Elecraft › [K3]

More precise pitch options?

Classic

List

Threaded

24 messages Options

Gary Smith-2

More precise pitch options?

This probably is of little interest to most but I would like the
ability to fine tune the pitch in closer than 10 Hz increments. I'm a
musician and have for practical purposes, perfect pitch. I have my
pitch set at 590 which is the closest approximation to the proper
pitch for "D" (which is 587.33) When I have the pitch set to 590, I
know it's almost a "D" note but it's a bit disquieting at the same
time.

A = 440 and while I can select this, it's low a tone to be pleasing
on CW. A pure note on the scale would be such a pleasure to hear,
much more psychoacousticly pleasing.

Actual frequencies for all the individual notes are here:
http://www.piano-tuners.org/history/pitch.html

Any way the powers that be might also allow an entry to pitch from
the keypad, like when we use it to select Rf frequency?

Thanks,
Gary
KA1J
______________________________________________________________
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

Matt Zilmer

Re: More precise pitch options?

Why not set it to 660Hz, which is a half-octave up from A? Er, maybe
this is TOO high a pitch, but at least it should be close to dead-on
to a real note on the keyboard... Should be right on top of E.

73,
matt W6NIA

On Sun, 11 Dec 2011 12:03:37 -0500, you wrote:

>This probably is of little interest to most but I would like the
>ability to fine tune the pitch in closer than 10 Hz increments. I'm a
>musician and have for practical purposes, perfect pitch. I have my
>pitch set at 590 which is the closest approximation to the proper
>pitch for "D" (which is 587.33) When I have the pitch set to 590, I
>know it's almost a "D" note but it's a bit disquieting at the same
>time.
>
>A = 440 and while I can select this, it's low a tone to be pleasing
>on CW. A pure note on the scale would be such a pleasure to hear,
>much more psychoacousticly pleasing.
>
>Actual frequencies for all the individual notes are here:
>http://www.piano-tuners.org/history/pitch.html
>
>Any way the powers that be might also allow an entry to pitch from
>the keypad, like when we use it to select Rf frequency?
>
>Thanks,
>Gary
>KA1J
>______________________________________________________________
>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

Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: More precise pitch options?

In reply to this post by Gary Smith-2

> This probably is of little interest to most but I would like the
> ability to fine tune the pitch in closer than 10 Hz increments. I'm a
> musician and have for practical purposes, perfect pitch.

Since A has varied considerably over the centuries, what musicians call
"perfect pitch" is only so in relation to the modern A440 standard and
only for one set of scales. The tones are different for other scales
and other time periods.

It's difficult to say B 489.95 (Vienna Opera, 1834) or A# 469.34
(Wolfels, 1835) is "wrong" given the variation in "standard pitch"
as reported in the article you cite.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 12/11/2011 12:03 PM, Gary Smith wrote:

> This probably is of little interest to most but I would like the
> ability to fine tune the pitch in closer than 10 Hz increments. I'm a
> musician and have for practical purposes, perfect pitch. I have my
> pitch set at 590 which is the closest approximation to the proper
> pitch for "D" (which is 587.33) When I have the pitch set to 590, I
> know it's almost a "D" note but it's a bit disquieting at the same
> time.
>
> A = 440 and while I can select this, it's low a tone to be pleasing
> on CW. A pure note on the scale would be such a pleasure to hear,
> much more psychoacousticly pleasing.
>
> Actual frequencies for all the individual notes are here:
> http://www.piano-tuners.org/history/pitch.html
>
> Any way the powers that be might also allow an entry to pitch from
> the keypad, like when we use it to select Rf frequency?
>
> Thanks,
> Gary
> KA1J
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

Gary Smith-2

Re: More precise pitch options?

Hi Joe,

Yes, the definition pitch has been debated for years and music has
been written specifically for instruments bearing different scales
however, my request is to enter the sound I have come to identify as
proper with the instruments I play. After 50 years of playing music
and with seven CDs under my belt, I'm probably not going to find
another pitch to sound correct. A manual pitch entry would be a
benefit to me, not so much for the oft varied Rx pitch but for my
ears when I'm transmitting over long periods.

