CW practice QSOs...

[STEPHEN W BANKS]

Hello everyone,

Does anyone on the list happen to recall the website address mentioned (I think) on this list a few months ago as being particularly valuable in simulating real-life QSOs?  As I recall, the emphasis was on the fact that this particular practice software source was good at contest simulations with lots of QSB, QRM, pileups and other real-life scenarios rather than the usual CW practice tapes, disks and the like.

I may have seen the source of the practice software mentioned in QST Magazine, but my memory fails me at the moment.  It may have been something like "B & B Cyber Software" but that's only a best guess.

If anyone happens to know what I'm talking about, I'd appreciate your suggestions.  And if you have your own favorite practice methodology (in addition to on-the-air QSOs), that would be helpful to me too.

I'm struggling to get past an incessant speed barrier of about 18 wpm.

Thanks for your suggestions and 73 to all,

Steve Banks
K0PQ
_______________________________________________
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

[Craig Rairdin]

What's wrong with listening on the air? Plenty of QSB, QRM, pile-ups and
other real-life scenarios there. :-)


Craig
NZ0R

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of STEPHEN W BANKS
Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2007 11:47 AM
To: Elecraft
Subject: [Elecraft] CW practice QSOs...


Hello everyone,

Does anyone on the list happen to recall the website address mentioned (I
think) on this list a few months ago as being particularly valuable in
simulating real-life QSOs?  As I recall, the emphasis was on the fact that
this particular practice software source was good at contest simulations
with lots of QSB, QRM, pileups and other real-life scenarios rather than the
usual CW practice tapes, disks and the like.

I may have seen the source of the practice software mentioned in QST
Magazine, but my memory fails me at the moment.  It may have been something
like "B & B Cyber Software" but that's only a best guess.

If anyone happens to know what I'm talking about, I'd appreciate your
suggestions.  And if you have your own favorite practice methodology (in
addition to on-the-air QSOs), that would be helpful to me too.

I'm struggling to get past an incessant speed barrier of about 18 wpm.

Thanks for your suggestions and 73 to all,

Steve Banks
K0PQ
_______________________________________________
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

_______________________________________________
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

[ON4WIX]

Would that be Just Learn Morse Code (http:\\justlearnmorsecode.com) ?
I heard a lot of my local club's members talk about how good this software
is.
Haven't tried it myself though.

Hope this helps

GL es 73
Glenn ON4WIX/OR4W
----- Original Message -----
From: "STEPHEN W BANKS" <[hidden email]>
To: "Elecraft" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2007 6:47 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] CW practice QSOs...

> Hello everyone,
>
> Does anyone on the list happen to recall the website address mentioned (I
> think) on this list a few months ago as being particularly valuable in
> simulating real-life QSOs?  As I recall, the emphasis was on the fact that
> this particular practice software source was good at contest simulations
> with lots of QSB, QRM, pileups and other real-life scenarios rather than
> the usual CW practice tapes, disks and the like.
>
> I may have seen the source of the practice software mentioned in QST
> Magazine, but my memory fails me at the moment.  It may have been
> something like "B & B Cyber Software" but that's only a best guess.
>
> If anyone happens to know what I'm talking about, I'd appreciate your
> suggestions.  And if you have your own favorite practice methodology (in
> addition to on-the-air QSOs), that would be helpful to me too.
>
> I'm struggling to get past an incessant speed barrier of about 18 wpm.
>
> Thanks for your suggestions and 73 to all,
>
> Steve Banks
> K0PQ
> _______________________________________________
> 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
>

_______________________________________________
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

[Rob Locher W7GH]

You might be thinking of Morse Runner
http://www.dxatlas.com/MorseRunner/ .  It's a simulation of running  
stations in the WPX CW contest.  QSB, QRM, fading, and "lids" are  
options.  Even if you have no intention of being a contester, Morse Runner  
is a wonderful trainer for copying callsigns and numbers; the software  
makes it fun.  It will never teach you to copy ragchew text in your head  
though!

