit Text Decode is off

>
> I'm actually doing the level 1 CW Academy course. I guess I have plenty of
> practice ahead. It's pretty embarrassing not being able to send my own
> name right :-)

I'm taking that course in January, Cliff! I'm not precisely level 1, but
it's been so long since I used my code that I'm starting over anyway. So I
know how you feel!

73,
Gwen, NG3P

On Sun, Sep 16, 2018 at 9:41 PM Cliff Clark <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Well, I think I might know what is going on then. The timing must be
> really tight. I'm using a single lever paddle, and I think if it polls
> when I'm switching from dit to dah, or vice versa, then it breaks the
> letter, even if it sounds pretty much OK (well, it's faster than my ears
> anyway).
>
> So, I guess the technique is to switch before the last element is sent so
> it has enough time to engage the next element before it polls.
>
> I'm actually doing the level 1 CW Academy course. I guess I have plenty of
> practice ahead. It's pretty embarrassing not being able to send my own
> name right :-)
>
> Anyway, good to know I'm not losing my mind (yet).
>
> Thanks,
> Cliff
>
>
>
> On Mon, Sep 17, 2018 at 12:24 AM Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]>
> wrote:
>
> > Cliff,
> >
> > The decoder demands precise timing of dits, dahs, and the spacing.
> > It sounds like your "L" being decoded as ED is a result of a slight
> > pause between the leading dit and the following part of the dahs and
> > ending dits.
> > Similarly, "R" coming out as ED is the same problem - a slight pause
> > after the first dit.
> >
> > 73,
> > Don W3FPR
> >
> >
> > On 9/16/2018 8:05 PM, Cliff Clark wrote:
> > > I love my KX2, and I thought I would use the TX only CW code to
> practice,
> > > but I'm having a problem.
> > >
> > > I turn Vox off so there is no RF out.
> > >
> > > I'm sending some letters like L that end up as ED, or something an R
> ends
> > > up EN. The sound emitted by the radio seems right though. I even
> > recorded
> > > it in Audacity on my laptop, and the waveform looks perfect, but the
> > decode
> > > is sometimes right, and sometimes not.
> > >
> >
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

--

-+-+-+-+-
Jenny Everywhere's Infinite: Quark Time
http://quarktime.net
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Bob McGraw - K4TAX

Re: CW Transmit Text Decode is off

In reply to this post by Cliff Clark

Make sure the contacts on the paddle are clean. Drag a business card between them while applying a bit of pressure.

Also reduce the keyer speed a bit.

I use both a single lever and a dual lever paddle. Timing and rhythm is the key to a good fist. Roll your fist from side to side as opposed to pressing the lever by moving the thumb and forefinger.

Bob, K4TAX

Sent from my iPhone

> On Sep 16, 2018, at 8:40 PM, Cliff Clark <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Well, I think I might know what is going on then. The timing must be
> really tight. I'm using a single lever paddle, and I think if it polls
> when I'm switching from dit to dah, or vice versa, then it breaks the
> letter, even if it sounds pretty much OK (well, it's faster than my ears
> anyway).
>
> So, I guess the technique is to switch before the last element is sent so
> it has enough time to engage the next element before it polls.
>
> I'm actually doing the level 1 CW Academy course. I guess I have plenty of
> practice ahead. It's pretty embarrassing not being able to send my own
> name right :-)
>
> Anyway, good to know I'm not losing my mind (yet).
>
> Thanks,
> Cliff
>
>
>
>> On Mon, Sep 17, 2018 at 12:24 AM Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> Cliff,
>>
>> The decoder demands precise timing of dits, dahs, and the spacing.
>> It sounds like your "L" being decoded as ED is a result of a slight
>> pause between the leading dit and the following part of the dahs and
>> ending dits.
>> Similarly, "R" coming out as ED is the same problem - a slight pause
>> after the first dit.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>>
>>> On 9/16/2018 8:05 PM, Cliff Clark wrote:
>>> I love my KX2, and I thought I would use the TX only CW code to practice,
>>> but I'm having a problem.
>>>
>>> I turn Vox off so there is no RF out.
>>>
>>> I'm sending some letters like L that end up as ED, or something an R ends
>>> up EN. The sound emitted by the radio seems right though. I even
>> recorded
>>> it in Audacity on my laptop, and the waveform looks perfect, but the
>> decode
>>> is sometimes right, and sometimes not.
>>>
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

Nr4c

Re: CW Transmit Text Decode is off

In reply to this post by Cliff Clark

The decode is rather persnickety. Your ears might not hear it but I suspect your sending is just not perfect enough to satisfy the decoder.

Sent from my iPhone
...nr4c. bill

> On Sep 16, 2018, at 8:05 PM, Cliff Clark <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I love my KX2, and I thought I would use the TX only CW code to practice,
> but I'm having a problem.
>
> I turn Vox off so there is no RF out.
>
> I'm sending some letters like L that end up as ED, or something an R ends
> up EN. The sound emitted by the radio seems right though. I even recorded
> it in Audacity on my laptop, and the waveform looks perfect, but the decode
> is sometimes right, and sometimes not.
>
> Is this just the way it works, or am I just bad at sending? (or maybe both
> :-)
>
> I think I'll have to disable the CW decode for now.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> Thanks,
> Cliff (AG7CC)
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
> Message delivered to [hidden email]