73,
Gary KA1J

> > This probably is of little interest to most but I would like the
> > ability to fine tune the pitch in closer than 10 Hz increments. I'm a
> > musician and have for practical purposes, perfect pitch.
>
> Since A has varied considerably over the centuries, what musicians call
> "perfect pitch" is only so in relation to the modern A440 standard and
> only for one set of scales. The tones are different for other scales
> and other time periods.
>
> It's difficult to say B 489.95 (Vienna Opera, 1834) or A# 469.34
> (Wolfels, 1835) is "wrong" given the variation in "standard pitch"
> as reported in the article you cite.
>
> 73,
>
> ... Joe, W4TV
>
>
> On 12/11/2011 12:03 PM, Gary Smith wrote:
> > This probably is of little interest to most but I would like the
> > ability to fine tune the pitch in closer than 10 Hz increments. I'm a
> > musician and have for practical purposes, perfect pitch. I have my
> > pitch set at 590 which is the closest approximation to the proper
> > pitch for "D" (which is 587.33) When I have the pitch set to 590, I
> > know it's almost a "D" note but it's a bit disquieting at the same
> > time.
> >
> > A = 440 and while I can select this, it's low a tone to be pleasing
> > on CW. A pure note on the scale would be such a pleasure to hear,
> > much more psychoacousticly pleasing.
> >
> > Actual frequencies for all the individual notes are here:
> > http://www.piano-tuners.org/history/pitch.html
> >
> > Any way the powers that be might also allow an entry to pitch from
> > the keypad, like when we use it to select Rf frequency?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Gary
> > KA1J
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > 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
> >
>

Jessie Oberreuter-2

Re: More precise pitch options?

In reply to this post by Gary Smith-2

*smile*

Garry, I feel your pain! I tend to tune stations to "exact" pitches
and just get my side-tone "close enough". My K2 is presently singing a
slightly sharp Bb at 470hz. The whole bleedin' world is out of tune, so I
usually just suffer, but I would do a little happy dance if I could tune
the side-tone more precisely :).

Of course, even those of us with perfect pitch have to deal with the
fact that, like Heisenberg, you can't have perfect pitch and perfect
tuning at the same time. I'm always asking folks to sing individual
pitches a bit higher or lower than the piano to get the chords to lock!

-kb7psg

On Sun, 11 Dec 2011, Gary Smith wrote:

> This probably is of little interest to most but I would like the
> ability to fine tune the pitch in closer than 10 Hz increments. I'm a
> musician and have for practical purposes, perfect pitch. I have my
> pitch set at 590 which is the closest approximation to the proper
> pitch for "D" (which is 587.33) When I have the pitch set to 590, I
> know it's almost a "D" note but it's a bit disquieting at the same
> time.
>
> A = 440 and while I can select this, it's low a tone to be pleasing
> on CW. A pure note on the scale would be such a pleasure to hear,
> much more psychoacousticly pleasing.
>
> Actual frequencies for all the individual notes are here:
> http://www.piano-tuners.org/history/pitch.html
>
> Any way the powers that be might also allow an entry to pitch from
> the keypad, like when we use it to select Rf frequency?
>
> Thanks,
> Gary
> KA1J
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

Guy, K2AV

Re: More precise pitch options?

Aren't we getting just the least bit pampered and trivial? The tale of the
Princess and the Pea comes to mind.

I'd like an option for a leather-bound case and front panel, so I could
stroke it and have the feel of leather. I miss the feel of leather.

73, Guy.