- Rob W7GH



On Thu, 31 May 2007 09:47:29 -0700, STEPHEN W BANKS <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hello everyone,
>
> Does anyone on the list happen to recall the website address mentioned  
> (I think) on this list a few months ago as being particularly valuable  
> in simulating real-life QSOs?  As I recall, the emphasis was on the fact  
> that this particular practice software source was good at contest  
> simulations with lots of QSB, QRM, pileups and other real-life scenarios  
> rather than the usual CW practice tapes, disks and the like.

[the rest was snipped]

_______________________________________________
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

[Ken Chandler]

http://www.g4fon.net/

For those of you unaware perhaps you could try the above link !

Ken..G0ORH..K2/100 ser 05877 loaded.


----- Original Message -----
From: "Rob Locher W7GH" <[hidden email]>
To: "Elecraft Discussion List" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2007 6:16 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] Re: [OT] CW practice QSOs...

> You might be thinking of Morse Runner
> http://www.dxatlas.com/MorseRunner/ .  It's a simulation of running
> stations in the WPX CW contest.  QSB, QRM, fading, and "lids" are
> options.  Even if you have no intention of being a contester, Morse Runner
> is a wonderful trainer for copying callsigns and numbers; the software
> makes it fun.  It will never teach you to copy ragchew text in your head
> though!
>
> - Rob W7GH
>
>
>
> On Thu, 31 May 2007 09:47:29 -0700, STEPHEN W BANKS <[hidden email]>
> wrote:
>
>> Hello everyone,
>>
>> Does anyone on the list happen to recall the website address mentioned
>> (I think) on this list a few months ago as being particularly valuable
>> in simulating real-life QSOs?  As I recall, the emphasis was on the fact
>> that this particular practice software source was good at contest
>> simulations with lots of QSB, QRM, pileups and other real-life scenarios
>> rather than the usual CW practice tapes, disks and the like.
>
> [the rest was snipped]
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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
>

_______________________________________________
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

[Ron D'Eau Claire-2]

Ha, ha! My first reaction what that the best "simulator" was a K2, K1 or KX1
into a decent antenna <G>.

That said, he wants to break the 18 wpm barrier. It gets harder to find QSOs
above 15-20 wpm. I used W1AW sessions to get my 35 wpm certificate, then
promptly never used 35 or 40 wpm again except on very rare occasions. The
"simulator" sounded like a good idea for consistent high-speed practice
under typical band conditions.

I presume he wants to be able to work other stations in that speed range, so
sending is equally important.

For sending practice I find a program like CW GET is invaluable because it's
so touchy. It wants perfect, steady keying to decode properly; the sort of
stuff a keyboard provides with perfect inter-word spacing. If I can get good
copy on CW GET, I know my keying is acceptable. Perhaps I have a bigger
challenge sending since I use a bug or hand pump, but it still takes
practice and skill using paddles and a keyer.

Before software like CW GET was around I recorded my own sending, working
down a page in a phone book with addresses and numbers or at least a page
out of a magazine. Then I played it back, preferably the next day. If it was
a fist I was happy to copy, I was happy.

Ron AC7AC


-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Craig Rairdin
Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2007 9:51 AM
To: 'Elecraft'
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] CW practice QSOs...


What's wrong with listening on the air? Plenty of QSB, QRM, pile-ups and
other real-life scenarios there. :-)


Craig
NZ0R

_______________________________________________
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

[Brian Lloyd-6]

On May 31, 2007, at 9:53 AM, ON4WIX wrote:

> Would that be Just Learn Morse Code (http:\\justlearnmorsecode.com) ?
> I heard a lot of my local club's members talk about how good this  
> software is.
> Haven't tried it myself though.

http://justlearnmorsecode.com

<sigh> It looks really interesting but it is windows-specific.  
Doesn't anyone write code in Java so it can be used on multiple  
platforms?

73 de Brian, WB6RQN
Brian Lloyd - brian HYPHEN wb6rqn AT lloyd DOT com


_______________________________________________
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

[k6dgw]

Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:
>
> Before software like CW GET was around I recorded my own sending, working
> down a page in a phone book with addresses and numbers or at least a page
> out of a magazine. Then I played it back, preferably the next day. If it was
> a fist I was happy to copy, I was happy.

