K3 CW decoder and CQ CW contest

[Vic Rosenthal]

I recently had a QSO with a guy who kept sending his call with a 4S9 prefix. I didn't get it right until he told me his QTH, in Switzerland (complete call and QTH left out to protect the guilty).
Oh well, time to get out my bug and call NN GT.

Vic 4X6GP/K2VCO

> On Dec 2, 2014, at 7:28 AM, WILLIS COOKE via Elecraft <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I encountered an operator named DEAN who sent it as de an and I kept copying it as from An. Willis 'Cookie' Cooke, TDXS DX Chairman K5EWJ & Trustee N5BPS, USS Cavalla, USS Stewart
>      From: "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
> To: [hidden email]
> Cc: [hidden email]
> Sent: Monday, December 1, 2014 3:29 PM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 CW decoder and CQ CW contest
>
> Sorry - I wasn't clear. Of course it makes no sense to send "DE" prior to
> calling anyone if the only thing you're sending is your own call.
>
> I was referring mostly to folks who are calling CQ, especially those with
> a bad fist, and under poor conditions. I've heard stations with an unusual
> callsign who call CQ, send their call maybe three times with NO spacing
> between iterations. If you miss the start of the call, it takes a lot of
> work to sort out the longstringofpossibilitiesfromthemess. By simply
> sending "CQ CQ CQ DE ..." the DE acts as a heads-up that "here is the
> start of my call", which gives one a fighting chance.
>
> Under good conditions, it's not a problem.
>
> I'm not a contester - ever - though I like chasing DX and actually enjoy
> trying to work out a strategy for pileups. And no, I never send "DE" under
> those conditions -- or even my callsign again -- unless I know the DX
> station has it wrong.
>
> 73, Dale
> WA8SRA
>
>
>
>
>
>>> On Mon,12/1/2014 5:52 AM, [hidden email] wrote:
>>> But PLEASE DO develop the habit of using the characters "DE" to preface
>>> the sending of your callsign, whether calling CQ or in exchange with
>>> another station.
>>
>> NO, NO, NO! (CAPS added for emphasis). When a contester (or DXpedition)
>> is running (calling CQ), we EXPECT to hear YOUR callsign, and we start
>> typing that call in the entry window. Lots of calls begin with D, so
>> when someone sends DE, we must backspace. DON'T send his call first --
>> he knows his call -- only send yours. Same problem with typing. Further,
>> sending the old CW elements like DE, K, KN, and QSL during a contest are
>> time-wasters equivalent to "please copy" on SSB. Most good contesters
>> use "TU" or "R" and end a QSO by sending "TU" followed by their callsign.
>>
>> Another rule -- NEVER resend anything that the other station has copied
>> correctly. If the other station sent your call correctly when he
>> responded to you, don't send it again. Send it again ONLY if you think
>> he got it wrong.
>>
>> Count me among those who HATE cut numbers other than for 5NN.
>>
>> 73, Jim K9YC
>
>
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[Millerhill]

HiHi...that's a good one.

No mention in this thread about using a single lever paddle as a sideswiper. It may sound strange, but it's now my favorite form of sending CW. Like using a straight key on steroids.

On the other hand, using a straight key still gives me warm fuzzies.


Best 72/73
Steve

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steve Roberts-W1SFR
Sudbury, VT
http://www.kx3helper.com
Stuff for portable ops and Keys too.
Fists, CW OPS, QRP ARCI, SKCC, NEQRP, NAQCC, FP, ARRL, Green Mountain Wireless Society
[phone] (cell)









On Dec 2, 2014, at 4:55 AM, Vic Rosenthal wrote:

> I recently had a QSO with a guy who kept sending his call with a 4S9 prefix. I didn't get it right until he told me his QTH, in Switzerland (complete call and QTH left out to protect the guilty).
> Oh well, time to get out my bug and call NN GT.
>
> Vic 4X6GP/K2VCO
>

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[Phil Anderson]

Ken, great. When you are copying, are you using the K3 decoder or
copying in your  head at 30 wpm.

Uncle Phil, W0xi...