On Sun, Dec 11, 2011 at 2:20 PM, Jessie Oberreuter <
[hidden email]> wrote:

>
> *smile*
>
> Garry, I feel your pain! I tend to tune stations to "exact" pitches
> and just get my side-tone "close enough". My K2 is presently singing a
> slightly sharp Bb at 470hz. The whole bleedin' world is out of tune, so I
> usually just suffer, but I would do a little happy dance if I could tune
> the side-tone more precisely :).
>
> Of course, even those of us with perfect pitch have to deal with the
> fact that, like Heisenberg, you can't have perfect pitch and perfect
> tuning at the same time. I'm always asking folks to sing individual
> pitches a bit higher or lower than the piano to get the chords to lock!
>
> -kb7psg
>
>
> On Sun, 11 Dec 2011, Gary Smith wrote:
>
> > This probably is of little interest to most but I would like the
> > ability to fine tune the pitch in closer than 10 Hz increments. I'm a
> > musician and have for practical purposes, perfect pitch. I have my
> > pitch set at 590 which is the closest approximation to the proper
> > pitch for "D" (which is 587.33) When I have the pitch set to 590, I
> > know it's almost a "D" note but it's a bit disquieting at the same
> > time.
> >
> > A = 440 and while I can select this, it's low a tone to be pleasing
> > on CW. A pure note on the scale would be such a pleasure to hear,
> > much more psychoacousticly pleasing.
> >
> > Actual frequencies for all the individual notes are here:
> > http://www.piano-tuners.org/history/pitch.html
> >
> > Any way the powers that be might also allow an entry to pitch from
> > the keypad, like when we use it to select Rf frequency?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Gary
> > KA1J
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > 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
>

W6ODJ

Re: More precise pitch options?

In reply to this post by Gary Smith-2

Hi Gary,

I use F# at 740.0. Maybe that's too high for you?

73,

Oliver
W6ODJ

On Dec 11, 2011, at 9:03 AM, Gary Smith wrote:

> This probably is of little interest to most but I would like the
> ability to fine tune the pitch in closer than 10 Hz increments. I'm a
> musician and have for practical purposes, perfect pitch. I have my
> pitch set at 590 which is the closest approximation to the proper
> pitch for "D" (which is 587.33) When I have the pitch set to 590, I
> know it's almost a "D" note but it's a bit disquieting at the same
> time.
>
> A = 440 and while I can select this, it's low a tone to be pleasing
> on CW. A pure note on the scale would be such a pleasure to hear,
> much more psychoacousticly pleasing.
>
> Actual frequencies for all the individual notes are here:
> http://www.piano-tuners.org/history/pitch.html
>
> Any way the powers that be might also allow an entry to pitch from
> the keypad, like when we use it to select Rf frequency?
>
> Thanks,
> Gary
> KA1J
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

Gary Smith-2

Re: More precise pitch options?

In reply to this post by Gary Smith-2

No.

If it's good enough for me, it's good enough for you comes to mind.

73,

Gary

>
> > Aren't we getting just the least bit pampered and trivial? The
> tale of the
> > Princess and the Pea comes to mind.
> >
> > I'd like an option for a leather-bound case and front panel, so I could
> > stroke it and have the feel of leather. I miss the feel of leather.
> >
> > 73, Guy.
> >
> > On Sun, Dec 11, 2011 at 2:20 PM, Jessie Oberreuter <
> > [hidden email]> wrote:
> >
> > >
> > > *smile*
> > >
> > > Garry, I feel your pain! I tend to tune stations to "exact" pitches
> > > and just get my side-tone "close enough". My K2 is presently singing a
> > > slightly sharp Bb at 470hz. The whole bleedin' world is out of tune, so I
> > > usually just suffer, but I would do a little happy dance if I could tune
> > > the side-tone more precisely :).
> > >
> > > Of course, even those of us with perfect pitch have to deal with the
> > > fact that, like Heisenberg, you can't have perfect pitch and perfect
> > > tuning at the same time. I'm always asking folks to sing individual
> > > pitches a bit higher or lower than the piano to get the chords to lock!
> > >
> > > -kb7psg
> > >
> > >
> > > On Sun, 11 Dec 2011, Gary Smith wrote:
> > >
> > > > This probably is of little interest to most but I would like the
> > > > ability to fine tune the pitch in closer than 10 Hz increments. I'm a
> > > > musician and have for practical purposes, perfect pitch. I have my
> > > > pitch set at 590 which is the closest approximation to the proper
> > > > pitch for "D" (which is 587.33) When I have the pitch set to 590, I
> > > > know it's almost a "D" note but it's a bit disquieting at the same
> > > > time.
> > > >
> > > > A = 440 and while I can select this, it's low a tone to be pleasing
> > > > on CW. A pure note on the scale would be such a pleasure to hear,
> > > > much more psychoacousticly pleasing.
> > > >
> > > > Actual frequencies for all the individual notes are here:
> > > > http://www.piano-tuners.org/history/pitch.html
> > > >
> > > > Any way the powers that be might also allow an entry to pitch from
> > > > the keypad, like when we use it to select Rf frequency?
> > > >
> > > > Thanks,
> > > > Gary
> > > > KA1J
> > > > ______________________________________________________________
> > > > 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
> > >
> >
>
>