Look up Morse Gen on Google.  It will send CW from a text file and
whatever speed you desire.  It will save it as a .wav file which you can
burn onto a CD and listen to in your vehicle.

Last time I drove down to Atascadero [~5 hrs] to visit my college
roommate and hit the Cal Poly Book store to replenish clothing [OK ...
and drink a little wine, the wine business in the Cal. Central Coast
area is huge], I fed it an e-book I'd bought, and "read" it in CW all
the way down and back.  Took 6 CD's -- 3 down, 3 back.  Really ... as in
"really really really" ... beats talk radio :-)

Even sent a couple of CDs I made of the letters we put into the packages
we sent to an adopted troop in Afghanistan who was building a K2 and
working towards a ticket.

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2007 CQP Oct 6-7
- www.cqp.org
_______________________________________________
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

[Ron D'Eau Claire-2]

That's a great idea, Fred, but I think you misunderstood. I was suggesting
ways to improve one's fist as well as one's copy speed. Both are important.
Recording my own fist, and then listening to it later, was a good way to
hear how my fist sounds "on the air".

The neat skill that your suggestion will help develop is "copying in the
head" without writing anything down. I keep forgetting that there are many
ops who can't do that, and I can't imagine enjoying CW nearly as much if I
had to write everything on paper. I've had my ham shack in one corner of the
kitchen (close to the coffee pot!) and ran QSO's while fixing dinner (AS OM,
POT'S BOILING OVER) or, more often, while doing other chores. And, of
course, I've had my 'shack' in the workshop where I'm working on projects
while copying the other station 'in my head'.

Even when lounging at the operating desk, being able to lean back, close my
eyes, and visualize the 'airspace' with all those signals dancing around the
periphery while listening to what someone is saying is a really great way to
operate! It's also a good way to practice copying two signals at once. I can
do that to a point. It's like listening to two people talk at once. If they
aren't chattering on too fast or I'm having trouble following their meaning,
it works. And then sometimes I don't want to be distracted and punch in the
400 or 200 Hz filter instead of the 1.5 kHz filer ;-)

73,

Ron



-----Original Message-----
Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:
>
> Before software like CW GET was around I recorded my own sending,
> working down a page in a phone book with addresses and numbers or at
> least a page out of a magazine. Then I played it back, preferably the
> next day. If it was a fist I was happy to copy, I was happy.

Look up Morse Gen on Google.  It will send CW from a text file and
whatever speed you desire.  It will save it as a .wav file which you can
burn onto a CD and listen to in your vehicle.

Last time I drove down to Atascadero [~5 hrs] to visit my college
roommate and hit the Cal Poly Book store to replenish clothing [OK ...
and drink a little wine, the wine business in the Cal. Central Coast
area is huge], I fed it an e-book I'd bought, and "read" it in CW all
the way down and back.  Took 6 CD's -- 3 down, 3 back.  Really ... as in
"really really really" ... beats talk radio :-)

Even sent a couple of CDs I made of the letters we put into the packages
we sent to an adopted troop in Afghanistan who was building a K2 and
working towards a ticket.

73,

Fred K6DGW

_______________________________________________
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

[Julian, G4ILO]

On 6/1/07, Fred Jensen <[hidden email]> wrote:
> Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:
>
> Look up Morse Gen on Google.  It will send CW from a text file and
> whatever speed you desire.  It will save it as a .wav file which you can
> burn onto a CD and listen to in your vehicle.

On my website there are two morse training programs for Windows.

Morsegen is a traditional practise program that can generate various
types of practise material. It can generate WAV files. With the
addition of a Lame encoder (that's the name of it, not a reflection on
its capabilities :) ) it can create MP3 files of the practise sessions
so you can listen on an MP3 player.

Morsetest is a program based on the above that is a kind of contest
simulation practise game. It's not a very good simulation, though, so
I would go with the recommendation to use MorseRunner, which has an
uncannily similar interface but is more like a real contest with
options for QRN, QRM and so-on.

Both these programs are free.

73,
--
Julian, G4ILO
G4ILO's Shack: www.g4ilo.com
K2 s/n: 392  K3 s/n: ???
_______________________________________________
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