> Ken <mailto:[hidden email]>
> Monday, December 01, 2014 6:37 PM
> Yes, I’ve looked up and understand the theory of Iambic keying but 1)
> it’s been weird to try and 2) I haven’t noticed any advantage for me.
> Now maybe there is an advantage at higher speeds? But when I’ve run
> above 30 wpm, I use a keyboard ;-)
>
> 73,
> Ken WA8JXM
>
>
>
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> Ken <mailto:[hidden email]>
> Monday, December 01, 2014 3:00 PM
>
>
> Am I missing something? Have I been doing it wrong for years? Yes I
> have an Iambic paddle and of course the K3 offers Iambic choice BUT I
> NEVER USE IT. I don’t touch both paddles at the same time, my wrist
> rocks back and forth and I never squeeze the paddle.
>
> Seriously I am asking if I’m doing something wrong.
>
> Thanks,
> Ken WA8JXM
>
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> Joe Subich, W4TV <mailto:[hidden email]>
> Monday, December 01, 2014 8:06 AM
>
>
> *IF* one must start out with paddles/keyer, learn on Iambic A.  Iambic
> B was a logic error in the AccuKeyer and simply covers up sloppy (slow)
> paddle operation.
>
> There are really three Iambic modes - based on where the trailing
> element decision is made:
>
> Iambic A which makes the decision at the end of the current element.
> If the other paddle is closed at the end of a dit, the keyer adds a
> dah.  If the other paddle is closed at the end of a dah, the keyer
> adds a dit.
>
> Iambic B makes the decision at the *beginning* of the current element.
> If both paddles are closed at the beginning of a dit, the keyer sends
> dit-dah.  If both paddles are closed at the beginning of a dah, the
> keyer sends dah-dit.
>
> CMOS Super Keyer (Logikeyer) makes the decision *one dit time into*
> the current character.  If the current element is a dit and both
> paddles are closed at the end of the dit, the keyer adds a dah.  If
> the current element is a dah and both paddles are closed 1/3 of the
> way through the dah, the keyer adds a dit.
>
> 73,
>
>    ... Joe, W4TV
>
>
>
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> Don Wilhelm <mailto:[hidden email]>
> Monday, December 01, 2014 7:46 AM
> There are alternatives to Iambic keying.
> One way is to use a single lever paddle which makes it impossible to
> send those alternating dit/dah sequences that I cannot work with
> correctly due to some 'finger habits' that I learned when using a bug.
>
> Another way is to get a K1EL keyer (or Winkeyer) and try out the
> various modes he has built in.
> They do have a bug mode, but I have trouble with that one because
> there is no control between the string of dits and the timing of the
> manual dashes, when used with dual lever paddles.  It would probably
> be OK with a single lever paddle, but I have not tried it that way.
>
> With dual lever paddles, I prefer Ultimatic mode.  That mode sends a
> string of the last paddle closed, which means you can use dit or dah
> insertion as well.
>
> If you are just starting out, you may want to learn to send with dual
> lever paddles in Iambic (A or B your choice) and learn the squeeze
> sequences as well.  That should help you when you get up to speeds
> above 30 wpm.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
>
>
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>
> Edward R Cole <mailto:[hidden email]>
> Monday, December 01, 2014 2:17 AM
> I still have my original straight key that I bought in 1958 when I was
> practising for my Novice.  I didn't have the luxury of a code machine
> to send my practise sessions (cassettes had not been invented) so
> either I listened on my little 3-tube receiver or I spent hours
> sending to myself.  I think that resulted in a pretty good "fist".  In
> the day I could send 18-20wpm easily with the straight key.  I guess I
> favor learning with a straight key.  Learning what proper sounding CW
> sounds like one should use tapes or practise programs.  Do an hour a
> day for a month and you will absorb it.
>
> Many years later I bought a Bencher-2 but never got very good results
> as the K3 keyer only does Iambic.  I guess I am too set in my ways
> wanting to control the dots and dashes to get hang of Iambic.  I
> should say I was off CW for decades so having to get back into it.  My
> straight keying is a little rusty and not as smooth as I used to do,
> but In time it'll come back.  I wonder if there are any keyers that
> just work like a bug but using a paddle?
>
> I tried CW skimmer and the K3 CW text decoder but I'm not too
> impressed as it takes strong, very clean signal to work well.  Brain
> works better.
>
> For CW-eme I set up some message scripts where I fill in the other
> stations call sign and let the computer send.  Eme keeps one quite
> busy keeping the antenna pointed, tuning Doppler shift, and listening
> to extremely weak signals.  Having the transmitting time to fulfill
> these other tasks without being tied to the key helps a lot.
>
> Of course I may still need to send a non-standard reply so the old
> straight key is right handy.  Setting the spring tension and gap for
> fast CW is required using a straight key-most beginners have too wide
> a gap setting.  Motion of the hand is in the wrist moving up/down with
> fingers lightly touching the key.  Beginners usually try taping the
> key.  I can see repetitive motion stress being a problem especially
> for us older hams.  Why I like computer keying for repetitive calling.
>
> 73, Ed - KL7UW
> http://www.kl7uw.com
>     "Kits made by KL7UW"
> Dubus Mag business:
>     [hidden email]
>
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