Grant Youngman

Re: More precise pitch options?

>>>>>
>>>>> A = 440 and while I can select this, it's low a tone to be pleasing
>>>>> on CW. A pure note on the scale would be such a pleasure to hear,
>>>>> much more psychoacousticly pleasing.

But an instrument tuned to A440 is just one of many possible tunings. There's nothing inherently "pure" about any note on the common scale. I suppose an organ in Silberman or Mean Tone (some comma) temperaments with A up or down a step or two (pretty typical) would drive you crazy? As would many other instruments not tuned to Kammerton. Easy enough to live with -- even if you suffer from perfect pitch :-) And mean tone is soooooo much more pleasant (as long as you're not in a bad key.

So how about making the sidetone pitch tuning really interesting -- say, Mean Tone, 5th comma or Kernberger III :-)))

Grant/NQ5T
______________________________________________________________
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

k6dgw

Re: More precise pitch options?

In reply to this post by Gary Smith-2

And then there are those of us who need to stand together singing "Happy
Birthday" because we like to use the same note.

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2012 Cal QSO Party 6-7 Oct 2012
- www.cqp.org

On 12/11/2011 9:03 AM, Gary Smith wrote:
> This probably is of little interest to most but I would like the
> ability to fine tune the pitch in closer than 10 Hz increments. I'm a
> musician and have for practical purposes, perfect pitch. I have my
> pitch set at 590 which is the closest approximation to the proper
> pitch for "D" (which is 587.33) When I have the pitch set to 590, I
> know it's almost a "D" note but it's a bit disquieting at the same
> time.
______________________________________________________________
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

Gary Smith-2

Re: More precise pitch options?

The reality is I put out a simple request and there's always going to
be a select bunch of people who think it shows their prowess to come
up with a smarmy smart ass reply to a request if they don't see any
value in it for themselves.

If there's something that can easily be done I'm hoping Eric or Wayne
will be able to do this and for those others who just gotta make a
genius remark about it, just email me directly; but you won't get the
same press cred as on the reflector...

Gary
KA1J

______________________________________________________________
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

Don Putnick-2

Re: More precise pitch options?

I've seen what a difference in pitch can do. I used to be the "code guy" in our ARRL VE group. Several applicants would flunk the Novice code test because they said the ARRL standard pitch was not the same as what they used when they were learning the code. Sounded like a lame excuse to me, but I'd tweak the tone and they'd pass with no problem.

Don NA6Z K3 #5495

>________________________________
> From: Gary Smith <[hidden email]>
>To: [hidden email]
>Sent: Sunday, December 11, 2011 3:55 PM
>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] More precise pitch options?
>
>The reality is I put out a simple request and there's always going to
>be a select bunch of people who think it shows their prowess to come
>up with a smarmy smart ass reply to a request if they don't see any
>value in it for themselves.
>
>[snip - drp]
>
>Gary
>KA1J
>
>
>
>______________________________________________________________
>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
>
>
>

gm3sek

Re: More precise pitch options?

Don Putnick wrote:
>I've seen what a difference in pitch can do. I used to be the "code
>guy" in our ARRL VE group. Several applicants would flunk the Novice
>code test because they said the ARRL standard pitch was not the same as
>what they used when they were learning the code. Sounded like a lame
>excuse to me, but I'd tweak the tone and they'd pass with no problem.
>

All credit to you, Don, for understanding that someone else could have a
problem, even though you don't have that particular problem yourself.

This so-called Elecraft "community" needs a whole lot more of that kind
of understanding.

--

73 from Ian GM3SEK
http://www.ifwtech.co.uk/g3sek
______________________________________________________________
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

Gary Gregory

Re: More precise pitch options?

Ian,

Yeppir!

73'
Gary

VK4FD - Motorhome Mobile
Elecraft Equipment
K3 #679, KPA-500 #018
Living the dream!!!

----- Original Message -----
From: Ian White GM3SEK
To: [hidden email]
Sent: Monday, December 12, 2011 5:30 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] More precise pitch options?

Don Putnick wrote:
>I've seen what a difference in pitch can do. I used to be the "code
>guy" in our ARRL VE group. Several applicants would flunk the Novice
>code test because they said the ARRL standard pitch was not the same as
>what they used when they were learning the code. Sounded like a lame
>excuse to me, but I'd tweak the tone and they'd pass with no problem.
>

All credit to you, Don, for understanding that someone else could have a
problem, even though you don't have that particular problem yourself.

This so-called Elecraft "community" needs a whole lot more of that kind
of understanding.

--

73 from Ian GM3SEK
http://www.ifwtech.co.uk/g3sek
______________________________________________________________
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

W5RDW

Re: More precise pitch options?

In reply to this post by Don Putnick-2

Not a lame excuse. When I took the General Class test in Houston in early 1961, the room was full of all types.....old guys mostly and a few of us youngsters (I was 17). The examiners ran the tape for the Extras and most passed with ease. Then , it was our time. The tape starts and many of us look at each other saying, "What's that, including me!" The pitch was so low, obviously not what many of us were use to. The examiners stopped the tape, scanned a few papers and then cranked up the pitch. The test was rerun and all of us were much happier. I think only a few flunked and had to wait a month to try again. The rest of us were happy and went on to the written test! Pitch did matter in this case of about 50 people taking the test.

Roger W5RDW
Murphy, Texas

Roger W5RDW

George

Re: More precise pitch options?

In reply to this post by Gary Smith-2

I find this interesting. When I am struggling to copy a weak station I very
the RIT to get a tone that I copy better. At age 71 with 82% hearing loss
I guess I am tuning to the best tone I have left. I do not use my hearing
aids with headphones. I don't copy SSB very well so am thankful that I have
favored CW for 58 years. I think with volume too high when I was younger is
a big part of my hearing loss. I remember Mom & Dad yelling for me to turn
the volume down. Even with headphones they could hear it. To late now. 73
George/W2BPI
______________________________________________________________
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

KEN-3

Re: More precise pitch options?

In reply to this post by W5RDW

Perhaps the lesson should be that, when learning the code, you should use different pitches and not become solely dependent on a single pitch. Real world operation typically has stations on slightly varying frequencies. One would make a horrible net control or traffic handler if everyone had to be at one perfect frequency.

In the old days (LOL), we used surplus aircraft beacon filters for add on selectivity. They were fixed at 1030 Hz. I hated the pitch of that thing, but it did help sometimes. My current rig (TS-440) uses 800 Hz which I find high. (My new K3 is enroute.)

Ken WA8JXM

On Dec 12, 2011, at 9:34 AM, W5RDW wrote:

> Not a lame excuse. When I took the General Class test in Houston in early
> 1961, the room was full of all types.....old guys mostly and a few of us
> youngsters (I was 17). The examiners ran the tape for the Extras and most
> passed with ease. Then , it was our time. The tape starts and many of us
> look at each other saying, "What's that, including me!" The pitch was so
> low, obviously not what many of us were use to. The examiners stopped the
> tape, scanned a few papers and then cranked up the pitch. The test was rerun
> and all of us were much happier. I think only a few flunked and had to wait
> a month to try again. The rest of us were happy and went on to the written
> test! Pitch did matter in this case of about 50 people taking the test.

Matthew Pitts

Re: More precise pitch options?

Ken,

The problem with that is that if people are "encouraged" to do something that they are uncomfortable with, or causes them discomfort, they are less inclined to follow through with it.

Matthew Pitts
N8OHU

Sent from my Wireless Device

-----Original Message-----
From: Ken <[hidden email]>
Sender: [hidden email]
Date: Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:48:27
To: W5RDW<[hidden email]>
Cc: <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] More precise pitch options?

Perhaps the lesson should be that, when learning the code, you should use different pitches and not become solely dependent on a single pitch. Real world operation typically has stations on slightly varying frequencies. One would make a horrible net control or traffic handler if everyone had to be at one perfect frequency.

In the old days (LOL), we used surplus aircraft beacon filters for add on selectivity. They were fixed at 1030 Hz. I hated the pitch of that thing, but it did help sometimes. My current rig (TS-440) uses 800 Hz which I find high. (My new K3 is enroute.)

Ken WA8JXM

On Dec 12, 2011, at 9:34 AM, W5RDW wrote:

______________________________________________________________
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

k6rb

Re: More precise pitch options?

In reply to this post by KEN-3

Someone who is dependent on a narrow range of CW pitch would have a
horrible time in a pile up or running stations during a contest.

A good way to get used to a variety of pitch frequencies is to try Morse
Runner in a simulated WPX contest and crank up the activity level to at
least 3 and open the filter frequency to at least 500 Hz. You will hear
callers both above and below the center frequency you chose.

Rob K6RB

______________________________________________________________
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

KEN-3

Re: More precise pitch options?

In reply to this post by Matthew Pitts

I'm not saying that people have to be forced to do something uncomfortable, but rather to vary the tone instead of one single pitch as a better learning experience. After all, real world CW is quite different from the perfect learning environment. If they require a perfect environment to learn with, they probably won't enjoy the real world of HF operating, so they won't follow through with that either.

Ken WA8JXM

On Dec 12, 2011, at 12:58 PM, Matthew Pitts wrote:

> Ken,
>
> The problem with that is that if people are "encouraged" to do something that they are uncomfortable with, or causes them discomfort, they are less inclined to follow through with it.
>
> Matthew Pitts
> N8OHU
>
> Sent from my Wireless Device
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ken <[hidden email]>
> Sender: [hidden email]
> Date: Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:48:27
> To: W5RDW<[hidden email]>
> Cc: <[hidden email]>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] More precise pitch options?
>
> Perhaps the lesson should be that, when learning the code, you should use different pitches and not become solely dependent on a single pitch. Real world operation typically has stations on slightly varying frequencies. One would make a horrible net control or traffic handler if everyone had to be at one perfect frequency.
>
> In the old days (LOL), we used surplus aircraft beacon filters for add on selectivity. They were fixed at 1030 Hz. I hated the pitch of that thing, but it did help sometimes. My current rig (TS-440) uses 800 Hz which I find high. (My new K3 is enroute.)
>
> Ken WA8JXM
>
>
> On Dec 12, 2011, at 9:34 AM, W5RDW wrote:
>
>> Not a lame excuse. When I took the General Class test in Houston in early
>> 1961, the room was full of all types.....old guys mostly and a few of us
>> youngsters (I was 17). The examiners ran the tape for the Extras and most
>> passed with ease. Then , it was our time. The tape starts and many of us
>> look at each other saying, "What's that, including me!" The pitch was so
>> low, obviously not what many of us were use to. The examiners stopped the
>> tape, scanned a few papers and then cranked up the pitch. The test was rerun
>> and all of us were much happier. I think only a few flunked and had to wait
>> a month to try again. The rest of us were happy and went on to the written
>> test! Pitch did matter in this case of about 50 people taking the test.